Will Taking Hoodia Help Me Lose Weight?

Question: Will Taking Hoodia Help Me Lose Weight?

Answer: Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant found in Africa. It's become over-harvested and is now protected. Hoodia has been touted as a weight loss product in the United States since 2004. There is a substance in hoodia that apparently triggers the hypothalamus to reduce your appetite and that feeling of hunger. There really haven't been many studies performed with hoodia use in humans, however the San Bushmen of the Kalahari have used hoodia to ward off hunger pangs for many years.

Hoodia appears to be safe for human use and can be found in a few over-the-counter weight-loss products. However, you need to be cautious about taking weight-loss aids because, accordiong to the United States Food and Drug Administration, some weight loss aids actually contain hidden drugs and may not be safe. You should also speak with your health care provider before taking hoodia or any other weight loss aid, and before going on any weight loss diet. Losing weight is still about eating fewer calories than your body uses for energy throughout the day. Taking the edge off hunger may help, but you still need to make smart food choices and control your calorie intake - there's no way around that. Eat foods that are nutrient-dense with fewer calories such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish, non-fat dairy products and whole grains.

_Source:

_{MacLean DB, Luo LG. "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 Research Volume 1020, Issues 1-2 , 10 September 2004, Pages 1-11.}

_{Seamon E, Ulbricht C, Weissner W, Woods J. "Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) - Professional Monograph." Natural Standard Collaborative. Accessed February 9, 2012. http://naturalstandard.com.}

_{United States Food and Drug Administration. "Medication Health Fraud - Tainted Weight Loss Products. Accessed February 9, 2012. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm234592.htm.}