Hoodia

Q. What is Hoodia?
Hoodia is a succulent plant found in the Kalahari desert of South Africa. Hoodia plants are succulents, not cacti, although they do have a spiny appearance similar to cacti.

Q. There are some other products that claim to contain Hoodia. Are they the same as Phytopharm's product?
Only Phytopharm’s patented Hoodia product is botanically verified to contain pure Hoodia and has quantified levels of the chemical constituents that produce the weight management effects. Importantly, only Phytopharm’s Hoodia product has had extensive safety studies performed and been clinically proven to reduce calorie intake and body fat. The benefit sharing to the CSIR and the San people is only generated by Phytopharm’s patented Hoodia product.

Phytopharm and Unilever have also become aware of many companies that are selling products over the Internet and in some stores claiming to contain Hoodia and causing weight loss. Analysis of these products has demonstrated that the great majority of them contain little or no Hoodia. Phytopharm and Unilever have made contact with the relevant authorities concerning this development and are satisfied with the progress being made in these key discussions.

Q. How has Hoodia been used in the past?
For many centuries the San bushmen of the Kalahari desert have used Hoodia plants as a food.

Q. How did the CSIR's research into Hoodia commence?
Due to the tradition of food use of Hoodia plants, certain species were included in a scientific research project established by the South African statutory council known as CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) to screen a large number of bush foods. As part of the screening process, extracts of plants were made and tested for toxic effects. Surprisingly, it was observed that the Hoodia extracts caused a decrease in appetite and body weight in animals that did not appear to be due to a direct toxic effect of the extract.

Q. Do all Hoodia species reduce appetite?
Only Phytopharm’s Hoodia extract has been proven to decrease calorie intake in human volunteers.

Q. Have the benefits of Hoodia been clinically proven?
In 2001 Phytopharm completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers using an extract of Hoodia. The large doses of extract caused a statistically significant reduction in the average daily calorie intake. In addition, a statistically significant reduction in body fat content was also observed compared to the placebo group after two weeks.

Q. How long does it take for Hoodia to have an effect?
A clinical trial conducted by Phytopharm demonstrated that repeat dose administration of large doses of Hoodia extract caused a statistically significant decrease in daily calorie intake. By day 15 the calorie intake had decreased by approximately 1000 kcal per day.

Q. Does Hoodia have any side effects?
In the clinical study described above the safety data are consistent with a satisfactory overall safety profile, however further scientific studies are required to establish the safety profile of Hoodia extract. These are currently ongoing at Phytopharm.

Q. Is Hoodia patented?
The CSIR has submitted patents in territories all over the world relating to Hoodia. Phytopharm has an exclusive licence for these patents.

Q. When will the product containing the Hoodia extract be available?
The necessary clinical trials and other studies to ensure the safety of the extract will take a few years before a product will be available.

Q. Who are the San people and how do they and South Africa benefit from sales of Hoodia?
The CSIR have entered a benefit sharing agreement with an organisation representing the San people, to ensure that any financial benefit flowing from the commercialisation of the patented Hoodia extract is shared with people whose traditional knowledge first led to the investigation of the plant. In addition, Phytopharm has worked closely with the CSIR and appreciated the importance of the continuing development to South Africa. To this end, Phytopharm has collaborated with the CSIR and opened a clinical supplies unit and a botanical supplies unit in South Africa.

Q. What does the inclusion of Hoodia in Appendix II of CITES mean?
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. There are 166 Parties (States bound by the Convention). Species covered by CITES are listed in three appendices. Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but for which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilisation incompatible with their survival. Following a review at the Conference of Parties in Bangkok (October 2004) it was decided to include Hoodia onto Appendix II of CITES. This will help ensure that all harvest operations and trade of Hoodia plant material are controlled at an international level in order to conserve indigenous plant populations within the range states (South Africa, Namibia and Botswana).

Q. Hoodia is rare, is the source sustainable?
Hoodia is very rare and is protected by national conservation laws in South Africa and Namibia. It can only be collected or grown with a permit. Wild stocks are also extremely limited so Phytopharm has established plantations over the past 5 years to grow sustainable quantities of Hoodia exclusively for Phytopharm’s product. There is a continuing development programme by Phytopharm to ensure sustainable supplies for Phytopharm’s product in the future.

Q. How safe is Hoodia? Are there any side effects?
The SAN People of South Africa who have been using Hoodia for several thousands of years, have not experienced any ill side effects. Moreover, scientists conducting tests on Hoodia have likewise concluded that that along with causing a significant decrease in daily calorie intake, the safety data obtained are consistent with a satisfactory overall safety profile.

Strictly Health has been selling Hoodoba® Hoodia gordonii diet pills and liquids since 2003, and other than the occasional dry mouth (you should drink plenty of water while taking Hoodia anyway), we have had no reported cases of any side effects from the many thousands who have taking our Hoodia products. Moreover, we have many customers who take multiple medications and experience no ill side effects whatsover. Just be sure the Hoodia you take is 100% pure, and that it's never mixed with any additives or fillers of any kind.