Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii tablets are classed as herbal diet pills and as such are available without prescription.
Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent plant that is native to the Kalahari desert in Africa. It has been eaten by Kalahari Bushmen for thousands of years to relieve them from hunger pangs whilst on long hunting trips. It is similar in appearance to a cactus and has spines, but is not strictly a cactus.
After analysis by scientists, Hoodia Gordonii was found to contain a molecule, since named P57, which acts as an appetite suppressant.
How does it work?
A part of the brain, called the hypothalamus, detects the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. When you eat, your blood sugar levels rise and the hypothalamus gives out the signal that you are full. It appears that the P57 molecule works in the same way - it make the hypothalamus think that you are full, even when you have not eaten.
Have the appetite suppressant effects been proved by clinical trials?
As Hoodia Gordonii occurs naturally, there is no regulatory requirement for the standard range of clinical trials. However, clinical trials have been carried out, both in rats and in humans. In the rat study, the rats stopped eating completely after being fed Hoodia. This is most unusual for rats as they will generally eat anything and everything and become obese if the opportunity presents itself. The human trials were equally successful. A group of morbidly obese subjects were placed in secure accommodation, where all they could do was eat, watch TV and sleep. Half were given Hoodia Gordonii and half (the control group) were given a placebo. The Hoodia Gordonii treated group had by the two week point reduced their calorific intake by 1000 calories per day, but there was no significant difference in the calorific intake of the control group.
Does hoodia have any side effects?
As yet, none have been reported. However, further scientific investigation is required in order to demonstrate a good safety profile. The product is currently being clinically investigated and prepared for market by a company called Phytopharm, who specialise in developing products generated from medicinal plants.