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Over the years, people all across the globe have been fascinated by the idea of losing weight to look good. While weight loss may be essential for the ones who suffer from obesity-related health issues, even those with normal weight are vying to shed some kilos. Hence, there has been a consistent increase in weight loss measures such as diet plans and exercise programs. However, not all these measures serve guaranteed results and the ones that do require stringent dieting and physical activity.

One of the weight loss measures that have gained acclaim in the recent years is HCG diet, which uses a natural hormone in conjugation with a diet protocol to bring rapid and sustainable weight loss. To add to this, the amount of weight you may lose with this particular protocol is incredible, sometimes up to 1-2 pounds in a single day. With such magical impact, the HCG diet attracts lots of weight watchers who want to try it out but have many questions related to its efficacy, safety, and the way it works. Let us go through 8 frequently asked questions about HCG diet:

1. What is HCG and how does it work for weight loss?

HCG is a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is found in both men and women. The level of this hormone is elevated during early pregnancy and in fact, serves as the yardstick for the tests done to determine whether a woman is pregnant or not. Earlier, the hormone was recognized for its benefits in infertility treatment. However, it was found to be effective for weight loss when Albert Simeons proved the same in 1954. He proposed a diet protocol called HCG diet which combined an ultra-low calorie diet (as low as 500 calories per day) with HCG injections. Now, the injections have been replaced with HCG drops which are painless and easy to take. Both the elements of the diet promote weight loss in its way. While the low-calorie diet means that there are fewer calories to burn, the hormone itself boosts metabolism and aid the process of calorie burning. A person burns up to 3000-4000 calories a day, which translates into rapid weight loss as this figure is much more than the calories consumed.

2. Who can all do HCG diet?

Now the next question that is most likely to pop up is whether you are a suitable candidate for following this protocol. Even though people of both sexes and all age groups are permitted to follow it, dieters are still recommended to take a physician consultation before initiating the program. This is particularly important if you have a chronic condition or are taking some prescription medication on a regular basis. Once you have a green signal from the doctor, you can start to follow the HCG diet plan from HCGdiet.com. Children aged below 12 years also require a medical consultation before taking the HCG diet. It is, however, not recommended for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and those taking contradicting medicines.

3. What food items can be eaten during the HCG diet?

The HCG diet protocol does not allow the dieter to eat much because of the super-low calorie intake recommended for them. But they can take two meals a day, which comprise one protein, one bread serving, one vegetable and one fruit. The permitted vegetables include beet greens, spinach, chard, chicory, tomatoes, celery, onions, cabbage, red radishes, cucumbers, fennel, and asparagus. The protein serving can include grilled chicken breast, veal, beef, fresh white fish, crab, shrimp, and lobster. Fruit choices include apple, orange, strawberries, and grapefruit. The dieter can take any amount of water, tea or coffee.

4. What are the phases of HCG diet?

This diet plan has a multi-phased protocol comprising of three phases, namely the loading phase, the core phase and the maintenance phase. The initial loading phase lasts for two days and involves consumption of high-fat food. The core phase is the longest phase that takes 21-40 days and allows intake of only 500 calories a day along with the drops. It is the phase in which the weight loss mainly takes place. The final phase or the maintenance phase involves an increase in calorie intake up to 800-1000 calories a day and enables the body to keep up the habit of losing weight. It takes up to 3 weeks, and the dieter does not take the HCG drops during it.

5. How much weight can be lost and will it stay off?

Another question relates to the optimal weight loss that the dieter can expect while following this diet. The weight loss averages between 1-2 pounds a day in most of the dieters though there may be some individual variations. You have to adhere stringently to the protocol as well as take regular and correct HCG doses to get the best results. And most importantly, this particular plan ensures lasting weight loss unlike most of the other programs. The reason is that it makes your body is accustomed to losing abnormal fat deposits.

6. Can HCG be taken with supplements and prescription drugs?

Yes, certain health supplements can be safely taken while you are following the HCG diet protocol. In fact, vitamin B-12 is beneficial because it helps you to maintain your energy levels while following this stringent program. However, you should avoid taking vitamins A, D and E as they can interfere with the diet. When it comes to taking prescription medications for the pre-existing medical condition, you need to get the doctor’s advice before beginning the HCG diet or any other diet plan.

7. What are other things to be avoided?

It is very important for dieters, particularly women, to understand that they need to stay away from certain cosmetic products while following this diet. A majority of beauty products are made with fatty materials which get absorbed by the body just like edible fats do and can disrupt the diet’s effect. Mineral makeup and lotions are prohibited because these are oil-based. On the other hand, they can use regular lip and eye makeup. Surprisingly, sugar-based candies and mints are also not allowed. You can take sugar substitutes to sweeten your drinks or chew low-sugar chewing guns if you want.

8. What are the instructions for taking the HCG drops?

HCG for weight loss is available in a variety of forms such as injections, drops, tablets, and sprays. Amongst these forms, HCG drops are favored the most because they are easy to take and make the diet pain-free. Ensure that you know the correct dosage and take them at regular intervals. Typically, the dieter has to take 8-10 drops directly thrice a day. The drops are consumed under their tongue with the help of an oral syringe to ensure the accuracy of the dose. The dosage can be increased or decreased according to individual requirements, but only after an expert consultation. Some precautions need to be taken such as not drinking anything for 60 seconds and not eating anything at least for 30 minutes after the dose. Store the drops in a cool, dry place where it does not come in direct contact with light. In case you are not going to use the drops for several weeks, refrigerate them to increase their shelf life.

These questions address almost all the concerns that any new or existing dieter may have about HCG diet. There is also a need to, but the HCG drops from a reliable source such as a trustworthy website. Also, these online sites offer complete guidelines about following the diet plan well to ensure that it brings the best results.