Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for weight loss in 2020, responsible weight-loss clinicians have been searching for a safe alternative for patients who weren’t seeing results with diet and exercise alone. Whether you already offer medical weight-loss treatments or you’re looking into adding them to your offerings, it’s crucial to explore safe and effective hCG alternatives for your patients.
Why the FDA Warns Against hCG for Weight Loss
hCG is a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. While the FDA has approved prescription hCG products for treating female fertility issues and specific hormonal imbalances, they have not approved them for other uses — including weight loss.
The FDA warns against the use of hCG for weight loss due to a lack of evidence to support its effectiveness and the potential for adverse health effects. For years, hCG has been marketed as a weight-loss aid with claims that it helps to mobilize fat, suppress appetite and increase metabolism. However, the FDA states that there is no substantial scientific evidence to support these claims and argues that hCG diet plans are only effective due to extreme calorie restriction.
Furthermore, there is a risk of contamination with unproven and potentially harmful ingredients in hCG products, especially those once available over the counter, as well as the risk of interactions with other medications and medical conditions. The FDA urges consumers to be cautious when considering hCG for weight loss and to talk to their healthcare provider about safe and effective alternatives.
Alternatives to hCG for Weight Loss
Lifestyle changes alone aren’t always practical for patients looking to lose weight, especially those with a significant amount of weight to lose or who may have underlying health conditions that make it more challenging to lose fat. Thankfully, there are several medical weight loss alternatives to hCG for patients looking to supplement routine diet and exercise, including prescription medications and surgical interventions.
Traditional prescription weight loss medications, such as orlistat, are popular choices for physician-assisted weight management. Both of these medications are designed for short-term use and may cause unpleasant side effects, particularly regarding digestive function.
To avoid the potential adverse effects of prescription medication, many patients are turning to natural supplements, such as green tea extract and garcinia cambogia, which are marketed as alternatives to hCG for weight loss. However, the efficacy of these supplements is questionable due to a lack of regulation and peer-reviewed studies. Additionally, they also come with their own undesirable side effects, including heart palpitations and liver damage.
Patients who are morbidly obese may qualify for bariatric surgery as a medical weight-loss treatment. Bariatric surgery entails making surgical adjustments to the digestive system, either by decreasing the size of the stomach or altering the small intestine. Both of these changes affect how a person’s body processes foods and drinks, limiting the number of calories absorbed and aiding in weight loss. Surgical intervention is often considered a last resort for patients who need to lose significant weight to reverse or minimize health complications related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.
What Are the Best hCG Alternatives for Your Clinic?
At Olympia, we’re committed to offering safe, reliable and clinically tested weight-loss solutions for prescribers and their patients. Olympia’s Weight Management Therapy Program is a comprehensive solution that provides the best hCG alternative for weight loss. The kit includes a 30-day supply of low-dose naltrexone tablets, sermorelin (available in injectable or rapid dissolve tablet form), and Lipo-Trim oral sublingual spray, which work together to raise the levels of natural growth hormone in the body. This, in turn, can aid in building lean muscle and burning fat more efficiently, making it a safe and effective alternative to hCG for weight loss.
In addition to the Weight Management Therapy Program, Olympia also offers the B-Lean IV kit, which includes six treatments of premium-quality compounds designed to help burn fat, raise energy levels and boost metabolism. The B-Lean formula consists of a blend of B-complex vitamins that play an essential role in turning nutrients into energy, l-taurine to support digestive function and methyl B12 to boost energy levels and mood.
Olympia’s weight management solutions offer a safe and effective way to build lean muscle and burn fat more efficiently. Learn more about how our hCG Alternative Weight Loss Kit can help your patients lose weight responsibly.
Explore Our hCG Alternative Weight Loss Kit