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.

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.

Some people have complained about this thinking the reason why is because of government conspiracy. That will be another topic for another time-not at this time for this blog entry.

Right now the biggest reason why the FDA has not approved it yet is because it has been associated with at least minor liver problems. This is an issue that need to be further explored before it is officially approved.

So why is the research process taking so long?

Well, that is simply because it takes so long for the plant source to mature-up to five years. It is only the flowering portion of the mature hoodia gordonii source that is at all helpful and this is what most needs attention in the research lab. The research process is slow going but scientists, herbalists, and other professionals have not given up.