The HCG diet has been growing in popularity over the past few years. Once people hear about the weight loss effects, they often search online for more HCG diet information so that they, too, can enjoy the rapid weight loss that others seem to be experiencing. However, upon learning that HCG is a hormone that is naturally found in pregnant women, it turns some men off of the diet. The truth of the matter is that HCG doesn’t have any adverse effects on men, but some people still feel apprehensive about taking it.
During pregnancy, women produce the HCG hormone for a couple of reasons. The first is that HCG is responsible for the development of sex organs in both male and female fetuses. Without this hormone, genitalia would not develop correctly or fully, and as the baby grows into adulthood, would not be able to reproduce. The second function that the HCG hormone serves is to stimulate the hypothalamus into releasing stores of fat into the bloodstream. When these fat stores are released, so are vitamins and nutrients that are stored in fat. These nutrients are then used to help ensure that the baby and mother have the necessary nutrition in order to survive. The released fat also serves the purpose of providing the mother and fetus with necessary calories.
The HCG diet takes advantage of this second function. Along with a low calorie diet, HCG will allow your body to burn it’s stores of fat for energy and result in weight loss. Often, the weight that’s lost will be very rapid (due to the low calorie diet) and can range anywhere from .5lbs to 2lbs a day, depending on the amount of fat a particular person has on their body. Both men and women benefit from this secondary effect of HCG, so even though pregnancy causes HCG to be released naturally, it isn’t necessary.
the diet has potential HCG side effects, though, and they are experienced by both men and women. Typically, they stem from the low calorie diet and not the HCG itself. The side-effects include: mild headaches, fatigue, and irritability. The headaches are probably the easiest to deal with as a simple over the counter painkiller can usually do the trick. Fatigue can be combated by making sure to supplement vitamins and minerals, as well as eating as many nutritious veggies as possible (while still maintaining strict adherence to the list of approved foods). ‘
All in all, the HCG diet has shown no adverse effects in men. The weight loss, it turns out, can be even higher in men than it is in women. Men tend to lose weight easier than women, and when both are following the same diet, men tend to lose a little bit more. If you’re still not entirely convinced of HCG’s safety in men, you can always speak with your doctor. They can give you a lot of useful information about the HCG diet and how it can work for you. Also, your doctor can prescribe the best supplements for use during the weight loss phase to help ease any potential side-effects that you may experience.