The Truth About Hoodia Diet Pills

There has been so much hype about Hoodia Gordonii in the glossy magazines that it seems to have overpowered the need for a balanced perspective on whether this so-called 'miracle-plant' really holds any weight (pun intended) in the world of slimming.

The formula for these natural wonder-drugs is all there: A plant from some distant land; long history of anecdotal use by the locals with definite positive effects; no ill effects; a chance discovery that 'brought it to light' in the west... Now recommended by everyone and their mothers!

For those that might have missed the fanfare on Hoodia, it is a cactus that grows predominantly in the Kalahari Desert of Namibia and South Africa. Although there are over 20 different types of Hoodia, the species creating the most interest currently is Hoodia Gordonii.

It's the Hoodia Gordonii plant that the local people (the San Bushmen) have been chewing for centuries to reduce their hunger pangs while hunting and gathering in the desert for days on end. They simply carry a small stem of the plant with them and chew on it as needed.

It seems that this plant contains a molecule - imaginatively named p57 - which acts as a natural appetite suppressant.

It certainly piqued the curiosity of some rather large pharmaceutical companies. After an initial flurry of interest, they dropped it, deeming it too expensive to manufacture at scales of economy required (no doubt by their shareholders).

There was also the small matter of potential litigation by the San Bushmen for bio-piracy and stealing their traditional herbal knowledge.

It was then left to entrepreneurs in charge of smaller health-supplement companies to pick it up and run with it.

And run with it they did. To great effect. Hoodia is now widely available online and in most health food stores. Thanks must go in part to the extraordinary promotional phenomenon of Hoodia being aired on the Oprah Winfrey show. From there, it went mainstream.

So does it work?
In short, yes it does. Caveat: If you buy pure Hoodia.

It's a very effective appetite suppressant. The p57 molecule tricks a part of the brain into thinking your blood sugar levels are higher than they really are. Therefore you don't get the hunger pangs you normally would, and consequently eat less.

Hoodia Gordonii (the extract) is completely natural, and seems completely safe. It’s not addictive, and doesn’t seem to have any negative side-effects, apart from a couple of cautions listed below.

Hoodia can very valuable in weight loss and slimming. Which is exactly why it has attracted so much attention... and so much hype! And with it, the more unscrupulous manufacturers.

To derive the full benefits of Hoodia, the end product needs to come from Hoodia plants grown and manufactured in South Africa, with all the correct certifications to prove it. Since Hoodia is now an endangered species, every manufacturer must to be able to prove the validity of their sources. This protects both the plant, and the people that have been the stewards of Hoodia for centuries - the San people.

The product needs to be as pure as possible. And from research, the recommended or most effective dosage size seems to be 400mg per capsule.

As far as cautionary notes:
Hoodia may reduce thirst signals, in some people, as well as hunger signals. To avoid any complications, ensure adequate fluid intake at all times.

Diabetics may need to be careful taking Hoodia. Since Hoodia tricks their brain into thinking blood sugar levels are higher than measured, it could cause problems if they don’t eat when they need to, and blood sugar levels drop too low.

As with anything like this, it's always wise to seek medical advice or talk to your health care provider before taking this or any other form of diet pill.

Overall, Hoodia could be an important factor - with exercise and lifestyle changes - to combat the rise of obesity and reduce the risk factors associated with being overweight.

For further information about Hoodia diet pills and the possible benefits, as well as what to look out for, please visit: HoodiaGuide.co.uk.