Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) Supplements Review Article

Hoodia Supplements for Weight Loss. Will Hoodia help you lose weight? Make sure you know the facts.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Last Updated : 10/21/2011 | Initially Posted: 10/20/2005

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What It Is:

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii), is a cactus-like succulent plant that grows in the high deserts of the Kalahari on the border of South Africa and Namibia. Hoodia is very rare and is protected by national conservation laws in South Africa and Namibia. Its stems and roots are used in supplements.

What It Does:

It has been claimed that people indigenous to the Kalahari desert have used hoodia to stave off hunger during long-distance travel over the desert. In the 1960s the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a scientific research body in South Africa, included Hoodia gordonii among several hundred plant species in a project on edible wild plants. It found that rats fed hoodia lost weight but remained healthy.

It has been reported that a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 18 obese people showed that those who took hoodia for 15 days ate 1,000 fewer calories daily, and burned more fat than those in the placebo group, without adverse effects. However, this is a fairly small study and, suspiciously, has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Most of the other evidence for Hoodia in people seems to be anecdotal, centering on personal experiences with the herb.

How It May Work:

The ability of hoodia to suppress the appetite or cause weight loss has been associated with a compound within the plant called P57, a steroidal alkaloid. A study found that injecting P57 into the brains of rats caused the animals to eat 40 to 60% less food. It is difficult to know whether the effect was due to the ingredient or other factors. However, it is believed that P57 may work by increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in nerve cells in the hypothalamus, the brain's control center for regulating regulates thirst, temperature, and appetite. When levels of ATP are increased in hypothalamic nerve cells, those nerve cells fire, simulating the feeling that you have just eaten. Interestingly, the drug company Pfizer began developing P57 as a prescription weight-control agent. However, in 2003 Pfizer discontinued clinical development of P57. A specific reason for this decision was not disclosed. Subequently, the consumer products company, Unilever (which makes Slim-Fast) announced that it had acquired the rights to develop and market hoodia as an ingredient in its weight-loss products. However, Unilever abandoned these plans in 2008 following a clinical trial of drink-based hoodia extract.In that clinical trial (published in 2011) healthy, overweight women were given, for 15 days, two servings per day of a yogurt drink that contained either 1,110 mg of hoodia exract or placebo (Blom, Am J Clin Nutr 2011). Although women in both groups lost some weight (about 2.5 lbs) and reduced their calorie intakes, those given hoodia did not eat less or lose more weight than those given placebo. Those taking hoodia experienced significantly more side effects (nausea, vomiting,and skin sensations) than those given placebo and also experienced significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate.

Quality Concerns:

It has been speculated that there is more hoodia being sold today than could possibly be made from all the Hoodia gordonii plants in existence. It is believed that some products may be derived from other species of Hoodia or similar succulents from around the world. In such cases, consumers are likely not getting what they expect from the product. Hoodia, like other botanicals, may also be contaminated with pesticides if not grown organically.

In addition, there is presently no scientific standard for assessing the quality of hoodia as an ingredient, although attempts are being made to characterize its components. The quality of hoodia supplements, therefore, remains largely uncertain. Once there is better characterization, ConsumerLab.com will likely purchase, test, and report on the quality of marketed products.

How to Use It:
Since there are no published clinical trials to establish an optimal dose that is safe and effective, no one knows for certain how much hoodia should be taken. General dosing for hoodia is thought to be 3,000-4,000 mg per day of powder made from the roots and/or stems of Hoodia gordonii to trigger any sort of effect. Dosage for products made from concentrated extracts would be lower, depending on the concentration.

Interestingly, one popular weight loss supplement, Trimspa, claims to contain hoodia (along with other ingredients) and suggests a daily dose that would yield only 500 mg of hoodia per day. Other manufacturers have different recommendations.

As with any weight loss program, results will obviously be enhanced with a regimen that includes a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.

Concerns and Cautions:

Safety studies have not been published with hoodia or P57. Women given 1,110 mg of hoodia exract twice daily in a yogurt drink for 15 days experienced significantly more side effects (nausea, vomiting,and skin sensations) than those given placebo and also experienced significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate. (Blom, Am J Clin Nutr 2011).

Be aware that many supplements with hoodia contain other weight loss ingredients with potential side effects. Examples are bitter orange and caffeine, which can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, and cause nervousness and sleeplessness.

Conclusion:

Although tantalizing, the evidence for hoodia as a weight loss ingredient remains anecdotal and preliminary, as does evidence of its safety. It is also uncertain which products on the market provide the authentic ingredient and whether they recommend an appropriate dose. At this time, it is uncertain whether using a hoodia supplement will be help with weight loss.

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Consumers should inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they take.

Latest Clinical Research Updates for Hoodia

Hoodia Fails for Weight Loss

10/23/2011

For several years, hoodia has been a popular ingredient in weight loss supplements -- despite a lack of evidence. The first significant study of hoodia was just published. It showed no weight loss benefit compared to placebo. Worse, those who got hoodia experienced more side effects. See our Hoodia Review Article for details and information about hoodia. More >>