Side Effects of Hoodia Pills

Hoodia gordonii, a species of medicinal cactus, is commonly used in diet products because of its reputation for suppressing the appetite. Hoodia has not been extensively studied in humans, and may be associated with some negative side effects.

P-57 and the Liver

• The active appetite suppressant in hoodia, P-57, is believed to be metabolized by the liver. Over time, this may cause damage or medical interactions.

Blood Sugar

• P-57 may work by "tricking" the body into believing that blood sugar levels are higher than they actually are. This may spell danger for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Dehydration

• Hoodia might suppress the body's thirst mechanism in addition to the appetite. This may lead to dehydration if a person forgets to drink fluids.

Anorexia

• Because hoodia's intended effect is to suppress the appetite, it could be problematic for people with a history of anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders.

Unknown Factors

• No clinical studies have reported any side effects from hoodia, but human trials are still limited. It is not known if hoodia can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, hormonal changes or mood problems.