What Are Side Effects of HCG Diet?

HCG Interactions

HCG Diet and Low Blood Sugar

One of the most common HCG side effects, or more accurately, of the HCG diet plan — or any diet plan that requires a drastic decrease in daily caloric intake — is the occurrence of mild hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Almost everyone experiences some degree of hypoglycemia in their life. This commonly occurs around 2-5 PM when many of us experience symptoms of weakness, fatigue, dizziness and often have difficulty concentrating. The cure for most of us is coffee with sugar or a junk food snack (of course, this extra sugar and/or fat actually makes matters worse in the long run, and is not how we do things on the HCG diet).

Low blood sugar symptoms may be exaggerated in the HCG diet due to the 800 calorie daily limit. This low blood sugar can cause or contribute to many of the other HCG side effects listed in the next section. While the HCG drops do help speed the rebalancing of your metabolism, your body will still have fewer calories than it is accustomed to burning, thus your metabolism will take time to normalize. I encourage dieters to always have a piece of fruit or a low-calorie, no sugar, high protein shake with them. Another suggestion is a high protein, zero sugar bar such as the Extend Bar or some of the Medifast and lower calorie Atkins or Detour bars. Remember the bar must be no more than 140 calories, have 1-2 grams of fat, 1-2 grams of sugar, and at least 10 grams of protein!

HCG Side Effects are Very Mild and Subside Quickly and can Include:

Headache due to low calorie and low carb diet

Some people experience minor headaches during the first week of the low-calorie diet. This can usually be attributed to the body adjusting to the reduced caloric intake and lower blood sugar. Use the methods discussed above to counteract the low blood sugar and the headache will likely go away. If not, any standard, over-the-counter pain medication can be used to treat headache. As the diet continues the headaches usually disappear.

Constipation due to reduction in food, especially fats

On a low-calorie diet, it’s normal for bowel movements to come less often, sometimes just once every 3 or 4 days. This isn’t constipation. However, some people do experience real constipation. This may occur regardless of whether you have had the problem before. Constipation is sometimes seen in the HCG diet due to:
[list]
[item type=”minus”]Lack of fat and fiber[enditem]
[item type=”minus”]Not enough water[enditem]
[item type=”minus”]Reduction in food intake (leads to longer transit time of food in the small and large intestine)[enditem]
[item type=”minus”]Decrease in motility of the colon[enditem]
[endlist]

Remember, you have almost unlimited vegetables on the 800 calorie HCG diet, as well as other good sources of fiber. This allows you to keep your fiber up to help relieve any constipation you may experience. Eating a large amount of green vegetables may be one of the simplest ways to deal with the constipation.

Treatment of HCG Constipation

At least 3 cups of salad are suggested. However, pale green iceberg lettuce does not have much fiber in it. Try dark green vegetables, including steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus and spinach. These vegetables have much more fiber and also lead to more fullness. Increasing your fruits will also help. If you still are constipated add some fiber in the form of Fibercon (1-4 tablets a day, each with a glass of water) or sugar-free Metamucil. Drink more water. 8 oz. of water 6-8 times a day can make a real difference.Add an herbal tea such as Cscara Sagrada and senna.Magnesium citrate 

Sometimes cutting out the salt in your diet will lead to less fluid retention and stools that are not as dry. . If these dietary changes do not relieve your constipation, you can take a stool softener or mild, sugar-free laxative. You can also try taking additional magnesium.

Diarrhea due to elimination of carbs

In the beginning of the diet some people have reported cases of diarrhea. This HCG side effect may be due to the near elimination of carbs on the diet. However, some low carb products may contain sorbitol, malitol, or other sugar alcohols, which can act as laxatives. Alternatively, if you are not used to eating so many raw vegetables, diarrhea may result as your system adjusts to your new food choices. Lightly steaming your vegetables may help alleviate the problem.

Weakness, Irritability, and Mood Swings due to low calorie and low carb intake

The HCG diet program entails an intake of only 800 calories a day. As stated previously, lower blood sugar may result from the caloric restriction. Consequently, you may experience weakness, irritability, restlessness, and mood swings. The limitation of food choices, quantities, and meal sizes may also cause feelings of deprivation or food cravings and contribute to the latter three symptoms. If you have history of depression, anxiety or related psychological illnesses, your risk for irritability and other mood complications may be increased. To combat these HCG side effects, you can use the same solutions as the low blood sugar section above.

Skin Problems or Rash (rare) may be due to HCG Hormone

Skin irritation or rash can be a common, yet still mild, side effect in women who take the HCG hormone in the form of an injection. At times, the shots can even result to swelling or infection at the injection sites. This is one of the many reasons we prefer HCG drops to injections. As your body consumes fat, toxins are released into your body. Because of the rapid speeds at which your body consumes fat on the HCG diet, these toxins may build up and cause a minor rash – this is not the same as an allergic reaction.

Hair Loss (rare)- can be seen in any weight loss program

A very rare HCG side effect is hair loss. This usually happens because of the initial stress on the body caused the 800 calorie limit and drastic reduction in food intake on the HCG diet. Resulting hormonal changes may also be a factor. No matter how balanced the meal might seem, it still contains less food and fewer calories than the body is accustomed to. This may lead to a deficit of one or more essential vitamins and minerals. That’s why a good multivitamin supplement is a useful addition to the HCG diet. Taking a zinc supplement can also stop this problem.

Leg Cramps (rare)-often due to failure to take added potassium

Cramps may occur due to the lack of potassium in the Core Phase diet. Potassium supplements can be used to treat this symptom.

Gallstones (possible with any weight loss plan)

Since the HCG diet restricts your calories significantly, you may lose weight rapidly. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, rapid weight loss of more than 3 pounds per week increases your risk for gallstones — pebble-like deposits in your gallbladder. In general, many people who develop gallstones do not exhibit any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may present as mild stomach pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen or back. Gallstones can also cause inflammation, nausea, and vomiting. In more severe cases, pain may be accompanied by fever and chills or yellowing of the skin and sclera (whites of the eyes). In these cases, medical attention is required.

HCG Hormone Side Effects: Far Fewer Than Quick-Fix Pills

Weight loss products, as opposed to natural diets, are often frowned upon solutions for dieting because of the potential or perceived side effects. Many overweight people are so frustrated by the difficulty they have had trying to lose weight that they are willing to endure the side effects of over-the-counter or prescription weight loss products. HCG diet methods have been around for 50+ years – the first was discovered in the 1950’s by Dr. Simeons – with no major adverse events reported. They have gone through several improvements over the decades.

Our sublingual HCG Drops are all-natural, and have been proven to be one of the best and safest ways to lose weight quickly. Instead of introducing dangerous chemicals that might harm the human body, homeopathic HCG drops contain something we already have – hormones that are produced naturally by the body. And, their usage is so simple that there is no need for the presence of a medical expert to administer them.

Why Oral HCG Drops are the Best

[list]
[item]Compared to injections or pills, HCG drops for weight loss are taken sublingually (under the tongue) and are more effective and free from HCG side effects.[enditem]
[item]With proper diet and dosage, these drops guarantee results in three weeks. Dieters need to maintain an 800 calorie diet during that period. However, not all people are the same with regards to metabolism and can extend the period by 40 days if they don’t get satisfactory results.[enditem]
[item]HCG drops help metabolism through the use of the glycoproterin hormone. This hormone helps in the suppression of hunger, reduction of cravings for junk food or deeply fried foods, and helps convert accumulated fat into calories.[enditem]
[item]Dieters can quickly lose up to a pound per day – quite a substantial amount – if Dr. Lipman’s HCG protocol is carefully followed.[enditem]
[item]HCG Drops target all parts of the human body that have accumulated body fat, resulting in a balanced, toned appearance.[enditem]
[item]HCG Drops are designed to work with the human body ensuring minimal to no side effects.[enditem]
[endlist]