How Should I Take HCG Diet Drops?
HCG -- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin -- diet drops make up part of a weight loss program promising to help dieters lose up to 3 lbs. a day. The product claims to affect the hypothalamus, part of the brain that regulates body functions and affects metabolism. Proponents say when used together with a low calorie diet, HCG drops trigger the release of stored fat in the body, reduce hunger and reset the body's metabolic rate. This metabolic change allows dieters to keep the weight off long-term.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Days 1 and 2
-
1
Determine the proper number of drops to take. If you weigh less than 200 lbs., take 10 drops three times daily. If you weigh 200 to 250 lbs., take 12 drops three times daily. If you weigh over 250 lbs., take 15 drops three times a day.
-
2
Decide when to begin the program. Women should not start HCG drops within 10 days of their expected menstrual cycle.
-
-
3
Shake the bottle vigorously before opening. Place the appropriate number of drops under your tongue, and hold them for 30 seconds to one minute before swallowing.
-
4
Avoid eating, drinking or putting anything at all in your mouth for 30 minutes before and after using the drops. This includes gum, mouthwash, water and cigarettes. Leave a window of at least an hour between taking the drops and eating raw garlic.
-
5
Eat as much as you want of whatever you want during the first two days on the diet.
Days 3 to 20 or 41
-
6
Continue to take the HCG drops, adjusting the dosage accordingly as you lose weight.
-
7
Follow the 500-calorie restricted diet. You may have two 3.5 oz. servings of protein, and two servings of vegetables and fruit. Protein choices include chicken breast, fish, lobster, scallops, venison and veal. Vegetables include lettuce, cabbage, onion, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, spinach, celery and tomato. Limit fruit choices to apples, half a grapefruit, six strawberries or an orange for a serving.
-
8
Avoid starchy vegetables such as pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, peas or corn. Do not eat fats including butter, oil and salad dressings.
-
9
Drink water. On the HCG diet, you should consume half your body weight daily. So if you weigh 200 lbs., you should drink at least 100 oz., or 12 and a half 8 oz. glasses of water, each day.
-
10
Stay on this phase of the diet until you reach your goal weight or for a maximum of 41 days.
Stabilization
-
11
Stop taking the HCG drops but continue to follow the 500-calorie restriction for three days.
-
12
Add more calories and fats to your diet, but avoid starches and sugars for the next three weeks. You can use artificial sweeteners, butter and oils, for instance, but you should stay away from corn, peas, breads, cereals and potatoes.
-
13
Wait at least six weeks from the 44-day end point of the HCG diet before starting again if you have more weight to lose.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you experience hunger, add one or two drops to your dosage until you no longer feel the hunger.
HCG drops alone will not result in weight loss. You must follow the 500-calorie diet, as well.
HCG is a homeopathic product not approved by the FDA. According to DailyMed, "FDA is not aware of scientific evidence to support homeopathy as effective," nor is this product guaranteed to be safe.
According to WebMD, some experts believe the weight loss associated with this program is due to the extremely low calorie intake rather than the HCG drops.
Some medical organizations refuse to recommend HCG as a weight loss aid, and some medical publications such as the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology have published articles indicating studies show no benefit to HCG for weight loss.
Always discuss your plan with your doctor before beginning any diet program, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medications or have a chronic medical condition.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
