Hoodia is a cactus that's causing a stir for its ability to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. 60 Minutes, ABC, and the BBC have all done stories on the hoodia gordonii weight loss pill. Hoodia is sold in capsule, liquid, or tea form in health food stores and on the Internet.
There isn't much published research on hoodia. Researchers at Brown University in Rhode Island recently found that the steroidal glycosides in hoodia affects nerve cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood glucose. Simply put, the brain is tricked into thinking there is enough energy (blood sugar) and doesn't need to eat, so it shuts down the hunger mechanism.
In animal studies, hoodia is believed to reduce caloric intake by 30 to 50 percent. There is one human study showing a reduced intake of about 1000 calories per day. However, I haven't been able to find either study to actually read for myself and am going on secondhand reports.
Weight loss pills - Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii Helps you to loss weight
Hoodia supplements were just introduced to the U.S. market in early 2004.
Here are some key points about hoodia that you need to know:
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.
Hoodia gordonii 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.
Only the gordonii variation of hoodia has appetite suppressant abilities.
Hoodia tricks the brain into thinking you've eaten, and makes you feel full.
Hoodia may work right away, or may take several weeks.
Does Hoodia have Aphrodisiac Capabilities?
Some folklore observations on the effects of Hoodia gordonii have been somewhat ignored by scientists. The San Bushmen in South Africa reported that Hoodia gordonii might have aphrodisiac and even other pleasurable effects. In recent scientific studies, it has been demonstrated that the human brain produces and/or metabolizes plant compounds. This is fascinating work, which supports many beliefs in regards to natural medicine. It seems clear that the evolution of humankind in association with the plant kingdom must have influenced our complicated body chemistry, over a period of many thousands of years.
"There are no side effects from the usage of Hoodia, other than lack of hunger
and weight loss".
