There actually is an HCG alternative available, consisting of an artificial form of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone. While the manufacturer claims this is as effective in the treatment of obesity as genuine HCG, those who have used it and reviewed it are not as happy with the product.

For many patients, this weight loss remedy produced no results whatsoever.

Why Would You Want To?

Many people who are seeking an alternative to HCG are not aware that it is available in an easily administered liquid form that can be taken under the tongue. They are understandably uncomfortable with the idea of needles, but have not yet discovered the oral form of the product. In fact, liquid HCG is much easier to obtain and safer to use, since it is manufactured in the U.S. under strict FDA supervision.

The artificial version of HCG is in capsule form, and contains a proprietary compound called
Alt-hCG rM. According to the company’s literature, this compound does the same thing as genuine HCG. It says it unlocks the fatty deposits known as adipose, making them more readily available as an energy and nutrition source. There is no mention of Dr. Simeons’ protocols, however. (This may have been a given).

The other statement made in the promotional literature is that the FDA “opposes” the use of HCG.

FDA Stance on HCG

The fact is that the FDA has long approved the use of HCG as a fertility treatment. The hormone will stimulate egg production in women and raise sperm count for men. The FDA has not approved HCG as a weight loss remedy. However, this is not the same as opposing its use.

In the medical profession, medications are often prescribed for conditions other than those for which they were intended. This is known as “off-label” use. The practice is quite safe for most patients and conditions. For example, aspirin is often prescribed for heart patients, as this medication acts as a blood thinner. This may now be mentioned on aspirin bottles but it was not back when the practice started. It was therefore considered “off label” use.

When used with Dr. Simeons’ protocols as far of an overall treatment for obesity, HCG is simply being used in a “off-label” manner, which makes it no less effective as a weight loss remedy.

When it comes to almost anything, including a HCG alternative, it’s always best to use the genuine article that is proven to give results rather than an artificial substitute that may or may not work.

There may be many reasons why you are seeking an HCG alternative. The usual reason is that people (understandably) dislike the idea of needles. While they want to follow Dr. Simeons’ protocol, they are uncomfortable with injecting themselves. Some individuals can experience inflammation and real pain as a result of these injections.

There is at least one alternative to HCG on the market. It is an oral medication. However, it is substantially more expensive than genuine HCG, and contains absolutely no HCG whatsoever.

There are also some mixed reviews on the effectiveness of this product. Many people say that it hasn’t worked for them at all.

Is It Effective?

This HCG alternative is sold in capsule form. The active ingredient is Alt-hCG rM, which is a proprietary compound. Essentially, it is an artificial form of the natural hormone, HCG. The makers claim that it acts in the same manner, unlocking fat cells and turning them into a form that is more readily utilized by the body.

The manufacturer claims that their product is “preferred” because of the “absence of the dangerously high hormonal spikes normally associated with HCG,” which is why they say that the FDA “opposes the use of hCG in the treatment of obesity.”

This last point is actually not quite true. The FDA does not “oppose” the use of HCG in the treatment of obesity. It simply does not approve such use. There is a distinct difference.

Normal Use of HCG

HCG has long been approved by the FDA as a fertility treatment. It stimulates the production of eggs in women and of testosterone and sperm in men, making it more likely that copulation will result in pregnancy. When HCG is used as a weight loss remedy, this is an example of off-label use.

While this sounds a bit ominous, it is actually a very common and generally safe practice among physicians. In simple terms, a drug that was developed for the treatment of one condition is used to treat something different.

For example, tetracycline was first developed in the late 1940s as an antibiotic. It was very successful in treating and reducing the incidence of cholera. Later, doctors began using tetracycline “off-label” for treating acne, rosacea and other skin conditions. Time has shown it to be very effective for this purpose.

It is the same for HCG, and the risks are no greater or lesser than they are for infertile couples.

Why No Guarantee?

It is worth noting that this particular manufacturer does not offer any guarantee. If you order it, pay the $150, take it and it winds up not working, you are pretty much out of luck. The company will only accept returns on “items that are defective or shipped in error.” Otherwise, it must be unopened and returned within seven days – and is still subject to a whopping 25% “restocking” fee.

In truth, there is no real HCG alternative. It is always best to use the real thing, manufactured domestically and shipped to you in a liquid suspension for best results.