Answer to Pam

Pam asked me about the diet where you eat 500 kcal per day and take shots. It is the hCG diet and has actually been around since the 60s. It was started by a guy named Simeon who was doing field research in Rome. There are various diets out there that are classified into low or very low calorie diets depending on how many calories you consume in a day. The hCG diet is a very low calorie diet consisting of 500 kcal per day. That's how you lose the weight. The shots contain the pregnancy hormone hCG which helps to suppress hunger pains and utilize the fat stores. In one of my classes I did a research project about this diet and this is what I found.

1) People do lose weight.
2) There is NO scientific research to see if there are extreme health problems later in life caused by the diet. There is NO research to see if people who do the diet end up keeping it off in the long run. There is NO research-period-that can show significant evidence that it is actually causing people to lose fat weight instead of muscle or water weight. Basically there is NO research about hCG.
3) Some people kept the weight off but most people did not. The problem with such a short diet is that it is not a lifestyle change and the results are short lived.
4) There is a concern of malnutrition. The diet is limited to a few meats, some vegetables, and four different fruits. One melba toast is allowed. A person consuming this diet may experience various side effects from a lack of vitamin and mineral consumption. The side effects will be small since it is only a short amount of time but any period of malnutrition is not good for the body.
5) Of all the diets that were studied in my class (8+) the hCG diet was the most expensive.
6) The FDA has approved the diet but you should still be careful with FDA approved products. There are several weight loss pills out there that will cause high blood pressure and other health problems that are FDA approved. In the long run (6 mo-12 mo later) people who dieted without weight loss pills lost as much weight as those who lost weight with weight loss pills.

My experience has found that if you try to use the "quick fix" diets that you are no better off in a few months. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to change your lifestyle because it will give you lifelong results. Don't forget about the Word of Wisdom. It tells us to eat grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It also talks about running and walking without getting out of breath. If you can't run or walk without getting out of breath then you need to start exercising more until you can. Heavenly Father built our bodies and He knows what's best for them.

Pam, I hope this answered your question. If anyone else has any questions I'd love to answer them too.