Hoodia, whose scientific name is Hoodia gordonii, is a flowering cactus-type plant found in Southern Africa's Kalahari Desert. Chewed by natives to suppress appetite, extracts are used to make tablets and pills packaged together under name brands like TrimSpa X32, Desert Burn and Pure Hoodia. Although there is a lot of publicity about Hoodia, not enough evidence exists to make a firm determination on its safety or its effectiveness as a weight loss diet product.
Potential Health Complications
If you are taking medications to control heart disease or blood sugar levels, be sure to talk to your doctor before embarking on any hoodia diet regimen. Likewise, consult a physician if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder and must take medication to treat it like aspirin, coumadin or heparin. As with all diet products, those with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia should never take hoodia or any weight loss product without consulting a doctor.
Lack of Regulatory Safety
Hoodia is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nor does this federal agency monitor its production. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, this lack of regulatory oversight means the quality of hoodia products can vary greatly and safety precautions with regards to manufacturing or packaging are not ensured. Herbal and health supplements have at times been sold that were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs.
Insufficient Safety Evidence
Although no evidence points to specific health concerns with hoodia use, there is a lack of research to indicate that the product is in fact safe for public consumption. While it is known that African tribesmen have used hoodia in plant form, they only chew it sparingly -- and therefore no safety guarantees can be extrapolated.
Lack of Proof
According to Dr. Brent A. Bauer, a contributing writer to MayoClinic.com, there is insufficient evidence to claim that hoodia is an effective weight loss tool. Coupled with a lack of evidence regarding hoodia's safety and a lack of regulatory oversight where manufacturing and production are concerned, it is probably wise to play it safe by avoiding this product altogether.
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