You might have seen ads promoting the appetite suppressant hoodia and wondered if this weight loss drug might work for you. The risks of taking a hoodia diet tablet are rarely worth it. On the surface, the promise of hoodia seems wonderful, with manufacturer-sponsored research showing impressive results. But look a little closer and the lack of reputable scientific evidence and potential safety and quality concerns leave potential hoodia users with more questions than answers.
Origin
Hoodia gordonii grows in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa and is listed as an endangered species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This succulent plant resembles a cactus with saucer-shaped flowers at the top. There are a few commercial plantations growing this plant in South Africa, but it is difficult to cultivate. Native tribes in Africa traditionally ate the stems of hoodia gordonii during long hunts because it supposedly reduced both hunger and thirst. Hoodia is now marketed as a weight loss aid that works by suppressing appetite.
Potential Mechanism
The molecule believed to be responsible for appetite suppression in hoodia is called P57. In a 1995 patent filed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P57 is described as acting on a receptor involved in appetite control. However, no published clinical trials exist documenting the effect of hoodia on appetite control or weight loss in humans. The only research done on the compound is a single animal study linking P57 to reduced food intake in rats.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of hoodia on weight loss remains controversial due to a lack of evidence. Because there exists no published research on the topic, it remains impossible to establish an appropriate dosage for taking hoodia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings to several manufacturers for making unsubstantiated claims about hoodia's effectiveness as a weight loss aid.
Concerns
In addition to the lack of data about hoodia's effectiveness, data is also lacking about hoodia's safety profile. As dietary supplements, products containing hoodia do not require FDA approval. Because of the lack of regulation, no one is monitoring the quality of any brand of weight loss supplement containing hoodia and some supplements marketed as containing this herb actually do not contain it at all. Supplements claiming to contain hoodia might also contain dangerous ingredients such as ephedra.
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