There have been informal and formal studies of hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant both of which have shown encouraging results. While no unpleasant side effects have been shown as always medical advice should be taken before embarking on a weight loss program.
Hoodia has been much in the news and people naturally want to know more about it. This natural appetite suppressant can be found growing wild only in parts of southern Africa and is not easy to cultivate. The San natives there were the first to notice this appetite suppressing quality. The lab tests on animals conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa in 1963 gave the same results without any obvious bad effect. Smelling an opportunity, a British pharmaceutical company conducted their own studies. Their results, out in 2001, declared positive results on obese volunteers. Calorie intake dropped and body fat reduced. This study was followed by one conducted by the Brown University at Rhode Island in 2004. Their results revealed that on rats, hoodia produced raised levels of ATP, a neurotransmitter and source of energy in cells. Food intake dropped by nearly half in a 24 hour period.
Most of people’s concern center around side effects and safety. By and large appetite suppressants have stimulants which produce unpleasant side effects like loss of sleep and increased heart rate. In the case of Ephedra, death itself has been reported. Use of hoodia is said to suppress thirst also along with appetite. Dieters need to be aware of this and drink enough water so as not to cause dehydration. The results of the extensive clinical studies conducted Phytopharm are awaited. US doctors who have some interest in hoodia have investigated it casually and found no secondary effects. One must discuss hoodia with a doctor before consuming it. Those with medical issues should keep away from it. The informal studies have shown that results vary with individuals. Products differ in the ingredients they contain.
A South African non-profit organization, hoodia gordonii.co.za seeks to educate people about hoodia supplements. Tests which they sponsored and Alkemists Pharmaceuticals Laboratories conducted did not produce encouraging results. Many of the products tested falsely claimed to contain hoodia powder. The complete results of these tests have been posted on their website. Some of the manufacturers have conducted investigations of their own keeping the concern of customers in mind. But several of the hoodia products have not undergone any tests.
A point to remember is that positive results in animals do not guarantee the same in humans. People have to deal with issues like binge eating, eating to kill boredom and psychological cravings for food. Hoodia, even if it lives up to its promise of suppressing appetite will not be a magic wand to wipe out obesity.