How To Make Sure You Are Buying Weight Loss Potent Hoodia

By Matthew Constantin, PhD (biochemist)  

More than 1 billion adults are overweight globally, at least 300 million of them being obese. The epidemic proportions of this disease have increased the frequency of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and certain forms of cancer. A 2009 study by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which was based on data collected in 2006, found that the cost of obesity is $147 billion annually. 

An Undeniable Truth: Hoodia Works, At Least For Some

The use of appetite suppressants is a promising approach to slowing the rate of increase for obesity in the US.  Being a natural, and as far as we know safe, appetite-suppressant, Hoodia gordonii has sparked a great interest among the general population and commercial companies worldwide. More than 20 international patent applications on Hoodia gordonii have been registered, while numerous Hoodia-containing products are currently on the market. 

Studies have attributed the satiety enhancing properties of Hoodia to an oxypregane glucoside known as P57, the only reported active constituent from this plant [1]. Experiments in rats have demonstrated that the possible mechanism of action of this active ingredient involves the hypothalamus. This part of the central nervous system is well known for its role in the control of hunger and eating. The P57 molecule has been postulated to affect the hypothalamus neurons that regulate food intake of the body. In these experiments, rats that were administered P57 directly to their brains, by means of intra-cerebro-ventricular injections (direct injections to the brain), presented anorectic activity and consumed less food.  

As far as safety is concerned, animal studies do not demonstrate any deleterious effects. Short-term studies in humans conducted by Phytofarm showed that the plant extract was well tolerated. In addition, consumer reports of safety problems and side effects from consumption of pure hoodia have been hardly any, since the plant entered the market several years ago. Finally, the long association of Hoodia with the Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert – the holders of the traditional knowledge – argues against any health threatening effects resulting from its use.  

An Anticipated Problem: Most Hoodia Products Are Adulterated

Hoodia is a native plant of Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. As an indigenous plant it does not grow in any other region. Moreover, it is listed as an endangered species and its export out of South Africa is strictly controlled by the South African government and CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species). Not only is genuine Hoodia rare, it takes 5 or more years to fully mature before it develops the critical P57 molecules at concentrations adequate for commercial exploitation; and even when the plant reaches maturity, it can only be harvested every second or third year in order to ensure long-term sustainability. 

At the same time, the demand for weight loss products containing H. gordonii is rising. Currently, more than 100 products are marketed in the US in these forms: tablet, capsule, liquid gels, liquid tinctures, juice, snack or fruit bars, Hoodia powders, Hoodia lollipops, protein shakes, Hoodia tea and coffee. As worldwide great interest in Hoodia has created an overwhelming demand, this precious commodity is now facing extreme shortages. 

Because the supply of authentic H. gordonii cannot match the pressing requirement for Hoodia products, the alteration of the product by other inactive species becomes an undesired but predicted possibility. In fact, a peer-reviewed study by Dr Avula, conducted at the University of Mississippi in 2008, analyzed 35 dietary supplements that claim to contain pure H. gordonii and found that only 9 of them had detectable amounts of the active ingredient P57 [2].  This represents a 75% adulteration rate!  

That being said, the fake Hoodia market represents one of the most corrupt and deceptive markets in the natural health industry. However, there are companies that are honest, have integrity and make a genuine effort to purchase authentic hoodia. These companies are working diligently to provide the real thing to their customers through their nutritional supplements. How do you recognize these legitimate companies?  

A Viable Solution – The Certificates and Laboratory Tests

How can you avoid buying fake Hoodia? There is a number of authenticity certifications that genuine Hoodia is always accompanied with. First of all, you should look for the CITES certificate. This document shows whether the company has an official permit to export Hoodia from Africa. In other words, it certifies that the Hoodia used for the specific product is the indigenous plant and has been legally exported by South Africa. Genuine Hoodia cannot be exported out of South Africa without this certificate. 

Second, you should look for independent laboratory tests. As mentioned before, adulteration of products claiming to contain H. gordonii has become a common practice. Therefore, developing authentication techniques that can analyze a Hoodia product is crucial for determining product validity and safety. A number of companies that specialize in phytochemical analysis have undertaken this task. A reputable one, that is the supplier of independent Hoodia lab tests for the overwhelming majority of Hoodia providers, is Alkemist Pharmaceuticals. This company offers a very effective analytical approach that combines three distinctive testing protocols for Hoodia. This approach follows the guidelines by the American Herbal Products Association for identification and determination of purity of powdered raw materials labeled as Hoodia gordonii stems. 

Characterization Method 1 – Microscopic Analysis

The parts of the Hoodia plant that have anti-obesity effects are those that are above the ground, called aerial parts.  A qualified microscopist trained in analyzing Hoodia aerial parts can use this technique to identify the presence of components that are NOT characteristic of Hoodia species. For example, microscopy is able to reveal the presence of Opuntia species added to Hoodia gordonii powder, a common method of adulteration. Also, the presence of maltodextrin, a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive, can be detected reliably with microscopic observation.  

However, while this method can identify the presence of foreign material, it cannot be used as the only procedure to positively identify Hoodia gordonii stems. This is because microscopy cannot reliably differentiate Hoodia gordonii from other related species that are structurally similar, such as Caralluma fimbriata. When you look at a microscopic analysis certificate, you want to make sure it says the following or something similar to, “The test sample is characteristic of Hoodia gordonii aerial part”. 

Characterization Method 2 –Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

TLC is a very powerful tool for identification of the presence of genuine Hoodia gordonii. Each plant, whether it is hoodia or a different type of plant, is a mixture of chemical compounds. When this mixture is analyzed by TLC, a very distinctive visual profile of separation is obtained, which is known as “chemical fingerprint”.  When comparing the TLC profile of a material known to be hoodia, also called voucher specimen, with one whose authenticity is being questioned, then the two fingerprint profiles must be the same in order for the tested material to be called authentic. Therefore, when you look at a TLC certificate, you want to make sure it reads, “Hoodia gordonii, authenticated by TLC studies, matches the voucher specimen held at Alkemists Pharmaceuticals.” 

Characterization Method 3 – High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

As mentioned above, the only active ingredient of Hoodia that has been identified so far is a molecule called P57.  Hoodia products that do not have this constituent are not supposed to have any weight loss effects. HPLC is a technique used by chemists for the isolation and identification of a specific compound contained in a mixture of substances. In the case of Hoodia, HPLC is used to verify the existence of P57. This is achieved by  extracting the chemical substances contained in Hoodia stems and inserting them in a tube, known as chromatographic column, where high pressure is applied in one end. The chemical compounds move along this tube toward the other end at different speeds as a result of their unique chemical properties. Therefore, each compound will reach the end of the tube at a time that reflects its unique chemical nature. P57 has its own “exit” time. If a test material does not contain P57, no compound will exit the tube at the expected “P57 exit time”. On the other hand, if P57 is present, it will be detected as it exits the column at its own specific time. Therefore when you look at a HPLC certificate you want to make sure it reads: “Analyte P57 has been detected” 

Closing Thoughts 

Both real life experience as well as a small but considerable amount of scientific evidence show that H. gordonii is a safe natural supplement with unique anorectic properties. The fact is that more than half of the products appearing on the internet or your local health food store claiming to contain authentic Hoodia are fake – intentionally or not. Therefore, when you consider buying a Hoodia product, always make sure that it is accompanied by up-to-date independent testing certificates. Of course, copying, photoshopping and reproducing fake Hoodia certificates is a sad and risky reality that cannot be avoided.  

Some Hoodia brands which have been tested and have been found to be authentic (recommended by About.com and Mike Adams – the health ranger) are Hoodia Desert, Hoodoba and Hoodia Hoodia.  

Hoodia has long ago joined the club of the best rated weight loss diets  and its demand has surpassed that for Medifast diet coupons and Nutrisystem coupon discounts. Yet, when using Hoodia as a weight loss pill, you need to remember what Dr Frankie Phillips – spokesperson for the British Diatetic Association – said, “appetite suppressants are not a magic bullet, should not be taken in isolation or seen as an alternative to a healthy lifestyle”. 

References

1. MacLean DB, Luo L-G. Increased ATP content/production in the hypothalamus may be a signal for energy-sensing of satiety: studies of the anorectic mechanism of a plant steroidal glycoside. Brain Res 2004;1020:1–11.

2. Bharathi Avula, Yan-Hong Wang, Rahul S. Pawar, Yatin J. Shukla, Troy J. Smillie, Ikhlas A. Khan. A rapid method for chemical fingerprint analysis of Hoodia species related genera, and dietary supplements using UPLC-UV-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2008 Nov 4;48(3):722-31 

Matthew Constantin is a biochemist who has worked extensively with Hoodia specimens. He enjoys writing articles that offer  insight on often confusing topics.