1: Arch Intern Med. 1977 Feb;137(2):151-5.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity.
Shetty KR, Kalkhoff RK.
After a nine-day control period, six hospitalized obese women were placed on 500 calorie diets and were given 125 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) intramuscularly daily for 30 days. Another five obese women received injections of diluent only and consumed identical diets for the same period. Mean weight loss in the HCG-treated group was nearly identical to that achieved by women given the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold thickness or circumferential body measurements of the chest, waist, hips, and thighs were not different. Patters of change of a variety of plasma and urine substrates, electrolytes, and hormones were similar in the two groups and consistent with semistarvation and weight loss. These results indicate that HCG has no effects on chemical and hormonal parameters measured and offers no advantage over calorie restriction in promoting weight loss.
PMID: 836112 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
West J Med. 1977 December; 127(6): 461–463.
PMCID: PMC1237915
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the Treatment of Obesity
A Critical Assessment of the Simeons Method
Frank L. Greenway, MD and George A. Bray, MD
Clinical Research Center, and the Department of Medicine, Harbor General Hospital, Torrance
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine.
Abstract
Injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have been claimed to aid in weight reduction by reducing hunger, and affecting mood as well as aiding in localized (spot) reduction. We have tested these claims in a double-blind randomized trial using injections of HCG or placebo. Weight loss was identical between the two groups, and there was no evidence for differential effects on hunger, mood or localized body measurements. Placebo injections, therefore, appear to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity.