The HCG Diet: Not FDA Approved, What Women Need to Know
According to Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel, co-authors of the new book TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (BSH, 2011), the FDA has not approved HCG for weight loss because there is no evidence it will cause a “normal” distribution of fat, accelerate fat loss or decrease hunger associated with decreasing calories.
New York, NY -- May 23, 2011 -- The addition of HCG to one’s diet plan is being touted in women’s magazines as the miracle hormone for weight loss. HCG is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a hormone produced by pregnant women’s placenta.
According to Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel, co-authors of the new book TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (BSH, 2011), the FDA has not approved HCG for weight loss because there is no evidence it will cause a “normal” distribution of fat, accelerate fat loss or decrease hunger associated with decreasing calories.
“There’s a reason the FDA and clinical trials exist,” says Dian. “Both protect our health. Although not always perfect, the FDA has helped prevent us from being hurt by products touting unsubstantiated claims.”
The FDA excels at assessing the side effects of certain drugs. Reported side effects of HCG include its boosting of testosterone, which can result in acne, excess hair, ovarian cysts and infertility—all obvious concerns for women.
HCG is also being sold at a premium for those promoting it. An HCG regimen requires $750-$1250 self-administered daily injections for 21-45 days, along with B-12 shots three times weekly. The Griesels note that a diet restricted to 500 calories per day, consisting of organic meats, fish and vegetables, accompanies the injections. No dairy, carbohydrates, fruit, alcohol or sugar is allowed.
“Anyone will lose weight on a 500 calorie-per-day diet,” advises Tom. “However, it is of utmost importance to note that weight loss does not equal fat loss. Much of what is lost on this particular diet, especially if aerobic or heavy weight lifting is added, will be muscle and water, and possibly bone mass. The ultimate consequence? The body becomes weaker, and when the dieter relapses, fat will accumulate quickly.”
This opinion is well-substantiated. In one peer-reviewed study, researchers working with a group of obese women on a 500 calorie-per- ay diet gave half of the participants HCG and the other half a placebo. After 30 days, the average weight loss between the two groups was nearly identical.
To purchase a copy of TurboCharged, please visit: www.amazon.com/dp/1936705001
For more information about the book and authors Dian and Tom Griesel, please visit: www.turbocharged.us.com
Business School of Happiness (BSH) is the publisher of TurboCharged.
Janet Vasquez
The Investor Relations Group
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