Comparison between the HCG Diet and the Atkins Diet

By John D Greene


It is a known fact that the common rule to lose weight among several types of diet plans is by consuming lesser calories than one can burn. One could often find it difficult to pick the right diet plan as it has to match with the body metabolism, food choices and lifestyle. Moreover, it is advised to consult a physician's before even trying a diet protocol as one can get an opportunity to select a right one that actually works. One can have an idea about the kind of approach followed by any weight loss plan in order to succeed in losing weight.

At present, the most widely approved diet protocols are the HCG diet and Atkins diet plans however one should obtain medical opinion before starting with any diet protocol. The HCG diet emphasizes on the use of HCG hormone injections daily and restricted calorie intake, whereas the Atkins diet does not permit the intake of certain carbohydrates. You can attain your weight loss goal by properly understanding the approach of these diets. Let's briefly compare about Dr. Simeons HCG diet protocol and Dr. Atkins diet protocol.

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.

During HCG diet, one should not take some carbohydrates but can include bread sticks (Grissini) or toast (Melba). Dr. A.T.W. Simeons researched by obtaining the ratio of daily carb intake to ensure that dieters did not experience carbohydrate imbalance. The HCG diet program re-programs the hypothalamus gland and hence the person normally tends to eat small portions of food which helps to successfully manage weight. The low calorie phase of the HCG Diet, depending on one's weight, usually lasts for the duration of 3 to 6.5 weeks. The best advantage of HCG diet protocol compared to Atkins diet is that one can still take certain carbs thus avoiding ketosis.

The Atkins diet was introduced in the 1970s by Dr. Robert C. Atkins to promote easy and rapid weight loss. The Atkins diet mainly emphasizes on reduced intake of carbohydrates followed by the consumption of healthy carbohydrates back to sustain lost weight. It includes several phases in order to achieve the desired weight loss. The first phase of the Atkins diet restricts the intake of carbohydrates to less than 20 grams per day. Based on individual carbohydrate tolerance, one can take around 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrates per day during the subsequent phases.

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.

These two diets can be differentiated by a fact that one should take restricted number of calories while on an hcg diet, while the one on Atkins diet requires fewer carbohydrates. The HCG diet plan uses HCG hormone injections which is unique when compared to the Atkins diet that requires low carbs diet.

During HCG diet, one can take certain carbs like bread sticks or Melba toast to make sure about sufficient intake of carbs to avoid ketosis. In contrast, one should avoid essential carbs while on Atkins diet thus developing ketosis characterized by energy loss, weakness, and fatigue with higher rate of weight relapse. One can sustain lost weight from HCG diet as it reprograms the hypothalamus gland to feed on small amounts of healthy food.

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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