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An African plant with a funny name has been gaining popularity in recent months for its ability to suppress hunger and aid in weight loss. With many Americans on a never-ending quest for safe, effective weight-loss supplements, some think the hoodia gordonii plant could help in the battle against obesity.
Hoodia grows in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa and although it looks like a cactus, it's a succulent. Bushmen from the area are said to have used the plant for centuries to ward off hunger during long trips in the desert.
Although there are other variations of the hoodia plant, only the gordonii variation works as an appetite suppressant.
The plant tricks the brain into making the person feel full, said Dr. Ghassan Rahhal, who specializes in internal medicine and geriatrics and practices at the Express Care Clinic at Trinity's 7th Street Campus.
For some, it works right away, but for others it can take several weeks to work. It is not a stimulant and has no known side effects.
Brent VanDamme, a sales associate at GNC in SouthPark Mall, said the store has carried the supplement for six to eight months. "It does sell pretty well really," he said, adding that the store sells capsules with varying dosages to people who want to lose weight or fight food cravings.
Customer reviews of the product have been mixed, Mr. VanDamme said. "Some people say it works wonderful for them. We've had some returns as well, people claiming it didn't do anything at all. I don't know why it works for some people and not others."
It's important to follow the directions, which call for taking it every day, drinking plenty of water and taking it at the proper time before eating, he said, adding that some people don't follow the directions. "There's lots of factors that go into why it doesn't work for some people."
Dr. Rahhal said the claim is that hoodia is entirely natural. "I've seen a lot of consumer reports that weight loss ranges from 0 to 40 pounds in some cases, with minimal to no side effects. However, having said all that, we know the safety and (effectiveness) of this natural herb have not been evaluated by the (Food and Drug Administration)."
Dr. Rahhal said he's not aware of any clinical trials in the United States that assess hoodia or confirm consumer reports. "So I personally feel that I do not have enough information at present time to recommend for or against this natural herb. We simply don't know for sure the effect of this herb on the human body."
Particularly, the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system are not known, he said, recommending that the user and their doctor need to determine if hoodia is right for them.
Dr. Rahhal said studies should be done to determine whether it really works, whether it interferes with things such as other medications, and what the long-term effects of hoodia are in case people decide to use it for a long period of time.
Studies also should determine whether a person will regain the weight if they go off the herb, he said.
"I feel that the decision whether or not to take it is really a matter of a personal choice."
About Hoodia
What is it? A succulent that grows in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa.
What is it used for? Appetite suppressant for weight loss.
How does it work? Tricks a person's brain so person feels like they're full.
How much weight can a person lose? Consumer reports show people lose between 0-40 pounds.
Is it safe? Although the long-term effects are not known, there are no known side effects.
Source: By Amy Thon, from qconline.com |
