Hoodia gordonii, a succulent plant also known as “Bushman’s hat” and “Queen of the Namib,” has gained immense popularity as a natural dietary supplement believed to suppress appetite and boost weight loss. This article explores the available evidence to determine whether hoodia lives up to the hype and whether it is safe for consumption.
What is Hoodia Gordonii?
Hoodia gordonii is a spiny succulent plant that thrives in the Kalahari Desert, spanning across Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia. It is characterized by its fleshy stems adorned with small thorns and topped with flesh-colored flowers that emit a distinct rotten meat smell to attract flies for pollination.
The plant's rise to prominence began in the early 2000s, fueled by anecdotal accounts suggesting that the Khoisan people of South Africa and Namibia, a nomadic hunter-gatherer community, had been consuming small pieces of the stems to ward off hunger during extended hunting expeditions since the 1930s. This led to the commercialization of hoodia extract as a dietary supplement, marketed for its purported ability to naturally reduce appetite and, consequently, promote weight loss.
Hoodia supplements can be found in various forms, including tablets, teas, liquid extracts, powders, and patches, both in retail stores and online.
Hoodia's Purported Appetite-Reducing Effects
Hoodia's primary claim to fame lies in its purported ability to reduce hunger, making it a widely marketed weight loss supplement. However, the scientific evidence supporting this claim remains scarce and inconclusive. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms by which hoodia might reduce hunger are not fully understood, although research suggests two potential pathways.
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P57 and the Central Nervous System
One hypothesis suggests that a molecule called P57, found in hoodia, stimulates the central nervous system by increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in the hypothalamus, a brain region responsible for regulating metabolic processes. ATP, often referred to as the body's energy currency, provides energy to cells. It is believed that elevated ATP levels may reduce hunger by creating a false sensation of fullness in the brain.
However, the study supporting this claim was conducted on rats, and P57 was directly injected into their brains. Other animal studies have indicated that stomach acid degrades P57, preventing it from reaching the brain when consumed orally.
H.g.-12, H.g.-20, and Cholecystokinin (CCK) Secretion
The second potential mechanism involves two additional molecules present in hoodia: H.g.-12 and H.g.-20. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that these compounds stimulate cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in the gut. CCK is a hormone that regulates hunger. Increased CCK levels trigger feelings of fullness, prompting individuals to stop eating. Conversely, low CCK levels delay the sensation of fullness, leading to increased food consumption.
It's important to note that most available studies have been conducted on rats, and their findings have not been consistently promising. One study even indicated that hoodia consumption led to a loss of both body fat tissue and muscle mass, which is undesirable for maintaining a healthy body.
Human Studies: A Lack of Evidence
Research involving human subjects is limited. The only human study conducted to date involved 49 women over a 15-day period. The results showed no significant differences in body weight or food intake between those who received 1.11 grams of purified hoodia extract twice daily and a control group.
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It's also worth noting that while anecdotal evidence suggests hoodia's use as a treatment for tuberculosis and honey from its flowers as a cancer treatment, these claims lack scientific validation.
Safety Concerns and Side Effects
Hoodia is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While the traditional use of fresh hoodia by the Khoisan people may suggest its safety, research indicates otherwise.
The only human study involving hoodia extract reported several side effects, including nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and skin reactions. It also caused a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
One study suggests that hoodia's effects on appetite and weight loss could be indicative of a more severe, yet unknown, adverse effect.
Given the limited information available, taking hoodia for weight loss is generally not recommended, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Individuals taking medications for blood sugar control and heart or liver disease should also avoid hoodia, as it may interfere with their treatments.
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Currently, there is insufficient human research to establish a safe or effective dosage of hoodia.
Potential Drug Interactions
Hoodia may interact with certain prescription drugs, potentially affecting their intracellular concentration.
Diabetes Medications
Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing insulin production. Taking hoodia with insulin or other diabetes medications could lead to excessively low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Close monitoring of blood sugar is essential, and adjustments to medication dosages may be necessary.
Blood Pressure Medications
Hoodia might increase blood pressure in some individuals. Combining hoodia with blood pressure-lowering medications could reduce the effectiveness of these medications and cause blood pressure to rise too high.
Beta-Blockers
Hoodia might increase blood pressure. Beta-blockers are a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure. Taking hoodia and beta-blockers together might not be safe.
Gordonoside F: A Potential Active Compound
Recent research has identified Gordonoside F, a compound isolated from Hoodia gordonii, as a potential active component. Studies have shown that Gordonoside F activates GPR119, a receptor involved in metabolic homeostasis, leading to increased insulin secretion and reduced food intake in mice. This suggests that Gordonoside F, rather than the widely known P57, may be responsible for the appetite-suppressing effects of hoodia.