Update 1/20/20. Japanese Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills are another in a long line of weight loss supplements from Japan, China, Vietnam, etc. aimed predominately at Americans. I admit I'd never heard of these slimming pills until it was brought to my attention by one of the readers of my blog. At various websites, these pills are said to be “in high demand,” and when I checked eBay, I saw some people selling them for over $60! Do these slimming pills work? Let’s see what the research says. This review contains updated and new information, thanks to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who tested Hokkaido weight loss pills and discovered what I suspected from the start… Also, see the review of Slim Trim U for more info.
Hokkaido Pills Ingredients
Hokkaido weight loss pills contain these ingredients.
- Dill Extract
- Chinese rose extract
- Trumpet Creeper extract
- Evening primrose extract
- Lotus
Is there any evidence that these ingredients help people lose weight? Let’s look at the research and see:
Dill Extract
They don’t tell you what “extract” they are talking about, but when I searched for weight loss research on dill, I found nothing. Dill does seem to have a diuretic effect so it may act as a natural water pill. I'm guessing that is why it’s in the ingredients.
Women who may be pregnant should avoid Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills. There is some speculation that dill may cause menstrual bleeding. I cannot find any research or case studies to substantiate this, however, but it is something to consider.
Chinese Rose Extract
Again, they do not tell us what specific extract they are talking about. What is the scientific name of the Chinese rose they are using? If anyone knows, let me know, and I will update this review.
Trumpet Creeper Extract
If you search for research on Trumpet Creeper, online, it can be a little difficult to find because its scientific name is Campsis radicans. Another name –albeit less scientific – is cow itch, which is a reference to how farm animals sometimes get a rash when they rub against it. This makes sense since the name “radicans” is the same classification as poison ivy (Rhus radicans).
That said, I could not locate any weight loss proof that Trumpet Creeper helps weight loss. When I googled Trumpet Creeper and weight loss, many sites that came up had to do with sites that sell weight-loss pills and that was no help. I then checked the National Library of Medicine and also couldn’t find anything. One problem with my search is that we are not told what extract of Trumpet Creeper is in Hokkaido weight loss pills.
Evening Primrose Extract
This is also called GLA, which stands for gamma-linolenic acid. The lack of evening primrose weight loss research makes me very skeptical. One study from the 1980s found evening primrose oil did not help weight loss.
Because evening primrose oil effects blood clotting, people taking blood thinners should avoid this product. There is also some perplexing cancer research hints that evening primrose oil might either reduce breast cancer growth or speed up breast cancer growth, depending on how much is used. The bottom line, if you have a history of cancer, talk to your doctor first.
The product Abdominal Cuts also has evening primrose oil. See that review for more info.
Evening primrose oil is sometimes used for PMS symptoms –with mixed results. Like Dill, women who may be pregnant should not use evening primrose oil.
It may be very dangerous. If you have my book on supplements see the chapter on evening primrose oil for more on its other uses.
Hokkaido FDA Update
In November 2012, The FDA alerted the public that Japanise Hokkaido Slimming Pills contained the weight loss drug called sibutramine, a weight-loss drug that was removed from the US market in 2010 because it posed significant health risks. Here is what the FDA said in their warning about Hokkaido pills:
“Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.”
This explains the very strange symptoms people have been reporting in the comments.
Lotus
Human weight loss research on lotus cannot be located. I did locate one test-tube study where lotus and L carnitine reduced fat buildup inside fat cells. This is interesting but it’s a study of fat cells in test tubes. You are MUCH more complex than a test tube.
You may recall that lotus is one of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen weight loss supplements.
On one of the websites that sell Hokkaido Pills, they spelled “primrose” wrong and there is broken English. Nobody is perfect but ingredient typos – and broken English on websites make me wonder about who put this website together.
Do Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills work?
Based on the research I can find, I say no, this stuff cannot possibly work – if these are the only ingredients in the pills. If people are losing weight, I am interested in hearing about it. Since I wrote this review, the FDA has confirmed what I thought all along – that Hokkaido slimming pills contained something not listed in the ingredients, a drug called sibutramine. Because of this, Hokkaido weight loss pills cannot be recommended.
What do you think?
Hi good afternoon.
I buy a Japan Hokkaido slimming pills .
Can I ask if this slimming pills is safe or not
Thank you
Hi Jhoy, I have not heard much about Hokkaido weight loss pills lately. other than what the FDA reported in 2012 (discussed in the review) I have not seen anything else about them.
Hey, I’ve tried hokkaido since summer of 2015 almost a month then I stopped. I just used it after Ballerina Capsule got banned here in the Phil. Well, century beauty capsule is too expensive for me, I am a food lover and a student with busy schedule, I need to eat but I hate being chubby, so I got back to taking hokkaido again last month and until now, but I take it in random not everyday. Have you heard bad news regarding people who have used this? Aside from side effects like palpitating, etc.? Thanks I am afraid.
Hi Jahn, yes, the FDA in the US, has alerted people that Japan Hokkaido weight loss pills contain a drug called sibutramine. This is a weight loss drug that can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is no longer allowed to be sold in the US. To quote the FDA “Consumers should stop using this product immediately and throw it away.” Here is the FDA report : http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm327451.htm
They worked great for me. Went from 331 lbs to 262 in 4 months. I would like to find them again
My hunch is they worked because of the hidden ingredient https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm327451.htm
I would like to find them again too! I went from 220 to 160 in 7 months.
Do they still have them? Where can I get them?
Jeri, you did see the FDA report on Hokkaido yes? https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm327451.htm
I lost weight a lot with japan hokkaido way back 2012! 1 bottle is enough for me to lose weight, then I will stop! While taking the product I would always hve a headache, palpitations, thirsty and urinating all the time!
This year 2015 I tried to use it again but to no avail people around me always told me that I gain a lot of weight! I just feel thirsty always but never had that urge of urinating just like before!
Me too! Do you know where to get any now?!
Jeri, I really think you should read this https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm327451.htm
hello, thank you for this article. i used to take hokkaido slimming pills. i consumed about 3 bottles before i stopped. i really did lose a lot of weight. however, i did not like the side effects. at first i can only feel mild discomfort due to sweating, and slight palpitations but when i reached the 3rd bottle, i can no longer handle the discomfort. notably my palpitations were stronger and i also felt some chest pain. this caused me to quit. i am thankful that i stopped taking these pills.
after hokkaido, there are new diet pills on the asian market which are gaining popularity right now, two of which are Slimina diet pills and EasySlim10. i tried to search for reviews on these online, but i cant find any, probably because these products are just recently introduced in the market. i hope you can do a review on these. it will really be of great help to those who are thinking of taking these pills.
PN, thanks for letting me know about those 2 supplements. Ive added them to my list (I do have a list) and will try to write something on them. If you know their ingredients, enter those ingredients into the search box on my site. If Ive ever discussed those ingredients, they will show up as parts of other reviews I’ve written.
Joe, you’re welcome! yes i was able to browse some of your posts and i found cassia seed, coicis and lotus. found it in your posts about Beautiful Slim body and Hokkaido above.
By the way here are the ingredients for Slimina: Perilla Leaf Extract 80mg, Oriental Waterplantain Rhizome Extract 50mg, Tuchkahoe Extract 45mg and Cassia Seed Extract 35mg.
For EasySlim10: bamboo shoots, lotus leaf, semen coicis, taragon leaf and konjac.
Good thing you already have a database of ingredients. Really helpful. 🙂 Anyway, goodluck on your research and more power to you and your informative blog!
PN, thanks for those ingredients! They Will make my reviews easier to do 🙂
Haha! No problem. 🙂
I took these pills 2years ago. For several months. They are indeed very effective because i lost a lot of weight and had a slimmer figure. However, I am full of regret up to now because I damaged my heart in the process.
Im 20 then by the way. I was confined after my 6th box. Worse, i gained a lot of weight after I stopped.
I really am regretful for taking this. Now, I lose weight by working out and im getting results slowly but surely. Plus it’s the healthy way. I would never ever risk my health again for short term sexiness! Id go for long term thru exercise and healthy living. Hope this helps.
Kaji, yes I do thank you for writing and do sorry to hear what happened to you. I pray that you are doing well today.
Hi I’ve used this Hokkaido slimming pills (on & off) and even recommend to my friends as I really loss weight and I didn’t feel anything except for being thirsty. But 1 of my friend felt some side effects like headache and palpitating. Since I didn’t have any problem I continued using it. I stop using it for 2 years.
Last 2011 I started using it again, but this time I had a palpitation as well. I thought maybe it is because of the timing in my work as I was so pressured. Last year 2013, is started using it again, again I’ve felt the palpitation and heaviness in my chest. I think there’s a lot of imitation came out that why.
Hope this comment will help others..
Hi, are you talking about Hokkaido Slimming Pills?
Percy, yes hokkaido slimming pills.
hi j0e!I’ve been using diz pills for a c0uple 0f weeks den suddenly i feel s0 tired everyday, den difficulty 0f breathing wid mild chest pain. and numbness 0f my b0dy.I’m afraid dat maybe diz is d side effect 0f dat pills..i st0pped using it f0r a c0uple 0f dayz..and i’ll see if there’s an impr0vement..and thanks t0 ur review c0z i g0t d idea dat maybe diz pills causes my suffering..:(
Sha, I hope you are feeling better!
I started taking these pills back in May 2012 I lost 35 pounds and 2 dress size. The side affects that I experienced were very high pulse rate and my face broke out. I stopped taking the pills in November 2012 because I gotten pregnant, now that I’ve had my baby I started taking them again to shed the baby weight that I gained and for some reason they don’t work on me anymore.
Instead of decreasing my appetite it increased my appetite, I started to notice that I wasn’t losing weight I was gaining it. I believe that they definitely took out that ingredient Sibutramine because the pills just don’t work the same.
I am 19 years old am I am very much into weightloss, working out, and eating clean! No matter what I do I still get bloated all the time! I’ve taken these pills for about six months now and I’ve lost 30lbs from taking these pills and working out.
I love these pills only because I’m not bloated from my digestive problems. These pills have regulated my digestive system so now I’m not bloated at all. I’ve stayed the same weight for about a month now so I’m not losing anymore weight. I’m not taking them for weight anymore, I take them for my digestive system from the laxative effect that they have.
I ran out of these pills and haven’t taken them for almost two weeks, I’ve gained only 5lbs but that is only because I am constantly bloated again. These pills have not given me any weird side effects. If anything talk to your doctor before taking them. That’s the safest way to go!