HCG Diet Products Illegal, FDA Warns Seven Companies
Editor's ChoiceMain Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals; Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 08 Dec 2011 - 10:00 PST
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It is illegal to sell unapproved diet products that make unsupported claims, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has warned seven companies which are selling "homeopathic HCG weight-loss drugs.
The marketers of these products tell users to follow an extremely restricted and potentially dangerous diet. The FDA is advising consumers not to use the illegal HCG weight-loss products because of the potential danger there might be in following these diets. If they have not been tested scientifically in clinical trials, it is impossible to know how safe and effective they are.
The weight-loss drugs claim to contain HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin - a hormone. They can be bought on the internet and at some retail outlets in the form of sprays, pellets or oral drops.
The following companies have received warning letters:
- HCG Diet Direct, LLC
Product name - HCG Diet Homeopathic Drops - HCG 1234 LLC (The hCG Drops LLC)
Product name - Homeopathic HCG - HCG Platinum, LLC
Product names - HCG Platinum, HCG Platinum X-30, HCG Platinum X-14 - Hcg-miracleweightloss.com
Product name - HCG Extra Weight Loss Homeoapthic Drops - Natural Medical Supply, LLC DBA HCG Complete Diet
Product name - HCG Extra Weight Loss Homeoapthic Drops - Nutri Fusion Systems, Inc
Product names - HCG Fusion 30, HCG Fusion 43 - Theoriginalhcgdrogs.com
Product name - Homeopathic Original HCG, Homeoapthic HCG
The FDA says HCG Diet Products Are Illegal
What is HCG?
HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It is a hormone that the human placenta produces and can be detected in the urine of pregnant females.HCG has been approved for usage in some cases of female infertility and male hormone treatment.
Approved HCG products are only available through a doctor's prescription, and in injection form.
There are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight-loss treatment on the market.
Why is the FDA concerned?
For a start, there are no FDA-approved drugs containing HCG for the treatment of weight loss. HCG has not been scientifically demonstrated to be effective and safe in obesity treatment. There is no compelling evidence that HCG accelerates weight loss.The "homeopathic" HCG products tell purchasers to follow a very low calorie diet (VLCD). A VLCD should only be undertaken when supervised by a properly qualified medical professional. VLCD, if not done under proper supervision, raises the risk of developing gallstones, electrolyte imbalance and irregular heartbeats.
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
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Visitor Opinions In Chronological Order (11)
It worked for me
posted by Silk on 9 Dec 2011 at 11:36 amWell living in the land of obesity, high blood pressure, chloresterol and difficulty walking is also bad for your health.
I lost 95 pounds on hcg, my colesterol has dropped, my blood pressure is phenomenal and I haven't felt this good in a decade. Following the protocol that Dr Simeons wrote decades earlier, I eat normally now and I have not gained my weight back.
How is hcg any more dangerous than the surguries out there? That is where I was in my life, nothing was working or if it did,as soon as I started to eat like a normal person, i gained weight. I was staring at the surgery option, hcg was my last effort before surgery. I'm glad I tried it, it changed my life.
HCG has worked for Fat Loss
posted by Mini D on 9 Dec 2011 at 10:39 pmFor myself and many of my friends, we watch as weight and fat dropped off our bodies while using Homeopathic HCG. The body fat dropped based on measurements and fat scales. I lost 35 pounds and kept over 25 off for the year. We did not experience hunger as we followed the suggested diet. We had energy and felt as though our metabolism had been adjusted. Most of us had gone thru menopause and had previously been unable to lose weight. I will be repeating the progem the first of the year!
T.W.
posted by Teddi Walker on 12 Dec 2011 at 12:38 pmI've gained 85 lbs. over the past six years. Since menopause, it has been completely imposible to lose weight with any of the weight loss programs out there, and I have tried them all, feeling like I'm starving to death with zero results. With HCG, I have lost 30 lbs. in 32 days without discomfort of ANY kind. My doctor advised I start chloresterol medication right before I began it. However, my levels have dropped during the past month and I do not have to take the medication. I have numerous friends who have experienced the same results, which is why I tried it in the first place. I have a diabetic friend who no longer has to inject insulin. This diet has been around since the 1950's, it appears to me the FDA should have done their studies and approved it DECADES ago.
Don't be ignorant!!
posted by aag on 12 Dec 2011 at 1:56 pmI have also used HCG and the articles I have read really irritate me. They talk about only eating 500 calories as being dangerous, but if they actually read Dr. Simeons book, they would know that the drops put calories into your blood stream. Your body does not go into starvation mode!!! This diet was the only one that worked for me. I think the FDA really knows anything about this diet, they just don't profit from the sale of this product. This diet teaches you how to eat properly and keep your metalbolism active. I know several people who have done this diet, who had major healt issues like high blood pressure, diabeties, etc. and have since been able to get off their medication.
Also this diet has been around since the 50's when Dr. Simeon did clinical trials with obese patients. This is not a fad diet, it has been around for along time and effective and safe!!!
HCG,,,worked for me!
posted by Roxi on 17 Dec 2011 at 12:29 amI, also, am experiencing menopause and lost nearly 30 lbs on this diet, easily and quickly. Yes, I was hungry. I am always hungry. But as one person pointed out, the HCG converts stored fat (adipose fat) into energy/calories so the body doesn't starve, and when followed correctly, no muscle is lost as in some other diets. My blood pressure went down, as did my pulse, to a much healthier level. Additionally, as I maintained my "set" weight by eating reasonable portions, I had success not found on other diets I had tried. I kept the weight off for 7 months and am on a new round to lose another 20lbs or so. The 500 cal is a very small duration...24 days. Ghandi ate nothing for a longer period, right? My self esteem came back after the last round, I received multiple compliments and an added benefit is that I am no longer addicted to sugar and breads, my initial downfall. I eat reasonable portions now when I eat normally. So there you have this woman's perspective.Bravo HCG. It may have saved my life in the long run.
HCG really worked
posted by Marva Dawn on 18 Dec 2011 at 6:09 pmElizabeth Miller should try an HCG weight loss program. They really work, Liz!
Ridiculous
posted by Tammy on 21 Dec 2011 at 10:08 amNothing I've tried in 50 years has been successful or lasting until the HCG diet. FDA is concerned because "HCG has not been scientifically demonstrated to be effective and safe in obesity treatment". Is that the best they can come up with? But lap band surgery and gastric bi-pass surgery are ok? Diabetes and heart problems and other obesity related illnesses aren't more dangerous than "not scientifically demonstrated to be effective and safe in obesity treatment". I think they just didn't earn profits off of it. I don't think the FDA has "scientifically demonstrated to be effective", they are being ridiculous to take the legitimate products off the market that could be saving people's lives.
I lost and kept off 65 pounds!
posted by Kitty Bickford on 30 Dec 2011 at 12:37 pmI have lost and kept off 65 pounds after yo-yo dieting for over 10 years. This is the only thing I have found that let me lose the weight and keep it off. Size 20 to size 10, had a complete physical with blood work, colonoscopy, etc, and at 52 am in great shape now. It worked for me and I had no side effects. Delighted to be able to buy real clothes now instead of tents.
HCG is an alternative
posted by Tracy Tisdale on 2 Jan 2012 at 4:33 pmI think this article is misleading. Yes, HCG products are not equal in quality or safety. Bu many people are under a doctr's care while on this regimen. Working with a doctor, I have released 80 pounds, with improved hypertension, cholestrol, sleep, inflammation and mobility. We understand the VLCD is not a permanent lifestyle, but it sure beats gastric bypas if that is the situation you are facing. To the point, it is a affective weight loss method for whom it is appropriate.
It's helped Millions!!!
posted by busy mom of 2 boys on 10 Jan 2012 at 3:12 pmThis article is so misleading. There is testimony after testimony of people losing weight...This is a diet that is a last resort for many people before surgery that has helped them lose weight, not requiring them to have surgery. I personally had a great experience with HCG. I lost 45 pounds after my son was born and was able to keep it off. My husband lost 80 pounds. My neighbors, co-workers, friends and customers have all had great success with this diet. People have tried diet after diet after diet. The HCG diet works. Some of the products the FDA approves is rediculous...HCG has saved millions of people from heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. You tell me why they are pulling it from the shelves?!
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