- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
Weight loss basics (6)
- Weight-loss hypnosis: Does it work?
- Slow metabolism: Is it to blame for weight gain?
- Breakfast: Why is it so important to weight control?
- see all in Weight loss basics
Diet plans (5)
- Blood type diet: Does it work?
- Coffee calories: Sabotaging your weight-loss plans?
- Vegetarian diet: Will it help me lose weight?
- see all in Diet plans
Mayo Clinic diet (1)
- Weight loss: Better to cut calories or exercise more?
Diet and exercise (4)
- Negative calorie foods: Diet gimmick or weight-loss aid?
- Walking: Is it enough for weight loss?
- Weight loss: Better to cut calories or exercise more?
- see all in Diet and exercise
Diet pills, supplements and surgery (15)
- HCG injections: Good for weight loss?
- Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Does it work?
- Protein shakes: Do they increase weight loss?
- see all in Diet pills, supplements and surgery
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Question
HCG injections: Good for weight loss?
Can HCG injections increase weight loss?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. Years ago, researchers studied HCG injections as a possible weight-loss aid. Results of most studies weren't promising, however. In fact, HCG injections seemed to be no more effective than were placebos in promoting weight loss. Today, HCG injections are primarily used to treat fertility issues.
If you'd like to lose excess weight, focus on the basics. Take an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine. Then make a commitment to improving your lifestyle. Enjoy healthier foods, and include physical activity in your daily routine. Remember, permanent weight loss takes time and effort. It won't happen overnight, but your hard work will pay off in the end.
Next question
