The Dangers of Hoodia: Should You be Concerned?
August 17, 2007
When discussing the potential dangers of hoodia we can look at the San Bushmen of South Africa. They have been using this cactus-like plant to suppress appetite for many centuries to stave off hunger during hunting trips with no reported side effects of hoodia. The Bushmen’s use of hoodia, however, has been much different than the modern use of hoodia supplements.
The Bushmen use hoodia in its raw, natural form. They literally cut a piece of the plant, peel it, and then eat it. This is a lot different than popping hoodia supplements, where the hoodia has been processed and is in powder form. That being said, there are no known dangers of hoodia supplements to date.
Hoodia supplements haven’t been around that long so the jury is still out on the side effects of hoodia supplements over the long term. Anyone considering taking them should keep a careful eye out for any new studies and research for any potential dangers of hoodia that might arise down the road.
When hoodia first appeared on the scene, many people were concerned that the dangers of hoodia would rival those of Ephedra - a weight loss supplement associated with serious and life-threatening side effects. This proved not to be the case, however, for one simple fact: hoodia is not a stimulant like Ephedra.
There are no dangers of hoodia because of the simplicity of how it works. Hoodia works as a weight loss supplement by suppressing your appetite. The active ingredient in Hoodia, P57, essentially tricks the hypothalamus-the part of the brain responsible for telling you that you’re hungry or full.
When you eat, the food in your body is broken down to sugar. When that happens, the sensors in the hypothalamus recognize the sugar in your body and begins to shut down your desire to eat. That’s why you feel full after you eat. P57, on the other hand, is 10,000 times more powerful than blood sugar on the hypothalamus! As a result, without eating any food, hoodia is able to trick your brain into thinking it has consumed large amounts of food, thus shutting down your desire to eat.
Even though hoodia seems harmless and there are no known dangers of hoodia supplements, their safety has not been determined when it comes to women who are pregnant or nursing. As with all supplements and medications, it is essential that pregnant and nursing women discuss the potential side effects of hoodia with their doctors before considering using them.
It is also important for those considering hoodia supplements to avoid taking too much. Even though there are no known dangers of hoodia supplements, moderation is the key. Perhaps one of the side effects of hoodia supplements is the potential to under-eat. If you take too many, it’s possible your appetite could be suppressed to the point where you don’t get enough food (i.e. calories) for your body to function properly!
One last note on the dangers of hoodia supplements; they are no substitute for a healthy, balanced diet. Do not rely solely on hoodia supplements for weight loss. The primary purpose of using hoodia supplements is to prevent you from overeating-not starve your body completely of much needed calories and nutrients. To get the most from hoodia supplements, use them as part of a weight loss program that consists of a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.
Now you know there are no known dangers of hoodia. Find out how to use hoodia effectively to maximize your weight loss efforts. Visit Travis Van Slooten’s site at http://www.mens-total-fitness.com where he has written extensively about hoodia and hoodia supplements.
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