As Hoodia becomes more popular, people are starting to ask questions about it: “Are there any side-effects of Hoodia?” or “Is it safe to take Hoodia as an appetite suppressant?”

Hoodia has only been added to the weight loss marketplace fairly recently. Although it’s been available as an appetite suppressant since 1997, it wasn’t until 2004, when it was highlighted on the Oprah Winfrey TV show, that it grew dramatically in popularity.

In all that time, there have been no widely-reported negative side-effects. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have used the Hoodia plant for thousands of years to ward off hunger pangs during long hunting treks in the desert. And even relied on Hoodia as a staple part of their diet in times of famine.

This would indicate that it’s a safe plant to take for slimming - if we take it the same way they’ve done for thousands of years

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.

Equally, just because the whole plant is safe, (with all its ingredients intact) does not mean a drug derived from the Hoodia plant is necessarily safe. ‘P57′ is the active ingredient in Hoodia; but to isolate that one molecule and use it alone is probably not such a good 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. Occasionally, Hoodia may reduce the thirst signals in some people, as well as the hunger signals. Now, if Hoodia had ’switched off’ the thirst signal, you wouldn’t realise you were thirsty. So it would be wise to make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids thoughout the day.

Adults should be drinking about 2 litres of water every day. If you’re dieting, or trying to lose weight, you need to be drinking more than that. Maybe closer to 3 litres… So fill a 2-litre bottle of water in the morning, and drink it through the day.

2. Point number 2 is still being debated. Dr. Steelman - a weight loss specialist, said he was concerned that the P57 molecule in Hoodia was processed by the liver, since obese people often have liver problems that could exacerbate any potential side-effects. Yet Dr. MacLean - a leading endocrinologist at Brown Medical School, found that P57 was easily broken down by the liver.

Two seeming differences of opinion. MacLean saying P57 was broken down ‘easily’ by the liver; Dr. Steelman saying that many obese people suffer from liver problems. It does make sense then, if you are significantly overweight and/or have liver problems, to seek medical advice before taking a course of Hoodia supplements.

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 associated with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This combination of risk factors has been called Metabolic Syndrome X, which affects 70 million Americans and is a common cause of premature death and/or disability.

In this light, Hoodia could be an important factor, along with exercise and lifestyle changes, to combat metabolic syndrome, and reduce the risk factors associated with any or all of the above conditions.

As a general precaution, pregnant or nursing women, children, and people with liver disease should avoid Hoodia. And anyone taking Hoodia needs to ensure they are drinking enough water, and eating enough food for their needs.

In summary, “Is Hoodia safe to take?” Yes, it does seem safe to take Hoodia - if it’s pure Hoodia that hasn’t been changed or adulterated in any way

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