Hoodia Gordonii Review

Do you know what exactly is Hoodia, what does it do, and how will it help you  lose weight? Amazingly, a lot of people are in the same boat. This article should give you valuable information on this weight loss supplement.

Hoodia gordonii is not a cactus, but a succulent herb, which has grown for thousands of  years in the Kalahari Desert region. Hoodia has been used by the indigenous  Bushmen as a natural appetite suppressant and thirst quencher during their long  hunting trips for generations.

Scientists  believe that the reason for hoodia's appetite suppressing abilities is a  molecule called "P57". Normally, when you eat the glucose in your body rises and  eventually signals to your brain (the hypothalamus specifically) that you are full. It is  believed that the P57 molecule in hoodia mimics the effect that glucose has on  your brain, telling the hypothalamus that you feel full.  Consequently, you have no desire to eat.

One of the first studies of hoodia gordonii was done in the UK on  obese patients. Half of the volunteers were given hoodia gordonii, the other  half were given a placebo. The subjects were allowed to read, watch television  and eat. After 15 days it was found that those taking hoodia had reduced their  calorie intake by 1000 calories a day. Despite having unlimited access to food,  the hoodia subjects lost weight due to the lack of appetite.

Since hoodia is a  plant (versus a man-made chemical), it is completely natural and experts say it  is safe to eat. Scientists have been studying hoodia for almost 10 years and  have not found any side effects (not to mention the San Tribesman who have been  eating hoodia for years with seemingly no ill effects)but it is unknown if they are any long term. Nonetheless, it is still safe for losing weight.

There is a problem with people selling false hoodia. One way to tell if a hoodia pill is real is to look for a document  called the C.I.T.E.S. Certificate (The Convention on International Trade in  Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Since the hoodia plant is a  protected plant species it can only be sold to an exporter who has this certificate. Also, only Unilever is currently allowed to sell it in any form other than natural plant. In that regard, hoodia is safe as long as you pay attention to what you are buying.

Nonetheless, hoodia has so far proven to be a safe and effective way to lose weight. Just keep in mind that when you eat it, don't eat it alone; it's one know side effect is that it tastes horrible!