Is There Any Side Effects Of Hoodia
Though hoodia is widely used in many places a lot of people question, what is hoodia. Hoodia, also known as Hoodia gordonii, could be described as a natural herbal appetite suppressant that has become increasingly popular across the globe in the last few years. It is a cactus-like plant, which is found in the semi-deserts of Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Hoodia grows in green, stem-like clumps and it is often confused with the cactus plant, because of the strong resemblance they bear. However, some herbalists claim that the hoodia plant is more closely related to the aloe plant than it is to the cactus. There is a limited supply of the hoodia plant, in spite of the fact that it has more than 13 different varieties.
What Is Hoodia Used For
People who are aware of what is Hoodia herb are often heard asking “what is hoodia used for?”. It is believed that bushmen in the Kalahari desert used hoodia to ward off their thirst and hunger, when they went on long hunting trips. Therefore, in today’s world it is believed that Hoodia contains natural properties that could curb hunger, which makes it an excellent ingredient for weight loss. Some advertisements also state that hoodia can help boost metabolism. Several weight loss supplement manufacturers claim that they use hoodia in their products to fool the brain into believing that the stomach is full. Therefore, it is easy to buy Hoodia, in the form of powder supplements, capsules, liquid extracts and even tea, from most leading health stores or online resources. Some diet pills are also said to contain hoodia. However, despite all the claims and assertions made by manufacturing companies, there isn’t any substantial evidence to prove that hoodia can be effective for weight loss purposes.
Side Effects
Manufacturers that use hoodia in their products often state that it has been used for centuries by the native Africans, to kill hunger, without any side effects. However, herbal and dietary supplements do not need the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), before being sold. Therefore, clinical evidence of the safety or even hoodia side effects is still lacking. Recently some reports also stated that the use of hoodia could have negative effects on a person’s liver; however nothing has been confirmed as yet. Certain instances have been brought to light, where products are promoted and sold as hoodia supplements, when they don’t contain hoodia at all.
Therefore, while hoodia may be effective in suppressing the appetite and enhancing the weight loss process, it is best to consult a qualified doctor, before adding it to your diet.