Hoodia Dangers: How Dangerous Is Hoodia?

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What is Hoodia Gordonii?
Hoodia is a stem succulent, somewhat like a cactus, grown in South African desert regions. It wasn’t until the turn of the century that anthropologists noted hoodia being eaten by the San, or African bushmen. The San use hoodia for a variety of medicinal purposes, but most often, they chew it to avoid getting hungry and thirsty during extended hunting trips. There are twenty different species of hoodia, but only hoodia gordonii appears to have the active ingredient p57, which provides the effects of an appetite suppressant. The South African government gained a patent for p57 and licensed it to a pharmaceutical company, Phytopharm. Later, it was determined that hoodia was not economically feasible for mass production, particularly due to the inability to effectively grow it anywhere except the African desert.

Case Studies
In 2004, there were several case studies that examined the use of hoodia for weight loss and also noted possible negative side affects. Dr. David McLean of Brown University conducted one of the studies. He noted that hoodia use seems to have an effect on the part of the brain that controls appetite. However, he only experimented on animals and noted that human results may be different due to different metabolisms. Two small human studies, one with seven participants and one with eighteen, appeared to demonstrate that the volunteers taking hoodia supplements dramatically decreased their caloric intake by as much as half. Tthe volunteers demonstrated no negative side effects in either study. Other than these minimal studies, there is little U.S. documentation of hoodia medical trials. Considering the African bushmen, they have using hoodia for centuries to prevent hunger pangs without obvious negative side affects. Definitely not a medical case study, it could be considered an informal anthropological case study.

Negative Side Effects
The only actual documented negative side effect of hoodia is thirst suppression that occurs along with the appetite suppression. The danger of thirst suppression is dehydration which is easily remedied by drinking 64 ounces of water each day. Other appetite suppressants often note increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. However, hoodia does not seem to cause these problems in the average user. The American Botanical Council, a non-profit research organization, notes that they have not received any negative reports from consumers concerning hoodia. Medical doctors express concern for the unknown possible effects of hoodia on a person who takes prescription medication, has a serious illness or is pregnant or nursing. It is recommended that children not use hoodia, as well.Without case studies, the possible effects may be overlooked or not evident in the short term.

How Dangerous is Hoodia Gordonii?
It seems that for the average adult, hoodia gordonii does not have serious side effects. However, the lack of research should be seriously considered. Most certainly, people with serious illnesses, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children should avoid the use of hoodia products until further testing has been completed. If you plan on trying the product, consult a medical professional first and use common sense when purchasing the item.

By Elizabeth Harrell