Hoodia Clinical Studies - What an Outrage!

Hoodia products seem to work for many overweight people. As a part-time researcher, my outrage is with the use of the term “clinical trial” or “clinically proven” in the marketing of what could be a great product for you.

Generally, in my opinion, the so-called “clinical trials” are pure hogwash.

Here's the foundation of the problem: Most people (and companies) use research just like a drunk uses a lamppost – for support and not illumination! The research quoted in the hoodia ads may shed a little light on the efficacy of hoodia. But it's more often used to prop up outrageous claims.

Instead of illuminating the potential benefits of hoodia, advertisers obscure the real value of this product by promoting useless scientific claims.

While I might not agree with or endorse all of the information on any web site I mention, I am grateful for one that led me to identify the earliest hoodia study which resulted in a U.S. Patent application.

'The first hoodia clinical trials, started with the CSIR research team at South Africa back in the 90s. Such research is the base for the claims made under the patent 6376657 filed at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) in 1999, and granted to a group of CSIR researchers headed by Van heerden and others." (Source: www.hoodiacalifornia.com)

The successful patent application also provides guidelines concerning appropriate daily does of this plant extract.  This leads the writer/s at that web site to conclude: "Above comments confirm our suggestion to take a hoodia dosage of 1200 mg a day, specially when you are obese or overweight."

I read the patent application and couldn't really identity a proper dosage for this product, or extract or whatever. Further, why would you take any amount of this weight loss aid if you weren't overweight?

Here's another quote from a different site:

“To their amazement research conducted by scientists at the South African Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research showed the Hoodia gordonii cactus contains a miracle molecule that kills the appetite and attacks obesity, is organic, with no chemicals added and no known side effects. The previously unknown magic molecule was named P.57.”

Wouldn't you also be amazed by a “miracle molecule?”

The clinical study most referenced by advertisers is one conducted by Phytopharm plc. As stated in Phytopharm's own literature, it's business “is to take both simple and complex mixtures derived from plant sources into full pharmaceutical development." The Phytopharm study on humans was so convincing that a major pharmaceutical company bought the worldwide development and distribution rights.

Phytopharm announced they were starting a human clinical trial on a “miracle molecule” called P57 in a press release dated March 7, 2001. They announced in another press release dated December 5, 2001 that the study was completed successfully. The company stated, “Preliminary data also indicate a statistically significant reduction in body fat content in the P57 group compared with the placebo group at the conclusion of dosing.”

Here's how another advertiser reports this clinical study.

"Later, a human clinical trial was conducted by scientists in Leicester England. A group of morbidly obese men and women participated. Half the group were given hoodia and half were given a placebo. At the end of (the trial), the group on hoodia had reduced their food intake by 1000 calories a day. Given the average daily diet is around 2200 calories, this was a stunning success."

It was a "stunning success." Are you ready for the punch line?

All of the Phytopharm clinical trial hoopla about hoodia involved a grand total of 9 volunteers who took hoodia for...(drum roll here)...15 days. (Another 9 volunteers received a placebo.) So all the hoodia hype has been based on a “statistically significant reduction in body fat content in the P57 group” of 9 people over 15 days.

I wouldn't base any buying decision on what happpened to 9 people in England over a 15 day period.  Am I off base here?

So, forget all the clinical trial hype. Here's what I think: Do your own clinical trial.

Hoodia products seem to really help an awful lot of men and women fighting the daily battle of the bulge.  There seems to be a preponderance of anecdotal (testimonial) evidence that a hoodia product will help suppress the appetite of many people. Talk to a medical professional before adding anything to your regimen. Then try one of the products and see if it helps you.  That's all that matters.

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Hoodia Clinical Trials - The Real Scoop

Almost every web site I've seen featuring hoodia products touts the fact that it is the only supplement proven in clinical trials to suppress your appetite. While trying to figure out the basis for the "clinical trial" claims made by hoodia manufacturers, I came across this excellent article that will give you some background. Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Although this is a great background article, unfortunately, I cannot find any current contact data for Ms. Hamilton or I'd send her a personal note thanking her for this great material.

Note: Her article starts here.
Latest News about Phytopharm's Hoodia Gordonii Product

It wasn’t just media news that caused supplement companies to begin looking for hoodia gordonii supplies.  Press releases by Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, about researching hoodia and side effects that might be associated with hoodia caused the initial stir in the health supplement industry.

Phytopharm has two operating divisions; a plant extract division and a pharmaceutical division.  In June of 1997, Phytopharm announced that “a naturally occurring appetite suppressant is to be developed into a prescription medicine by Phytopharm”.  This was to be Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product.  News of a naturally occurring appetite suppressant sent, not only supplement companies, but those who needed to lose weight searching for this “naturally occurring appetite suppressant”.  At that time, everyone expected Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product to be a prescription drug even though it was consistently referred to by the company as a “natural anti-obesity treatment”.  Their collaboration with Pfizer, another pharmaceutical company, to research hoodia and side effects that could be caused by hoodia use only supported the idea that Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii would be a prescription drug.  Now, since they have partnered with Unilever, not a pharmaceutical company, it is somewhat unclear what Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product will be.  They do seem committed to the idea that Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii will be superior to products that are currently on the market.

Phytopharm's product development strategy begins with what they call “proof of principle” clinical testing.  These tests are designed to determine if a product has the potential to be safe and effective.  Proof of principle testing of Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product began in March of 2001.   News about hoodia and side effects were released after this first phase was completed in December of 2001.  This was a naturally occurring substance and there appeared to be no side effects associated with its use.  After completing the initial clinical testing, Phytopharm’s strategy advances to the search for a partner company for “late stage development, sales and marketing”.  The partner company for Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is Unilever, manufacturers of food products, dietary supplements and over the counter medications.  One of their more famous products is “Slim Fast”.  Phytopharm is still researching and investigating the possibility or a drug to treat metabolic disorder and hoodia gordonii is the basis for this drug.

Phytopharm attempts to obtain patents for naturally occurring substances.  “Phytopica” is a Phytopharm product for the treatment of dermatitis in dogs and was just released in April of 2006.  Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is patented, but they have had more than a little trouble keeping other manufacturers of natural products from selling their own hoodia products.  In May of 2006, they announced that they were aware that other companies were selling hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant and that they believed that this could be patent infringement.  They said that they had contacted the appropriate authorities.  The problem is that a naturally occurring product can not be patented.  If Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is unique and therefore stronger, safer and better than the hoodia products that are currently on the market, then how could there be patent infringement and why would they be concerned about companies that are selling what they imply are inferior products?

There is no comparison between the known side effects of hoodia and side effects associated with appetite suppressants that contain stimulants.  Products which contain both hoodia and stimulants could create a problem.  It is believed that problems with Ephedra arose as a result of being mixed with caffeine or other stimulants.  The problem was that this could not be proven without endangering human health.  Hopefully, Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product will be stimulant free as are many of the hoodia products that are currently on the market.

For more information about Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product or for more information about hoodia and side effects, visit the Hoodia Info Blog at http://hoodiainfo.blogspot.com.

Patsy Hamilton is an editor of the Hoodia Info Blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patsy_Hamilton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Latest-News-about-Phytopharms-Hoodia-Gordonii-Product&id=199793
This is the end of Ms. Hamilton's article.

I wanted you to have the background on the company which is credited for the "clinical trials" of hoodia. In my next post, I'll take you inside the details of the so-called trials and let you know what I think this product might be able to do for you.