Hoodia Gordonii Review

In early 2004, a new weight-loss, anti-obesity compound called Hoodia gordonii hit the U.S. market. Since that time, thousands have bought into the claims that this African herb can help with weight loss by suppressing appetite. Is Hoodia gordonii all it’s cracked up to be? Has the world finally found a miracle weight loss herb?

Tribesmen in South Africa have been using Hoodia gordonii for generations. Hoodia gordonii, or Hoodia for short, comes from a cactus-like plant found in southern Africa and can be used as an appetite suppressant. Indigenous hunters in the Kalahari region use the appetite suppressant in order to be able to go on long hunting trips in an area where food and drink are scarce. Hoodia is rich in vitamins and minerals, but what gives Hoodia its appetite suppressing power?

How does Hoodia Work?

South African scientists found the responsible chemical deep within the Hoodia plant and named it P57. P57 tricks the body into thinking it is full. Dr. Richard Dixey of Phytopharm explains the chemical’s action in this way:

“There is a part of your brain, the hypothalamus. Within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten. Nor do you want to.”

Source: BBC News

Unfortunately very few credible, scientific studies have been done to verify claims about Hoodia. “In 2001 Phytopharm completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers using an extract of Hoodia gordonii. The large doses of extract caused a statistically significant reduction in the average daily calorie intake. In addition, a statistically significant reduction in body fat content was also observed compared to the placebo group after two weeks” (http://www.phytopharm.co.uk/hoodia_faq.html#4). This trial shows promise, but it has not been replicated. Individual reporters from the BBC and CBS News independently stated that Hoodia suppressed their appetite without any undesirable side effects, but a few reporters’ claims are not sufficient for the whole population to feel safe consuming Hoodia. Several large scale studies need to be done on bigger sample sizes before Hoodia can be considered significantly appetite suppressing.

In addition, most of the pills claiming to contain Hoodia extract do not contain any at all. As with all dietary supplements, interested people need to be careful not to buy counterfeits. Buyers must be advised that the FDA does not require companies to test their herbal supplements before selling them. Additionally, the FDA does not regulate the accuracy of any labels or claims. Many companies claim to sell Hoodia, but their pills actually do not contain ANY of the Hoodia extract. Of the many companies selling Hoodia gordonii, Hoodoba® and Desert Burn® seem to be the most credible.

Although the San tribesmen have been using Hoodia gordonii for years, the fact remains that the substance has not been reviewed and approved by the FDA. The clinical testing on Hoodia is limited. Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe and useful.

Whether Hoodia does or does not help with appetite suppression, it is important to remember that appetite suppression is quite different from weight loss. Just because a person does not feel the urge to eat does not mean that they will refrain from eating. Many people have a weight problem because they eat when they are not hungry. In these cases, feeling fewer hunger pangs will not affect their food intake and, therefore, will not affect their weight. In the quest for a smaller waistline, the most time-honored and trustworthy recommendation is to eat less and exercise more.

http://www.stellalabs.com/Hoodia.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/2947810.stm