HCG Diet

The Dangers Behind the HCG Diet Craze

There is a new diet craze sweeping across our nation called – HCG Diet. This craze has caught the attention of legitimate weight loss doctors around the nation.

There are great concerns about the popularity and misleading marketing of the HCG Diet. At best, the HCG diet usually leads to long-term frustration and a waste of resources for the overweight individual. At worst, with no long-term safety studies available, it may affect critical hormonal balances, raising the issue of possible long-term, negative effects.

Considered an expert in weight loss, Dr. Scott Ridgen is a bariatrician who has worked with hundreds of difficult obesity cases in Arizona since 1984. He believes the HCG Diet (also known as the Caveman/Cavewoman Diet* as featured in Dr. Rigden’s recent book) may not be completely safe or effective.

Ken Alltucker wrote a thorough, well researched article on the HCG Diet in the Arizona Republic, October 24, 2010. Further discussion, for the interested reader, can be provided by my blog article: Concerns About The HCG Diet Fad, and a position paper by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians Board of Directors (ASBP News, Jan./Feb. 2010, pg. 8,9).

According to Dr. Ridgen, the following simple check-list clearly points out advantages of the Anti-HCG Diet to the HCG Diet:

Facts Dr. Rigden’s Anti-HCG Diet HCG Diet
Relies on using the main “pregnancy hormone” that can impact several critical sex hormone levels X
Advocates say it works because users “are a little pregnant” X
Features a 500 calorie diet that is not sustainable for long-term weight control X
Studies show placebo with 500 calorie diet equally effective X
After notoriety in the 1970′s as a popular diet, fell into disrepute and disappeared for over 30 years X
Will lose more weight the first several weeks, but not as much as Anti-HCG Diet in long-term X
Features 5-6 feedings per day, 1000-1400 calories X
Long-term studies show safety and effectiveness X
Addresses multiple key factors that can cause slow metabolism X
Includes help for stress, emotional and compulsive eating X
Includes successful long-term weight loss maintenance program X
Studies show markedly improved blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin X
Frequently covered by medical insurance X

*As featured in The Ultimate Metabolism Diet: Eating the Right Diet for Your Metabolic Type, Scott Rigden MD, Hunter House, 2010, Alameda, Cal.

The following are links to articles that detail just a few success stories of actual clients who found tremendous weight loss success with Dr. Rigden.

Success Story #1: How To Lose More Than 100 lbs

Success Story #2: Reflections On A Great Weight Loss Success

Success Story #3: An Inspiring Weight Loss Case Study

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Success Stories
  • My life and health have improved tremendously thanks to Dr. Rigden’s program. My lifestyle and relationship with food have helped me to lose 45 pounds and keep this weight off for 3 years. His expertise has made the difference. – L.B., Phoenix, Az.