It is a plant typical of the Kalahari Desert, used by the indigenous San people to stay alert in the absence of food and water. It also has interesting properties for controlling body composition.

Function

Hoodia gordonii contains substances called pregnalglycosides which have a remarkable anorectic effect. More specifically, in the context of a low-calorie diet, the amount of chemical energy (ATP) present in the brain drops very sharply (by up to 50%). This situation is the trigger for a mechanism whereby appetite is perceived. The pregnalglycosides present in Hoodia gordonii can hinder the depletion of the brain’s energy reserves, thus preventing an increase in appetite. Some studies have shown a reduction in appetite with Hoodia gordonii of up to 40-60%. It must be specified, however, that Hoodia gordonii supplements are avant-garde products, so there are few studies proving their real efficacy, beyond the theoretical premises.

Negative notes

As already explained above, these are cutting-edge supplements that have been relatively little researched. For this reason, just as little is known of their real efficacy, so too few studies prove the absence of adverse effects. On the contrary, it appears to be responsible for adverse reactions affecting the cardiovascular system, including high blood pressure, tachycardia and abnormalities in the electrocardiogram. Adverse reactions such as headache, dizziness, nausea and abnormalities in blood tests have also been reported. With regard to the latter, the alterations concern total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase concentration: bilirubin is a product of the catabolism of aged red blood cells and an increase in it can be a sign of damage to these cells; alkaline phosphatase, on the other hand, is an enzyme that catalyses defosphorylation reactions. It is mainly present in liver and bone in the form of different isoenzymes, i.e. enzymes that, although they have a different chemical structure and physico-chemical properties, catalyse the same reaction. A high blood concentration of alkaline phosphatase can mean damage to the organs that are normally its seat.

Form and posology

There are Hoodia gordonii products in the form of capsules, powders and liquid extracts. There is no generic indication of the amount of Hoodia gordonii to be taken; it is therefore recommended to follow the label indications of the product selected and purchased.