Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like flowering plant native to southern Africa. It is marketed in the United States as an herbal weight-loss aid and sold over the counter at many pharmacies and retail stores. Hoodia is available in capsule, chewable tablet, powder, tea and extract form, and is an ingredient in many other teas and over-the-counter supplements.
Significance
Obesity is a serious health threat that affects million of adults and children in the United States. Obesity increases the risk of many potentially life-threatening conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties, gallstones and some cancers, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Hoodia, when used in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes, may help control weight and reduce the incidence of these disorders.
History
In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist noticed that bushmen in the Kalahari Desert experienced appetite suppressant effects when eating the stem of the Hoodia gordonii plant while on long hunting trips. Since that time, research has been underway to determine what, if any, benefits hoodia offers as a weight loss aid in the battle against obesity. As of 2010, human studies are lacking and research continues to focus on the weight loss effects of hoodia in animals.
Function and Use
The active ingredient in hoodia, a molecule called P57, may suppress the appetite by acting in a method similar to glucose. Drugs.com explains that P57 may trick your brain into believing you are full, thereby reducing your appetite even if you have not recently eaten. While some research supports the appetite-suppressant benefits of hoodia diet pills, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cautions that no reliable scientific evidence is available to support the plant's use as a treatment for obesity.
Side Effects
Hoodia is not a stimulant and, therefore, should not cause the same side effects as most traditional appetite suppressant diet pills. Because there are no published studies on the safety or effectiveness of hoodia in people, the side effects and potential risks of taking hoodia are not well known.
A former researcher for the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, Jasjit S. Bindra, Ph.D., told the New York Times that there was some indication that ingredients in hoodia may pose a threat to the liver. Bindra was involved in the development of hoodia at Pfizer.
Considerations
Hoodia may not be a suitable weight-loss aid if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, an eating disorder or a blood disorder. Drugs.com warns against taking hoodia if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Moreover, many hoodia diet pills currently on the market contain little of the actual herb, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, which means you may be paying good money for a placebo.
Member Comments