At its best the HCG Diet usually leads to long term frustration and a waste of resources for the overweight individual. At worst, with no long term safety studies available, it may affect critical hormonal balances, raising the issue of possible long-term negative effects.
The FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) states:
- It has not approved the use of HCG for weight loss.
- HCG has no known effect on fat mobilization, appetite suppresion, or body fat distribution.
HCG for weight loss has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity; it does not increase fat losses beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.
Dr. Johnson is a medical doctor who specializes in obese patients and has worked with thousands of difficult obesity cases in Virginia since 1997. He believes the HCG Diet may not be completely safe or effective. Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP). In 2009 the American Society of Bariatric Physicians released a position statement which states the use of HCG for weight loss is not recommended. You can view the ASBP position paper in its entirety by clicking the following link.
