Hoodia Research Reveals Steroids That Are Potentially Unsafe; Healthier Lifestyle Choices May Be Less Sweet Drinks & Deserts, Having A Salad And Cutting Fat With Q-Slim

ZORBA research has revealed that Hoodia products contain steroids. So, what are risks and benefits of Hoodia dietary supplements? Do healthier diet and supplement alternatives exist? Hoodia supplements frequently include two main ingredients (1) extracts or powders of Hoodia containing a pregnane glycoside plant steroid of questionable safety (pregnane glycoside steroid(s) may interfere with body hormones to decrease thirst and appetite, see U.S. Patent 6,376,657) and (2) one or more water sponges such as glucomannen or Konjac flour (expand with water for possible fullness feeling, but may deplete body of essential water soluble vitamins, minerals, and nutrients). See discussion below of benefits and risks of Hoodia, and possible healthier diet and supplement alternatives to Hoodia steroids.

(PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- Healthier alternatives to Hoodia steroids risks exist. With all the advertising and hype, surprisingly, people still ask, “What IS A Hoodia Supplement?” Unfortunately, most literature and advertising do not explain in plain English what Hoodia dietary supplement products are, how they work, and what some important benefits and risks might be. Understanding Hoodia is important to making healthy lifestyle choices. With Hoodia steroid risks and proven benefits of a diet lower in fat (see AHA studies), a healthy lifestyle choice would suggest skipping Hoodia, for now.

Research by ZORBA revealed U.S. Patent 6,376,657 for Hoodia steroid extracts. Literature shows Hoodia's main effects are from steroids. Research did not reveal any human testing with long-term studies to determine a safe dosage for such steroids and to address safety concerns for Hoodia.

Hoodia supplements frequently include two main ingredients (1) extracts or powders of Hoodia containing pregnane glycoside plant steroids of questionable safety (pregnane glycoside steroid(s) may interfere with body hormones to decrease thirst and appetite) and (2) one or more water sponges (glucomannen or Konjac flour), which expand with water for feeling of fullness, but may deplete body of essential water soluble vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Are concentrations of steroids in Hoodia products potentially unsafe for long-term use? Many studies have shown seriously increased risks from long-term use of steroids, particularly liver cancer, prostate cancer and uterine cancer risks. Early researchers did notice some liver changes in rodents given Hoodia extracts.

Metabolic pathways for steroids in Hoodia extracts are not yet well characterized or extensively studied. Relatively little is known about how Hoodia steroids might interfere with birth control pills (steroids), natural body hormone balances, high blood pressure, kidney functions, serotonin levels and other critical body functions. The medical community has recognized that long-term use of steroids has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, and certain natural and synthetic female hormones (birth control and hormone supplements) to breast and uterine cancer. Long-term cancer risks from using new steroids, such as Hoodia pregnane glycosides, in women taking birth control pills have not been studied, and impacts upon prostate cancer in men also have not been studied. Risks of possible interference of Hoodia steroids with friendly hormone production and the body’s use of these necessary hormones (hormones that control thirst and water balance, mood, sexual drive, and reproduction) by possible blocking of the body’s production or elimination of friendly hormones (unnatural steroids can block production and elimination pathways in the body) have not been studied. Effects of Hoodia on the health of kidneys from reduced thirst that could easily lead to a seriously reduced fluids intake have not been studied. Dr. Mary L. Hardy, associate director of the University of California-Los Angeles Center for Dietary Supplements Research in Botanicals says: "This plant turns off...thirst. That is a little scary." Impacts upon blood pressure from interference with the body’s water balance also have not been studied.

With limited Hoodia safety data, many reputable dietary researchers could reasonably conclude that much research needs to be done before Hoodia might be considered safe enough for long-term use in a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Hardy says: "It was not supposed to make you lose weight...traditionally. But, I don't think we have any experience with Hoodia and obesity." Areas for safety concerns for pregnane glycoside steroids as appetite suppressants include women taking birth control pills, persons taking diuretic pills for high blood pressure, and persons with risks of kidney disease or kidney stones.

Another frequent ingredient is water sponge fibers that soak up 400 to 600 times their weight in water. This raises a serious risk of trapping and depleting important essential body nutrient vitamins and minerals. Some important water soluble vitamins and minerals are B vitamins (could cause risk of anemia), C vitamin, Iron, Calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, etc.

Possible healthier choices to accomplish similar effects naturally might be skipping Hoodia and eliminating or minimizing sweetened beverages while adding a healthy salad (for example, a green salad with beets or spinach for iron and trace minerals, tomatoes slices for some heart healthy antioxidants, 5 to 10 walnut halves for friendly omega-3 oils, and perhaps a little grape seed oil to add other healthy antioxidants). Eating green salads before meals can allow time for one’s stomach to feel fuller and possibly decrease the appetite prior to eating a main course without adding too many extra calories. This naturally provides water soluble vitamins and minerals. (Avoiding or minimizing pastas, potato salads, oily foods, salty toppings and high calorie fatty dressing on the salad bar can help). Increasing regular aerobic activities (even mild aerobic activities, such as regular walking for longer periods of time can burn significant amounts of fat calories) can help maximize weight loss efforts and healthy living.

Reducing dietary fat to about 20% of daily dietary calories can help obtain optimum weight loss results. If fat calories cannot be easily eliminated by changing what is eaten (if food consists mainly of commercially prepared food, restaurant food, fast food meals and other high-fat foods that are often fried), a good fat sponge supplement taken several times daily may be very helpful to remove some extra dietary fat calories from food that is higher in fat. A good fat sponge dietary fiber can help lower fat calories and improve heart health, such as Q-Slim (see www.azorba.com/Q-Slim.html). Consulting a doctor or dietitian to review eating habits and maximize personal healthy weight loss results is also a good idea.

The above statements are based upon analysis of data or opinions obtained by the author, and they have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Q-Slim is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult with your doctor before starting any weight loss program. See the www.azorba.com website for more information.

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