HCG Injections & Stroke Risks

HCG--or human chorionic gonadotropin--is a special hormone created during pregnancy in women. While controversial in nature, over the years the hormone has been manipulated to where it may be injected into individuals to help them lose weight on extremely low-calorie diets. But as with many other low-calorie weight-loss programs, there are potential downsides, such as stroke and malnutrition. Knowing what is safe to take is paramount to losing weight the right way.

What is HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a special glycoprotein hormone women's bodies naturally create when they are pregnant. It is her body's way of helping a woman cope with the caloric intake that is naturally funneled to the developing embryo during pregnancy. In effect, it helps the woman's body survive on an extremely low-calorie diet of between 500 and 800 calories per day, far below what is needed for normal, healthy living. HCG also may affect the woman's overall immune system during the pregnancy.

Uses

Since HCG is a hormone, it has been synthetically reproduced over the years and adapted into a wide variety of uses, ranging from supplements in hormone-deficient individuals to a wonder drug of sorts to help people lose weight. It also can be used to help induce ovulation as well as testosterone. It can also be used as a tumor marker, although the most common use for the hormone is fertility and weight loss.

Weight-Loss Wonder Drug

While somewhat controversial in the medical community, HCG has been promoted in recent years as a wonder drug of sorts to help individuals lose weight using an extremely low-calorie diet of less than 500 calories. The claim is that HCG helps a person's body shed fat rather than lean muscle during the weight-loss period, by making the body think it is carrying a fetus, thus adjusting the levels of caloric intake needed and the way the body burns fat normally.

Possible Side Effects

There are a number of side effects that an individual may suffer if taking HCG injections for weight loss, not the least of which is the possibility of a stroke. Blood clots are one of the more serious side effects that can result from using HCG injections, and go hand-in-hand with hives and difficulty breathing, as well as swelling of the face. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath. Contact a medical professional immediately if you suffer from any of these symptoms while using HCG injections.

Stroke Risks

One of the problems with the HCG injection and diet is the fact that the 500 calories a day the diet prescribes is far less than what your body needs to operate at a healthy level. Since you are consuming only 500 or so calories per day, your organs are not getting their required vitamins. Blood flow is also restricted, and the lack of vitamins and minerals combined with ischemia (the lack of blood flow) can disturb the normal circulation to your brain. In addition, HCG injections have been known to cause blood clots, which can also lead to the occurrence of a stroke.

Doctor's Advice

As with any type of weight-loss program, it is important to consult with a licensed physician before undertaking any sort of extremely low-calorie diet. There are a number of side effects of starving your body with such a low intake of calories on a daily basis, not all of which may be attributed to HCG alone. While HCG has shown results in certain individuals, like many other drugs the results may vary.