Weight loss and healthy living are now part and parcel of our culture. Every day, new methods of weight loss are popping up and not all of of them have been tried and tested. The use of hCG to lose weight is one such treatment. Broadly categorized, there are two different forms of hCG that are available on the market - a pharmaceutical grade form and a homeopathic form.
But which one is better and which one is recommended? Let us look at this more closely.
Pharmaceutical grade hCG
Pharmaceutical grade human chorionic gonadotropin is one that is available only on prescription by a physician. Available as a drug in the pharmacy, is reassuring to know that pharmaceutical grade hCG would have undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials to ensure its efficacy. It is available in particular concentrations as recommended by Dr ATW Simeons. According to Dr Simeons (the founder of the hCG diet), in order to lose weight, the hCG product must contain at least 125 IU of hCG. Amounts less than this will have little to no effect.
Homeopathic hCG
The use of homeopathic hCG has been fairly controversial. A breakdown of the product, which is available in the form of drops, has been shown to contain water, vitamins, alcohol and only trace amounts of hCG, if any. One cannot be sure how much hCG they are receiving through these drops, given that there is a minimum requirement of hCG in order to lose weight effectively through the hCG diet protocol.
There are a number of forums on the Internet where discussions have been held regarding whether homeopathic hCG is in fact useful. Some people seem to have found a benefit, but the general opinion seems to be that it does not help anyone lose weight. It is highly likely that the benefit they have received is more of a placebo effect on the weight loss is a result of their diet and exercise.
Advice on purchasing
If you are keen to start the hCG diet, it is essential that you see a doctor first ensure that is the right step for you. It is strongly recommended that you do not purchase 'hCG drops' on the Internet as they are likely to be homeopathic medication that may be completely useless. A physician prescribed pharmaceutical grade hCG assures you that you are receiving the right amount of hCG as recommended by Dr Simeons to be the effective dose to lose weight.
Conclusion
There differences between pharmaceutical grade and homeopathic hCG are significant and important. The available evidence shows that the homeopathic hCG is clearly inferior to pharmaceutical grade hCG.
But which one is better and which one is recommended? Let us look at this more closely.
Pharmaceutical grade hCG
Pharmaceutical grade human chorionic gonadotropin is one that is available only on prescription by a physician. Available as a drug in the pharmacy, is reassuring to know that pharmaceutical grade hCG would have undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials to ensure its efficacy. It is available in particular concentrations as recommended by Dr ATW Simeons. According to Dr Simeons (the founder of the hCG diet), in order to lose weight, the hCG product must contain at least 125 IU of hCG. Amounts less than this will have little to no effect.
Homeopathic hCG
The use of homeopathic hCG has been fairly controversial. A breakdown of the product, which is available in the form of drops, has been shown to contain water, vitamins, alcohol and only trace amounts of hCG, if any. One cannot be sure how much hCG they are receiving through these drops, given that there is a minimum requirement of hCG in order to lose weight effectively through the hCG diet protocol.
There are a number of forums on the Internet where discussions have been held regarding whether homeopathic hCG is in fact useful. Some people seem to have found a benefit, but the general opinion seems to be that it does not help anyone lose weight. It is highly likely that the benefit they have received is more of a placebo effect on the weight loss is a result of their diet and exercise.
Advice on purchasing
If you are keen to start the hCG diet, it is essential that you see a doctor first ensure that is the right step for you. It is strongly recommended that you do not purchase 'hCG drops' on the Internet as they are likely to be homeopathic medication that may be completely useless. A physician prescribed pharmaceutical grade hCG assures you that you are receiving the right amount of hCG as recommended by Dr Simeons to be the effective dose to lose weight.
Conclusion
There differences between pharmaceutical grade and homeopathic hCG are significant and important. The available evidence shows that the homeopathic hCG is clearly inferior to pharmaceutical grade hCG.