HCG

=__**Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)**__ =

__**Definition **__
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a gonadotropic hormone that stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone. The presence of hCG in blood or urine is typically an indication of pregnancy. A commercial form of hCG has been used for the treatment of testicular or ovarian disorders ("Definitions for human," 2011).

__**Sources **__
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women ("Fda.go,"2011).

Recommendation
After researching hCG as a weight loss supplement, it is difficult to recommend this product to an individual. There is little to no research recently completed stating hCG is safe and effective supplement for weight loss. In a double-blinded study completed by Stein et al. there was no significant difference between the group who had received hCG, and the group who had the placebo (Stein, Julis, Peck, Hinshaw, Sawicki, & Deller, 1976). The FDA states, "There is no substantial evidence HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from the recommended caloric restriction" ("Fda.go,"2011). With this being said, a person may lose weight when taking hCG, but the weight loss will likely be the result of the very low-calorie diet which is recommended they consume.

__Weight Loss: __

 * Little evidence supports hCG supplementation for weight loss.
 * hCG combined with a very low-calorie diet of 500-800 calories per day will cause an individual to lose unwanted weight (WebMD).
 * However, the weight lost will mainly be due to the lack of calories consumed.

__Other: __

 * HCG is FDA-approved as an injectable prescription drug for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions ("Fda.go,"2011).
 * A commercial form of HCG has been used for the treatment of testicular or ovarian disorders ("Definitions for human," 2011).

__**Dosage **__
>
 * A daily HCG dosage of 125 IU combined with a low-calorie diet plan can promote rapid weight loss, according to the website HCGWeightLoss.com (Hellesvig-Gisakell, 2011)

__**Warning/Side Effects **__

 * <span style="background-color: #00ffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"This product has not been evaluated by FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to steer clear of these "homeopathic" human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products. They are sold in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays and can be found online and in some retail stores (Miller, 2011).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eating only 500 calories per day can be approximately one-fourth to one-half of a persons calorie needs, depending on their gender, age and activity level (Hagen, 2011).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consumers on such restrictive diets are at increased risk for side effects that include gallstone formation, an imbalance of the electrolytes that keep the body’s muscles and nerves functioning properly, and an irregular heartbeat (Miller, 2011).

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Effective: 3/5 __

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is easy to find success stories on the web, but there is little to no recent scientific evidence which supports the weight loss claims of supplementing with hCG.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Safety: 0/5 __

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hCG is a banned substance of the NCAA, and is an illegal substance not approved by the FDA.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cost: 2/5 __

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prices can vary depending on the brand, and the amount within the container. A person looking to invest in hCG supplements can plan on spending anywhere from $20 for a month long supply, to $200 for 40 day's worth of product.

__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ease of Use: 4/5 __

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hCG comes in the form of oral drops, as well as an injectable. The injection form of hCG being the more difficult form to use due to the handling of a needle.

=<span style="background-color: #00ffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Total Score: 9/20 =

**__<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">References __**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Albirkin, M. (1969, June). Chorionic gonadotropin and obesity?. Retrieved from http://abbmcertification.org/inc/assets/2011References/Young et al. HCG in Weight Control. JAMA Nov 1976[1].pdf

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Asher, W. L., & Harper, H. W. (Nov, 2012 09). Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/2/211.full.pdf html

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fda.gov. (2011, December 6). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm282334.htm

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Definitions for human chorionic gonadotropin. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.definitions.net/definition/human chorionic gonadotropin

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hagen, B. (2011, August 11). Hcg diet warning. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/208526-hcg-diet-warnings/

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hellesvig-Gisakell, K. (2011, March 29). Hcg diet plan dosage. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/295778-hcg-diet-plan-dosage/

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnancy and maternal risk of breast cancer. (2010, September). Retrieved from http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/70/17/6779.full

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lijesen, G., Theeuwen, I., Assendelft, W., & Van Der Wal, G. (July, 2012). The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) in the treatment of obesity by means of the simeons theapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2125.1995.tb05779.x/abstract

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Miller, E. (2011, December 06). Fda: Consumer updates. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm281333.htm

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stein, M., Julis, R., Peck, C., Hinshaw, W., Sawicki, J., & Deller, J. (1976, September). Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/29/9/940.full.pdf html

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WebMD. (n.d.). Hcg diet. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1253-HCG DIET.aspx?activeIngredientId=1253&activeIngredientName=HCG DIET