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Learn about the pros and cons of hoodia gordonii for weight loss

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

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Current Information from Hoodia Studies

Hoodia studies are an interesting topic, because unlike most botanicals hoodia gordonii has only been studied by a handful of people. Yet, the information gleaned form these studies is so exciting to the public that CBS, ABC and the BBC have all done stories about it.

The hoodia information that is currently available comes mostly from a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm, but they do not like for their findings to be applied to natural hoodia gordonii products that are currently on the market. They say that the hoodia studies that they have completed at this time show that hoodia gordonii is safe and is effective as an appetite suppressant, but they say that the hoodia gordonii products that are currently on the market may not be genuine hoodia gordonii. They also say that the active molecules may not be present in sufficient amounts to cause the desired effect. Perhaps they would have been happier if they could have kept all hoodia information “under wraps” until they were ready to release their product.

The independent hoodia study performed by Brown University Medical School in Rhode Island concluded that hoodia gordonii affects nerve cells in the hypothalamus which monitor blood glucose levels. Undoubtedly future hoodia studies will be based on their research. When we have not eaten for a while, blood glucose levels drop. The brain sends out a “hungry” signal. We eat and blood glucose level stabilizes. The brain sends out a “not hungry” signal. According to the hoodia information that is currently available, which relies heavily on this study performed at Brown, hoodia gordonii causes the brain to send out a “not hungry” signal, even though we have not eaten. However, hoodia studies do not indicate that hoodia gordonii has any real effect on blood sugar levels. It does appear, according to the research done at Brown, that an increase in ATP in the bloodstream follows injection of hoodia gordonii extract. At least this is the effect that it had on the rats’ bloodstreams that were used in this study. It is this hoodia information that leads professionals to believe that hoodia gordonii could increase metabolism, as well as suppress appetite. ATP supplies large amounts of energy to the cells of the body for various processes, including metabolism. So, some current hoodia information states that hoodia gordonii can increase energy.

Informal hoodia studies have been performed by practitioners interested in their patients’ progress while taking supplements containing hoodia gordonii. Hoodia information obtained from these sources indicates that those people who continue to take the supplements (some people drop out because of price) experience a decrease in their appetite. Weight loss varies depending on individual lifestyle. Psychological cravings are not always alleviated and you still may not be able to get over the urge to clean your plate, because that is what you were taught to do as a child. But, if you are busy then you may not even think about food, in fact you may need to remind yourself to eat. As a reminder, this is hoodia information obtained from informal hoodia studies. Complete clinical hoodia studies are still underway at Phytopharm and have not been released at this time.

There is a lot of hoodia information out there. Some of it is based on scientific evidence and some is conjecture. There are products which mix other herbs (usually stimulants) with hoodia gordonii and there are products which claim to be 100% hoodia gordonii powder obtained from the hoodia plants grown by African farmers. Many people have had to use a little trial and error to find a product that works well for them. If you are considering a hoodia gordonii supplement, check with your doctor first and if you have any unusual side effects (formal and informal hoodia studies have shown no side effects associated with the use of 100% hoodia gordonii products) report those to your doctor, along with the ingredients in the product you are taking. Current news about hoodia studies will be posted in a timely manner at the Hoodia Info Blog.