Question

Your friend is on the “HCG diet”. This diet restricts her kcalorie intake to 500 kcalories per day. She also takes drops containing the hormone HCG. (HCG is a pregnancy hormone). Companies selling these drops claim that it promotes rapid weight loss; however, this claim has not been verified with controlled scientific studies. Your friend has been on the diet for two week and has lost 15 pounds already. Explain why your friend lost weight, assuming the drops don’t work. (2 points) 1 sentence max Was the 15 pounds all fat? If not, what else did she lose? (2 points) If your friend stays on the diet for three months, do you expect her to continue to lose weight as quickly? Why or why not? (2 points)

Answer 1

1) The weight loss is due to the restricted calorie intake as per her HCG diet.

HCG diet may have suppressed her appetite. According to FDA the products with HCG can reset body’s metabolism and fix abnormal eating habits.The drop she takes has no effect because studies have shown that HCG hormone has no effect on weight loss or cannot supress the appetite.

2) The 15 pounds are not all fat.

3) She might have loss her body fluids which contribute to the 15 pounds of weight loss.

There is also chance of loss of bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendom and other connective tissues.

4) She can lose her weight as she continue the diet for 3 months but long term HCG diet is dangerous.

Theis can damage the kidney and liver on long term and may cause hormonal imbalance.