Every now and then HCG comes back around as a “new” weight loss drug. However it is nothing new. HCG was introduced in the 1950s and became popular in the 1970s. Before we get into why I believe this drug is absolute nonsense, let’s take a closer look into HCG.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is a hormone that is found in the urine of females during the early stages of pregnancy. When a woman takes a home pregnancy test, the prevalence of HCG is what indicates the positive response. It has many functions during pregnancy, but is thought to be especially important in repelling immune cells of the mother to protect the fetus in the first trimester. HCG is also believed to convert fat to calories for use by the baby (when the mother is not consuming enough), which in turn may speed up the mother’s metabolism. Make a note here, this hormone is found in high concentrations in PREGNANT women. If you are not a pregnant woman, your body does not produce HCG – which means your body does not need it! It certainly doesn’t need the potential side effects either: increased anger and mood swings, feeling sluggish, stomach ache, pelvic pain, muscle cramps, lumps, swollen feet and hands, as well as hunger (interesting). Wait, much like drug commercials, I’m not done yet: increased risk of blood clots, headaches, restlessness and depression. Last but not least, considering HCG has been approved by the FDA as a fertility drug, you may feel a bit like you are pregnant, complete with breast tenderness and water retention. (maybe you wives could use it to get back at your husbands!) HCG can also cause a potentially life-threatening condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (umm…no thank you.)

HCG actually became popular more than 50 years ago because of a doctor (and I use that term loosely) named Albert T. Simeons. This guy believed that injecting HCG into dieters would enable them to sustain a very low calorie diet (VLCD) of 500 calories without feeling hungry. Simeons also claimed that HCG would mobilize stored fat, suppress appetite, and redistribute fat from the waist, hips, and thighs.

Now let’s think about this. If you were to consume 500 calories a day, of COURSE you are going to lose weight. You are starving your body! If I put you on a 500-calorie diet and told you to do handstands all day long, would you believe it was the handstands that caused the weight loss or the caloric restriction? (If you said handstands then we need to talk). Not only is this diet completely insane, it is dangerous. Your body is not getting the nutrients that it needs and it will affect you in a negative manner. The concept of a VLCD has been around for years and it is frowned upon. Simeons simply found a way to make it more enticing by adding a “miracle” drug to the mix.

The thought that a drug can redistribute fat from certain parts of your body is absurd. It is scientifically impossible; no study exists that says otherwise. The FDA actually requires labeling and advertising of HCG to state, “[T]here is no substantial evidence that [HCG] causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat.” The FDA also requires the labeling and advertising to include that HCG is not effective whatsoever in the treatment of obesity. Sure, you can find several “success” stories from people who have lost weight while using HCG, but you will not find a single scientific study supporting that claim.

Actually, HCG originally lost its flair back in 1976 due to studies that disproved its claims. G overnment action also played a role when the FTC ordered Simeon’s companies and its affiliates to stop claiming that their HCG-based programs were safe, effective and FDA approved. Years later, a man named Kevin Trudea (not a doctor) started promoting HCG once again through infomercials and his 2007 book, The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About. Needless to say, Trudea was found guilty in federal courts for misrepresenting HCG in his book and was ordered to pay more than $37 million in damages.

Now let’s review. If you are not a pregnant woman, then HCG should not be in your body. HCG has nothing to do with losing weight; in fact, the only reason people lose weight while taking HCG is because of a VLCD. HCG is being promoted again because Americans are looking for a “quick fix” to their diet woes. Sure you will lose weight, but I can guarantee that you won’t keep it off unless you continue a VLCD forever (which is impossible to do). This hormone does not teach you how to properly eat, it doesn’t force you to exercise, and it certainly doesn’t make you healthy. If you are looking to lose weight, go with the method that is 100% proven to work every time: a healthy diet with plenty of exercise.

I thought you would enjoy this list of my Favorite Funny Vintage WeightLoss Ads!

Weight Loss Sugar – Pre-lunch ice cream cone for weight loss? This I could do … and I know which of our clients are smiling at the thought too (don’t even think about it!)

Weight Loss Tape Worms – This I could not do. By the way, this isn’t just a thing of the past. Thankfully, America has banned it. Now if we could just ban gastric bypass … oh wait … it was banned before… but it was called something else … now it has a new name … so it’s safe and healthy now … that’s right … I forgot.

Weight Loss Braces – This is how spot-reducing used to work. We are no longer this foolish, right? Now we “know” we have to exercise certain areas to burn fat in those areas. We’ve really come far, haven’t we? (please sense sarcasm)

Weight Loss Belts (for men) – “Endorsed by physicians” to help “reduce” you and replace fat with “normal tissue” …. and cheaper than professional weight loss massage! Good thing massage doesn’t burn fat. We’d never get paid for the work that we are selling!)

Weight Loss Belts (for women) – Of course, women love doing things together. So, instead of an under-the-shirt secret solution, they made a day of it! Just doesn’t give off the same vibe as a modern-day yoga class, huh?

Weight Loss Cigarettes – So you thought the tapeworms were nasty? Hey, I’d rather get seated next to the tapeworm section in a restaurant than the smoking section. At least when the tapeworm exited my neighbor’s mouth and headed my direction, I’d get a warning scream.

Weight Loss Soap – “One to three cakes usually accomplishes the purpose.” That’s in case you were wondering how fast it works or how many to order. I suppose the seller had to balance how many he wanted to sell per person vs the danger of selling none by implying that it was a slow process. Fun fact: a competitors brand was creatively named “FatOff.”

I can’t say this enough. In the battle for your health and fitness, body composition is a more important measure than weight. Now keep in mind, however, a 5ft, 300lb person is not going to build enough muscle to warrant not losing any weight before getting to goal. But the proper journey won’t necessarily involve a linear decrease on the scale. Most people who are over-fat are also under-muscled. In fact, that lack of muscle is one of the big reasons for the slow metabolism that contributed to the weight gain.

Check out the visual difference between 5 lbs of fat and 5 lbs of muscle. The fat is almost twice as large, doesn’t help you perform, and takes away from a smooth and sculpted look. You can easily see how that dimply piece of lard is ruining your image. More dangerous than it’s appearance, however, is its ability to impede proper organ function and literally stop you dead in your tracks. Yes, you need some. But as one person once told their significant other, “Honey, you are all I could ever want and more. It’s the more I have the problem with…”

As you improve the quality of your diet and challenge your body through resistance training, you will build some muscle. And that my friend, is a wonderful thing. Muscle gives you more strength, more shape, better posture, a faster metabolism, and a host of other benefits!

I’ve often explained it like this: aerobic training (including weight training that keeps the heart rate elevated) is much like your job, in an example where money represents fat loss. The more you work, the more you get paid. But you have to be there, putting in the time. On the other hand, resistance training that builds muscle, is like that investment property. Sure, you have to visit it to make sure it’s good working order; but unlike your job, it also pays you when you aren’t even there. It’s passive income. It’s working for you around the clock. That’s the benefit of muscle. It’s a tremendous investment that pays you back all the time. It’s the reason an athlete can take “vacations” from his or her diet and not “go broke” when it comes to their weight.

So keep challenging yourself to become more fit, not just lighter. We are all athletes in the game of life, whether or not you ever step on a court or field. Stick with your training, make lasting diet improvements, and you will arrive at your ideal weight. Remember that the more muscle you maintain, the more likely you will be to actually stay at that ideal weight!