Hoodia gordonii "did not show any significant effects on energy intakes or body weights relative to the placebo" concludes a new study by researchers from Unilever Research & Development in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. Read the entire article | Email this article

A purified extract of Hoodia gordonii caused "no serious adverse events, but [the Hoodia extract] was less well tolerated than was the placebo because of episodes of nausea, emesis [vomiting], and disturbances of skin sensation" notes a new study by researchers from Unilever Research & Development in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. Read the entire article | Email this article

A purified extract of Hoodia gordonii caused significant increases in blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase according a new study by researchers from Unilever Research & Development in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. Read the entire article | Email this article

In its 2009 complaint, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged that the Nutraceuticals International LLC and Stella Labs LLC made false and deceptive claims about hoodia and its effectiveness as a treatment for obesity, and falsely claimed that their ingredient was hoodia when it was not.

The complaint also alleged that the defendants falsely and deceptively claimed their product would enable consumers to lose weight and suppress appetites; was scientifically proven to suppress appetite, resulting in weight loss; and was clinically proven to reduce caloric intake by 1,000 to 2,000 calories per day.

The defendants also provided deceptive advertising and promotional materials to trade customers, who then had the means to deceive consumers that bought the purported weight-loss products.
Read the entire article | Email this article

I have not seen any published studies showing that hoodia causes weight loss.

I would not be surprised if it causes some weight loss in the short-term -- maybe 5 or 10 pounds -- but I would not want to take it on a long-term basis because the research suggests that it might cause liver problems.

Here is a summary of the research on Hoodia that I have reviewed. Read the entire article | Email this article

"Consumer goods giant Unilever dealt a blow to British drugs-from-plants firm Phytopharm on Friday by abandoning plans to develop its Hoodia product as a functional food to help people lose weight," according to a report from Reuters.

"Unilever abandoned the deal because Hoodia metabolised too quickly in a liquid-based product, the company said."

Comment: I don't know what that means -- "metabolised too quickly in a liquid-based product".

I assume they mean Hoodia degrades and becomes ineffective when dissolved in a liquid.

I'm not that impressed with Hoodia for weight loss anyway. It may help suppress appetite in the short-term, but I am concerned about safety issues when used long-term. Read the entire article | Email this article

The company that sold Trimspa, the hoodia-contaning the weight loss supplement for which Anna Nicole Smith was a spokesperson, is out of business according to an article in New Jersey's Star Ledger. Read the entire article | Email this article