If you have been struggling with your weight for years, it is understandable to look for an option that can finally help. One approach you may have come across is the HCG diet, which combines human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, with significant calorie restriction.

HCG is a naturally occurring hormone produced during pregnancy and is also available as a prescription medication for certain approved medical uses. However, HCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss, and current evidence does not show that it improves weight loss beyond the effects of calorie restriction.

Before considering an HCG diet or any medical weight-loss program, it is important to understand what the evidence actually shows. Here are seven things to know about HCG and weight loss.

1. HCG Has Not Been Shown to Curb Appetite

One of the most common claims about the HCG diet is that the hormone makes severe calorie restriction easier by reducing hunger. Current evidence does not support this claim.

FDA