Controversy, people say, generates interest, and that interest can propel a product to have a market share far more than it should logically have. This has been observed before, and not even weight loss plans are completely safe from this sort of tactic. One of the most controversial plans in recent memory has been the HCG diet plan. Most of these plans generate controversy because of questions on whether or not their claims are true, as well as the possibility of overlooked nutritional problems that strict adherence might cause. In the case of HCG, it is less about that and more about whether or not the benefits of the diet are outweighed by the risks.
The idea
Much like other weight loss plans, the HCG diet plan for losing weight involves multiple factors. The first is regulation of the dietary intake, such that calorie consumption is reduced as low as possible without putting undue stress and risk to the body’s functions. So far, this has been reasonable to consider – a low calorie diet plan has been proven to have positive effects for both weight loss and tissue maintenance. The other half of the plan, however, is the use of injections of a hormone known as HCG. The controversy lies in the use of the hormone, and the potential risks this involves.
Human chorionic gonadotropin
This hormone, better known as HCG, is used in any of the weight loss plans based on HCG. It is produced during pregnancy and plays a role in maintaining the production of progesterone, which plays a large part in the early stages of pregnancy. It also regulates the immune response of the body to a pregnancy, preventing the body from treating the developing fetus as an infection. It is also believed to have a role in cellular differentiation early on, possibly triggering apoptosis – the “suicide” of individual cells.
Health concerns
British endocrinologist A.T.W. Simeons was the first one to test the potential applications of HCG hormone in weight loss, and after his death, it was popularized into the variety of weight loss plans seen today. However, various agencies have said that the hormone’s use as a diet tool is not only ineffective, but potentially dangerous. Apoptosis, when controlled or regulated properly, is a natural process, but there is the worry that the HCG diet plan might cause too much and lead to unpredictable issues with the body’s overall wellbeing.
In general, tampering with hormones is an ill-advised thing unless strictly regulated. There are instances when it can be useful, but as far as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is concerned, this does not include weight loss plans. There’s a lot of risk involved in the HCG diet plan, which is why most reputable health organizations don’t endorse it.
Related posts: