Does Hoodia Gordonii Suppress Appetite?
Hoodia Gordonii and Weight Loss?
Hoodia gordonii is a popular ingredient in many dietary supplements which are designed to promote weight loss. Here are the results from a recent study (rat not human)…
Research On Hoodia Gordonii:
“Studies conducted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR, South Africa) identified extracts from Hoodia species, in particular Hoodia pilifera and Hoodia gordonii, as possessing appetite suppressing properties.”
Study results:
“Compounds 1 and 2 were also isolated from H. pilifera. Compound 1 was tested for its appetite suppressant properties in rats by oral gavage at 6.25-50 mg/kg and the results showed that all doses resulted in a decrease of food consumption over an eight day period and a body mass decrease when compared to the control sample receiving only the vehicle.
In a comparative study against a fenfluramine control sample, compound 1 resulted in a reduction in food intake over the study period, with a concomitant overall decrease in body weight while fenfluramine resulted in a small decrease in food intake, but an increase in body weight (though less than control group) over the same period of time.”
Again, it’s important to note that this particular study involved rats and not humans. It’s difficult to assume that the results in this study on hoodia gordonii would generalize to humans as well.
[box type="note"]In this rat model, there were compounds in hoodia gordonii that helped to suppress appetite and reduce weight. Further studies on the safety and efficacy of hoodia gordonii in humans are necessary to confirm these results.[/box]
Reference:
- van Heerden FR, Marthinus Horak R, Maharaj VJ, Vleggaar R, Senabe JV, Gunning PJ. An appetite suppressant from Hoodia species. Phytochemistry. 2007 Oct;68(20):2545-53. Epub 2007 Jul 2.
