Expert: Dr.Paul Skett - 7/7/2010

Question
CAN YOU ENLIGHTEN ME ABOUT THIS PRODUCT/PROGRAMME BEING USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS?  IS IT SAFE?  ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Answer
Hi, Arlene,

Thanks for your question.

hCG is a hormone which is produced in the female during pregnancy - in fact, it is the hormone they use to detect early pregnancy. It takes over the role of the hormones produced in the pituitary gland (situated just under the brain) when a woman is not pregnant - full name is human chorionic gonadotropin.

I have had a look at the websites selling this stuff and it is not clear how much hCG is taken and if it would have any significant physiological effect - however, the program appears to involve a serious reduction in calorie intake, which in itself would result in a significant weight loss.

hCG is a powerful hormone - you can imagine the changes in a woman's body during pregnancy - and it stimulates the production of powerful steroid hormones.

I would be very reluctant to recommend any such powerful treatment for weight loss given what the actual role of the hormone is.

Scientific literature does not indicate any  significant effect of hCG in weight loss over and above that derived from reducing calorie intake.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Paul