Hoodia gordonni is a cactus-like plant of South Africa. The indigenous San Bushmen there have used it as an appetite suppressant, and some manufacturers market hoodia as an over-the-counter supplement to help with weight loss. Research on its effectiveness is lacking, according to MayoClinic.com. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking supplements for weight loss.
History
A Dutch anthropologist first observed the appetite suppressant effects of Hoodia gordonni while studying the native people of the South African Kalahari Desert, according to Drugs.com. These nomadic individuals ate the plant stem to prevent hunger during long hunting trips.
How It Works
Unlike some other appetite supplements, hoodia is not a stimulant. The active ingredient is a molecule named P57, and British pharmaceutical company Phytopharm holds the license to this substance, according to Drugs.com. Phytopharm is researching P57 for use as an anti-obesity medication. Phytopharm scientists say P57 affects the brain to decrease interest in food, delay hunger and make you feel full even if you have not eaten.
Lack of Research
No research has been published showing the effectiveness of using hoodia for weight loss, according to eMedTV. Phytopharm claims to have conducted a study that shows hoodia to be effective for decreasing calorie intake and body fat, but they do not actually mention weight loss, notes eMedTV. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned some supplement manufacturers to stop making unsubstantiated claims about the usefulness of hoodia for losing weight, according to MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Some products sold as hoodia supplements have been found not to contain any hoodia, according to MayoClinic.com. The plant does not grow easily, and is protected under an international agreement to prevent over-harvesting. This means only a limited supply is available. InteliHealth quotes heart surgeon Mehmet Oz as saying at least 10 times more hoodia sells in the United States than grows in the entire world. To avoid questionable supplement quality, only buy from reputable manufacturers, advises eMedTV. If the product carries the seal of the United States Pharmacopoeia, or USP, testing has verified the ingredients listed on the label.
Contraindications
Hoodia's safety has not been established. People with liver or kidney disease may not be able to take hoodia safely because these organs clear many herbs and supplements from the body, cautions eMedTV. Hoodia also may not be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
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