Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant that resembles a cactus. It grows mainly in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Angola, Botswana and Namibia. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have used Hoodia for thousands of years to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips. They cut off the stem and eat the bitter-tasting plant. Dried Hoodia has now become widely popular as a weight loss supplement. Although a relatively safe plant, Hoodia can have side effects.
What is the active ingredient in Hoodia gordonii?
There are over 13 species of Hoodia. The active ingredient in the plant is a steroidal glycoside called ‘p57’. Only Hoodia gordonii is believed to contain p57. After obtaining a patent in 1995, South Africa licensed p57 to a British biotechnology company, Phytopharm. Phytopharm has spent more than $20 million on Hoodia related research. In 1998, Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to develop p57 to Pfizer for $21 million. Pfizer subsequently returned these rights to Phytopharm, who is now working with Unilever.
Despite its popularity, studies on Hoodia gordonii are limited. Phytopharm cites a clinical trial involving 18 human volunteers that found that Hoodia consumption reduced food intake by about 1000 calories per day, as compared with a placebo group.
What are the side effects of Hoodia gordonii?
Many dieters can be put off taking weight loss pills because of worries about potential side effects. Hoodia gordonii is promoted as an herbal diet pill without side effects, although there is a lack of published studies on its safety in humans.
It is often claimed that Hoodia has no side effects because the San Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert have been using the plant for thousands of years. However, Hoodia has not been consumed for long enough as a commercial weight loss product to draw definitive conclusions. The plant has not been subjected to sufficient safety testing to uncover any possible side effects or drug interactions. Products that include Hoodia along with other weight loss enhancing ingredients can have potential side effects.
Hoodia and liver side effects
Dr J.S. Bindra, a former researcher working at Pfizer, stated in a letter to The New York Times that although Hoodia did appear to suppress appetite, there were indications of unwanted side effects on the liver. These were caused by components (that could not easily be removed during processing) other than the active ingredient p57.
If Hoodia does impact on liver function, it may interact with medications. The San Bushmen are a tribe of hunter-gatherers and are highly unlikely to be taking pills for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and other diseases. This cannot be said of many people in the developed world thinking of trying Hoodia as a dieting supplement.
Hoodia and thirst suppression
Hoodia gordonii is believed to suppress not only appetite but thirst. There is, therefore, a potential risk of dehydration. It is important to drink fluids regularly when taking Hoodia.
Hoodia and pregnant and nursing women
As a general precaution, because the safety of Hoodia gordonii has not been established in pregnant women, children, or people with liver or kidney disease, such individuals should not take Hoodia. In the absence of clinical studies it is also advisable not to use Hoodia if breastfeeding. There is a potential risk that the appetite suppressing effects of the plant could be passed on to the child in the breast milk.
Hoodia and prescription medications
When taking Hoodia gordonii, it is important to remember not to mix medications. Do not take Hoodia with any prescription drugs. It is advisable not to take Hoodia with other alternative medications. It could potentially be dangerous.
Most of the Hoodia diet pills sold today contain very little, if any, Hoodia gordonii. They are usually diluted with worthless fillers and additives and some contain potentially dangerous ingredients. Any side effects experienced with these diet pills are unlikely to be related to Hoodia, but rather are due to other ingredients that they contain.
Hoodia and libido
A commonly experienced side effect of authentic Hoodia gordonii is a slight feeling of sexual arousal, according to anecdotal data compiled over the last 10 years.
See also: Hoodia gordonii Scams