Does HCG diet drops really work?

I am reasonably confident in stating that they quite simply do not work. Though I must be honest and say I have not personally done anything to confirm or refute that claim myself. However, the following points are significant:

HCG stands for “ Human Chorionic Gonadotropin “ and the so called Diet Drops claim use this particular hormone in “homeopathic concentrations” roughly meaning that it is diluted to such an extent that it is difficult to even begin to understand how on earth it could work by any known scientific mechanism. . If they worked it is almost certain that there would be “Peer Reviewed” scientific evidence of that fact that would be readily available. However a search for such peer reviewed material only seems to yield evidence that the substance does not have any measurable effect in enhancing weight loss.

I quote abstracts from two such legitimate scientific papers as examples: .

. “… Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study.

Stein MR, Julis RE, Peck CC, Hinshaw W, Sawicki JE, Deller JJ Jr. Abstract

Our investigation was designed to retest the hypothesis of the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on weight reduction in obese women in a clinic setting. We sought to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (1973) which had found that the combination of 500 cal diet and HCG had a statistically significant benefit over the diet and placebo combination as evidenced by greater weight loss and decrease in hunger. Fifty-one women between the ages of 18 and 60 participated in our 32-day prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of HCG versus placebo. Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was counselled by one of the investigators who administered the injections. Laboratory studies were performed at the time of initial physical examinations and at the end of the study. Twenty of 25 in the HCG and 21 of 26 patients in the placebo groups completed 28 injections. There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction. …” quoted from http://funadvice.com/r/14t99jiv0d8 .

. “… Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the Treatment of Obesity A Critical Assessment of the Simeons Method Frank L. Greenway, MD and George A. Bray, MD Clinical Research Center, and the Department of Medicine, Harbor General Hospital, Torrance University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have been claimed to aid in weight reduction by reducing hunger, and affecting mood as well as aiding in localized (spot) reduction. We have tested these claims in a double-blind randomized trial using injections of HCG or placebo. Weight loss was identical between the two groups, and there was no evidence for differential effects on hunger, mood or localized body measurements. Placebo injections, therefore, appear to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity. …” quoted from http://funadvice.com/r/14t99jiv1oe .

. I am confident that if they did work, one of the world’s foremost experts on fat loss and muscle gain methods, Lyle McDonald, who runs a forum at BodyRecomposition.com [ http://funadvice.com/r/14t99jiv2tr ] would be making considerable reference to them or some similar product containing HCG but alas no - as can be verified by using the search facility on his forum. . However, if you nevertheless feel that it is worth giving them a try by all means do so. I am sure they will do you no harm, and I would be delighted to hear that they have worked for you and how much weight they appear to have helped you to lose.
. They claim to enable you to lose one pound of fat per day - that is 21 pounds in three weeks - and I am happy to assert that:

ignoring any effects due to voiding the gut by emptying the intestines, dehydration, or diet changes that reduce any “water retention “ ….. . ….. you will not be able to achieve any better than 6 pounds weight loss over that three week period that is genuinely attributable to loss of adipose tissue i.e. fat. . Please let us know how you have gone on with them if you do try them for a significant period of around 3 weeks. .

– Best wishes - Majikthise. .