Evidence supporting the use of: Hoodia
For the body system: Hypothalamus

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant traditionally used by the San people of Southern Africa as an appetite suppressant during long hunting trips. Its use relates more to supporting appetite control and energy management, which are indirectly connected to the hypothalamus, as this brain region regulates hunger and satiety signals. Historical accounts document the use of Hoodia as a food and thirst suppressant, but these traditions do not specifically reference support for the hypothalamus as a body system. Modern supplements often market Hoodia for weight management, suggesting an effect on hypothalamic appetite regulation, but this is an extrapolation based on its traditional use rather than direct evidence. Scientific validation for Hoodia’s mechanisms is limited and inconsistent. Some preliminary studies have investigated P57, a steroidal glycoside believed to be the active compound in Hoodia, for its appetite-suppressing effects, potentially involving hypothalamic pathways. However, human clinical trials have generally failed to show significant or reliable effects, and there is little direct evidence linking Hoodia to hypothalamic function in a way that supports its use for hypothalamus health or regulation. Thus, the use of Hoodia to support the hypothalamus is primarily justified by traditional use for appetite, with little substantive scientific backing for direct hypothalamic support.

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Other body systems supported by Hoodia

Hypothalamus

Products containing Hoodia

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