Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is HCG Diet Effective For Hodgkins Lymphoma?
Hello,I received chemo and radiation treatment in 2003 for Hodgkins lymphoma - had a short period of remission then a reoccurence in 2004. I received a stem cell transplant in June of 2004 and have been in remission since. Due to radiation I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in April of 2004 and have been on meds since. Prior to this I was one that could manage my weight with proper diet and exercise although I still eat properly and exercise (when my meds are optimum and not tired) I can t maintain a healthy weight. Is the HCG diet an option for me? Thank you.
Fri, 24 Jun 2016
Hello,
I can understand your concern. It is good that you are conscious regarding your weight gain and want to maintain your weight in a healthy way, but I would not advise you to go for HCG diet for several reasons.
Firstly, HCG diet is a very low calorie diet which allows intake of as low as 500 calories per day. These calories are very less to provide necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals in a person. Even if doctors recommend very low calorie diets to obese patients, they advise intake of at least 100 calories per day, that too under doctor's observation.
Secondly, you are suffering from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. You do need adequate nutritional supplements in order to maintain enough strength in your body to survive the lymphoma itself and the treatment modalities it offers. Deficiency of essential vitamins, minerals and protein will not help and will only raise complications regarding your health.
Lastly, HCG diet is not even approved by FDA. It has nothing to do with the HCG hormone associated with pregnancy. I would not advise anyone to follow this diet, especially a person suffering from a disorder as serious as Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Even if it may seem hard to you and requires lot of patience and hard work, I would recommend healthy diet and exercise along with healthy lifestyle changes in order to reduce gained extra weight. There is no good and healthy shortcut for this purpose.
I hope this answer guides you well. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. I wish you feel better soon.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I can understand your concern. It is good that you are conscious regarding your weight gain and want to maintain your weight in a healthy way, but I would not advise you to go for HCG diet for several reasons.
Firstly, HCG diet is a very low calorie diet which allows intake of as low as 500 calories per day. These calories are very less to provide necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals in a person. Even if doctors recommend very low calorie diets to obese patients, they advise intake of at least 100 calories per day, that too under doctor's observation.
Secondly, you are suffering from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. You do need adequate nutritional supplements in order to maintain enough strength in your body to survive the lymphoma itself and the treatment modalities it offers. Deficiency of essential vitamins, minerals and protein will not help and will only raise complications regarding your health.
Lastly, HCG diet is not even approved by FDA. It has nothing to do with the HCG hormone associated with pregnancy. I would not advise anyone to follow this diet, especially a person suffering from a disorder as serious as Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Even if it may seem hard to you and requires lot of patience and hard work, I would recommend healthy diet and exercise along with healthy lifestyle changes in order to reduce gained extra weight. There is no good and healthy shortcut for this purpose.
I hope this answer guides you well. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. I wish you feel better soon.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hypothyroidism
Loading Online Doctors....