Hoodia Gordonii Helps You Lose Weight

Hoodia supplements were just introduced to the U.S. market in early 2004. Since then the herb has shown its ability to help dieters lose weight, helping dieters to lose 1000 calories or more a day.

Hoodia gordonii looks like a cactus, but it's actually a succulent from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Bushmen from the area have been using hoodia for centuries to help ward off hunger during long trips in the desert. It is entirely natural -- it is not a drug. Pharmaceutical companies find it so promising, however, that they are trying to isolate the appetite-suppressing molecule, P57, to create a patented diet drug in the future, and only the gordonii variation of hoodia has appetite suppressant abilities.

Hoodia tricks the brain into thinking you've eaten, and makes you feel full. Also, hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant, and has no known side effects. Key results of hoodia reported include a reduced interest in food, delay in the time after eating before hunger sets in again, feeling full more quickly, and a general feeling of well-being. Hoodia may work right away, or may take several weeks; in some people, it may not work at all.

As per all supplements, a little paranoia is highly advised. Like all supplements, there are a number of scams going around, most purporting to sell hoodia far cheaper than other sites or in non-herb forms such as pills, liquids, or powders. The first problem is that demand for hoodia far outstrips supply; last year only fifty tons were harvested. The second is that hoodia takes four or more years to mature, and there isn't enough of the active ingredient (P57) to be of any real use to those using it. Look for CITES certification when you are buying the herb in order to make sure that you are buying the right variety (of the number of different kinds of hoodia, only gordonii has P57). Also, be aware that distribution has changed from Pfizer to Unilever, and so only Unilever is handling any non-herb products (in essence only they have been licensed to handle those products). Keep your eyes open and you should do fine.

Like other diet supplements, it's advised that you eat healthy, and engage in some sort of exercise regimen in order to maximize the benefits hoodia allows you. Also, be aware that hoodia suppresses thirst as well, so that users of hoodia would be advised to drink when possible. Nonetheless, hoodia does appear to be safe for most people.