Hoodia Side Effects

The CSIR (Council of Scientific and IndustrialPhenfen, but a natural food. During clinical studies,
Research) of South Africa patented a native plant,there were no side effects reported. The fact that
growing wild in the Kalahari Desert, as an aid toHoodia Gordonii products are classified as a food and
weight loss programs. Hoodia Gordonii, as the plant isnot a drug is indicative of the safety of the product.
called, suppresses hunger. The San tribe, who live onSupermarkets are selling it as a food supplement.
the fringes of the Kalahari Desert, used it forAny harmful effect from Hoodia products is caused
thousands of years for that purpose. CSIR isolated aby misuse. People with eating disorders force
molecule, named P 57, as the active agent thatthemselves to eat because of the hunger. But now
created the feeling of fullness.they can pop a pill and go about without discomfort.
P 57 initiates glucose and induces the nerve cells inThat would prove to be very dangerous to their
the hypothalamus, the midbrain, to fire signals thathealth. Another safety hazard is the adulteration of
give a feeling of fullness. P 57 is about 10,000 timesHoodia. As the plant is in short supply, adulteration by
as effective as glucose. CSIR struck an agreementthe suppliers is rampant. Some manufacturers,
with the British company Phytopharm to test,knowing this, attempt to make their product
develop and market the product. Phytopharm did theeffective by adding stimulants like ephedrine and
only serious clinical study and published its results. In acaffeine. This may create unspecified side effects.
double blind study, P 57 reduced the intake ofThe only clinical study done by Phytopharm was not
calories by 1,000.a long-term one, so the long-term side effects are
P 57 is not a chemical stimulant like Ephedra orstill an unknown factor.