Hoodia gordonii
This fact sheet provides basic information about the hoodia plant, including uses and potential side effects.
What Is Hoodia Used For?
- Historically, hoodia has been used by African Kalahari bushmen as a food source during long hunting trips.
- Currently, hoodia is being marketed as a diet pill -- it's appetite suppressing qualities mean that you feel less hungry, so you eat less -- weight loss is achieved by the subsequent reduction in calorific intake.
How Does Hoodia Work?
Hoodia is a succulent plant found in the Kalahari desert of South Africa. Parts of the hoodia cactus are used to prepare extracts available in tablets and capsules.
Hoodia gordonii extract has been proven to decrease calorie intake in human volunteers. It works by fooling your brain into believing you are full.
A steroidal glycoside with anorectic activity in animals, termed P57, has been isolated from Hoodia gordonii and found to have an anorectic (appetite suppressing) effect.
Hoodia Side Effects
Pure Hoodia currently has no known side-effects. Further studies are required to establish the safety profile of Hoodia gordonii extract.
365lover Daily Health®
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Page last modified: May 2006
Source: NCCAM/NIH
|
Online
Guides |
|
|
Hair Regrowth For MenStops hair loss and stimulates hair regrowth. Stop hair loss... |
|
|
