How Does Hoodia Work?
Research on Hoodia gordonii started in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 1977 that the active ingredient responsible for appetite suppression, known as P57, was isolated by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. P57 is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside that increases the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body.
ATP is a nucleotide that releases energy when broken down, which the body uses during metabolic processes. When ATP levels are elevated, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the brain indicating that you are full. Hoodia works by tricking the body into feeling full, thereby helping to curb appetite and reduce caloric intake. Unlike glucose, which also raises ATP levels and suppresses appetite, P57 contains no calories.
Hoodia Clinical Studies
Beyond its historical and anecdotal use, Hoodia gordonii has been studied in various clinical settings. These studies support the claim that Hoodia suppresses appetite and suggest it may aid in weight control when combined with caloric restriction and a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. David MacLean, an adjunct associate professor at Brown University and former Pfizer researcher, published a report in the September 10, 2004, issue of Brain Research. His study aimed to determine if P57 affected hypothalamic ATP levels. MacLean collected the hypothalamus from a group of fetal rats and injected P57 directly into the brains of another group of rats. After 24 hours, he found that the rats injected with P57 had increased hypothalamic ATP levels by 5-150%.
In another part of MacLean’s study, P57 was injected into the third ventricle of the rats’ brains. These rats showed a 40-60% increase in ATP levels and a 50-60% reduction in food intake over the following 24 hours.
Dr. Richard M. Goldfarb, medical director of Bucks County Clinical Research, conducted a small, unpublished study on DEX-L10, a Hoodia supplement available in 500-mg capsules. Seven overweight participants took two capsules daily, along with a balanced breakfast and a multivitamin, without altering their other diet and exercise habits. After 28 days, most participants reported a reduction in caloric intake within days and experienced no adverse side effects. On average, participants saw a 3.3% reduction in body weight and a median weight loss of ten pounds.
“After the appetite suppressant effect accumulates in the system, we saw study participants cut their calories in half and not desire any additional food,” said Goldfarb.
Weight Loss Benefits of Hoodia
One of the biggest challenges in weight loss is breaking bad eating habits, such as excessive snacking, late-night eating, overeating, and poor food choices. Many people struggle to “shut off” their appetite. Using an appetite suppressant like Hoodia as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan, which includes a balanced diet and exercise, may help you eat less and force your body to use stored fat and energy, promoting weight loss.
The effectiveness of Hoodia has led to its proliferation in the marketplace, with some companies using substandard quality Hoodia to make quick profits. It’s crucial to ensure that any Hoodia you use comes from reputable sources and is verifiably organic or wild-crafted under organic conditions.
