The success of Hoodia gordonii and its enormous potential in the suppression of appetite has led to criticism from some doctors that the side effects of the plant are not well understood, and people should take a careful look before using it.
However, there are researchers on the opposite side of the fence, who claim that Hoodia is not truly harmful, and is indeed the miracle cure that it is touted to be. Which side is right? In this article, we will take a careful look at both arguments, and we will allow the reader to make an objective decision which is based on the arguments presented.
We would first like to start with the researchers who criticize Hoodia gordonii products. These people often point out that in 2002, Pfizer, a large pharmaceutical company, gave up the rights to P57, and key ingredient of Hoodia gordonii, citing the difficulty in synthesizing the ingredient from other negative components which they claim can lead to liver issues.
Those who criticize Hoodia claim that if a company as large as Pfizer was willing to give up the rights to P57, this is a sign that the plant is not what it is hyped up to be. They claim that if it does cause liver issues, this could lead to a number of unwanted side effects, potentially coming into conflict with some of the medications that a person may already be taking.
Proponents of Hoodia gordonii claim that just because Pfizer was unable to separate P57 from the unwanted components, this is not a sign that making the separation is impossible. Scientific advances in technology could easily bypass these problems, allowing the plant to be used to its full capacity.
Proponents also argue that the fact the plant has been used for thousands of years by the Sans tribes of Africa is clear evidence that the plant is indeed healthy, otherwise, it would not have been used for this long. Some proponents also proclaim that the attack on Hoodia is a result of a medical establishment which has historically been reluctant to accept natural remedies, largely because it threatened their synthetic drug monopolies.
The fact of the matter is no matter what you believe, you should seek the advice of your doctor before using Hoodia gordonii products. However, in addition to just believing what your doctor tells you, conduct your own research on Hoodia to learn more about it.
No medical product is perfect for everyone, as different people have different health needs which are unique. People who are already taking medication, or who suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes, may not benefit as much from Hoodia gordonii as others.