Hoodia, or Hoodia gordonii, is a cactus-like plant indigenous to South Africa. It is often included in dietary supplements as a weight loss ingredient. However, many of the weight loss claims are baseless since supplements do not require approval by the Food and Drug Administration, according to MayoClinic.com.
Weight Loss
Hoodia may have the ability to suppress your appetite, according to a 2004 report from CBS News. It gained attention when it was found that the Bushmen eat hoodia as a way to stave off hunger during long hunts and in areas of sparse vegetation. Hoodia and other indigenous South African foods were given to animals in a South African scientific lab in the 1960s. It was noted that most of the animals lost weight on this diet, but it took more than 30 years for the lab to determine that the hoodia had caused the weight loss in the animals. Hoodia can cause a person to lose interest in food and feel full for longer periods of time after ingestion, according to Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company that is researching its potential as an anti-obesity drug. These effects are reportedly caused by the P57 molecule found in hoodia.
Difficulty Sleeping
Hoodia may cause sleeping difficulties or jitteriness. This is especially true if the dietary supplement contains hoodia as well as large amounts of caffeine. To avoid these effects, you may not want to consume the hoodia too close to bedtime.
Allergic Reaction
If you develop an allergic reaction to the hoodia supplement, stop taking the product immediately and notify your doctor. Signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, difficulty breathing, hives and stomach upset.
No Proven Health Effects
Since there have been no human studies reported on hoodia, there is no scientific evidence to support that it has an effect on a person's health, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It has also been reported to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine that some supplements claiming to contain hoodia have been found to not contain the herb at all.
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