As Hoodia grows in popularity, more and more people are asking, “What are the side-effects of Hoodia?” or “Is it safe to take Hoodia for slimming?”
They’re good questions. Hoodia is a fairly recent addition to the weight loss arena. It’s been available commercially since about 1997, then it grew in popularity after it was shown on Oprah in 2004.
There have been no serious side-effects reported during all this time. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have been using the Hoodia Gordonii plant for centuries to help keep their hunger at bay while on long hunting and gathering trips in the Kalahari Desert. And they used to rely on Hoodia as a regular part of their diet in times of famine.
So it would seem that Hoodia is safe to take as an appetite suppressant… if we take it the same way the San bushmen have done for countless centuries.
They’ve used it the whole plant, either fresh or dried, but leaving out the flowers or roots. It’s worked for them like that - it would make sense if we did the same. So you need to buy Pure Hoodia. Adding anything to the plant may change its natural balance, and so lessen its ability as a good appetite suppressant.
You need to understand that because the whole plant is safe - with all its ingredients preserved - doesn’t mean that a chemical extracted from the Hoodia plant is going to be safe. The active ingredient in Hoodia is P57. But to take out that one molecule and use it on its own, is probably not such a great idea.
Regarding whether Hoodia is safe to take - we found 3 areas we want to highlight. These should be seen as general precautions, not necessarily side-effects:
1. Hoodia may sometimes reduce the thirst signals as well as the hunger signals, in some people. If Hoodia had turned off or lessened the thirst impulse, you wouldn’t realise you were thirsty, when it fact you were. So to make sure this isn’t a problem, keep a bottle of water handy at all times, and sip it throughout the day.
Adults should drink 2 litres of water each day. When you’re dieting, you need to drink more than that, to help detox your body. So it might be a good idea to pour yourself a 2 liter bottle of water each morning, and make sure you sip it throughout the day.
2. The second point is still undecided. Two experts - one a leading endocrinologist at Brown Medical School; another a weight loss specialist; have a difference of opinion on the way P57 is broken doen in the body. Dr MacLean (the endocrnologist) found that P57 was easily broken down by the liver. But Dr. Steelman (the weight loss expert) expressed concern that because P57 was processed by the liver, it could cause difficulties in obese people, because they often have liver abnormalities that could compound any possible side-effects.
Two experts with differences of opinion. (Nothing new there, then!) Dr. Steelman says many obese people suffer with liver problems. MacLean says P57 is ‘easily’ broken down by the liver. It seems to make perfect sense then, if you’re suffering with obesity and/or have liver problems, it would be good to consult with your physician or healthcare provider before taking Hoodia to lose weight.
3. Diabetics should exercise caution when taking Hoodia. People with diabetes need help maintaining regular blood sugar levels. If Hoodia triggers the brain into thinking the blood sugar levels are higher than they actually are, they might not eat when they are supposed to, (because they don’t feel hungry). This could cause problems if their blood sugar levels drop too low.
Let’s place these precautions into some sort of context:
Being overweight is directly linked with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and resistance to insulin (a precursor to Diabetes). This set of risk factors has been termed Metabolic Syndrome X. It is thought to affect over 70 million Americans and is now a common cause of premature death and/or disability.
With this in mind, Hoodia Gordonii could be an important factor in the quest to reduce the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome, and its associated risk factors. As with any weight loss regimen, aerobic exercise and other simple dietary changes will enhance the overall effectiveness of Hoodia.
Overall, pregnant or nursing women; young children; and people with liver disease should avoid taking Hoodia for weight loss. Anyone taking Hoodia supplements needs to make sure they drink plenty of water during the day, and eat adequately for their needs.
In summary, “Is Hoodia safe to take?” Yes it is. It does seem safe to take Hoodia, judging by the current research and testimonials - with one caveat. It should be pure Hoodia, that hasn’t been changed, modified or diluted in any way
