Staving off hunger for extended periods of time might seem like a good way to lose weight, but how effective is it? Hoodia has quickly become a fixture on the ingredient panel of many dietary supplements and weight-loss aids, promising to help you lose pounds by keeping your appetite and hunger at bay. Along with a healthy diet and exercise program, hoodia may work as a dietary supplement to help you cut back on calories without resorting to metabolism enhancers or other fat burners. But is hoodia just hype, or does it offer some real long-term benefits?

Can a Plant Do Magic?

Hoodia gordonii is a desert cactus-like plant, a rare but potent species that has long been used by South African bushmen to stave off hunger. After 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl traveled to Africa to try hoodia, the Western public quickly turned to this ingredient as a new, natural option for appetite control. Today, you’ll find hoodia in a number of capsules, teas, and dietary supplements that promise to curb hunger pangs and encourage weight loss, with limited side effects. Still, there’s limited research available on the long-term benefits of daily hoodia use.

Where It’s At

EST Thermostat is a thermogenic formula that helps control the appetite with the aid of hoodia. Marketed as a powerful fat burner, EST Thermostat is also designed to convert carbohydrates into energy more efficiently, and works as a diuretic to eliminate excess water in the body.

Iovate RapidSlim SX is a doctor-formulated supplement that promises quick weight loss and rapid fat reduction. Its proprietary thermogenic blend includes caffeine, green tea extract, black tea extract and Picamillon HCl , and its proprietary weight-loss blend contains Hoodia gordonii extract, white willow extract, and soy albumin.

TrimSpa X32 is a leading hoodia-based weight-loss supplement that offers an ephedra-free formula to control the appetite and encourage weight loss. Along with caffeine to increase energy and cocoa extract to boost serotonin levels, TrimSpa contains glucomannan, a fiber concentrate that can absorb water and literally take up space in your stomach. This triggers the “full” signal to your brain, which may result in reduced food intake.

Hoodia Effects and Side Effects

Hoodia is primarily marketed as an herbal diet pill. The fact that it’s “all natural” might make it seem less harmful than synthetic weight-loss and metabolism-enhancing ingredients. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved hoodia, and there’s been limited testing of it on humans. Without extensive clinical trials and research, hoodia cannot be deemed completely safe or even effective.

Hoodia may cause dangerous drug interactions with prescription medications or even over-the-counter supplements. It’s important to consult with a physician before starting any extensive weight-loss or diet program.

Diabetics should not take hoodia, since it can suppress the appetite to a point where blood sugars reach dangerous levels. Because hoodia suppresses both hunger and thirst, dehydration is another potential health hazard. As with almost all diet pills and supplements, women who are pregnant or nursing should not take hoodia, and people at risk for kidney or liver disease may need to consult with a physician before using it.

—Sabah Karimi