Hoodia Gordonii Clinical Studies

In 2001 Phytopharm completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers using the P57 extract from Hoodia Gordonii. The participants were split into two groups, one received the P57 and the other received a placebo. Each group was told to continue their normal diet and exercise. The results of the study were as follows:

When comparing the P57 group to the Placebo group:

-The P57 group had a statistically significant reduction in caloric intake.

-The P57 group had a statistically significant reduction in body fat.

-The P57 had no adverse side effects.

On average the P57 group ate about 1,000 calories a day less than those in the control group. These are very impressive results when you consider that the the average American man consumes about 2,600 calories a day; a woman about 1,900.

Hoodia Gordonii Animal Study

Studies were done in 2004 by researchers at Brown Medical School. In these studies "Zucker Rats" were fed Hoodia. Zucker Rats are special rats that are bred to be obese and diabetic (life is tough as Zucker rat). Amazingly Zucker Rats that were fed Hoodia lost weight and even saw some reversal of their diabetes.

Anything that can stop a rat from eating is very significant!

What is the science behind how Hoodia Gordonii suppress appetite?

Hoodia fools the brain into thinking it's full when it's not. So, your brain sends the signal that it is full and this cuts your urge to snack on unhealthy food. In fact, hoodia is more powerful than glucose in telling the brain that you are full.

Here is how Phytopharm's Dr Richard Dixey explained how P-57 actually works:

"There is a part of your brain, the hypothalamus. Within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten. Nor do you want to."
-As reported by BBC News Correspondent - Tom Mangold - 5/30/2003

Were there any side effects from taking Hoodia Gordonii?

There have not been any side effects reported from eating Hoodia or from taking the P-57 molecule. Remember, for thousands of years that Bushmen have eaten Hoodia Gordonii plants with no ill side effects.