HCG Diet Plan

The HCG diet plan has gained popularity over the last several years as a quick, effective way to lose a significant amount of weight.

HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, and is a hormone found in large quantities in pregnant women. This hormone is responsible for feeding and protecting the fetus by taking stored fat, and converting it in to nutrition for the placenta. It has been discovered that once a woman has given birth, her hcg hormone levels begin to decline, though hcg is found in lower levels in all men and women.

The premise of the HCG diet is this. We know there are three types of fat found in the body: structural fat, which is a necessary fat that protects our organs, normal reserve fat, which our bodies use when we haven’t eaten enough, and abnormal fat, which isn’t useful at all, and pools in certain areas of our body. The abnormal fat is the fat used by HCG when calorie intake is low. When beginning the HCG diet plan, calorie intake is very low (500 calories) which triggers the HCG to begin feeding on the abnormal fat, and using it for energy.

HCG is sold in the form of drops, pills, or as an injectible liquid, and can be purchased online. The HCG is not an online diet per se, though you can purchase the hormone online and there are many websites and forums dedicated to the HCG diet.

The steps to follow when on this diet program begin with initially taking the drops and eating a high fat diet for two days. The high fat content is necessary to “fat load” in preparation for the low calorie portion. The next segment will see you taking the drops and following the restrictive 500 calorie per day diet. It is recommended by those that follow the diet, that you remain on the drops, and the low calorie diet for between 19 and 43 days, during which time they say you will lose between .5lb to 3lbs per day. After a maximum of 43 days, you cease taking the drops but remain on the low calorie diet for another 3 days. After this phase, you are into the maintenance period, during which it is suggested that you eat healthily, while avoiding starches and sugars.

The HCG diet isn’t for everyone and should be followed under the guidance of a physician.