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Does hCG Increase Muscle Mass?

Published in Muscle Growth 2 mins read

Yes, according to the provided reference, hCG can contribute to an increase in muscle mass.

How hCG Impacts Muscle Growth

The reference highlights that hCG elevates hormone levels in the body, notably including testosterone. This increase in testosterone is crucial because:

  • Anabolic State: Testosterone promotes a muscle-building (anabolic) state. This means it encourages the body to build new muscle tissue.
  • Counteracts Muscle Breakdown: hCG also helps to counteract muscle-breakdown (catabolism). This is particularly beneficial during calorie-restricted diets where muscle loss is often a concern.

hCG and Dieting

During a calorie-restricted diet, it's typical for people to lose a significant amount of muscle alongside fat. However, the anabolic state created by hCG helps mitigate this muscle loss, making it a potentially useful tool to preserve and even increase muscle while dieting.

Summary of hCG's Muscle-Related Effects

Effect Description
Increased Testosterone hCG raises testosterone levels, a key hormone for muscle growth.
Anabolic State Creates an anabolic environment within the body, favoring muscle building over breakdown.
Muscle Preservation Helps to reduce muscle loss, particularly during periods of calorie restriction.

In conclusion, while hCG is not primarily a muscle-building hormone, its impact on hormone levels, especially testosterone, facilitates an environment that can support muscle growth and preserve muscle mass during calorie restriction.