The Hoodia craze started in the early 2000s and became a big deal for the weight loss industry, however, in the last few years the excitement surrounding this herb has cooled off. Some people haven’t even heard of it and supplements containing Hoodia have been hard to find recently. Read on to find out why this extremely popular supplement has fallen out of the spotlight.
What is Hoodia?
Hoodia gordonii (HG), better known as simply, Hoodia, is a cactus-like succulent plant that is native to South Africa. This unique plant has flowers that smell like meat and are pollinated by flies. What’s even more interesting, is that this plant has a long history of use by indigenous people of South Africa to elevate energy levels, while suppressing appetite on long hunting trips in the Kalahari desert. In 2003, this plant was first reported on by the BBC and interest in its possible appetite-suppressant qualities surged. The demand for it was so large that several countries imposed a protection status for this plant. It can now only be wild-harvested by individuals and companies require permits for the collection, cultivation, transportation and export of Hoodia in South Africa.
Top Health Benefits & Uses For Hoodia
The San, an indigenous tribe in South Africa, have used HG as an appetite suppressant and as a treatment for indigestion and minor infections for thousands of years.
While clinical evidence is inconclusive and few studies have been carried out on Hoodia, it has been marketed as a herbal supplement for weight loss and suppressing appetite.
Key Active Ingredients in Hoodia & How They Interact With Your Body
The appetite-suppressant effects of HG have not been verified by human clinical trials. However, the San tribe in South Africa have been using it for thousands of years to suppress appetite and historical use can not be ignored. Preliminary research in rats has shown that Hoodia caused weight reduction in obese rats and decreased food intake was noted.
Interestingly, the proposed active ingredient in HG, P57, was isolated in 1977 by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and was then patented in 1995. However, at this time, P57 is not well understood and how it works as an appetite suppressant is unknown. Pharmaceutical companies interested in HG have yet to harness and understand its potential appetite-suppressant qualities.
Some studies have shown that P57 reduces acid secretion in the stomach by approximately 50% and can protect the stomach against aspirin-induced damage.
Where To Buy This Herb
There is a great deal of interest in Hoodia’s potential for treating obesity, however, there are many political interests involved, including the rights of the San people to the information and profits surrounding Hoodia. Protecting the plant and the rights of the San have halted the widespread distribution of this herb.
Also, there is controversy surrounding the purity of Hoodia supplements. Since HG has become a protected plant, it is now exclusively exported from cultivation and cultivation seems to change the active ingredients of the plant. At this time it is not known if cultivated Hoodia has the same potential appetite suppressant effects as the wild-harvested Hoodia. Therefore, getting a quality Hoodia supplement is difficult.
Potential Side Effects & Cautions
There is some evidence that HG might cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate.
