(Image Source: SimplyHCG)
BY LAUREN ZIMA
ANCHOR CHRSITINA HARTMAN
It’s been marketed as the healthy, safe, homeopathic way to lose weight -- but now the Food and Drug Administration has targeted companies that sell HCG as a weight loss product.
HCG is a natural hormone made in the placenta during pregnancy -- a prescription-strength version of it IS approved by the FDA as an injection for fertility treatment. (FLASH) For weight loss, the hormone is extracted from the urine of pregnant women, and turned into pellets, sprays or oral drops. Companies claim it curbs hunger while burning fat.
HCG supposedly helped consumers lose a pound a day if they took the product while following a 500-calorie-a-day diet. NPR says it’s those claims that attracted the FDA’s attention.
“Who wouldn't lose weight when consuming only 500 calories, right? Exactly, says the FDA. ‘These products are marketed with incredible claims … ,’ Elizabeth Miller, acting director of FDA's Division of Non-Prescription Drugs and Health Fraud, says …. ‘Any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from the HCG.’”
But the drug and diet combo could carry substantial risk for those using it to lose weight. CNN examines the risks.
“ ... people on such diets have an increased risk of heart arrhythmia's, electrolyte imbalance and gallstones.”
Still, in August, Dr. Oz covered the product on his show, and called it, quote, “worth investigating.” He welcomed success stories to his program.
DR. OZ: “I am fascinated by this, because any time you have scientific dogma - studies showing nothing, can’t prove it -- and yet you have real human beings saying, ‘I tried it -- it works,’ I get curious.
WOMAN: “It came off quickly and I’ve kept it off.”
DR. OZ: “And how much is it? HOw much weight did you lose?”
WOMAN: “15 pounds.”
DR.OZ: “15 pounds. Perfect. And you were on it for how many weeks?”
WOMAN: “I was on it for three weeks.”
The FDA has sent letters to seven companies that sell HCG, giving them 15 days to tell the agency what corrective actions they will take. Otherwise, criminal prosecution may begin.
