Can Hoodia (Hoodia Gordoni) Work as an Appetite Suppessant?

By Dr. Stephen Cosentino

PRESIDENT OF EMPIRE MEDICAL TRAINING Many patients experience hunger while dieting due to the lower caloric intake, hoodia is a natural appetite suppressant that works for many. Hoodia can be used in combination with other supplements safely and the release can be controlled by hoodia patch. Patches are put on every 2-3 days and should only be used during the first weeks of dieting while your body’s hypothalamus begins to regulate itself and hunger cravings diminish. Hoodia is a natural plant extract made from the hoodia plant native to South Africa. Hoodia has been used by Americans over-the-counter as an appetite suppressant and comes in many forms. If indicated, patients can be prescribed a hoodia patch that will slowly release a chemical with its component called P57 that has been reported to have an effect on the brain’s hypothalamus, thus helping to regulate appetite cravings.  Hoodia is an option for patients and is not FDA approved and is considered to be a dietary supplement not a weight loss therapy. Bottom line, for some individuals, hoodia works very well in suppressing appetite cravings associated with many diet plans. There are no real contraindications to its use but there is little clinical studies that substantiate its effectiveness. In most cases, the patient no longer feel as hungry and is an option for patients that experience hunger while dieting. It is important that you use a prescription product from a reputable compounding pharmacy not over the counter oral medications available.