Safety Issues Regarding Hoodia Gordonii Used For Weight Loss

For thousands of years the San Bushmen of South Africa have eaten the Hoodia Gordonii plant to help suppress their desire to eat when they journeyed through the desert on long hunting trips. When scientists discovered the use and effectiveness of the Hoodia Gordonii plant they began to isolate the active ingredient. While researching Hoodia they discovered that people could survive for several days without water or food while taking Hoodia. Ever since Hoodia has been useful in helping individuals lose weight. But, it is really safe?

What are the main health concerns with taking Hoodia Gordonii? Even those enthusiastic about the effectiveness of Hoodia in helping in weight loss have questioned the safety of the products on the market. The products that are being sold as appetite suppressants safety are being questioned by nutritionists and medical experts. Side effects are never discussed and the public is mislead into thinking that Hoodia is a miracle weight loss aide.

Health experts major concern with the safety of Hoodia is starvation. If too large a dose is taken then your body may not receive adequate nourishment. It is never a good idea to use starvation as a way to lose weight. Starvation will cause your bodies metabolism to slow down. When this happens you lose the ability to effectively burn calories. Health experts recommend if you take Hoodia that you eat a couple of healthy meals every day. This will ensure that your body has the nutrients it requires.

Other safety concerns with Hoodia are the ingredients that may be added to the products being offered on the market. You may be getting more than pure Hoodia in many supplements out there. Some products include herbs that may actually negate the effects of Hoodia’s active ingredient! None of these products are regulated by the FDA or any other authority. This makes concerns for safety even greater. Always use caution when purchasing any diet supplements including those that contain Hoodia.

While there are not known side effects reported by taking Hoodia Gordonii. The risk of dehydration and starvation is real. Ensure that you keep hydrated when you are taking a supplement that contains Hoodia. Also, continue to eat small portions of healthy foods even if you don’t feel hungry. These steps should ensure that you maintain a healthy nutrition and metabolism in order to lose your weight effectively. If you have any health concerns be sure to consult with your health care provider prior to beginning any weight loss program.

The key to remember is not all manufactures of Hoodia products are the same. You will find a variety of vendors as well as a variety of safety and quality concerns. Thos company who owns the patent of P57, the active ingredient in Hoodia, is Phytopharm. Unilever is working with Phytopharm to develop Hoodia products. When you are looking to purchase a Hoodia product look for a reputable manufacturer and company to be sure that the quality of the product will not put your health at risk.