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?
The first time I heard about these pills, I didn’t even think of trying. I just didn’t believe it. My friends started using them and all of them lost weight. So now I’m trying them and I say they work. You have no appetite or any kind of craving for food. But you still have to eat a little unless you wan’t an ulcer.
So far I’ve been using them for a week (2 pills a day) and have lost 4 lbs. Drinking a lot of water is a must.
I do not recommend these for people 30 and above, I’ve heard a lot of complaints like heart bounding and Numbness of the body.
Dice, these pills have a weight loss drug. its confirmed. see the FDA alert on them in my review. NOBODY should use them. The weight loss drug is linked to heart problems.
Joe, The ones posted by FDA are fake ones i think, there were no rose badges like the ones described by one of your commenter… T_T , I really hope the test of Lauren can be released as soon as possible.
Magicalme, the issue is that if I just look at the listed ingredients in Hokkaido pills, I don’t see how it can work. Other than adding a little fiber to the diet, I see no way that the pills can produce the weight loss some people report. I just don’t think this is a “counterfeit hokkaido pills” issue. Time will tell.
Water is the best supplement to loose weight!!!!
I have been taking the real one for about 4 months off and on I have lost 26 lbs in total which I haven’t been able to lose in years. U do get very thirsty and don’t get hungry.
The only side affects I think may come from it dry skin and if u don’t eat is very low energy. I have gone days with just coffee bc I haven’t been hungry and I forgot to eat.
My blood pressure has not gotten higher and my pulse has decreased (I have a very high pulse my normal 126 bpm). I can say I haven’t been regular in my Monthly cycle, I think I get it maybe every 2 months. I do want to stop taking it but I want to lose 20lbs more still thinking about it :/
Nana, you did see the link where the FDA found an illegal weight loss drug in Hokkaido pills – a drug that might cause a heart attack.
Just as suspected months ago, Japanese Hokkaido pills do in fact contain a banned, unlisted substance (Sibutramine). Here’s the official FDA announcement:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm327451.htm?source=govdelivery
MeSoHungry, you beat me to the punch – I just found this myself!
Are those the authentic pills ?
any update on this? im also taking this right now but i take it after eating breakfast or lunch..i also feel palpitations but bearable.
kookai i dont feel good about your heart paplatations…
I have some REAL Hokkaido pills and would give Lauren some if she shared the results of the tests with me.
I can also let her know where I buy them from, and they are legit. Please email me privately.
Carol I will pass your email on to lauren
I can send her a bottle
I am a college student at the university of texas at austin and am interested in running tests on the pills!
Lauren. great! Does anybody have any Hokkaido pills to give to lauren to test? Lauren what are you studying in college? what kind of tests were you thinking about?
How can i find a distributor then who is selling the real ones?
obnoxious:
My husband had the same problem with erection, when he stop taking them everything popped back up… And Joe why don’t you order some pills and do the lab testing yourself to see whats in them? Just Asking.
Lynn, Lab testing would be very expensive especially if I did it on a regular basis. I wish I knew somebody at a college who could run these tests for me. If I was still in college I would be running the tests myself and writing papers on them.
One of my hopes with my reviews is that others – college students, teachers, the FDA etc – read them and get curious enough to run the tests.
Where is everyone getting the pills from? I’m just wondering if anyone knows a reliable source online or a distributor in the Austin Texas area
Lauren, these pills are not sold in stores but rather from distributors who import them from outside the US. be careful with them. I still believe Hokkaido pills contain a hidden weight loss drug. I was finally proven right when the FDA confirmed my suspicious with Zi Xiu Tang weight loss pills and I think in time Ill be proven right with these things too.
Hi Joe,
I used to take Phentramine pills from a weight Dr and those had to be monitored, that got to expensive for me and my friend introduced me to these and I just started taking them. I been taking them for 3 day’s now as recommended and I think they have I same side effects as the Phentramine pills did and you will get headaches from lack of water.
I weighed myself Monday the day I started taking them and will Wait till Monday again to reweigh myself again to see if I am loosing, but I do go to the restroom regularly which is a plus for me because I don’t have normal movements.. Are you planning on doing more research on this product?
Margie, I try to keep up with new info on Hokkaido pills. Best I can say is when new information becomes available I’ll update my review of them.
Hey Joe,
Though I do appreciate the fact that you did all the research for these pills and their contents it has to be more than just a laxative. I have suffered from Chrones disease and IBS and have constant diarrhea so I should have been super thin. No, I started July 8th and as of now October 16th 169 lbs. I actually now only have two bowel movements a day instead of the regular 6 I have had to deal with my whole life.
Yes, I drink more water now because I do get thirsty from them but I never drank water before so to me this is just an upside. I pay 40.00 a bottle and have experienced no side effects other than making sure I drink more water. I have less cravings, no crazy high energy or heart things going. To me this is truly a miracle. I drink the same amount of alcohol and dont exercise.
All things I will be choosing to change soon. My point is that though I am obviously not living a very healthy life style im still dropping weight like its nothing. I understand from a scientific point of view you have a hard time thinking this can work but it has changed my life and I will NEVER go back to the person I was before.
K young, glad you have found something that you feel is working for you. I still do have a hard time believing that Hokkaido pills work in any other way but a as a laxative- if the ingredients listed are all that’s in them. I know I am in the minority with my thoughts that the pills may contain something else not listed on the label. But, if you feel as though its helped you, I will be happy for that at least.
hello Friends,
i am using these pills from last 8 days and I lost around 3 K.g, I use to take 2 pills early morning before the break fast, all the day I am drinking lot of water, because it dries the throat and mouth.
Weight loss is good but the problem I am feeling is bit horrible is that I feel that I am loosing the erection and from last three days even I don’t have any morning erection.Can any one suggest me any thing…?
obnoxious, stop taking the pills then and see what happens.
I’m a guy and it actually worked for me. I’m a few pounds overweight for like several years and I was able to slim down, unbelievably in just 1 week.
I’ve tried dieting and going to the gym for about 2 months and I didn’t lose fat significantly, just maybe a kilo and a few grams and that’s when I stopped going to the gym. After a few months, with some little hope that remained on me I tried working out again and started on my diet.
I just heard the product from a friend of mine and out of curiosity, tried it. I was able to lose 5 kilos after a week and that’s when I started to continue taking up those capsules till I’ve reached my appropriate BMI.
Just drink a lot of water (as if you wouldn’t because you would really be thirsty) and still take your meal regularly, and when I say regularly even if you don’t feel hungry. You will feel palpitations starting on first use but personally it was tolerable and didn’t intervene with my daily work/routine.
On the other hand, it may just also be a case to case basis because every body is different.
just my opinion but heart palpitations, scare the daylights out of me. I dont want my heart beating fast or regular if I’m just sitting there. Don’t know why people dont take this very serious problem, seriously. If your heart stops, you die. Case closed. Game over.
Can guys use those pills too?
Carlos, I see no problems why not but remember that I still have a lot of questions about whether these pills really have what they say.
hey can some one tell me why this pills are not working for me? i been taking them for a week nd 3 days now nd i still have not lost no pounds? i dont get any of the symptoms.
my friends bought them from the same person i did from nd they work on them but not me. why?? please some one help?
My pills are in a pink capsule and the powder stuff is a brownish color too.
I have taken almost a full bottle. I am so thirsty. I wake up with dry mouth and it’s terrible! I have only been taking 1 a day because I was getting so dizzy but I am sure it is because my blood pressure was dropping.
I am just researching these, cuz I didn’t even know how to find the actual name of the pills. ANyways, I just wanted to lose a few pounds and I did but I was also doing low carb at the same time. I did lose the few pounds that I wanted and I am sure the pills took away some of the cravings for carbs.
But I don’t think I will order another bottle, it just seems too risky. I am not normally a person for any DIET PILLS but I just wanted a little extra help with getting the last few pounds off. I started at 139 and dropped to 131.
been taking this pills for 7 days now. I was 180 lbs, AND I am now at 175 lbs. 5 lbs in 7 days. Not bad. But of course with proper diet. My friend lose 20 lbs in one week with excercise.