Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects

Hoodia gordonii is a diet pill that is widely publicized as a weight loss tool. It is also claimed by the marketers of this product that there are absolutely no side effect. Though this is highly debatable, it is possible that hoodia is completely free of side effects. At the same time, the marketers claim that this is a pill that miraculously helps in weight loss are also unfounded claims, and cannot be completely relied on. All hoodia gordonii does is suppress feelings of hunger and thirst in an individual, temporarily providing them with the feeling that they are full.

Hoodia gordonii is the name of a leafless plant that is found in the African continent, especially in the Kalahari desert. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa has a patent over these plants and any pills or supplements that are made of them. The CSIR also regularly stresses the absence of any side effects, and thus promote them as a very effective weight loss tool. There is a tribe, known as San tribe, that lives on the fringes of the Kalahari desert, and they have been using this plant for suppressing hunger for many decades now.

The CSIR leaves no stone unturned in constantly emphasizing that there are no side effects, and that the only harmful effects that do occur due to the use of this plant are due to misuse of the plant. Since the plant suppresses feelings of hunger, people who consume it have a tendency to go overboard and go for many days without eating. This can only result in negative and harmful effects on the human body.

Known Side Effects

Despite constant cries that there is nothing wrong with hoodia gordonii, there is no actual scientific or medical evidence to back this up. It is true that the tribesmen who have been using this plant for many years have shown no signs of alarm due to the plant, the truth is that when a plant possessing these qualities combines with the diet and the nutritional supplements and the lifestyle that people follow in today's world, it could lead to many unforeseen and unpredictable adversities and side effects. To base one's judgment simply on the fact that the San tribesmen show no side effects of hoodia gordonii, would be a foolish folly, to say the least.

The bushmen have been using this plant for many years, but they use it only rarely. When they venture out on hunting trips, for instance. If this plant is consumed on a daily basis, there could be a lot of problems in the future. It is logical to presume that anything that is killing your appetite is obviously bad for you if you consume too much of it. Even though you don't feel hungry, your body still requires its necessary dosage of food and nutrition, in order to produce energy. Not eating food will lead to a lot of illnesses that arise due to the deficiency of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Another reason for potential problems cropping up is adulteration. Since this plant is not commonly found anywhere, its supply is limited. As is the case with any commodity that is less in supply, there will be some degree or some form of adulteration by the suppliers, or by the middlemen. This can again cause some unwanted side effects, and lead to many complications that could not possibly have been predicted.

There are many tests that have been carried out by government agencies and private institutions in order to determine all the side effects, but nothing has yet been discovered. This is not enough to convince people that there will never be any side effects of hoodia gordonii. With the properties of the plant that are unquestionably effective, it is fair to assume that people with eating disorders and weight concerns will abuse the power of this plant. The side effects of the plant will thus be as a result of indirect consequences.