Hoodia Side Effects
Hoodia is simply a plant found in the Kalahari Desert in Africa and by eating the plant or extract from the plant, a single molecule blocks your appetite for a time. There is neither artificial energy boost nor a super-burn of calories. Hoodia is an appetite suppressant created by Mother Nature. And after seventy years of study, it would seem that Mother Nature decided to keep hoodia straightforward with no side effects.
Potential Risks of Hoodia
A complete lack of side effects does not mean that there are no risks to using the plant as part of a weight loss effort. For some using an appetite suppressant such as hoodia can have very real risks. Before beginning a weight loss regime that includes hoodia, speak with your doctor to be sure you’re making the best choice for your unique medical condition.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing - One of the biggest potential problems of hoodia would be for women who are pregnant or nursing. Pregnancy and nursing is a time when women should be focused on giving their babies the healthiest balanced nutrition possible. By introducing an appetite suppressant to the mother’s regular diet, the active molecule in hoodia might pass to the baby reducing his appetite and causing irregularities in his eating habits.
- Individuals with diabetes and other blood sugar problems – Hoodia is an appetite suppressant. It does nothing to the body that is hungry and ready to digest a meal, but it works on the mind by telling your brain that your body is already full. While this is terrific for weight loss, it can be very problematic for those that need to eat a regular diet on a steady basis to maintain insulin and blood sugar levels. Those with problems regulating their blood sugar should consult with a doctor when considering hoodia as a dietary supplement.
- Those with eating disorders – As an appetite suppressant, hoodia can interfere with treatment plans for those who have an eating disorder such as bulimia, anorexia or compulsive eating.
- Children – Children’s appetites are more closely aligned with their need for healthy food than those of adults who are controlled by food, emotions and environment. Using hoodia to adjust a child’s appetite can cause problems with his natural hunger cues and affect the amount of food he eats during the day which can, in turn, affect his growth and development.
- Individuals with allergies – If you have allergies to plants, fruits or vegetables, be especially cautious around hoodia until you’re certain that your allergies don’t extend to this particular plant. A doctor can offer you the best method to ease into a routine using hoodia while ruling out potential allergies at the same time.