Is HCG Better Than Testosterone for Losing Weight?
Best Treatment Option for Losing Weight – Is HCG Better Than Testosterone?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42% of U.S adults are obese. Unfortunately, most people struggle with other chronic conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Excessive weight gain is a complicated issue stemming from medical and social causes, and achieving weight loss is a big challenge to most people. While exercising, dietary restrictions and surgery are popular weight-loss options; not all affected persons are successful.
As such, researchers and health experts continually search for new weight loss strategies that can alleviate obesity. That said, HCG & Testosterone are recent weight loss alternatives that have gained some popularity. This guide analyses these recent weight loss options.
HCG for Weight Loss
Essentially, HCG is a hormone produced by the female body during pregnancy to promote fetal growth. The hormone can also be prescribed as injections for treating hormonal problems, especially hypogonadism in males and fertility issues.
That said, the use of HCG for weight loss began in 1950 when promoters suggested that HCG can reduce hunger and promote weight loss by redistributing fat from the hips, thighs, and stomach. Manufacturers of HCG products claim that the HCG diet can help obese people reduce up to one pound per day.
The HCG Diet
The HCG diet is a low-fat, low-calorie diet that limits calorie intake. The diet is divided into three phases;
- Loading phase – the beginning where users take HCG and eat high fat and high-calorie diet for 2 days.
- Weight loss phase – users continue taking HCG but limit their calorie intake. Those seeking minimal weight loss can spend 3 weeks on this phase, while those who want to lose significant pounds can stay in this phase up to 12 weeks.
- Maintenance phase – users stop taking HCG and gradually increase their food intake. However, they should avoid taking sugar and starch for at least 3 weeks.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Weight Loss
Testosterone is a widely known sex hormone produced in the testicles in males and ovaries in women. An important function of this hormone in both females and males is maintaining muscle mass.
Testosterone promotes the growth of muscle mass while suppressing fat gains. Low amounts of testosterone make it difficult for men and women to build and maintain their muscle mass. Note that muscle mass plays a key role in weight regulation. This is why men and women with testosterone deficiency gain a lot of fat easily. Similarly, more than 70% of obese males have testosterone deficiency.
That said if you suspect that your obesity results from low levels of testosterone, you should find ways of increasing your testosterone levels. Testosterone replacement therapy can increase testosterone levels, promoting weight loss.
Other alternatives for improving testosterone levels include taking vitamin D supplements, adequate Zinc intake, enough sleep, strength training, and minimizing stress.
HCG & Testosterone: Which One is Better?
HCG will spare lean muscle and target body fat for weight loss if the protocol is followed. If you do not follow the dietary restrictions then the hormone will not produce results. It is the two working together synergistically to produce results. However, if you do not address the underlying problem, such as hormone imbalance, the weight will come back.
By balancing hormones, testosterone replacement therapy for both men and women will give you the advantage of responding to nutrition and exercise. The key to being successful in your weight loss journey is to balance your hormones so that you have the best chance at being successful when incorporating the HCG weight loss protocol and keeping the weight off. For more questions and answers regarding HCG or hormone therapy, please refer to the many blogs or call our office to make an appointment 727-771-3915