(Scroll down for our recommended Hoodia 'Best Buys')
What is Hoodia?
Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus of the "succulent" cactus family which has grown for thousands of years in the Kalahari desert region. It's been used by the indigenous bushmen as a natural appetite suppressant and thirst quencher during their long hunting trips for generations.
How Does It work?
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) that you are full.
It is believed that "P57" molecule mimics the effect that glucose has on your brain, telling part of your brain (the Hypothalamus) that you feel full. Consequently, you have no desire to eat.
It has actually been shown that pure Hoodia is 100,000 times more powerful than glucose in telling your brain to stop eating.
Does Hoodia Help People Lose Weight?
One of the first studies on this plant 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, these subjects lost weight.
Is It Safe?
Since it is a plant (versus a man-made chemical), it is completely natural and experts say it is safe to eat. Scientists have been studying it 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).
The Downside
Even as public interest skyrockets, there is a downside: Not all Hoodia is created equal.
Because of the incredible surge in demand, many South African suppliers were simply unprepared (It takes 5 to 7 years for the plant to even reach maturity).
As a result the market has been flooded with 'Hoodia Gordonii' pills that are not as effective as the real stuff. There have been reports of companies using a 'plant substitute' (not the real thing) or even filling their pills with silica, leaves, sawdust and other filler products.
What Can You Do?
One way to tell if your Hoodia 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) on the seller's website. Since the plant is a protected plant species it can only be sold to an exporter who has this certificate.
Another way to look for purity is to look for a company that displays a current Alchemists Lab report which runs HPLS, TLC and Micropscopy tests that prove whether the Hoodia is genuine or not.
Confused? It can be confusing to do all the research yourself (even if you want to save yourself 1000 calories a day). In my research for this article, I found several brands of Hoodia Gordonii that offer both the proper C.I.T.E.S. Certificate and Alchemists Lab Report. They also offer good customer service, testimonials and prominent contact information. They're listed below with brief reviews.
Bottom Line? This miracle plant has been proven to literally 'turn off' your appetite and make you want to eat less. Just make sure you're getting the real stuff as there are many fakes on the market. Also, you probably don't want to be on Hoodia forever so try to transition onto a more healthy diet while you're losing weight.
Best Buys:
Desert Burn Hoodia has both the C.I.T.E.S. certificate and Alchemists Results on display. This is probably the most potent formula of authentic Hoodia you will find which explains why the price is a bit higher than most. Desert Burn also comes in liquid formula, teas and coffee.
2) Hoodia Chaser - This is a liquid product which is often easier to take for people who don't like swallowing pills. Plus, most experts agree that liquid is much easier for the body to absorb - especially for those with digestive difficulties. So more active Hoodia gets into your system (which means greater appetite suppressing effects and potentially faster weight loss.)
Hoodia Chaser also contains other fat-burning ingredients like green tea, Garcinia cambogia and plant enzymes which can help digestion. The C.I.T.E.S. certification and lab tests are prominently displayed along with testimonials, extensive FAQ's and contact information.
More Information:
For more information or to compare Hoodia pills, patches, free samples and more, visit Best Hoodia Review:
