Hoodia Gordonii As A Dietary Supplement: Is It Safe?

If you have been looking for appetite suppressants to reduce your weight for quite some time now, chances are that you might come across Hoodia products in some online forums and on social media. Pharmaceutical companies that market Hoodia as a dietary supplement and an appetite suppressant often pitch the idea that the product is ideal for people who wish to get results quickly. Hoodia Gordonii, also nicknamed as the Bushman’s Hat, was not a widely known plant until a few years back. However, the plant and the products derived from it have gained some traction in the supplements market in recent times. The question that needs to be tacked is this: is it safe to consume Hoodia Gordonii for weight loss purposes? Let’s find out.

The Plant Has Certain Therapeutic Properties

Hoodia Gordonii is found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa, and it has now become very famous for its natural abilities to control weight. The appearance of the plant is similar to a cactus with thick, elongated stems protruding from the base of the plant. Folk medicine practitioners who are native to South Africa strongly believe that the plant, which has a strong odor, can naturally boost metabolic activities in the human body and burn fat. Hoodia Gordonii products are made of this plant which is used as the primary ingredient. Many pharmaceutical companies claim that taking Hoodia Gordonii pills can aid in shedding those extra pounds. Although many researchers around the world have tried to explore the medicinal benefits of the plant and some of them have even found some therapeutic properties, nobody has been able to prove the effectiveness of the plant in treating obesity.

What Do Shady Pharmaceutical Companies Want You To Believe?

Companies that market the product worldwide often make exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of this plant. You will come across online reviews where Hoodia Gordonii has been described as an all-in-one combination of fat burner, appetite suppressant, and metabolic booster. As there are numerous weight-loss medicines already in the market, it is quite natural to get confused. The complications are added even further as there are fake products, too. Hence, it is important for you to check the real facts first. Only go for weight loss products that have been duly approved by the FDA.

The Myth Busted

Hoodia Gordonii is often billed as a harmless medicinal plant which aids in weight loss. But this claim is nowhere near truthful nor accurate. It may suppress the feeling of hunger, but at least one research report suggested that the weight loss effects of Hoodia Gordonii may stem from the grave adverse effects that might occur if you regularly consume it. Contrary to what many shady pharmaceutical companies would try to make you believe, Hoodia Gordonii DOES NOT act as a natural appetite suppressant. P57, which is present in Hoodia Gordonii Plus, may even affect your liver functions, while at the same time, wreaking havoc to other organs as well.

Should You Look For An Alternative?

Instead of consuming Hoodia Gordonii, you may go for green tea which is proven effective in aiding weight loss. Green tea is a certain type of tea which originated in China and has gained wide currency across the world. A warm cup of green tea helps to increase metabolism and burn fat by increasing the metabolic rate and suppressing appetite naturally, without any ill effects. Aside from taking green tea and sticking to a balanced diet, you should exercise regularly and increase your daily water intake to lose weight in a natural way.

Whenever someone tells you about a new kind of dietary supplement or appetite suppressant, take their advice with a grain of salt. Remember that anything which is frowned upon by the FDA is not generally considered safe. Keep in mind that cutting back on your calorie intake and staying physically active are the proven ways to drop the extra pounds. You might find it difficult to change your lifestyle, and taking supplements might become imperative. However, you should always check whether the supplement you are choosing is FDA-approved or not. FDA has already removed Hoodia Gordonii from the US market, but there are shady sellers that might offer you the product online. Stay away from this ‘unsafe’ product at all costs.