Is Hoodia Really Free From Side Effects?

We've all heard stories about the hazardous side effects of diet products. Product recalls and public lawsuits have created a PR nightmare for any company that wants to put a reliable, safe weight loss product on the market today, and consumers have started to become even more suspicious of the claims they read. Fortunately, hoodia is one of those products that consumers shouldn't worry about. Unlike other products that are built around stimulants that affect the heart and liver, hoodia is a very natural plant that is native to South Africa . Hoodia has been in use for years without reports of harmful side effects.

Hoodia vs. MaHuang

For those not familiar with MaHuang, it is the natural version of ephedrine. For years ephedrine was the main in ingredient in a large number of weight loss products. It could be found in pills, drinks, and even “diet” candy bars. While MaHuang was effective in curbing the appetite and increasing metabolism, it also had the serious effect of increasing one's heart rate. Ultimately, MaHuang abuse, or the act of combining MaHuang products (like taking a pill, drinking the drink, and eating the candy bar all before engaging in exercise) lead to strokes and fatal heart attacks. Ultimately, MaHuang and its derivative, ephedrine, were banned from market shelves.

Hoodia and MaHuang are very different products that work in very different ways. Hoodia offers the benefit of not being a stimulant. Therefore, it does not have the ill effects on your heart, nervous system, or liver. Instead, hoodia works its magic on the brain by tricking it into thinking that we're not hungry. When we're not hungry we eat less. 

Does hoodia have any side effects?

While long term studies are still ongoing, one thing is certain. Because hoodia is not a stimulant it will not affect your body in the negative way that stimulants like MaHuang and ephedrine will.

Some users have reported having upset stomachs when first using the product. Others have reported that while using hoodia they have completely forgotten to eat. That's right! Hoodia users have stated that because they don't feel hungry they have had to remind themselves that they need to eat in order to stay healthy.

As with any weight loss product, hoodia works best when it is incorporated into a larger healthy lifestyle plan. Consult your doctor before beginning use of hoodia or any diet product.