Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): How Effective is HCG for Weight Loss and to Decrease Appetite?

With the rise of obesity it is not a surprise that the number of weight loss programs available to the public has increased. The human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone is a popular weight loss program that is not new. The theory was first described in a study published in Lancet by Dr. A.T. W. Simeons in 1954 (1). The weigh loss program has come to be known as Simeons therapy.

What is Simeons Therapy?

The Simeons therapy is a weight loss program in which during a three and a half to six week period a person follows a fat-free diet of 500 calories per day and receives a daily intramuscular injection of 125 IU of HCG. Simeons claimed that those who followed the therapy would lose weight quickly but would not feel weak, would not feel hungry and would lose fat from the parts of the body where it tends to remain longest during normal dieting.(2)

What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)?

HCG is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. Its detection in urine is the basis for most pregnancy tests. HCG is believed to promote weight loss because the hormone converts fat to calories during pregnancy for use by the baby and, in the process, speeds up the mother's metabolism. It is thought that it can do the same thing when injected into people who want to lose weight.

What Does the Research Say?

A criteria-based study of the effect of the HCG hormone in the treatment of obesity looked at 14 research trials that measured the effect of the HCG hormone (2). 12 of the studies reported that the weight loss with the use of HCG was no greater that with the use of a placebo or with the use of a diet only. In all studies some weight was lost. It was concluded that the weight loss was the effect of following a 500 calorie diet. Simeons believed that HCG decreased hunger and helped patients keep to the diet. The research cited that if this was correct than there should have been far fewer patients who followed the diet among those who took the placebo. The research found that this was not the case. It was concluded that there is no scientific evidence that HCG causes weight loss or decreased appetite. The Simeons therapy should not be regarded as an appropriate weight loss method.

Healthy Weight loss.

Due to the fact that FDA has not approved HCG as safe or effective it is not recommended that a person uses HCG for weight loss. For healthy weight loss a person should focus on a reduction of calories and exercise.

Jan 10, 2009 4:28 PM

Guest :

We have been doing research with Dr. Simeons protocol and Metabolic Testing.
One way or the other HCG or not, all research shows the same weight drop. What they do not talk about is where the weight is coming from: Fat mass or lean mass? We all know a starving individual will lose 50% weight from fat and 50% from muscle. For that reason those who starve or diet to rigidly show signs of drastically reduced metablic rates. This is speculated as the reason for the rebound in weight above and beyond their original pre-diet weight.
With as much information we have now as to the importance of body fat composition testing with regard to fat loss, why is the decision to use this protocol based on a weight scale?
If the opinions of Lijesen, Theeuwen, Addendielft, and Van Der Wal were correct, we would also show the drastic reduction in resting metabolic rates with all participants. Well, 100% of the participants in our study showed marked improvements in resting metabolic rates, after following, rigidly, Dr. Simeons protocol. Let me remind you this is with 23 to 40 days on a 500 calorie diet. Our testing is with the FDA approved Korr REE machine so our tests are accurate and I believe a valid test to the validity of Dr. Simeons protocol. Weight loss from a scale is an unreliable, invalid reason to discount Dr. Simeons work.
In order for our work to be a considered as true scientificly, we would have to have a double blind study and we are not sure we want to take the risk of ruining participants metabolic rates by starving them at 500 calorie diets with out the HCG.
I understand you are just repeating what you are seeing through others opinions, but this is old information and neglected to talk about the importance of new means of testing to determine the source of the actual weight lost 0n the protocol.
Robin Woodall
Boise, Idaho