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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer, a native of Madison, Wis., is also a professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School and a graduate of Mayo Medical School.
He serves on the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter and is medical editor for EmbodyHealth Newsletter. He has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1992, first practicing at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., before joining Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1996.
Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Dr. Bauer also spearheaded collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVDs (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions). These DVDs address common health problems (for example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that empower people to take charge of their health. His work is at the forefront of the emerging field of integrative medicine which combines the best of conventional medicine with the best of evidence-based complementary therapies.
Dr. Bauer has served on the NIH-NCCAM study section and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. He is also a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; the American Federation for Medical Research; the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and other professional organizations.
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Diet pills, supplements and surgery (14)
- Phentermine for weight loss: Can it help?
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Question
Hoodia: Does this dietary supplement help weight loss?
Is hoodia an effective appetite suppressant?
Answer
from Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Although hoodia is marketed as an appetite suppressant that aids in weight loss, there's no solid evidence that hoodia is effective.
Hoodia — whose scientific name is Hoodia gordonii — is a succulent plant native to Africa. Interest in its use for appetite control and weight loss was piqued because of reports that native Africans use hoodia to reduce hunger during long hunts. However, there's no solid evidence from scientifically sound clinical trials that hoodia aids weight loss.
Still, some dietary supplement manufacturers market products containing hoodia as a way to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss. However, the Food and Drug Administration has warned manufacturers to stop making unsubstantiated and misleading claims about hoodia and weight loss. Evidence about the safety of hoodia also is lacking.
Next questionWater retention: Are there any natural diuretics?
- Pereira CA, et al. Hoodia gordonii in the treatment of obesity: A review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2010;4:2305.
- Hoodia. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 9, 2011.
- Bray GA, et al. Drug therapy of obesity. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 9, 2011.
- Hollander JM, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine and the management of the metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2008;108:495.
- Cyber letters. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/CyberLetters/default.htm. Accessed Aug. 9, 2011.
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