Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Hoodia 1400 Complex

Also known as: Hoodia, Hoodia 1400 Complex, Hoodia gordonii

Overview

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert, traditionally used by the San Bushmen to suppress hunger. It is marketed as a natural dietary supplement for appetite suppression and weight loss. The active compound, P57, is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside believed to be responsible for its effects. Commercial products like Hoodia 1400 Complex are extracts purporting to contain standardized Hoodia constituents. Despite its traditional use and marketing claims, high-quality human clinical research on Hoodia's efficacy for weight loss is very limited, with no robust evidence supporting its benefits.

Benefits

While animal studies suggest Hoodia may suppress appetite by increasing ATP content in hypothalamic neurons, signaling satiety, human clinical evidence is lacking. A single double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 49 healthy women, who took 2220 mg/day for 15 days, showed no significant effect on energy intake or body weight compared to placebo. There are no robust systematic reviews or meta-analyses supporting Hoodia's efficacy for weight loss in humans. In vitro studies have noted anti-inflammatory activity and potential modulation of adrenal steroidogenesis, but the clinical relevance of these findings is currently unclear and not considered a primary benefit.

How it works

The proposed mechanism of action for Hoodia's appetite-suppressing effects centers on the compound P57. It is theorized that P57 acts on the hypothalamus, mimicking glucose signals to reduce hunger sensations. This may involve increasing ATP levels in hypothalamic neurons, which signals energy sufficiency and subsequently decreases appetite. Additionally, Hoodia compounds have been shown to inhibit steroidogenic CYP enzymes, potentially affecting adrenal hormone synthesis. Hoodia also inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity, which raises concerns about potential drug interactions. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of Hoodia in humans are not well characterized.

Side effects

Safety data for Hoodia are limited and inconclusive. Reported adverse effects include dizziness, nausea, paresthesia, headache, hypertension, tachycardia, and ECG abnormalities such as prolonged PR interval and shortened QT interval. Changes in blood chemistry, including elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and blood urea nitrogen, have also been noted. Hoodia can potentially interact with anti-diabetic drugs, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), and other medications metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme due to its inhibitory effects on CYP3A4. It is contraindicated or should be used with extreme caution in individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bleeding disorders, or eating disorders. There is no safety data available for children.

Dosage

There is no established minimum effective or therapeutic dose for Hoodia due to the lack of conclusive efficacy data from human trials. The single clinical trial that found no significant benefit used a dose of 2220 mg/day of a purified extract for 15 days. Commercial products, such as Hoodia 1400 Complex, vary significantly in their Hoodia content and standardization, making specific dosing recommendations difficult and unreliable. The optimal timing for administration and factors affecting absorption are also not well studied. Given the lack of efficacy and potential safety concerns, no specific dosage can be recommended for therapeutic use.

FAQs

Does Hoodia effectively suppress appetite or cause weight loss?

Current human clinical trials do not support significant appetite suppression or weight loss from Hoodia. The only well-designed study found no benefit compared to placebo.

Is Hoodia safe to use?

Safety data for Hoodia are limited and inconclusive. Concerns exist regarding potential cardiovascular and neurological side effects, as well as liver and kidney function changes. Caution is strongly advised.

Can Hoodia interact with other medications?

Yes, Hoodia can inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, potentially interacting with drugs metabolized by this pathway, including some anti-diabetic drugs and blood thinners like warfarin.

How quickly does Hoodia work?

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Hoodia provides rapid or sustained effects for appetite suppression or weight loss in humans.

Are Hoodia 1400 Complex products standardized?

While chemical fingerprinting methods exist, commercial Hoodia products, including 'Hoodia 1400 Complex,' have been reported to vary significantly in content and are prone to adulteration, making standardization unreliable.

Research Sources

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Hoodia-gordonii:-an-up-to-date-review-of-a-plant.-Vermaak-Hamman/64b12197f0eba94c633e82d1fc28eef825793d29 – This systematic literature review by Vermaak et al. (2011) summarizes Hoodia's chemistry, pharmacology, and safety. It highlights the lack of strong clinical evidence for efficacy and notes potential CYP3A4 inhibition, primarily relying on preclinical and observational data.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6683127/ – Barrea et al. (2019) provide a narrative review that includes a summary of a key clinical trial. This review indicates no significant weight loss or appetite suppression compared to placebo in the trial and reports adverse events, including cardiovascular effects, alongside potential drug interactions.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.611361/full – Koncz et al. (2021) review illegal supplements and safety signals, noting the absence of published RCT meta-analyses on Hoodia efficacy. Their work emphasizes frequent adulteration and significant safety concerns associated with marketed Hoodia products, focusing on regulatory and safety data rather than efficacy.