Whose Secret Is It?

Hoodia remained an unrevealed secret of the Bushmen of South Africa for more than 100,000 years. Also known as the San, these tribal people living in the Kalahari Desert of Africa relied on hoodia to suppress their appetite while on long hunting trips. If they only knew that their secret would become the most admirable weight loss remedy for millions in the future.

When Was the Secret Revealed?

Over half of the 20th century passed, when the scientists in South Africa first came to known about this great secret called hoodia. It took an additional period of about three decades for them to actually discover and isolate P57, the actual appetite suppressing ingredient present in the plant. In the year 1997, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research finally obtained the patent after discovering P57.

Why P57 Was Named So?

The patent obtained by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was licensed to Phytopharm, a UK based pharmaceutical company. The company spent millions of dollars to conduct the clinical research of the plant. Interestingly, it was the 57th product the company was researching on. As a result, the active ingredient of this plant got its name as P57.

Did the Bushmen Make Profits?

The Bushmen never knew the wonderful weight loss formula they had in their hands. Initially, attempts were made to deprive these tribal native of Kalahari Desert from sharing profits. However, in a milestone legal decision, Phytopharm was convinced to pay the due royalties to the Bushmen. Since then, these people are given the due share of profits by any company visiting the area to obtain hoodia.

How Other Companies Offer Hoodia Supplements?

Many believe that the company holds the patent on the whole hoodia plant. However, the fact is that the company holds the patent only for the weight loss property of the plant. This interesting fact encouraged other supplement making companies to devise a clever way of offering hoodia supplements. These companies don’t publicize their products as weight loss remedies. In other words, they don’t endorse P57 even if their products are based on this ingredient.

Why It Took Many Years for Phytopharm to Enjoy Success?

Phytopharm entered a deal with another pharmaceutical company called Pfizer that wished to prepare a synthetic version of P57 to save the cost of harvesting hoodia. However, the cost of preparing a synthetic version was estimated to be significantly high and this led Pfizer to withdraw its hand from the deal. It was many years later in 2004 that Phytopharm made deal with Unilever that started using hoodia in its products.

When Was the First Clinical Trial Held?

Phytopharm organized a clinical trial of hoodia in 2001. One group of individuals was given P57 and individuals of another group received a placebo. The famous aspect of P57 that it can instruct body to take 1,000 lesser calories was established through this clinical trial.

Why So Many Fake Hoodia Products?

The fact that hoodia is a difficult plant to grow makes it even more demanding. Going further, it takes around 4-5 years for the plant to grow fully. Moreover, the plant only grows in the specific climate of Kalahari Desert. All these facts inspired the growth of hoodia plants in China, Mexico, the United States and other countries. However, these plants didn’t match the quality of the original African hoodia. This is the reason for the existence of fake hoodia products that help companies to make profits in millions of dollars. In fact, 80% of these hoodia products available in the market are ineffective.

What Type of Appetite Hoodia Targets?

It is interesting to note that hoodia differentiates between real hunger and what is called hormonal hunger. While real hunger fulfills body’s needs to obtain energy through food, it is the hormonal hunger which is responsible for weight gain. Hoodia targets hormonal hunger by preventing the body from demanding snacks.

What Are Other Hoodia Family Members?

You must know that hoodia is actually the name of a genus with 13 different species. Hoodia gordonii is the name of the specie from which the appetite suppressing ingredient P57 is extracted. Other 12 species, some of which are hoodia cactus, hoodia flava, hoodia parviflora and hoodia ruschii don’t contain this ingredient.

If you have learnt these interesting facts about hoodia for the first time, you must now know this plant more closely. With extended knowledge, you can choose the right hoodia product in the more appropriate manner.

Some Facts

Learning new information about hoodia gordonii can help you choose the best weight loss supplement for you. Let this miscellaneous list of facts get you started on creating your own personal weight loss plan:

• Some of the negative reviews about hoodia products were more than likely from people who were scammed when buying imitation hoodia. Research your options carefully before you buy any product.
• Hoodia gordonii products seem to help people lose weight, but especially when combined with regular exercise and diet programs programs. This is a practical and legitimate diet aid if you use it as such.
• People who are more likely to get ripped off are the ones that have chosen products that have very little authentic hoodia in them. Instead, have purchased a supplement that is mostly consists of fillers.
• Many manufacturers of h. gordonii supplements add other ingredients to the finished product. Some of these weight loss ingredients added include green tea and chromium picolinate. This is done to help people burn fat while increasing metabolism rates.
• It is common knowledge that about 1,500 to 3,500mg of hoodia powder or a 20:1 potency of hoodia extract taken daily can promote weight loss. However, this is not necessarily an FDA recommendation.
• It is the P-57 enzyme in is responsible for the contained in real hoodia. However, more research needs to determine the true effectiveness on humans. However, so far research has been done on small lab animals that have shown some evidence of appetite suppression.
• According to the National Center For Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Reports Hoodia gordonii is mostly anecdotal. This organization is one that says there is no proof that the herbal supplement reduces appetite. This, however, is just one point of view.
• Not many companies can afford the expense of producing supplements with the amount of p-57 substance needed to effectively fight obesity. Over and over again this process has proven to be very cost prohibitive.
• Long-term positive and negative side effects are currently not clearly understood. This is partly because it takes five years for this plant to mature. This makes studying the effectiveness and safety of this appetite suppressant source very difficult to do.

What is more difficult is finding a high enough quality of a source of it. Part of the problem is that studies on the success of hoodia weight-loss are few and limited.

Therefore, it is hard to know for sure whether the claim of favourable results with no side effects is really true. This is partly a result of the fact that it is sold as a dietary supplement that does not require a prescription.

Furthermore, because it is sold as a supplement only and not a drug there is no FDA restrictions or studies to prove either its safety or effectiveness. This does not mean it is not safe or effective, but it does show you that scientific evidence pointing to hoodia is sparse.

Additional Issues

A lack of government restrictions on the product also means there is a real danger of fakes on the market. While some people have achieved success with hoodia, according to scientific standards, there is no proof it actually works-at least not scientifically.

However, science is not necessarily the only indicator of a product being useful, helpful, effective or safe. Sometimes history is an indicator.

The South African council for scientific and industrial research isolated the p57 ingredient in hoodia. This P57 enzyme is what is responsible for appetite suppression. This achievement was accomplished in 1977.

This eventually leads to the patent of it in 1996, when it was more clear that P57 could help suppress appetite. Therefore, there is hope for people who have tried many weight loss solutions unsuccessfully.

It is not necessarily a lost cause just because there is not very much scientific evidence backing h. gordonii. History is the major selling point for this natural succulent plant source that helps stop hunger.

For one, ancient tribes on long hunting trips used it. They used it as a way to keep from feeling hungry between meals.

Benefits

Although there is more studies that need to be completed, there are yet no reports of serious side effects or harmful results. Furthermore, the use of hoodia can be easily stopped if you no longer wish to use it. There is no word yet of it becoming addictive, though of course anything could become psychologically addictive if you depend on it too much.

Its Purpose

The species of hoodia gordonii  that has the P57 enzyme in it is the only one that helps users lose weight. This is done by way of appetite suppression.

To sum up the action of this particular hoodia gordonii  plant, it sends a signal to your brain telling you that you are full. This suppression of physical cravings is believed to help people easier get over the psychological addictions to food.

What hoodia gordonii does not do for you:

• It will not burn fat. It is not meant for improving metabolism, at least not by itself.
• It does not replace the need to exercise regularly and eat balanced meals.
• Years of bad eating habits are not corrected when using this supplement.
• People with eating disorders will not benefit from it.
• Any hoodia gordonii  supplement will not cause you to instantly lose large amounts of weight.

Recommendations

Usually pure hoodia gordonii  supplements work the best. The higher dosage amount the better, although there is not yet an FDA approved effective amount to take.

It is common knowledge though that approximately 1,500 mg to about 3,500 mg of hoodia gordoniishould be taken a day. If you have any concerns about using any type of hoodia product you can consult your doctor who hopefully has some knowledge of natural weight loss supplements.

One main concern with using a hoodia-based product is whether or not it would interact with other herbs or medicines. This is something you could discuss with your doctor as well.

You should also get a thorough examination of your health condition. Along with that, you should also disclose any information about your health history that your doctor should know-no matter how minor of a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Users of Unique Hoodia have questions all the time. They want to know they are getting the best of the best and they want to know that the product they are using actually will benefit them. They also may have some basic questions about using this product.

What form is Unique Hoodia administered in?

It comes in a small pill that is very easy to swallow. Just a few sips or so of water can help it go down very easily.

How does this supplement work?

It helps sends a signal to the brain in users that suppresses appetite. This helps a person eat less so he/she can lose weight.

Is Unique a C.I.T.E.S. certified product?

Yes it it. The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has granted a license to the seller of this brand. It has only 100% pure South African hoodia gordonii in it.

What is the dosage size, and how often is it taken?

Each pill has 460mg in it. The general recommendation is to take this pill three times a day which would be very close to the minimum level of hoodia needed for it to be effective. Keep in mind though that these dosage recommendations are not yet approved by the FDA. If you have any other concerns talk to your doctor about it.

Where does the authentic hoodia in this product come from?

Unique hoodia has in it a product that originates from South Africa. This does not necessarily mean that it is grown elsewhere but the recommendation is to get it from this location.

Users of this supplement probably have a number of questions. For instance, they may wonder what makes this product so great over another that has hoodia in it.

Questions may also arise about the safety of it as well as its purpose and effectiveness. People considering the use of this product may also want to know of what it is exactly made.

Description and Ingredients

This product operates via a certain rapid release technology. This allows it to disintegrate at a very rapid pace.

Furthermore, it has natural ingredients in it that help support metabolism building and weight loss. Among these include the following: Vitamin D, Calcium, Green Tea, Polyphenols, Catechins, and EGCG.

The above-mentioned metabolism boosting ingredients work along with the supply of appetite-suppressing South African hoodia gordonii (500mg) present in it. This helps master to very important concepts of losing weight (fat burning and appetite suppression).

Additional ingredients are also present in this product. This is kind of a fair warning in that some of these ingredients are fillers and additives such as the following: Croscarmellose Sodium, Soy Polysaccharide, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, or Silica.

That probably was the least of her problems, considering how she died, and considering her history of drug use. Nonetheless, the Trimpsa hoodia product seemed to have had an effect on her.

That is, a positive effect-in that she had lost weight. So, how is this so? Well, she used the Trimpsa hoodia supplement that has in it a variety of ingredients-some of which are hard to pronounce.

Not all of them are three and four syllables long however. There is some green tea extract in this product, and a citrus component as well as cocoa extract. So, it is not all bad.

It is considered questionable though, since it has so many additives in it. Furthermore, this product is costly. The good news is that it does have a fair share of the hoodia plant in it.

However, when you mix this plant source with other ingredients it can do one of two things-cause health problems or become ineffective. It can aggravate side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, or restlessness. It could even cause heart problems.

At the very least, it might not even work at all. Therefore, you should be careful about using a product like Trimpsa. It would be better to seek an alternative.

Description

The hoodia plant is one that looks like a cactus. It is a member of the milkweed family and originates from the Kalahari Desert. It is mistakenly called a cactus, but is really a succulent plant. The species that actually contributes to suppressing appetite and weight loss is the h. gordonii.

It has the texture of a cucumber, but is slightly bitter. It has been used it salads or other side item, usually eaten raw maybe with salt or dipped in a dip or dressing.

Parts Used

The innermost and latex part of the plant is where the steroidal glycoside (P57 enzyme) is found. This has been tested and proven effective as an appetite suppressant on animals. This inner part of the hoodia gordonii plant is found once the spiny portion of the stem is removed.

Availability

This plant is only found in certain geographical locations. It is considered to be potentially endangered so there are strong regulations set in place. You need to have a C.I.T.E.S. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certificate if you want to become licensed to export it.

Growth Cycle

This plant actually takes about five years to grow. Once it matures, purple flowers mature and this is when the plan can be harvested for use. Since the growth cycle of it is so long, researching it is hard work.

However, historically it was used by ancient tribes on long hunting trips. It has long been used to curb hunger during long stretches between meals. Therefore, if it worked for them it should work for you today.

Selection Guide

If you are looking for the right kind of hoodia supplement, you can recognize it by the following traits:

• It is authentic. This means it is licensed and it comes from South Africa-the same locations where ancient Bushman tribes had found it.
• The supplement is made from the best part of the plant, which according to most sources is the stem. Products made with other portions of this succulent are not recommended.
• Only the gordonii species of this succulent group is certified as one that contains the P57 enzyme. This appetite suppressant made the gordonii so popular in recent years.
• The best course of gordonii is found in the Kalahari region. You might be able to find a good supply of it specifically in Namibia, a Southern Africa country.

Usage Tips

Realize that this product can keep you full. However, you need to take just enough of it and not too much or too little. The problem is that there is no exact FDA or USDA dosage recommendation.

However, the average person uses between 1,500mg and 3,000mg every single day. When in doubt use a lower amount until you know you are safe and are not experiencing any side effects.

Furthermore, know that in order to get the most out of your hoodia diet you need to eat healthier. No amount of the most authentic appetite-suppressing plant is going to benefit you otherwise.

Therefore, ease up on the chocolate bars, sodas, cakes, candies, potato chips, and fried foods. Ease up on all sources of trans fat and saturated such as butter or breaded chicken.

On the contrary, increase the number of fruits and vegetables you consume on a daily basis. Likewise, replace your white bread and other white carbs with whole grain alternatives.

If you do eat meat or beans limit your intake. When selecting meat, choose the leanest grades possible. Furthermore, if you are still in the habit of eating a midnight snack find tasty alternatives such as Jello or carrots to consume at this very late hour.

By the way, you need to exercise once in awhile too. If you are naturally inclined to hate the idea, start small by taking walks in scenic locations or join a sports team. You can even swim a few laps.

However, of course there is the issue of the availability of information. Not much is yet offered today simply because of the fact that it takes so long to harvest and plant this product.

However, the good news (which may even be better than no news) is that some television reporters have actually visited the Kalahari Desert where this herb has been planted. Thus, adds to publicized documentation of a real live person who has experienced the effects of hoodia gordinii.

The working active ingredient in this plant is called P57, which has not yet been known to cause any sever side effects. It can, however, it causes some people to turn away from food completely although this has not been reported as commonplace.

So far, one of the biggest concerns is in those who have an eating disorder. It also is not advisable for people with liver trouble. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, or cholesterol problems should be careful when using it as well.

This product is not recommended for pregnant women, either. In any case, individuals should consult a physician if they notice any problems at all associated with a supplement that is based on this type of herb.

The other challenge pertaining to the use of this herb is whether or not the product made continues an authentic supply of it. It is important to look for products that are manufactured by C.I.T.E.S. certified suppliers.