Benefits of HCG

[Floridagrowin]

Okay, so I have been reading up on HCG a bit lately and I have a few questions for those of you how have used it.

I know that HCG helps to get the boys back on track psot cycle. Aside from that what are some of the other benefits of HCG in the male body builder?

I have read that it is being used as a weight loss product but I see that it is mostly women using it for that. Does it have the same effect in men and would it be beneficial to use it along with clen?

[access]

HCG is primarily used to restart natural test production. It does this by mimicking LH (Luteinizing Hormone). LH signals the testes to produce and release endogenous testosterone. No LH means your testes shut down (which causes shrinkage) but this is only temporary and hence the introduction of HCG.

The weight loss thing with HCG seems to me to be absolute bunk. Apparently it originated some 50 or so years ago now where a doctor claimed that one could survive on almost starvation diet with HCG injections. Things took off from there until this original study was some time later peer reviewed and no substantive evidence was found. Then that idiot Kevin Trudeau published a book claiming that the government was withholding HCG treatment from people due to pharma companies etc interests. I think the book was banned and they took him to court over this.

[access]

Here's a study from pubmed on HCG and weight loss.

1: S Afr Med J. 1990 Feb 17;77(4):185-9.Links
Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart RI, Bertram SR.
Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, CP.

Low-dose human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) combined with a severe diet remains a popular treatment for obesity, despite equivocal evidence of its effectiveness. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the effects of HCG on weight loss were compared with placebo injections. Forty obese women (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) were placed on the same diet supplying 5,000 kJ per day and received daily intramuscular injections of saline or HCG, 6 days a week for 6 weeks. A psychological profile, hunger level, body circumferences, a fasting blood sample and food records were obtained at the start and end of the study, while body weight was measured weekly. Subjects receiving HCG injections showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect of any of the variables recorded. Furthermore, weight loss on our diet was similar to that on severely restricted intake. We conclude that there is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity.

[Floridagrowin]

Interesting point of view Access, thanks. I do know a lady who is currently using HCG in conjunction with diet and exercise and she has had some remarkable results. That being said, I have no idea if the HCG really has much if anything to do with it.

I would like to hear if anyone on the board has had any personal experience with weight loss while on HCG. I'm obviously not sold on the idea, that is why I'm asking for some input. Mostly due to my wife wanting to try it to see she has results are as good as her/our friend. I'm leaning toward clen being a better choice.

[access]

There's quite a few studies like the one I posted and all say the same thing as the one posted..that's enough reason there to know it's not any good for weight loss.

[2Bripped]

What about using HCG mid-cycle? Can that be done to prevent or reverse testes shrinkage while still cycling? If so at what doses could that be achieved with?

[access]

Originally Posted by 2Bripped

What about using HCG mid-cycle? Can that be done to prevent or reverse testes shrinkage while still cycling? If so at what doses could that be achieved with?

Absolutely and this is how I use it now. Start around week typically when shrinkage starts and then run 250iu's 2-3 times a week from there for remainder of cycle.