*sigh* here goes again. :( Blogspot decided to reload itself the minute I was to hit enter and post...so now...RETYPE!!! YAY!!
Anyway, sorry for my long break. I had a slew of computer problems mixed with my inability to log into this account (??? still don't know why???)
So I went on yahoo last night and this news article caught my attention. It is about the rising popularity of the HCG diet. For those not in the know, HCG better known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is hormone produced by pregnant women that supports the production of progesterone which in turn allows for the fetus to safely reside within the uterus. The HCG diet claims that this hormone also abets in the process of weight loss because it stimulates the fat cells and makes them volatile for your body to use which in turn induces rapid fat loss. In addition to taking this hormone, individuals must also adhere to a low 500 calorie diet which excludes all sugars and simple carbohydrates, and is very low in fat.
Going back to this article, it claims that this diet is *extremely dangerous* and unsuccessful. It cites the FDA and the American Medical Association for support claiming that this is voodoo snake oil and nothing more. Of course the commentary is polluted by a significant number of yahoo users, who all of a sudden are all experts in this, supporting this claim and degrading people on this diet. According to these claims, the diet is dangerous because it requires the person to sustain them self on a diet of only 500 calories. In addition, the bad rep comes in with the fact that this is a hormone which is being used off label and can potentially cause side effects including but not limited to, blood clots (which can cause death).
On the other hand, you have a significant growing number of this diet users who claim this diet is EXTREMELY effective and well worth it. The weight loss was reported to be as much as 2 pounds per day in some cases. In addition, they claim the hormone blocks hunger, which makes it significantly easier on the dieter. So it got me thinking, is this diet really something of a miracle OR is it, as the FDA claims, snake oil. I then did my research, and something smells fishy.....REALLY FISHY.
First, the claim that the AMA and the FDA put out, that this is snake oil, appears to be based on very biased studies. The studies quoted did not adhere to the full diet protocol, which significantly impairs the result. The diet explicitly states that one must NOT consume certain product. This has to do with limiting sugars in your blood stream which affects your insulin and cortisone levels. These two hormones are the make it or break it of dieting, especially for those with obese tendencies like higher risk of diabetes, genetics and thyroid problems. In some cases the diet allows for a higher calorie intake depending on individual needs. The studies which the two agencies relied on, however, DID NOT adhere to these rules. Individuals did not limit their consumption of milk, sugars, carbohydrates or anything else with an '-ose' ending. In addition, the calorie consumption for these studies was significantly higher than even the highest allowed calorie consumption on the HCG det.
Second point I want to make is concerning the whopping amount of claims that hormones should not be used off label because they are dangerous. So my question stands, where are these same people on the use of birth control pills and shots which are often used off lable for PCOS patients, acne treatment in teens, treatment of PMS symptoms, regulating menstrual cycles, and eliminating menstrual cycles all together? Ignoring the fact that these birth control methods have significantly more dangerous and long lasting side effects (on which I will get into later), seems to me, there is nothing wrong in the medical profession to inject young girls and women with hormones for reasons such hormones were not intended for. Of course it is important to note physician involvement, but then, HCG diet also involves a supervising physician.
Finally, I wanted to check out these "extremely harmful" side effects myself. Here is a comparison of HCG side effects next to popular, non-proscribed over the counter diet supplements, and also birth control pills:
HCG injected (women - listed from most common to least common): pain at the injection site, tenderness in the lower abdomen, bloating and fluid retention, headache, irritability, breast discomfort, fatigue, multiple births (non diet related), severe pain or swelling in the lower abdomen, ovarian hyperstimulation, rupture of existing ovarian cysts, arterial thromboembolism, fluid retention (which must be monitored carefully in patients with cardiac or renal disease), migraines, rare cases of epilepsy and asthma.
HCG injected (men): pain at the injection site, enlarged prostate, breast growth or enlargement, breast discomfort, tenderness in the lower abdomen, bloating and fluid retention, headache, irritability, fatigue, severe pain or swelling in the lower abdomen, fluid retention which must be monitored carefully in patients with cardiac or renal disease, migraines, rare cases of epilepsy and asthma.
HCG oral (men and women): bloating and fluid retention, headache, irritability, fatigue, tenderness in the lower abdomen.
Hydroxycut: increased blood pressure, nose bleeds, blurred vision, acne outbreak, restlessness & hyperactivity, loss of appetite, headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea and upset stomach, seizures, cardiovascular problems, (increased heart rate, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks), liver damage (significant number of patients requiring a liver transplant), rhabdomyolysis, permanent kidney damage.
**Hydroxycut has a history of being recalled due to the pervasiveness of some of the more extreme side effects.
Birth control pills: nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain 9increase in water retention and lipid profiles), irregular bleeding, depression, irregular vaginal discharges, decreased calcium retention in kidneys leading to bone loss and osteoporosis, increased susceptibility to infections, decreased libido, Hair and follicular changes, increased blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Not recommended for women who smoke as it significantly raises the changes of heart problems and strokes.
So the FDA seems to be worried about some blood clots and PMS like symptoms of a physician monitored hormone rather than the extremely dangerous over-the-counter weight loss supplements available to even teens? I smell lobbyists!
