Are weight loss products containing HCG safe?

The FDA and the FTC has now cracked down on herbal supplements containing the ingredient HCG – human chorionic gonadotropin – because it does not appear to nudge weight loss and it may have some undesirable interactions with other drugs.  Quite often, these so-called homeopathic remedies are accompanied by very low calorie diets (500 calories) which themselves can put consumers at risk of gallstones, cardiac arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition.  Ad banners on websites that tout these products claim “lose 26 pounds in 26 days,” “reset your metabolism,” and other unproven claims.

The seven companies who received cease and desist letters from the FDA/FTC include:

  • HCG Direct
  • Nutri Fusion Systems
  • Natural Medical Supply
  • HCG Complete Diet
  • HCG Platinum
  • Theoriginalhcgdrops.com
  • HCG-Miracleweightloss.com