Brenda Khan
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission sued an Arizona man, Kevin Wright, for deceptively advertising and marketing HCG Platinum diet drops as a weight-loss treatment through retail outlets such as Walgreens. The HCG drops were marketed as a rapid weight-loss solution, with consumers placing the drops under their tongues before meals and sticking to a very low-calorie diet of 500 to 800 calories per day. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that HCG weight-loss products, including drops, are dangerous and should be avoided. The FDA has approved HCG only as a prescription drug for treating female infertility and other medical conditions, and it is not approved for weight loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| HCG diet drops | Marketed as a weight-loss treatment |
| Sold at GNC, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, as well as on their own websites | |
| Charged between $60 and $149 for a 30-day supply | |
| Marketed as "homeopathic" | |
| Charged with deceptive advertising by the FTC | |
| Sued by the Federal Trade Commission | |
| Not approved for weight loss by the FDA | |
| Not approved for use without a prescription by the FDA | |
| Recommended alongside a very low-calorie diet of 500-800 calories per day |
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What You'll Learn
- HCG diet drops are marketed as a fad weight-loss product
- The Federal Trade Commission has sued marketers of HCG products for deceptive advertising
- The FDA has not approved HCG for weight loss
- HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy
- Very low-calorie diets can be dangerous and should be done under medical supervision
HCG diet drops are marketed as a fad weight-loss product
The FTC charged these companies with promising consumers that HCG Platinum liquid drops would cause rapid and substantial weight loss, claiming that consumers would lose as much weight as the endorsers in their advertisements. These defendants directed consumers to place the HCG drops under their tongues before meals and follow a very low-calorie diet of 500 to 800 calories per day. They marketed some of their formulations as "'homeopathic,'" but the listed ingredients were diluted to the point of being undetectable.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers to avoid HCG weight-loss products as they are not approved for this purpose and could be risky. HCG is approved as a prescription drug for treating female infertility and other medical conditions, but it is not approved for weight loss without a prescription. The FDA warns that living on a very low-calorie diet can be unhealthy and dangerous, increasing the risk of side effects such as gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalances, and irregular heartbeats.
HCG weight-loss products are typically sold in the form of oral drops, pellets, and sprays, and can be found online, at weight loss clinics, and in some retail stores, including Walgreens. The FTC continues to crack down on fad weight-loss products, including HCG, and advises consumers to be skeptical of advertisements touting HCG as a weight-loss treatment. The FTC and FDA have issued warning letters to HCG marketers, advising them that their products are mislabelled drugs and that it is illegal to make weight-loss claims without competent and reliable scientific evidence.
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The Federal Trade Commission has sued marketers of HCG products for deceptive advertising
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against marketers of HCG products for deceptive advertising, including false claims about weight loss. HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone produced by the human placenta that has been promoted for weight loss for decades. However, these claims are not supported by scientific evidence, and the FTC has charged several companies and individuals with making deceptive and misleading marketing claims.
In 2013, the FTC sued Kevin Wright and his companies, HCG Platinum, LLC, and Right Way Nutrition, LLC, for falsely claiming that their HCG Platinum liquid drops would cause rapid and substantial weight loss. The defendants marketed through retail outlets such as Walgreens and their own websites, charging between $60 and $149 for a thirty-day supply. The FTC also named seven relief defendants who received money from sales but did not actively participate in the deceptive practices.
In 2014, the FTC continued its crackdown on deceptive weight-loss products, including HCG drops. Marketers of HCG Platinum drops agreed to pay a $1 million settlement to resolve charges that their weight-loss claims were deceptive and not supported by scientific evidence. The settlement banned the defendants from making similar weight-loss claims in the future and required them to substantiate any future efficacy claims.
In 2016, a federal court ruling allowed the FTC to attempt to collect up to $3.2 million from marketers of HCG Diet Direct Drops, including Clint Ethington and his company, who had previously settled deceptive advertising charges in 2014. The court found that the defendants had misled the FTC about their finances, triggering the full amount of the judgment.
The FTC works to protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive business practices and provides resources to help spot and avoid them. Consumers are advised to be skeptical of advertisements touting HCG as a weight-loss treatment and to carefully evaluate advertising claims for weight-loss products.
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The FDA has not approved HCG for weight loss
Marketers of HCG products often make deceptive claims about their weight-loss benefits, promising rapid and substantial weight loss when combined with a very low-calorie diet. However, the FDA states that any weight loss is due to severe calorie restriction rather than HCG. The FDA has taken action against some of these marketers, charging them with deceptive advertising and making unsubstantiated claims about weight loss.
The FDA advises consumers who are using HCG for weight loss to stop using the product and to discard it. Consumers who suspect they have experienced adverse effects from using HCG for weight loss should contact a licensed healthcare professional immediately. The FDA also urges both healthcare professionals and consumers to report harmful effects experienced from using HCG for weight loss to their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
It is important to note that a very low-calorie diet can be dangerous and may cause side effects such as gallstones, an irregular heartbeat, and low electrolytes. It is difficult to meet all your nutritional needs on a severely calorie-restricted diet, and it can be hard to stick to. There are safer ways to lose weight that do not involve supplements or highly restrictive diets. It is always recommended to talk to your doctor before starting any new diet plan to ensure it is safe for you.
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HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is made almost exclusively in the placenta and can be detected in the mother's blood and urine. hCG is sometimes called the "pregnancy hormone" because of its role in supporting pregnancy.
After conception, the fertilised egg (embryo) attaches to the wall of the uterus, triggering the placenta to form. The placenta then begins producing and releasing hCG into the blood and urine. hCG can be found in the blood around 10 to 11 days after conception and takes slightly longer to be detected in urine tests. hCG levels increase rapidly during the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy, almost doubling every three days.
HCG helps to thicken the uterine lining to support the growing embryo and signals the body to stop menstruation. It also triggers the body to create more estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Together, these hormones enrich the uterus with a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries to support the developing fetus.
Healthcare providers measure hCG levels to confirm pregnancy and monitor its progression. While hCG is typically associated with pregnancy, it can also be used as a tumour marker, as some cancerous tumours produce this hormone. Elevated hCG levels in non-pregnant individuals may indicate cancer or other conditions.
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Very low-calorie diets can be dangerous and should be done under medical supervision
Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are typically defined as diets that do not exceed 800 calories per day. They are usually prescribed by registered professionals like dieticians or nutritionists for specific health conditions that require rapid weight loss. While VLCDs can be effective in promoting significant short-term weight loss, they are not recommended as a long-term maintenance strategy due to the heightened risk of various medical complications.
VLCDs can lead to a decrease in the number of calories burned by the body, and this lower metabolism can persist even after the diet is stopped. This may explain why many people regain weight after discontinuing a VLCD. Additionally, severely restricting calories can result in a loss of muscle mass, especially if the diet is low in protein and not combined with exercise.
VLCDs can also cause several minor side effects, including fatigue, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea, which usually improve within a few weeks. However, gallstones are the most common serious side effect of VLCDs. This occurs when the body breaks down fat for energy, leading to increased cholesterol secretion by the liver, which can form gallstones when combined with bile.
Furthermore, VLCDs may result in nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of protein, calcium, biotin, thiamine, and vitamin A, leading to muscle weakness, hair loss, brittle nails, reduced bone strength, and a weakened immune system. Calorie restriction, especially when combined with strenuous physical activity, can also lower immune defenses, increasing the risk of infection.
Due to these potential risks, VLCDs should only be undertaken with careful medical supervision to monitor and manage any complications. They are generally safe when used under proper medical supervision in individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher, as this group is predisposed to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases due to obesity. However, it is important to note that VLCDs are not recommended for everyone, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, teens, and individuals over 50.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Walgreens sells HCG Platinum liquid drops, which are marketed as a weight-loss treatment.
No, the Food and Drug Administration advises consumers to avoid HCG weight-loss products. HCG is not approved for weight loss and is only approved as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility and other medical conditions.
The price of HCG Platinum drops ranges from \$60 to \$149 for a thirty-day supply.
