What is hCG?
HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a hormone that is naturally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. This hormone goes a long way toward controlling the metabolic functioning of the pregnant woman. In addition, it helps to prevent the deterioration of the corpus luteum in the ovary. As a result, the corpus luteum is able to continue producing the progesterone that is necessary during pregnancy. Since HCG is produced during pregnancy, medical professionals routinely check for elevated levels of HCG when testing for pregnancy. As a hormone that is associated with pregnancy, HCG is used to help treat women with fertility issues as well as other hormonal problems. In addition to the effects that HCG has on hormones, it has also gained a great deal of popularity as a dietary aid. In order to assist men and women with weight loss, HCG is injected into the dieter´s muscle on a regular basis. When the injection is taken in conjunction with a very low calorie diet of 500 calories per
