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Article By: JoJohansson
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Is Hoodia Safe as an Appetite Suppressant?
As Hoodia grows in popularity, more and more people are asking, "What are the side-effects of Hoodia?" or "Is it safe to take Hoodia for slimming?"
Hoodia has only been added to the weight loss marketplace fairly recently. Although it's been available as an appetite suppressant since 1997, it wasn't until 2004, when it was highlighted on the Oprah Winfrey TV show, that it grew dramatically in popularity.
From the countless thousands that have taken Hoodia in those years, there have been virtually no serious side-effects reported. The Bushmen of South Africa - where Hoodia grows in the wild - have been using the Hoodia plant for centuries to help keep curb their appetites during strenuous hunting expeditions through the desert. Sometimes, during periods of lack, they had to rely on Hoodia as a staple part of their diet.
So it would seem that Hoodia is safe to take as an appetite suppressant... if we take it the same way the San bushmen have done for countless centuries.
They've used it as a whole plant, fresh or dried - without flowers or roots. We need to do the same. Pure Hoodia is what you need to look for. Adding anything to the Hoodia plant may disturb its natural balance, and therefore reduce its effectiveness as an appetite suppressant.
You need to understand that because the whole plant is safe - with all its ingredients preserved - doesn't mean that a chemical extracted from the Hoodia plant is going to be safe. The active ingredient in Hoodia is P57. But to take out that one molecule and use it on its own, is probably not such a great idea.
In our research, we uncovered 3 points of note; which are precautions rather than side-effects:
1. Hoodia may sometimes reduce the thirst signals as well as the hunger signals, in some people. If Hoodia had turned off or lessened the thirst impulse, you wouldn't realise you were thirsty, when it fact you were. So to make sure this isn't a problem, keep a bottle of water handy at all times, and sip it throughout the day.
Adults should be drinking about 2 litres of water every day. If you're dieting, or trying to lose weight, you need to be drinking more than that. Maybe closer to 3 litres... So fill a 2-litre bottle of water in the morning, and drink it through the day.
2. Point number 2 is still being debated. Dr. Steelman - a weight loss specialist, said he was concerned that the P57 molecule in Hoodia was processed by the liver, since obese people often have liver problems that could exacerbate any potential side-effects. Yet Dr. MacLean - a leading endocrinologist at Brown Medical School, found that P57 was easily broken down by the liver.
Two experts with differences of opinion. (Nothing new there, then!) Dr. Steelman says many obese people suffer with liver problems. MacLean says P57 is 'easily' broken down by the liver. It seems to make perfect sense then, if you're suffering with obesity and/or have liver problems, it would be good to consult with your physician or healthcare provider before taking Hoodia to lose weight.
3. People with diabetes should be careful when using Hoodia. Diabetics need help with regulating their blood sugar levels. If Hoodia 'tricks' their brain into thinking their blood sugar levels are higher than they actually are, it could cause a problem if they don't eat when they're supposed to, and their blood sugar level drops too low.
To put these points into perspective:
Being overweight is associated with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This combination of risk factors has been called Metabolic Syndrome X, which affects 70 million Americans and is a common cause of premature death and/or disability.
It seems that Hoodia could play a vital role - together with aerobic exercise and dietary changes, to fight metabolic syndrome and reduce the risk associated with any of the diseases above.
As a general precaution, pregnant or nursing women, children, and people with liver disease should avoid Hoodia. And anyone taking Hoodia needs to ensure they are drinking enough water, and eating enough food for their needs.
To summarise: "Is Hoodia safe to take?" Yes, Hoodia certainly seems to be an effective appetite suppressant. There are countless testimonials to confirm that. The only caveat being to make sure the Hoodia you buy is pure Hoodia that hasn't been changed or modified in any way.
Article Source: ArticleZones.com
About the Author
About the Author: Jo Johannson is a keen health & nutrition author, who researches different health and weight loss products. To find out why he only recommends the best Hoodia slimming pills, please visit www.HoodiaGuide.co.uk.
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