HCG Diet Compared to the Atkins Diet

By John D Greene


Although, there are various diet plans however the primary rule to lose weight is to take fewer calories than the amount of calories burnt by the body. In fact, it is complicated to select a proper diet protocol that blends with one's lifestyle, metabolism, and food preferences. However, you can take a physician's opinion to succeed in losing weight as he or she will assist you in selecting a proper diet protocol. Most importantly, you should familiarize about the type of weight loss approach before figuring out its action.

Recently, the most widely followed diet plans all over the world are the HCG diet and Atkins diet plans even though you are advised to follow any diet plan on medical supervision. The HCG diet involves restricted intake of calories in combination with a daily dose HCG hormone injection. In comparison, the Atkins diet restricts the intake of certain carbohydrates including healthy ones. One can achieve a desired weight by carefully knowing the main concept behind these diets. Here is a detailed comparison between Dr. Simeons HCG diet and Dr. Atkins diet protocols.

The HCG Diet protocol was initially known during 1950s but only came into practice in 1970s when Dr. A. T. W. Simeons confirmed its efficacy in managing obesity. The diet requires routine intake of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone injection which is biologically obtained from the pregnant female's urine. These injections should be taken only for certain period. During HCG diet, it is basically recommended to be on a very low-calorie diet of about 500 calories a day or even lesser to initiate the fat burning process in the body. Dr. Simeons recommends taking 2 short meals every day that includes fresh fruits, lean protein sources, and non-starchy vegetables.

While on HCG diet, dieters should cut-off certain carbohydrates however, they can take Grissini breadsticks or Melba toast. Dr. A.T.W. Simeons performed a research to determine the daily ratio of carbohydrate intake to avoid the carbohydrate imbalance. One can control weight even after the HCG diet program as the hypothalamus gland (modulates various functions like hunger, body temperature, thirst, sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythm) is re-set by the body during this period. Based on weight, the low caloric phase of the HCG Diet, can last from between 23 - 45 days. The best part of HCG diet protocol is that you are least likely to develop ketosis as it allows the intake of some carbohydrates.

The Atkins diet was discovered by Dr. Robert C. Atkins during 1970s to promote easy weight loss. The diet includes low carbohydrate intake, especially healthy carbohydrates in an effort to control weight loss. The first phase of it includes consumption of less than 20g of carbohydrates per day which can subsequently be made flexible by taking from 50 to 100g of carbs depending on the carb tolerance. One can take non-starchy vegetables, sausages, cheese, cream, fish, bacon, meat, butter, and coconut oil while avoiding bread, muffins, potatoes, pasta, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, rice, fruits, sugar, and desserts.

The major drawback of Atkins Diet is it fully cuts-off healthy carbs thus forcing the system to encounter ketosis (condition that involves abnormally raised levels of serum ketone bodies. In general, Ketosis is a complication of abnormal fat metabolism and diabetes mellitus and long term ketosis causes liver damage. Hence, the Atkins Diet was strongly contended by diet experts. In response, it was revised by allowing essential fats, healthy food, and portion control.

The major difference between these two types of diet is that the hcg diet restricts the total calorie intake, while the Atkins diet restricts intake of only carbohydrates. However, the HCG diet protocol is unique in fact that it utilizes daily dose of HCG hormone injections while the Atkins diet requires regular tracking of carbohydrate intake.

It is allowed to take some carbs like Melba toast or breadsticks to avoid ketosis while on an HCG diet. In contrary, all essential carbs are restricted in Atkins diet thus resulting in ketosis accompanied with lack of energy, and fatigue thus contributing to weight relapse. The HCG diet is least likely to cause relapse as it reprograms the hypothalamus gland to consume small meals.

In conclusion, the HCG diet protocol should be considered as it causes provides necessary energy with no unpleasant side effects like bad breath and flatulence as experienced during Atkins diet. The HCG diet causes side effects like depression, restlessness, blood clots, and headache.




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