The HCG diet is over 50 years old. It has been used by millions of people all over the world. No problems about its safety have been reported. The side effects you see below are minimal. Since the HCG diet contains moderate protein and almost no sugar or fat, it’s safe for diabetics and people with hypertension, thyroid problems and controlled heart disease.
Thousands of Dr Lipman’s HCG Patients Report No Side Effects
While HCG drops can cause certain side effects, they are generally caused by not following HCG diet protocols properly. People who have undergone treatment know firsthand, and if you ask them whether HCG drops have a harmful effect on your body, the answer will be no. The HCG diet is extremely low in calories, which can cause one to experience headaches, leg cramps and mood swings, along with food cravings. Without HCG drops, the side effects can be worse. The decrease in calories can cause the body’s metabolism to switch into starvation mode, wherein the body starts using the proteins in our muscles to create energy (not good!). The dieter can also experience episodes of low blood sugar, as are often felt by diabetics. This is where the HCG drops come into the picture. HCG drops stop this process by increasing your metabolism, which will ensure the body gets enough calories when it needs them. Therefore, the side effects caused by calorie reduction and the food cravings one usually feels at the beginning of a low-calorie diet gradually disappear.
HCG is Safe for Men, Too
HCG can be used in men and women with equal safety and effectiveness. Men do not gain any female characteristics since HCG is only a pregnancy hormone protecting the baby – it has nothing to do with menstruation, breast or hair development. In fact, men lose weight much faster on HCG than women! Some men fear they will start developing enlarged breasts on HCG. This is a total misconception; nothing like this has ever happened in real life. In fact, there are many cases where the opposite has happened – men have seen a reduction in fat deposits in the upper chest and breast areas. Women and men both experience the same side effects when they start the HCG diet with HCG drops. Usually these are very mild and occur during the first few weeks of the diet. The food carvings experienced by women are also experienced by men. However, such cravings effects disappear for both genders once the diet progresses and the hormones begin to take effect.
HCG Diet and Low Blood Sugar
One of the most common side effects 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 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 Deteour 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
HCG is a natural substance produced in the human body, therefore side effects are uncommon. In the event side effects do occur, they are usually mild and generally subside after a week or two on the HCG diet.
Headache
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
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, but if you have a tendency toward constipation, the HCG Diet Plan may exacerbate it. Constipation is sometimes seen in the HCG diet due to:
- Lack of fat and fiber
- Not enough water
- Reduction in food intake (leads to longer transit time of food in the small and large intestine)
- Decrease in motility of the colon
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.
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.
Sometimes cutting out the salt in your diet will lead to less fluid retention and stools that are not as dry. It’s also important to drink enough water. 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
In the beginning of the diet some people have reported cases of diarrhea. This 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
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 side effects, you can use the same solutions as the low blood sugar section above.
Skin Problems or Rash (rare)
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)
A very rare side effect of the HCG diet 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)
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 Drops Have Fewer Side Effects 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
- Compared to injections or pills, HCG drops for weight loss are taken sublingually (under the tongue) and are more effective and free from side effects.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dieters can quickly lose up to a pound per day – quite a substantial amount – if Dr. Lipman’s HCG protocol is carefully followed.
- HCG Drops target all parts of the human body that have accumulated body fat, resulting in a balanced, toned appearance.
- HCG Drops are designed to work with the human body ensuring minimal to no side effects.
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