How does the HCG diet and metabolism cure work? | 21 days

Veröffentlicht am: November 04, 2024
Sarah Allen
Sarah Allen

Nutritionist and dietician

Obesity is a major issue these days. In the USA alone, more than 35% of the population is overweight. A poor diet and lack of exercise can have serious consequences for the body. Constantly high sugar consumption can increase the risk of tooth decay, cause respiratory problems and high blood pressure. The rising number of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases is particularly worrying. Type 2 diabetes is caused by excessive sugar consumption and leads to an overload of the hormone insulin until it can no longer be released. This results in persistently high blood sugar levels and leads to serious secondary diseases.

Obesity and the diseases associated with it can be successfully treated with a diet. The range of diets on offer is contradictory, diverse, but above all very comprehensive.

A new trend, with many people reporting incredible successes of 8-10% body weight loss, is the HCG diet and the metabolic diet. In both diets, foods such as alcohol, sugar, fats and oils are banned and the amount of protein-rich calories consumed is reduced from an average of 1800-2500 kcal to 500-700 kcal. Athletes need to consume more calories because they consume more calories and are dependent on sufficient energy. However, people who work in an office and spend most of their time sitting have a very low calorie consumption and must adjust their calorie intake accordingly. 

Contents

Overview - 21-day metabolism cure

Before starting this diet, it is advisable to obtain sufficient information and possibly have yourself tested to see to what extent your body is suitable for this diet. Success promises a weight reduction of 8-10% of your own body weight.

Care should be taken to ensure that the HCG diet does not lead to underweight. The diet is also not recommended in the case of metabolic diseases and an intact digestive tract.

The best-known model is the 21-day metabolism cure. The cure is divided into 4 phases and aims not only to reduce weight but also to detoxify the whole body.

Loading phase in the metabolism cure (2 days)

As the name suggests, you should fill yourself up with everything your heart desires to get your circulation going and give your body reserves for the next 21 days.  

You can consume up to 2000-3000 calories a day. However, 2 things should be borne in mind:

  • No alcohol consumption
  • and 3-4 liters of liquid daily

Diet phase in the metabolic cure (21 days)

Discipline and perseverance are an advantage in this phase. This phase involves a very strict and low-calorie diet plan. However, the recipes of the metabolism cure are quite functional. The daily calorie intake is between 500-700 calories. This limit should not be exceeded. In comparison: A normal calorie intake would be 1800-2500 kcal per day depending on gender and body type.

The dishes consist mainly of protein and vegetables.

Prohibited foods in the metabolism cure:

  • Milk and dairy products
  • Sugar and sweeteners
  • Carbohydrate-rich side dishes (bread, rice, pasta)
  • Fats and oils
  • Alcohol

Example of a daily routine for the metabolic cure

Metabolic cure for breakfast

  • 1 capsule OPC, 1 capsule MSM and 1 capsule Omega 3
  • Low-fat quark or low-fat yoghurt with fruit (no banana, as it contains a lot of fructose)
  • 1 cup of black tea or black coffee (has a dehydrating effect)
  • 30 g protein powder or 20 g wheat bran with 250 ml water 

Metabolism cure for lunch

  • 1 capsule MSM (1/2 hour before lunch with plenty of water) + 1 capsule Omega 3
  • 150 g - 200 g protein-rich foods (turkey, eggs, low-fat fish)
  • Served with plenty of vegetables and salad 

A great recipe idea is, for example: Seared salmon with vegetables: Salmon (250 g) contains lots of omega 3 fatty acids and tastes delicious. Season the salmon first and then sear for 3-4 minutes. Asparagus is recommended as a side dish, if it is not in season, use either baby spinach or frozen spinach leaves (about 300 g). This dish is filling and has about 250 kcal.

Metabolism cure for dinner

  • 1 capsule MSM + 1 capsule Omega 3
  • Another 150-250 g of protein-rich food with a vegetable side dish 

Phase: Stabilization phase of the metabolic cure (approx. 21 days)

To avoid a yo-yo effect, the diet must be slowly changed and adjusted. The calorie intake can be increased by 150 kcal per day until the normal level of 1800-2500 is reached again. Now all foods are allowed again.

A little tip: a low-calorie and low-fat diet is naturally preferred. 

These foods are still not allowed because they contain too much sugar.

  • Cake
  • Cookies
  • Sugar
  • Rice
  • Potatoes
  • Noodles 

Phase: Maintenance phase of the metabolic cure (permanent)

The phase is not limited in time, any food can be consumed again. Care should be taken to eat a healthy, balanced diet in combination with exercise and sport. Then nothing stands in the way of a healthy life with a few kilos less. However, if you do not change your diet permanently and do not stick to the recommended daily calorie intake or even exceed it, you can expect the diet to have a negative outcome.

Difference between the HCG diet and metabolism cure

No hormones are taken during a metabolic cure, so the weight loss effect should only come from the calorie-reduced food. 

HCG diet at a glance

This diet was invented in the 1960s by Dr. Simeons, who observed and researched hard-working pregnant women during a stay in Africa. Despite periods of hunger, the lean women were able to provide the growing babies with sufficient food, even though they had hardly any fat reserves themselves. He soon found the cause of this: The HCG hormone (human choriogonadotropin). This hormone is produced during pregnancy and is intended to provide the child with food in times of famine by breaking down the woman's fat deposits and making them available to the child as food.

This pregnancy hormone HCG or the messenger substance is taken alongside the HCG diet. This hormone fools the body into thinking it is pregnant, which reduces fat deposits, particularly in problem areas: Stomach, thighs and hips. By taking this hormone, the fat cells are targeted. However, the diet can also be used for men.

Dr. Simeons conducted countless studies with this hormone, administering it both orally and intravenously. Today, the hormone is usually only administered in drops or capsule form, but the effect remains the same.

It should be noted that the diet can only take place after the growth phase and can therefore only be used after the age of 18. The body needs a lot of energy to grow, which is why this diet can have negative effects.

Procedure of the HCG diet 

Preparation phase of the HCG diet

2 feast days; during these 2 days you can and should feast as much as you like. You can consume 2000-3000 calories per day and all foods are allowed, after this phase the "fasting" begins. During these 2 days, the body builds up enough reserves for the next phase.

Implementation phase of the HCG diet

This phase lasts 21 days. Foods such as alcohol, fats and sugar are now prohibited. Only 500 calories are allowed per day. How you consume the 500 kcal is up to you. However, protein-rich meals with lots of vegetables as a side dish are recommended. There are also an infinite number of recipes on the Internet that can be recreated.

The body needs some time to get used to the low calorie intake and this proves to be an extreme challenge. To avoid the strong feeling of hunger, the HCG hormone is taken before every meal. The messenger substance of the HCG hormone is intended to prevent binge eating and reduce the feeling of hunger.

Stabilization phase in the HCG diet

Even after the 21-day diet, it is important to slowly return to a normal eating level. Calorie intake can be increased daily and forbidden foods such as alcohol, fat and sugar should be avoided at the beginning and only consumed in moderation. This extensive stabilization phase prevents a yo-yo effect. After the diet, attention should be paid to a balanced, healthy diet and this should be combined with regular exercise.

To support the HCG diet, supplements such as MSM, OPC and omega-3 fatty acids are recommended to keep the blood circulation intact. Omega-3 fatty acids support cell renewal and MSM is an ideal antioxidant. Such supplements are important because the body is supplied with few calories and therefore few nutrients and must continue to perform its tasks.

Order HCG drops

Before ordering such a product on the Internet, you should make sure that the store is reputable and also has many product reviews with relevant experience of the HCG diet. 

Advantages of the HCG diet

  • Fat cells are broken down instead of muscles
  • Binge eating is avoided
  • Feeling of hunger is reduced
  • Easier implementation of the diet with the help of the hormone
  • No deficiency symptoms due to dietary supplements (MSM, OPC and omega 3)
  • The inventor of this diet, Dr. Albert Simeons, promises a success rate of 8-10% loss of previous body weight.
  • The body purifies and detoxifies
  • The skin becomes smoother and softer (even cellulite is said to improve)

Disadvantages of the HCG diet

No long-term studies have yet been carried out, so little research has been done into the HCG messenger substance. Nevertheless, it is a hormone produced naturally in the body. Many studies that have been carried out have been unable to find a direct link between the hormone supplied and weight loss. 

The prescribed calorie allowance of 500 kcal can be a difficult adjustment for the body and can lead to headaches and other symptoms at the beginning. Diets are always extremely stressful for the body, and inadequate nutrition inevitably leads to long-term damage in the long term or if used incorrectly. In addition, a diet with only 500 calories a day can lead to a considerable mineral deficiency. It is therefore important to consult a doctor before starting a diet in order to avoid any mineral deficiencies caused by dietary supplements. Under certain circumstances, it can also lead to menstrual cycle disorders in women. Unpredictable bleeding or the absence of bleeding is possible.

What you should bear in mind: Taking a hormone that the body does not need should not be done for a long time. This can lead to side effects such as headaches and dizziness. This diet should be used for a maximum of 1 month and at most once a year. Many doctors assume that the weight loss is solely due to the low calorie intake, but other studies have shown that the hormone has a positive effect on reducing fat deposits and reducing the feeling of hunger.

The costs involved are also a major disadvantage. HCG drops have to be purchased, as well as the associated nutritional supplements. Observation by a doctor can also lead to high costs. Before embarking on such a diet, detailed research and information should also be carried out.

What many test persons still criticize about the diet is the high degree of conversion. If you are working, a low calorie intake can lead to concentration problems. Elaborate pre-cooking is also a challenge and takes time. 

Why should you use food supplements during the metabolic cure or HCG diet?

To support the HCG diet and the metabolic cure, supplements such as MSM , OPC and o mega 3 fatty acids are recommended to keep the blood circulation intact. Omega 3 fatty acids support cell renewal and MSM is an ideal antioxidant. Such supplements are important because the body is only supplied with a few calories (500-700 calories) and therefore few nutrients and must continue to perform its tasks.

OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) 

OPC isan antioxidant and fights free radicals. Additional properties of OPC include improving blood circulation, strengthening memory and slowing down the ageing process. Especially during a diet phase, it is important to maintain blood circulation and memory performance, as not enough nutrients are absorbed. An additional positive effect of OPC capsules is the slowing down of skin ageing. OPC improves collagen formation and tightens the skin, which is particularly important when losing a lot of weight to prevent tissue regression.

MSM - Methylsulfonylmethane (organic sulfur compound)

MSM is a natural sulphur compound found in humans and plants. MSM helps during a diet or metabolic cure by providing assistance during the detoxification phase and supporting the elimination of harmful substances from the cells. In this way, MSM ensures a functioning metabolism, which is particularly important during the diet phase.

MSM gives the skin its firmness by strengthening the collagen contained in the skin. Its elasticity is ensured by the protein elastin. Hair and nails consist of the protein keratin, which makes hair voluminous and nails strong. In order to produce these proteins, the body needs sulphur (MSM). If this is not sufficiently present, the skin, hair and nails lose their resilience. If the body has a lack of MSM, newly produced cells become stiff and form wrinkles. If sufficient MSM is supplied, the stiffened cells are transformed into healthy new cells.

At the same time, the skin can recover better from damage (burns, injuries, etc.) thanks to improved permeability. 

Omega-3 fatty acids 

Fatty acids are essential for the body. They are found in foods that contain fat or oil and are divided into saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, fats and oils are forbidden foods in the diet phase as they have a high energy density and a high calorie content. Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for the human body and cannot be produced by the body itself. They must therefore be obtained from food.

 

Sources (in English):

Goodbar, N. H., Foushee, J. A., Eagerton, D. H., Haynes, K. B. & Johnson, A. A. (2013, May). Effect of the human chorionic gonadotropin diet on patient outcomes. The Annals of Pahrmacotherapy, 47(5):e23, doi: 10.1345/aph.1R755

Butler, S. A. & Cole, L. A. (2016, November). Evidence for, and Associated Risks with, the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Supplemented Diet. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 13(6):694-9, doi: 10.3109/19390211.2016.1156208

Greenway, F. L. & Bray, G. A. (1977, December). Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical assessment of the Simeons method. The Western Journal of Medicine, 127(6):461-3