HCG Diet & Nausea

There is a strong correlation between hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, and nausea, since rising levels of the hormone hCG during pregnancy are linked to the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness. There is another link between the hCG Diet and nausea. One of the serious side effects of the hCG Diet, which includes taking daily injections or supplements of hCG and a low calorie diet, is nausea and vomiting.

A pregnant woman sits on the edge of the bed, holding her belly and not feeling well. (Image: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

hCG, more formally known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone produced during pregnancy. A surge of hCG during pregnancy signals the brain that it is time to begin moving nutrients and fats into the placenta. As a prescription drug, It is normally used to treat fertility issues. However, hCG has been heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement in recent years for both men and women.

The hCG Diet

The hCG Diet is a harshly restrictive diet that limits you to only 500 calories per day. Along with the sharply reduced food intake, you must give yourself daily injections of hCG, or take hCG supplements. Dr. Michael Snyder, writing on the Diets in Review website, states that 500 calories per day is not sufficient for proper brain function. If you do manage to lose weight, it will be because you are consuming so few calories, not because of the hCG.

Claims

Proponents of the hCG Diet boast that it can help you lose weight, burn fat and move fat away from your stomach and buttocks. The diet is often offered at weight loss clinics that usually claim medical supervision will be available. If you lose weight on the hCG Diet because of its calorie restrictions, you are likely to put it right back on once you end the diet.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, which results from hCG use by women. The most common side effects of hCG for both sexes are headaches, mood swings, depression, blood clots, confusion and dizziness. But women who develop Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome can suffer symptoms in addition to nausea and vomiting, including pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and legs, stomach pain, weight gain, shortness of breath and diarrhea.

Considerations

Although the FDA has approved hCG for treating fertility problems, It has never been approved to treat weight loss and there are no scientific studies to support its use for weight loss. Anyone who chooses to try the hCG Diet should do so under a doctor's supervision and not stay on the diet for more than three weeks.