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What Are the Dangers of Hoodia?

Supplements, pills, shakes and patches come and go in the world of dieting. Many of these hyped-up products prove ineffective and some even turn out to be quite dangerous to our health. Hoodia, for example, has riled up controversy since its introduction, revolving around the concern of dangerous side effects.

  1. About Hoodia

    • Hoodia is a natural appetite suppressant derived from a succulent plant called the hoodia gordonii. Molecules in the hoodia compound stimulate the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that helps regulate appetite, among other things. The hypothalamus sends a signal to the rest of the body that the stomach is full. Products that contain a substantial amount of genuine hoodia do show potential to work with few side effects. However, many products claim to contain hoodia, but also contain other ingredients. These products often result in controversy regarding dangerous side effects.

    Liver Damage

    • One of the dangerous side effects of hoodia that have so far been published and discussed by medical and nutrition professionals concerns the liver. The P57 glycoside, which is one of the active ingredients of hoodia has been found to be the cause of some liver damage in people who take hoodia. Most livers can easily break down P57, but for some people the glycoside can result in stress on the liver, causing abnormal liver function.

    Dehydration

    • While hoodia causes the brain to tell the body it is no longer hungry, it also causes the brain to tell the body it is no longer thirsty. The body naturally craves water when it becomes dehydrated and with the warning system shut off, users of hoodia products may find themselves in a dangerously dehydrated state. Signs of dehydration include painful and constant migraines, extreme fatigue, dizziness, shaking and dry mouth and throat.

    Research

    • Unfortunately, the results of research and clinical trials on the side effects of hoodia are hard to find as many have not yet been released. It is known however, that African tribesman have been chewing natural hoodia for decades with no known dangers to their health.

    Approval

    • There are currently no genuine hoodia products on the market that have been approved by the FDA. Some products claim to contain hoodia, but if other substances are added to products that contain hoodia before they are distributed to the public, there is no guarantee that they are 100 percent safe to use.

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