FAQ: Is hoodia a good diet aide?

Is hoodia a good diet aide? If hoodia success is measured by the number of people who report positive results then hoodia is a good diet aide for about 50-60% of the people who have tried it. As with other appetite suppressants and health supplements, results vary.

Will hoodia alone help me lose weight? Although the answer to the question “is hoodia a good diet aide” may be yes for many people, hoodia gordonii is only an appetite suppressant. It must be used as part of a complete weight loss program.

Is hoodia a good diet aide for someone with a medical condition? No studies have been completed relating to hoodia success when used by people with existing medical conditions. All clinical studies by Phytopharm have included volunteers who were in relatively good health, except for being overweight.

Have clinical studies of possible side effects related to hoodia use been completed? As of May of 2006, Phytopharm has not completed clinical studies of the extract of hoodia gordonii that they will be releasing with Unilever.

Does hoodia have any known side effects? There are no known side effects caused by the use of hoodia gordonii, but products which contain other herbs or plant extracts may cause side effects in some people.

Is hoodia a good diet aide when compared to other appetite suppressants? Most appetite suppressants are stimulants, either natural or synthetic. Stimulants can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure. Stimulants are not “fat burners” though some companies advertise them as such. Those who have reported hoodia success do not report any of the side effects associated with stimulants. They only report that they did not feel hungry or even think about food.

Is hoodia a good diet aide if I am pregnant or nursing? Hoodia gordonii should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing.

Is hoodia a good diet aide for children who are overweight? Hoodia gordonii should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.

Is there a difference between the hoodia gordonii products that are currently on the market and the product that will be released by Phytopharm? We do not really know the answer to that question at this time. While all hoodia success in formal clinical studies has been at Phytopharm and Phytopharm maintains that there product will be superior, there have been informal clinical studies which reported hoodia success, performed by interested physicians, using products that are currently on the market.

Is hoodia a good diet aide for people who cannot take “pills”? For those people who have trouble swallowing pills, there are liquid hoodia products. Most appetite suppressants are not available in liquid form. The reported hoodia success among users of liquid hoodia is about the same as that reported by those who have used the tablets.

Can Hoodia Gordonii Curb Your Cravings?

It probably depends on what your cravings are, but available information about the hoodia appetite suppressant is promising.

According to dieters who have used the hoodia appetite suppressant not only does it curb your cravings, hoodia actually makes you forget about food. Many people who have struggled with their weight for years have tried numerous diets and exercise programs. There are hundreds, possibly thousands to choose from. The creators of each of these claims that theirs is the best, the right one, the final solution, etc... The creators of the hoodia appetite suppressant seem to have the same feelings about their product, even though their product is not even on the market yet.

Opinions vary on how effectively it can curb your cravings, hoodia gordonii is relatively new to the health supplement scene, but opinions vary on most dietary/health supplements. Recently there was even a little controversy about Vitamin E, of all things. Every product has its supporters and its opponents; the hoodia appetite suppressant is no different. There are not a lot of hoodia opponents. It appears to be safe and effective. Most of what little controversy there is surrounds the accusation that some companies are not using genuine hoodia gordonii.

If a product fails to curb your cravings, hoodia gordonii may be missing from its ingredients. It is not known which stage of the manufacturing process goofed, but according to independent analysis by unbiased laboratories, there is at least one product that claims to be a hoodia appetite suppressant and contains no genuine hoodia gordonii at all. The samples for this analysis were obtained from outlets selling hoodia gordonii products and an organization (hoodia gordonii co.za) was formed to report which products failed and which products passed. Lab analysis is expensive, so not all products on the market have been tested, but the organization invites companies to have their products tested and listed at their website.

There are some things that you may want to keep in mind if you are dieting and shopping for a hoodia appetite suppressant to curb your cravings. Hoodia can be expensive. In one informal study, the most common reason for discontinuing use was price. Not all hoodia is genuine hoodia gordonii. Look for chemical analysis reports, CITES documents or certification by Hoodia gordonii co.za. A hoodia appetite suppressant will only work if it contains genuine hoodia gordonii.

Latest Hoodia Info

It wasn’t just media news that caused supplement companies to begin looking for hoodia gordonii supplies. By researching hoodia Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company caused the initial stir of interest. Phytopharm continues to release hoodia info to the press, but details are limited.

Phytopharm has two operating divisions; a plant extract division and a pharmaceutical division. In June of 1997, Phytopharm released the first hoodia info to the press “a naturally occurring appetite suppressant is to be developed into a prescription medicine by Phytopharm”. They were talking about hoodia. Phytopharm sent supplement companies and those who needed to lose weight searching for this “naturally occurring appetite suppressant”. At that time, everyone expected the extract from hoodia Phytopharm would develop would be a prescription drug. This hoodia info was supported by Phytopharm’s collaboration with Pfizer, another pharmaceutical company, to research and develop a product made from hoodia. Phytopharm has now partnered with Unilever, since Pfizer returned the developmental and global marketing rights after closing their division which dealt with plant extracts. Unilever is not a pharmaceutical company. They sell food, dietary supplements and make the Slim Fast products. Now it is unclear what form the extract of hoodia Phytopharm is researching will take. The latest hoodia info from Phytopharm does mention that they are aware other companies are selling hoodia gordonii products, but they seem committed to the idea that theirs will be superior.

To start with hoodia, Phytopharm began proof of principle testing in March of 2001. This first phase was completed in December of 2001. The hoodia info released at that time stated that hoodia gordonii was a naturally occurring substance and there appeared to be no side effects associated with its use. After completing the initial clinical testing of hoodia, Phytopharm began the search for a partner company for “late stage development, sales and marketing”. This was how Pfizer and later Unilever became involved. Phytopharm is currently researching and investigating the possibility of a prescription drug to treat metabolic disorder and hoodia gordonii is the basis for this drug. So, when it comes to hoodia, Phytopharm seems busy, but this is not the only products they are currently investigating. In addition to hoodia info, Phytopharm’s press releases include info about two veterinary products, a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

The extract of hoodia Phytopharm’s is using for its research is patented, but they have had more than a little trouble keeping other manufacturers of natural products from selling their own hoodia gordonii products. In early May of 2006, they announced that they were aware that other companies were selling hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant and that they believed that this could be patent infringement. They said that they had contacted the appropriate authorities. Since then, the statement about patent infringement has been removed from their website. The problem is that a plant can not be patented. According to Phytopharm’s hoodia info, there product will be unique, stronger, safer and better than the hoodia products that are currently on the market. In a couple of years, after completing the clinical research of hoodia Phytopharm is expected to release its hoodia gordonii product and consumers will be able to judge for themselves. That's the latest hoodia info!

Hoodia Potency Reports

There are no official hoodia potency reports, but to save you, the consumer, a little trouble, here is a look at the content of some of the more popular hoodia gordonii diet pills.

Pure hoodia pills are relatively hard to find. First, we have to look for products that do not list any ingredients other than hoodia gordonii. This narrows the field quite a bit, because many products are hoodia herb combos that supply only a small amount of hoodia gordonii per capsule. The best source of information regarding hoodia content and pure hoodia pills is Hoodia gordonii.co.za. This is a non-profit South African based company dedicated to providing accurate information about hoodia gordonii diet pills. While they do not have hoodia potency reports, per se, they do have chemical analysis reports of many popular brands. They are quick to say that they have not evaluated each and every product on the market. Chemical analysis is expensive, but this may at least give dieters a starting point.

Hoodia gordonii.co.za has what they call the Hall of Fame and Hall of Shame. Here pure hoodia pills are compared to other “not so pure” hoodia pills. Chemical analysis reports are displayed and then the consumer can judge for themselves. Hoodia gordonii.co.za does not sell hoodia gordonii, pure hoodia pills or any form of hoodia product; they are simply trying to make it easier for the consumer to decide which products to buy.

There is no standard dosage for hoodia diet pills. Some customers report that they need about 1500mg per day, while others need 3000mg per day to control their appetite. Most pure hoodia pills contain 500mg or less, meaning that the customer may need to take a lot of pills to reach that 3000mg. Most hoodia potency reports are only related to products that are pure hoodia gordonii powder. Many companies use concentrates which some professionals consider to be more potent, but some do not. The potency reports that we focus on here are limited to the non-concentrated forms of hoodia gordonii dietary supplements. Analytical reports will show that pure hoodia pills have been evaluated for contaminants and reputable companies do not sell contaminated batches.

Now for the hoodia potency reports: Desert Burn is one of the pure hoodia pills and contains 750mg per capsule of hoodia gordonii. Ethno Africa hoodia gordonii is one of the pure hoodia pills and contains 488mg of hoodia gordonii per capsule. King Hoodia is one of the pure hoodia diet pills and contains 750mg per capsule. Analytical reports can be viewed for all of these products at the Hoodia gordonii.co.za website or the individual company’s website.

Opinions on Hoodia Vary

While opinions on hoodia vary, the best hoodia diet aids appear to be those that are 100% certified genuine hoodia gordonii.

Opinions on hoodia vary from amazing African weight loss wonder to junk science. I have seen and read both extremes and everything in between. Opinions on hoodia gordonii weight loss products vary as well. There are a few things that most people, manufacturers and interested South African organizations agree on. The best hoodia diet aids contain genuine hoodia gordonii. They have CITES documents, which are required for exporting hoodia gordonii from South Africa. They have chemical analysis reports which support their claims and verify the hoodia gordonii is in fact present in the supplement. One might think that this is unnecessary, but reports of fake products, supported by random testing, indicates that it is necessary, if one is interested in a supplement that works.

It is important to realize that even the best hoodia diet aids are nothing more than appetite suppressants. They will not magically melt the fat away. Opinions on hoodia effectiveness as an appetite suppressant, for the most part, indicate that it can suppress feelings of hunger, but not psychological urges to eat. Some people say that they do not even think about food, but they are generally busy people, who, without a hunger pang, do not realize that it is time to eat. Less busy people may not be as satisfied with results.

Opinions on hoodia dosages also vary. There is no standard dosage. Not among dieters and not among manufacturers. The best hoodia diet aids contain 750mg of hoodia gordonii powder or more. Some say they need 1500mg per day. Some say they need more. There are not as many customer reviews related to products which contain concentrates. Professional opinions on hoodia concentrates vary as well. Some say that concentrates provide a more potent source of the product. Others say that the powders are more natural and that chemical analysis will indicate the presence of any impurities. The best hoodia diet aids do not use batches that contain impurities.

The most important opinions on hoodia use as an appetite suppressant are those of your doctor. The best hoodia diet aids recommend that individuals consult their doctor before they begin any weight loss program, whether they intend to use an appetite suppressant or not. Professional opinions on hoodia may vary, but opinions on the importance of a doctor’s supervision do not.

Does Hoodia Really Work?

Everyone wants to know. I have personally read and heard testimonials from people saying that it does. But, it may be necessary to compare hoodia products to find the right one for you.

If you asked a San Bushman, “Does hoodia really work?” He would probably tell you, through an interpreter of course, something like you will feel no hunger or thirst. Eating the plant reportedly makes the hunger go away. People say that do not even think about food, but all hoodia products are not the same and it may be necessary to compare hoodia ingredients, before you buy. Many companies only use hoodia gordonii as one ingredient in their weight loss supplement and most of these have some form of natural stimulant. Natural does not always mean safe and people who are sensitive to stimulants may want to avoid these products.

If you asked the British pharmaceutical company Phytopharm, “Does hoodia really work?” They would probably tell you that only Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product has been clinically proven to reduce calorie intake and body fat. In fact, that is a quote from their website. They do not compare hoodia products currently on the market to the product that they are working on. At one time, it appeared that Phytopharm would release a prescription form of hoodia gordonii, but since their new partner is Unilever, makers of Slim Fast, food products and over the counter meds, it is unclear exactly what their new product may be.

If you asked the manufacturers of the better hoodia products, “Does hoodia really work?” The answer would probably be that results vary depending on the individual’s diet and exercise program. If you asked, “How does your product compare to other hoodia gordonii products?” It is hard to say what their answers would be, but of course each company thinks that their product is the best.

In order to compare hoodia products, the first place to look is the label. There is no standard dosage and milligrams per tablet or capsule vary among manufacturers, plus we already mentioned that some products have other ingredients. Some dieters say that it takes 1500mg per day to control their appetites and some as much as 3000mg. In general, when you compare hoodia products, look for 750mg or higher per capsule, check for CITES license and chemical analysis reports to insure that the product is genuine. If you compare hoodia prices, you will see some differences. It is, in general, an expensive product, but if the answer to the question, does hoodia really work is yes, then price is not really important. Is it?

How does hoodia really work? That is apparently a complicated question, but the way that they explain it in laymen’s terms is that the brain believes that food has been eaten, shutting down the hunger mechanism. Does hoodia really work for everyone? Probably not, there has never been an appetite suppressant that works for everyone and there will probably never be an appetite suppressant that works for everyone. People, unlike animals, eat for other reasons than hunger. A hoodia weight loss program will only work for individuals who are motivated to succeed. When we compare hoodia products and read customer comments, it appears that some hoodia products work better than others.

Here is the real answer to the question; does hoodia really work? Anyone can lose weight if they reduce calories and increase activity. In order to maintain that weight loss, people must make changes in their lifestyles. When we compare hoodia to other appetite suppressants, there appear to be several advantages. Lack of side effects is one, but the important one to most dieters is lack of interest in food.

Are You Buying Genuine Hoodia Gordonii?

It is necessary to do a little research, before you can be sure that the product you are buying is genuine hoodia gordonii. There are many varieties of the hoodia plant, but only genuine hoodia gordonii is believed to be a natural appetite suppressant. The Food and Drug Administration does not approve health supplements as they do prescription drugs, so there is no FDA approved hoodia. Consumers must protect themselves by looking for certain things, before they buy.

Many people have heard about genuine hoodia gordonii. News reporters have traveled to Africa to sample the plant. Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company is currently researching the effects of extracts from the genuine hoodia gordonii plant. If Phytopharm ends up releasing a prescription form of hoodia, it will have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before it can be sold in the United States. But, currently there is no FDA approved hoodia. While the FDA does regulate the manufacturing practices of health supplement companies to a certain extent. The FDA does not approve or disapprove dietary supplements. It is only in rare cases when the FDA will make a statement about a health supplement.

Many health supplement companies are marketing products which claim to contain genuine hoodia gordonii for use by dieters as natural appetite suppressants. While most of these companies are undoubtedly delivering reliable and high quality products, there have been reports which state that some of these products do not contain any genuine hoodia gordonii, at all. So, how can the consumer have any confidence in the products that he or she is buying? If there is no FDA approved hoodia, then what should the consumer look for?

The first thing to look for is a CITES document. Wild growth of genuine hoodia gordonii is protected from exportation by legislation in southern Africa, the only place that genuine hoodia grows. In order to legally export genuine hoodia gordonii, a manufacturer must have a CITES license. Legally exported hoodia is grown on farms. A reputable supplement company should be willing to make their licenses available for inspection by consumers. While this is not an FDA approved hoodia product, it has been approved for export by the South African government.

The second thing to look for is chemical analysis reports. Samples of genuine hoodia gordonii are compared by independent testing facilities with samples of the health supplement in question. By the time genuine hoodia becomes a health supplement, it looks like a fine brown or light green powder, baring no resemblance to the genuine hoodia plant. But labs can still test this powder using microscopic and other techniques to determine if the powder is genuine hoodia gordonii or not. While these tests are not required by the FDA, since there is no FDA approved hoodia products, responsible manufacturers do have these tests performed.

Phytopharm has invested millions of dollars researching genuine hoodia gordonii and it’s potential as an appetite suppressant. They are concerned that p57, the active molecule in genuine hoodia gordonii may not be present in large enough quantities to have an effect on a person’s appetite. Since there is no FDA approved hoodia currently on the market and even Phytopharm’s product may not be a prescription drug (the only hoodia that would be FDA approved) since they are now partnered with Unilever, makers of Slim Fast, food products and over-the counter medications. The chemical analysis reports of the better hoodia products do show the presence of the p57 molecule.

Dieters who have tried the appetite suppressants currently on the market report mixed reviews; as with most health supplements. Even genuine hoodia gordonii only works for some people. No one is claiming that healthy diet and a reasonable exercise program are not important for weight loss. While genuine hoodia gordonii products may help to curb a person’s appetite, it will not magically melt the fat off of a person’s body. Any company that makes such a claim should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC investigates reports of deceptive claims made by health supplement and other companies. The FTC also offers guidelines for identifying weight loss scams. These can be viewed at the official FTC website.

So, while there is no FDA approved hoodia, customers can protect themselves by educating themselves. A reasonable money-back guarantee also inspires confidence and manufacturers of most genuine hoodia gordonii products will issue refunds on unopened bottles if the product fails to produce desired results.

Propagating Hoodia Gordonii

Propagating hoodia gordonii requires special licensing and is apparently difficult. Varieties of the hoodia cactus plant are grown for botanical gardens and green houses. These are probably not the hoodia gordonii variety.

Hoodia gordonii is highly sought after for its reputation as a natural appetite suppressant. Not all varieties of the hoodia cactus plant are believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Only the hoodia gordonii variety has been studied for this purpose and it is from this species that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa obtained the active molecule, p57.

The governments of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa requested that all 15 species of the hoodia cactus plant be protected, because they were concerned that the other species could be mistaken for hoodia gordonii and harvested for use as an appetite suppressant. For this reason propagating hoodia gordonii requires special permitting and exporting any species of hoodia cactus plant requires a CITES permit.

In the Northern and Western Cape areas of South Africa, no on is allowed to collect any varieties of hoodia cactus plant without a valid permit. No one is allowed to harvest or transport any hoodia material without a valid permit. Propagating hoodia gordonii requires a relevant permit and export requires a phyto-sanitary certificate from the National Department of Agriculture, as well as a CITES certificate. In order to protect all species of hoodia cactus plant in the wild propagating hoodia gordonii in Namibia (with or without a permit) is not allowed until the government has reviewed the status of the species.

The countries in southern Africa are not only concerned about protecting the hoodia cactus plant from extinction. When the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research identified the molecule which is responsible for the appetite suppressing abilities of hoodia gordonii and licensed the rights for further development to Phytopharm, they also entered into a benefit sharing agreement with the San communities. The San peoples traditionally used the hoodia gordonii plant for several medicinal purposes and assisted the CSIR in identifying the species. The governments are concerned that hoodia trade may infringe on this benefit sharing agreement, as well as the patent rights.

Propagating hoodia gordonii in the wild is carried out by the wind. Seeds are carried away from the mother hoodia cactus plant in a way that is similar to how dandelion seeds are spread. Collection of hoodia gordonii seeds from wild plants interferes with this process. Propagating hoodia gordonii commercially may be beneficial to mankind, but may eventually cause the extinction of the plant in the wild.

Real Hoodia Gordonii Plus

What’s in there? The plus must mean something. Real hoodia gordonii plus is one of the many popular hoodia diet pills on the market. The hoodia content is not considered a high hoodia dosage, but there are other ingredients and exceeding manufacturer’s recommended dosage is not advisable. This may or may not be the right product for you. This information is provided to help you decide.

The primary active ingredient in real hoodia gordonii plus is, as the name suggests, hoodia gordonii. Real hoodia gordonii plus provides 400mg of concentrated hoodia gordonii. This is not considered a high hoodia dosage, but some information suggests that products which contain concentrates may be more potent than non-concentrated products. CITES certification and product analysis available for inspection at the real hoodia gordonii plus website support the authenticity of the hoodia gordonii used by the company. Some manufacturers do not have these certifications and analysis reports.

As the plus suggests, hoodia gordonii is not the only active ingredient in real hoodia gordonii plus. 50mg of garcinia cambogia is included. Garcinia cambogia which is commonly called gambooge is a plant native to West and Central Africa and parts of Asia. Gambooge was used in traditional Indian medicine to treat a variety of ailments. One must assume that it was included in real hoodia gordonii plus, because certain clinical studies indicate that the active compound found in gambooge can decrease appetite, body mass index, and increase the body’s ability to burn fat. Research of the effects of gambooge is contradictory. Some groups showed positive results while others did not, but it is widely recommended as a natural fat burner. Most products which contain a high hoodia dosage do not include any other ingredients.

Real hoodia gordonii plus also includes 250 mg of magnesium, an essential mineral found in most vitamin supplements. Some well known diet experts recommend supplementation of magnesium. It is not commonly found in supplements which contain a high hoodia dosage. Magnesium helps strengthen muscles including the heart and helps the body to make use of the B complex vitamins, (important for energy) vitamin C and E. Magnesium is found naturally in green vegetables, nuts and seafood, but since the average American diet is high in starches, breads and pasta, which are low in magnesium, most people do not get enough. Total daily intake of magnesium should not exceed 400 mg, as higher dosages can be toxic. If you choose to use real hoodia gordonii plus, check the label of your daily vitamin to make sure that it does not contain more than 150mg of magnesium. Most do not, but some high potency products may.

There is 50mg of green tea extract in real hoodia gordonii plus. Most products which contain a high hoodia dosage do not include green tea. There have been numerous studies about the health benefits of green tea. It contains anti-oxidants which are thought to prevent cancer and possibly even wrinkles. Presumably, hoodia gordonii plus includes green tea in its product because research has shown that green tea can raise metabolic rates, speed up fat oxidation and calorie burning. Because green tea contains caffeine, those who are sensitive to stimulants may not be able to use real hoodia gordonii plus.

There are other ingredients in real hoodia gordonii plus. Those mentioned here are just the most interesting. Most high dosage hoodia pills on the market, those which provide 750mg or more of pure hoodia gordonii powder do not contain any of these ingredients. Some believe that the other ingredients are included because the amount of hoodia is so small, that other ingredients must be used to obtain the desired effects. This is of course a matter of opinion.

Finding the Right Hoodia Dosage

There is no accepted hoodia dosage for everyone at this time. The information used to form manufacturers recommended dosage is hard to pinpoint.

Some people say that it takes 1500mg per day to control their appetites. Some say 3000mg is necessary. Some manufactures of hoodia supplements recommend two capsules three times a day, while more potent hoodia products recommend one or two capsules twice a day. People have experimented with their own hoodia dosage, basically using themselves as guinea pigs and this may be okay if the product is 100% hoodia gordonii. But, it is wise to follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage on any hoodia herb combos. It is also, always recommended to consult your doctor before using any new supplement. While research done by Phytopharm has shown hoodia to have an acceptable safety level, they have not completed clinical research and they only use a purified potent hoodia gordonii extract known as p57. Whether or not the research completed by Phytopharm can be applied to products which are currently on the market is up for debate. Phytopharm’s product, which is expected to be the most potent hoodia product, is not scheduled to be released for several years.

The acceptable hoodia dosage concerns many health care professionals. While hoodia gordonii is not believed to be a stimulant, there have been problems associated with stimulants used as appetite suppressants and some hoodia herb combos do contain stimulants. It may not be obvious to the consumer, listed ingredients will not say; includes XXX (a stimulant). The best advice for consumers is to investigate a product’s ingredients thoroughly, not just what appears on the package label or the company website. Find an impartial source of information.

Even 100% hoodia gordonii products should be used with caution, the smallest hoodia dosage that allows results is recommended. It is also recommended that dieters obtain a clean bill of health from their doctor’s, before begin any weight loss program, with or without potent hoodia products. Caution is advised because so little is known about the plant. Manufacturers refer to use by the San people of southern Africa, but it was not one of their preferred food items. They did not eat it often.

Hoodia products are not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women or children under the age of 18. Anyone suffering from a medical condition of any kind or who is currently taking any prescription medication should not use any hoodia dosage (weak, low-dose or potent hoodia) without a doctor’s supervision. No one knows what potential there is for drug interaction or what affect hoodia could have on any medical condition. Clinical studies, by Phytopharm, used a controlled potent hoodia dosage administered to overweight volunteers who were otherwise healthy. These studies were closely supervised and are still on-going.

How to Get Discount Hoodia

Most people agree that the best hoodia appetite suppressants are products which contain 100% real hoodia gordonii. Most ads for discount hoodia are either not 100% hoodia gordonii or they cannot be verified as genuine hoodia gordonii from South Africa.

Finding discount hoodia gordonii was not an issue for the San people of southern Africa. It grew around them. It was fairly common. It was not their favorite food source, but it did alleviate feelings of hunger and thirst when they were hunting or searching for more favorable foods. The issue of discount hoodia has only arisen since the world learned of the plant’s ability to suppress the appetite. People have searched for hoodia seeds, presumably to grow their own real hoodia gordonii, but even the harvesting of the seeds from wild hoodia gordonii is now prohibited in most areas of southern Africa and cultivating real hoodia gordonii requires special permits.

Real hoodia gordonii is expensive. It is hard to grow. The blooms smell like rotting meat. It takes a full year to be able to transplant the plants from seed trays to small pots and another three years or so to mature. This is just one of the reasons that real hoodia is not cheap. The best way to get discount hoodia gordonii is to buy multiple bottles from manufacturers that can confirm that there products are real hoodia gordonii. That is if you want effective hoodia products.

The issue of real hoodia versus fake hoodia arises, because there are about 15 different species of hoodia, but only the hoodia gordonii species is believed to be an appetite suppressant. Only real hoodia gordonii has been studied for effectiveness and safety. Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, is still completing clinical research of real hoodia gordonii. Companies could claim to be selling discount hoodia or expensive hoodia for that matter and not face any repercussions (other than from unhappy customers) unless they are making false claims about using real hoodia gordonii. Apparently it is not easy to distinguish between species of hoodia and some hoodia species face the threat of extinction in the wild. Some harvesters may not be sure which hoodia species is the correct species to harvest. It is for this reason that all hoodia species (not just real hoodia gordonii) are protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

CITES protection means that all hoodia exporters must be licensed. This is one way to find supplements that contain real hoodia gordonii, which is not always discount hoodia, but will be the most effective hoodia for appetite suppression. Look for CITES documents at any website claiming to sell real hoodia or discount hoodia. Look for analytical reports confirming that the hoodia being sold is real hoodia gordonii. If you don’t see these, don’t buy it. Once you find a real hoodia product, check out multi-bottle discounts. This is the best way to buy discount hoodia.

Is There Really Any Cheap Hoodia?

According to Hoodia gordonii.com.za, the current price of hoodia gordonii is $39.55 (US dollars) per ounce. So how can companies sell cheap hoodia? One belief is that they are not selling genuine hoodia gordonii. Another is that they are mixing it with inexpensive ingredients.

Advertisements of cheap hoodia gordonii products abound. E-bay sellers like to use this tag line, not to say that there is necessarily anything wrong with the products being sold on e-bay. Individuals could have bought large quantities and received volume discounts in order to turn them around for a lower than normal price and still make a few bucks. The hoodia in stores is not cheap. Even the hoodia herb mixtures that are commonly sold at Wal-greens and other retail establishments are not cheap. They may appear to cost less than the better known products like Desert Burn, but take a close look at the ingredients before you buy. The hoodia in stores is often something like “Green Tea with Hoodia!” Green tea is cheap. Cheap hoodia does not exist. There is also the question of cost per day. Many companies claim that a bottle is a thirty day supply when closer look at the label indicates otherwise.

According to Hoodia gordonii.com.za, they have researched the market and found that more than 75% of all products being sold as hoodia gordonii, possibly cheap hoodia gordonii, are not hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii.com.za does not sell hoodia gordonii. They are a South African based company that facilitates the “authentication and monitoring of hoodia gordonii products in the global environment”. By buying hoodia in stores and retail outlets and sending these samples to an independent testing facility, they have been able to provide complete information about some of the products that are out there. Testing is expensive and this is a non-profit group, so every hoodia product on the market has not been tested by them at this time. One product that is listed in their “Hall of Shame” is currently the subject of a possible class action suit for making false claims.

Even the fake hoodia is not cheap hoodia. These companies know what price consumers are willing to pay for something that has been touted as a “cure for obesity”. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigates companies for making fraudulent claims. Consumers who have purchased hoodia in stores that did not work and can not be returned can visit the official website of the FTC to lodge a complaint. Consumers can protect themselves from cheap hoodia ads, simply by not falling for them. The FTC also advises that companies which make claims that seem “too good to be true”, making statements like “lose weight without diet or exercise” should probably be avoided.

No Official Hoodia Warnings at This Time

The years of research performed by Phytopharm and their partner companies has not yielded any hoodia warnings and no undesirable side effects. Hoodia gordonii appears to be perfectly safe, but supplement companies which use this information to promote their products which do not contain 100% hoodia gordonii are not being 100% honest.

Yes, hoodia gordonii appears to be safe. No toxic effect has been noted in laboratory animals that were injected with the purified p57 molecule isolated from the hoodia gordonii plant. Volunteers in the clinical study performed by Phytopharm did not report any side effects. Hoodia gordonii users monitored by interested physicians have not reported any unwanted side effects. But, no formal clinical research has been conducted by supplement companies that combine hoodia gordonii with other ingredients, such as green tea.

Green tea is not a bad product. Many doctors and scientists agree that green tea can be an effective appetite suppressant. It contains anti-oxidants and green tea has a long history as a folk remedy, but green tea contains caffeine which is a stimulant. Although there are no hoodia warnings and no one knows of any side effects hoodia gordonii could cause, some concerns have been brought to our attention by users of hoodia; headache, side effects such as sleeplessness and nervousness. When further questioned, we learned that people who experienced these symptoms were using hoodia with green tea or other natural stimulants. There are many known side effects associated with the use of stimulants, even natural ones. Hoodia gordonii is not known to be a stimulant.

Stimulants, such as caffeine, can trigger migraines, increase heart rate and blood pressure. Reports of hoodia headache, side effects normally associated with stimulant use, may lead to hoodia warnings. The only side effects hoodia gordonii consumption is known to cause is suppression of hunger and thirst. Reputable supplement companies advise dieters to consult with their doctors before they begin any weight loss program, whether that program includes hoodia gordonii use or not. Even after checking with one’s doctor, it is advisable to check the product ingredients. Many people have unknowingly bought products which were mostly “other” ingredients. While there are no hoodia warnings at this time and no one knows of any side effects hoodia gordonii use may cause, anyone who experiences any problems after using products with hoodia (headache, side effects such as sleeplessness, nervousness, etc.) should discontinue use and consult their doctor.

Hoodia, 100% Real Hoodia Gordonii

Despite claims made by some supplement companies, products with hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii products or even the hoodia gordonii extract that Phytopharm is currently researching are not miracle cures for obesity.

The question that most people ask about hoodia (does it really work) is difficult to answer. Unlike laboratory animals, human beings do not eat only because they are hungry. An appetite suppressant whether a product with hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii or a product with any other ingredients will only do one thing; suppress physical hunger. The symptoms of physical hunger are growling stomach, moodiness and shakiness from low blood sugar levels, just to name a few. How many times have you eaten a meal or a snack when none of these symptoms were present?

“So, I heard about this stuff called hoodia, does it really work?” It may work to suppress the physical symptoms of hunger. Some diet “gurus” say that we should eat when we are not hungry. Some say that we should eat several small meals per day; some say every couple of hours. They say that this will keep our blood sugar levels stabilized. But, who really has time for that? Hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii, cause an increase of ATP in the hypothalamus of lab animals. No one knows exactly how the human brain works. It is relatively difficult to study. But if hoodia does really work as an appetite suppressant, it is probably because of this affect that it has on the hypothalamus.

Scientists do know that the hypothalamus is the section of the human brain which monitors hunger, thirst, blood sugar levels, body temperature and many other things. ATP is a neurotransmitter, probably responsible for transmitting signals from all over the body to the brain and back. ATP is also known to be an energy source for all the cells of the body, so it could be that extracts of hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii causes signals to be transmitted that mean “not hungry”. Or it could be that the brain senses the increased energy provided by the ATP (which is normally produced mostly by fats or sugars) and assumes that food has been eaten.

If you asked the San peoples of southern Africa, “That hoodia, does it really work?” They would not tell you anything about the effects of ATP on the brain. They would probably tell you something like, “you will not feel hunger.” They, the real discoverers of the benefits of hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii, did not eat it to lose weight. They did not eat it very often at all. It was not a preferred food source. But, if they were hungry, and other food sources were not available, they would peel of the outer skin and spikes and eat the fleshy part to ease feelings of hunger and thirst as they searched for more food.

To answer this question about hoodia; does it really work. According to customer comments, clinical trials that have been completed and observations made by interested physicians, hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii does work for many people. Particularly those people, who stay busy throughout the day, are motivated to lose weight, are willing to do a little moderate exercise and will try to resist the psychological food cravings that we all have at one time or another. It may be that hoodia, 100% real hoodia gordonii can help dieters through those difficult, but necessary lifestyle changes. No clinical research into long term effects has been completed. We do not know if weight initially lost will come right back, but if one can make those healthy lifestyle changes and then stick to them then maybe...

The Hoodia Facts

The hoodia facts are not largely disputed. The only controversy that has arisen concerns claims made by some manufacturers of hoodia gordonii appetite suppressants. Here we look at the accepted hoodia facts and list hoodia reference information for those interested in doing more research.

Hoodia facts: The hoodia gordonii is only one species of hoodia plant that grows in areas of southern Africa. The hoodia gordonii species is the only species of hoodia that is believed to contain a natural appetite suppressant. A good hoodia reference for those interested in learning more about historical uses of hoodia plants, as well as the distribution of different hoodia species throughout Africa, including countries with wild stands of hoodia gordonii plantzafrica.com. This site lists known hoodia facts, permitting policies for cultivation and sites to visit for further information.

Hoodia facts: The research cited by many health supplement companies concerning how hoodia works to suppress the appetite was performed by D.B. MacLean and L.G. Luo at the Division of Endocrinology of Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. This research was performed on laboratory rats and involved injecting the purified p57 molecule obtained from the hoodia gordonii plant directly into the brains of the rats. This research is largely used as hoodia reference material. The complete abstract can be viewed at PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Hoodia facts: Many hoodia reference materials state that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research began studying hoodia gordonii in the 1960’s, but the exact date has been hard to find. Most sources agree that sometime in 1995 or 1996, the active molecule in hoodia gordonii was isolated and identified. National Geographic did a complete story about the possible economic success that a poor society in southern Africa known as the San or Bushmen could achieve if all went well with the development of the molecule. The article titled “Africa’s Bushmen May Get Rich from Diet-Drug Secret” and appearing in the April 2003 issue of National Geographic News provides interesting hoodia facts and a snapshot into the lives of these ancient people.

Hoodia facts: All of the known hoodia gordonii clinical research has been performed by a company called Phytopharm or its partners. There have been informal clinical observations by American doctors, but all hoodia reference initially comes from Phytopharm. Phytopharm is currently partnered with Unilever, makers of Slim Fast and other food products, and announced in April of 2006 that they were moving on to the second phase of a five phase clinical research program into hoodia gordonii’s use as an appetite suppressant. Clinical research is research that involves human volunteers rather than laboratory animals. Phytopharm’s website provides answers to frequently asked questions about hoodia gordonii and their main website publishes past and present press releases. This is a good hoodia reference source for those interested in hoodia history.

Hoodia facts: The benefit of hoodia gordonii is that it is believed to suppress appetite (see CSIR, Phytopharm and MacLean studies). There is some evidence that it may increase metabolism (see Phytopharm and MacLean study). The acceptable dosage of hoodia gordonii to achieve desired results is unknown at this time. It is not known how manufacturers of supplements arrive at their recommendations. Some have based recommendations on the amount of the raw plant that one needs to eat to suppress the appetite. There is no hoodia reference guide for dosages and knowledge of hoodia facts is so limited that some professionals do not recommend hoodia gordonii for anyone. All reputable supplement companies recommend that dieters check with their own doctors before they begin to take hoodia gordonii.

FAQ: How Much Hoodia Should I Take?

The honest answer to the FAQ; how much hoodia should I take, is that no one really knows. There is no accepted standard dosage for hoodia gordonii products.

Some ingredients in hoodia gordonii supplements are stimulants. These are the hoodia herb combos and one should follow the manufacturer’s suggested dosage. If any side effects are noticed, such as increased heart rate or nervousness, these are most likely attributable to some natural stimulant that is included in the product. Clinical research and patient use has indicated that no side effects are experienced when using 100% hoodia gordonii products.

How much hoodia should I take? Some people report that it takes 3000mg per day to adequately control their appetites. Others report that 1500mg does the job for them. This may be a factor of body weight. Since ingredients in hoodia supplements vary, it is best to follow the manufacturers suggested dosage. Some companies advise one or two capsules in the morning and then one or two in the afternoon with a full glass of water. Some suggest one capsule with a full glass of water one hour before meals or three times per day. Sometimes this depends on the milligrams of hoodia in each capsule.

How much hoodia should I take if I am pregnant or nursing? The one word answer to this question is none.

How much hoodia should I take if I have not consulted my doctor? The one word answer, again, is none. While there is no evidence that taking hoodia gordonii as a weight loss supplement is dangerous or can complicate existing medical conditions. Clinical research is incomplete at this time. There are some informal studies and some doctors recommend hoodia for their patients, but only your doctor knows your complete medical history. To repeat, the ingredients in hoodia supplements vary and it is important to let your doctor know what those ingredients are.

How much hoodia should I take to lose weight? Taking hoodia alone will not make you lose weight. It may suppress your hunger. People, unlike other animals, do not just eat because they are hungry. People eat out of habit, boredom and many other reasons. No matter what the ingredients in hoodia gordonii can do, they can not take the place of a reasonable diet and appropriate exercise.

The Search for Pure Hoodia Plant Extracts

There are many weight loss products with hoodia gordonii listed as an ingredient. Due to the media attention received by this new product, health supplement companies everywhere have added a hoodia gordonii product to their lines. According to independent reports, some of the claims made by these companies may be untrue and some products do not contain the pure hoodia plant extract.

The company which created a market for weight loss products with hoodia gordonii has not yet released their own product. That company is Phytopharm. Currently partnered with Unilever (makers of Slim Fast and other food products), Phytopharm has been conducting research and attempting to develop and market a product using pure hoodia plant extract for over ten years. They announced in late April of 2006 that they had just completed the first phase of a five phase clinical research program and still expect that several years will pass before their product is available.

In the meantime, media coverage, including reporters traveling to Africa to sample the hoodia gordonii plant, created a market for health supplement companies. If eating the pure hoodia plant would suppress the appetite, then products containing the plant in powdered form should accomplish the same thing. Weight loss products with hoodia gordonii are working for some people and not for others. This is true with many “natural cures”, but a controversy is brewing over whether all of the products that claim to contain hoodia gordonii, actually do. At first, it appeared that this was an advertising gimmick created by companies whose products cost more, something to set them above the rest. Statements from a company that sells a product about other companies selling the same product are sometimes just sales pitches. But, in this case, it appears that there is evidence to support the statements.

The first step in chemical analysis was finding samples of the pure hoodia plant. Hoodia gordonii only grows in areas of southern Africa. It is not favored in botanical gardens or green houses because the blooms have such a strong smell. The smell has often been compared to rotting meat. Wild stands of hoodia gordonii have been protected from harvesting by the governments of southern Africa. Cultivation of hoodia gordonii has been difficult. These statements are made by not only the companies that are currently selling weight loss products with hoodia gordonii, but also by Phytopharm. The lack of sources of pure hoodia plant has led suppliers at some point in the manufacturing process to either substitute something else for hoodia gordonii or reduce the amount of the active ingredient to very low levels.

A non-profit organization called Hoodia gordonii.co.za, based in South Africa, attempts to inform consumers about which weight loss products with hoodia are genuine and which are fake. At this time they have had chemical analyses performed by Alkemists Pharmaceuticals on twelve different products which claim to contain pure hoodia plant in powdered form. According to these results, some of the products contain hoodia gordonii, some contain a small amount of hoodia gordonii and some contain no hoodia gordonii at all. In fact, one company is the subject of a possible class action suit.

Some of the questionable weight loss products with hoodia have appropriate CITES licenses for exporting hoodia gordonii and so one must assume that the error was made as early as the harvesting process. The government of South Africa was concerned that this might be a problem. Identification of the hoodia gordonii plant is apparently difficult, as there are 15 different species of hoodia, but only hoodia gordonii has been studied as an appetite suppressant. In order for consumers to find weight loss products with hoodia gordonii that is genuine, it may be necessary to look for companies which display chemical analysis reports or are certified by Hoodia gordonii.co.za.

FAQ: Can I Take Hoodia If I Have Diabetes?

When it comes to any medical condition, it is important to check with your doctor before you begin using any new health supplement. The clinical research (meaning the research that involves people and not lab animals) into hoodia dangers is still on-going. Hopefully, this research will address issues such as drug interaction and medical conditions.

Can I take hoodia if I have diabetes? At one time the San people of southern Africa used hoodia gordonii to treat diabetes, but they did not have access to modern day medications. Future hoodia dangers may come to light involving hoodia’s affect on medical conditions. There have been a few interested doctors who have carefully followed their patients with diabetes while they were using hoodia gordonii, but this is of course between you and your doctor.

If I am under a doctor’s supervision, can I take hoodia if I have diabetes? People who have diabetes have used hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant under a doctor’s supervision. Possible hoodia dangers are unknown. It is relatively new to the market. It does not appear to have any side effects, but that is why a doctor’s supervision is important. If you are taking hoodia gordonii under a doctor’s supervision and you do notice unusual side effects, your doctor will be able to tell you if they arise from hoodia use or are unrelated to hoodia use.

Only your doctor can fully answer the question; can I take hoodia if I have diabetes. It is not recommended for use by children, pregnant or nursing women. It is recommended for use by people who are in relatively good health and even then only after consulting with their doctors. All information about hoodia dangers refers to 100% hoodia gordonii products. There may be other dangers associated with hoodia herb combos. To learn more about hoodia gordonii, your doctor can view Dr. Joseph Varallo’s experience with his patients who were using hoodia by visiting the Desert Burn website.

There is one important thing that your doctor may want to consider when trying to answer your question; can I take hoodia if I have diabetes. Research at Brown University, using lab animals, showed that hoodia affects the part of the brain which monitors blood sugar levels, as well as hunger and thirst. This could be a factor in the decision making process. We have compiled much information about hoodia at the Hoodia Info Blog and will continue to update the information as news continues to come in. Phytopharm is still conducting clinical research into hoodia dangers and as they release information, it will be posted here.

The Search for Hoodia 1000

Trying to find a hoodia 1000mg product is not easy. Many companies advertise a 1000mg product, but reading the fine print on the back or the diet pill bottle does not always support their claims.

There are many diet pills containing hoodia gordonii on the market. Sometimes finding a diet pill containing genuine hoodia gordonii is the problem. Compared to a stimulant containing diet pill, hoodia gordonii appears to be much safer. Effectiveness seems to vary among individuals and there is no accepted standard dosage, however many people report that it takes about 3000mg per day to suppress their appetites. In order to avoid taking numerous pills throughout the day and to keep the cost per day at a more reasonable level, we searched for hoodia 1000mg products. This is what we found.

The first problem is finding a diet pill hoodia gordonii product that actually contains 1000mg of hoodia gordonii. We looked at Hoodia Xtra 1000. The name suggests that it is a hoodia 1000mg product, but each capsule only contains 500mg. They listed the recommended dosage as two capsules. An advertisement led us to ebay, where many companies sell hoodia products. One would think that that the diet pill hoodia gordonii 5000 contains 5000mg per capsule, but each capsule actually contains 250mg of a 20:1 extract. There is no exact equivalency from extract to powder. Some companies claim that twenty pounds of plant are used to create one pound of extract, but it is actually 20 grams or whole plant to create one gram. This does not mean that the extract is twenty times stronger, but that is what they would like for you to believe.

The diet pill hoodia gordonii 1000 SRT claims to be a hoodia 1000mg product, but is sold by a site that sells arts and crafts and has no certifications of authenticity. The price is nice, but really cheap products with no certificates of authenticity are probably not genuine hoodia gordonii. The bionutricals diet pill hoodia 1000 is supposed to be 1000mg, but the recommended dosage is two capsules, three times a day, which would be 6000mg and no one recommends a dosage that high. They do not show an enlargement of the back of the bottle, so we can not verify the content.

The only diet pill hoodia gordonii product that we could find that comes close is Desert Burn, which contains 750 mg of pure Hoodia.

No Complications Using Hoodia Gordonii Reported

The companies involved in researching hoodia side affects and developing products for consumer use have reported no complications using hoodia as an appetite suppressant at this time.

Phytopharm just completed the first phase of its five phase clinical research program and has reportedly found no complications; using hoodia is apparently safe for reasonably healthy individuals. While no hoodia side affects have been reported, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Consumer Reports does not recommend it for anyone, but not because of any reported side effects. They do not recommend its use, because clinical research has not been completed at this time. Complications using hoodia on a long term basis may arise. Hoodia gordonii was eaten by the San people of southern Africa, but it was not a preferred food item. They did not eat it often.

There may be complications using hoodia gordonii combined with prescription or over-the-counter medications. This has not been studied. The safest way to use hoodia gordonii supplements is under a doctor’s supervision. That way if unexpected side effects arise, the doctor will be able to evaluate if they are hoodia side affects or something else.

Complications using hoodia gordonii combined with other botanicals may arise. It is believed that Ephedra complications were caused by using it in combination with other stimulants, but this can not be proven without endangering human health. Many botanicals are natural stimulants and consumers should read labels carefully before buying a product. Unknown ingredients should be investigated before use. Any statements concerning the lack of known hoodia side affects applies only to 100% hoodia gordonii, not hoodia herb combinations. Unexpected side effects should be reported to one’s doctor along with ingredients of hoodia herb combination used.

Completion of the clinical research program by Phytopharm may provide more information, such as recommended dosages and drug interaction warnings. Sometimes, even after a new product is completely researched, new side effects show up. There could still be hoodia side affects. No one can say with complete certainty that there will not be complications using hoodia, only that none are expected.

Hoodia Gordonii USA

People have asked us where to buy hoodia pills in USA stores. Major retail giants like GNC offer some hoodia supplements, but hoodia gordonii does not grow in the United States, so all genuine hoodia gordonii is imported from Africa.

The major concern in buying hoodia gordonii from any supplement company is quality. If a hoodia gordonii USA product is not genuine hoodia gordonii then the appetite will not be suppressed. Dissatisfied customers have reported problems with some hoodia products. Sometimes, another hoodia product allows them to achieve their goals. Anyone who has access to the internet can investigate a product before they buy it. Perhaps the best answer to where to buy hoodia pills in USA stores is to investigate the product, before you buy it.

DexL 10 is a product sold by GNC that, according to the label, supplies 500mg of hoodia gordonii. According to the company, their product has been analyzed by independent laboratories and is genuine hoodia gordonii. However a sample evaluated by Alkemists Pharmaceuticals for Hoodia gordonii.co.za, a South African non-profit company interested in providing accurate information about hoodia supplements, showed a near zero trace of hoodia gordonii and they could not confirm the presence of the p57 molecule in the tested sample. P57 is believed to be the active molecule in hoodia gordonii according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. The CSIR was the first to report that hoodia gordonii caused weight loss in lab animals, but not due to any apparent toxic effect. Perhaps, the question should be; where can we buy genuine hoodia gordonii USA products. And the best answer to this question may be the internet.

The other products sold by GNC are hoodia herb combos. There have been no studies into the effectiveness or safety of combining hoodia gordonii with other botanicals. Most hoodia herb combos contain stimulants and stimulants can cause a variety of unwanted side effects. People looking for natural genuine hoodia gordonii USA products may need to buy them from the internet. Desert Burn does has one outlet in New Jersey. Desert Burn is an American based company and their hoodia gordonii has been authenticated by several independent laboratories including Alkemists Pharmaceuticals for Hoodia gordonii.co.za.

The other consideration about where to buy hoodia pills in USA stores is dosage. While there is no accepted standard dosage to achieve appetite suppression from hoodia gordonii, must people report that it takes about 3000mg per day. This means that if a product contains only 500mg per capsule and the average bottle contains 30 capsules, then one must buy two bottles per month. This can be expensive, since even the least expensive products cost about $40 per bottle. Maybe the best hoodia gordonii USA products are sold only on the internet.

Hoodia Results Promising

Results of available studies, both formal and informal, about hoodia gordonii’s effectiveness as an appetites suppressant are encouraging. There is no evidence that use of hoodia results in any unwanted side effects. However, reputable companies recommend that dieters check with their doctors before beginning any weight loss program.

News stories about hoodia gordonii have people searching for this natural appetite suppressant. The plant grows wild only in areas of southern Africa and is apparently relatively hard to cultivate. The San people of southern Africa reported that consumption of hoodia results in suppressed appetite. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa reported in 1963 that injecting lab animals with extracts of hoodia results in weight loss, but not due to any apparent toxic effect. A British pharmaceutical company heard about hoodia gordonii and began to investigate for themselves. They released results in 2001 of a clinical study of overweight volunteers who were given hoodia extract and the results were positive. There was a significant reduction in daily caloric intake and a significant reduction in body fat. In 2004, scientists at Brown University Medical School in Rhode Island reported that injecting laboratory rats with extract of hoodia results in increased levels of ATP, a neurotransmitter and cell energy source. Rats reduced their food intake over a 24 hour period by 40-60%.

Many people have questions about hoodia gordonii. The majority of questions are about safety and side effects. Many appetite suppressants contain stimulants and use of stimulants may result in unwanted side effects from sleeplessness to increased heart rate to, in the case of Ephedra, death. Apparently use of hoodia results in no unwanted side effects other than suppression of thirst, as well as hunger, which means that dieters need to be conscious of water consumption to avoid dehydration. The clinical studies by Phytopharm have not been completed at this time. Most information about hoodia gordonii comes from Phytopharm. There have been informal studies by interested doctors in the United States and no unwanted side effects have been reported. However, the importance of talking to one’s doctor about hoodia gordonii can not be overstressed. If they have not heard about hoodia, they soon will. One should be in relatively good health before using hoodia, results vary among individuals and all available products are not the same. A little investigation into ingredients and sometimes a little trial and error is necessary to find an effective product.

A non-profit South African based company, Hoodia gordonii.co.za, is involved in providing accurate information about hoodia gordonii supplements to interested consumers. They have had the products from several different companies tested by Alkemists Pharmaceuticals laboratories. These hoodia results are not so promising. While there are companies whose products do contain genuine hoodia gordonii powder, there are many products that do not. A list of products that have been tested and the results of those tests are available for view at their website. They have not tested every product on the market as testing is expensive and was sponsored by Desert Burn Industries and Ethno Africa. Many companies that are aware of customers concerns about hoodia gordonii authenticity have had their own testing done and display these results on their websites.

In conclusion, comparing use of hoodia results in lab animals to anticipated results in people could be a problem. Animals only eat because they are hungry. People eat for a variety of reasons and hunger is only one of them. While use of hoodia gordonii may suppress the appetite, it may not suppress psychological cravings and eating out of boredom. Binge eaters, habitual overeaters and those who need to “clean their plates” may not be helped by an appetite suppressant. Available information about hoodia gordonii’s effectiveness as an appetite suppressant is promising, but it is not a “miracle cure” for obesity.

How Does Hoodia Work?

Of all the questions people ask about hoodia gordonii, the most common is: How does hoodia work? While this question can not be answered definitively, there is evidence of a hypothalamus hoodia connection that at least appears to answer the question.

Like many subjects relating to the human body, the question; how does hoodia work is still being studied. Many scientists agree that it does work as an appetite suppressant and on-going clinical trials are mostly concerned with issues concerning dosages, drug interactions and other factors affecting positive results. The connection between a portion of the brain called the hypothalamus, hoodia gordonii and appetite was made by scientists at Brown University. The San of southern Africa knew nothing about the affect that hoodia had on the brain. They only knew that it alleviated their hunger and thirst.

Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research were not much concerned about how does hoodia work. They were evaluating what is called “bush food” to determine toxicity and possibly for use as food or drugs. The hypothalamus hoodia connection was not made at this time. They did discover that animals which were given an extract of hoodia gordonii lost weight, but the weight loss did not appear to be due to any toxic affect. At that time they were able to identify what they believed to be the active molecule in hoodia gordonii and named it p57.

Research and clinical studies by Phytopharm and later Pfizer which began in 1995 did not address the issue of how does hoodia work, but does hoodia work. Phytopharm performed a double blind (meaning that neither administrators nor participants know who is receiving a placebo and who is receiving the actual extract) study of overweight volunteers in 2001. After two weeks, those persons who had been given the extract had reduced their caloric intake and lost body fat. Phytopharm does not mention anything about the hypothalamus, hoodia gordonii’s affect on the nerve cells of the hypothalamus or the role played by the hypothalamus in appetite.

Finally in 2004, someone addressed the issue of how does hoodia work. A study at Brown Medical School, in which the p57 molecule was isolated from hoodia gordonii, created the hypothalamus hoodia link. A study group of rats was injected with the p57 molecule while a control group was injected with placebo. After 24 hours there was an increase in ATP (an important neurotransmitter and cell energy source) in hypothalamic neurons of 50-150% and a decrease in food intake of 40-60% in the study group. While the control group was fed a low calorie diet for four days and exhibited a decrease of ATP in the hypothalamus of 30-50%. The control group was then injected with the hoodia extract and the decrease was blocked. Interpreting the hypothalamus, hoodia and ATP results in simplest terms; this study indicates that the part of the brain responsible for feelings of hunger, thirst and many other things temporarily blocks the hunger and thirst sensations and relays a sense of fullness, because hoodia gordonii causes an increase in ATP, which normally decreases when food intake is reduced. This is the best explanation we have yet of how does hoodia work. It is often hard to determine exactly how a chemical compound works in the human body and this is no exception.

Clinical Research Concerning Drug Interaction Incomplete

While Phytopharm has not completed the clinical research, there are no known side effects associated with hoodia gordonii at this time. Subsequent phases of their clinical research should include warnings about possible interactions with drugs or health problems. This research should address issues like taking hoodia and antidepressants or other commonly used prescription medications. This research should also address hoodia and high blood pressure concerns. Regretfully, clinical research does not always cover every medication of medical condition. This is why an individual’s doctor is the most important person to consult whenever beginning to use any new supplement, particularly when there is an existing medical problem.

Hoodia supplement labeling indicates that only those who are in reasonably good health should use hoodia gordonii. This does not mean that there is any known reaction between hoodia and antidepressants or any other prescription medication. It is only intended to impress dieters with the importance of consulting their doctors before they use any new supplement, not just hoodia gordonii.

There is a history of hoodia and high blood pressure that exists among the indigenous people of southern Africa. Hoodia gordonii was used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure among other conditions by these people, but they had no access to modern day medications. There are no studies concerning the effects of hoodia gordonii on high blood pressure. Anyone who is being treated for high blood pressure should consult their physician before using hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant. There are studies concerning the effects of stimulants on high blood pressure. Anyone being treated for high blood pressure should not use hoodia herb combos, because all of them contain some form of natural stimulant.

Points to remember:
People should be in reasonably good health before taking hoodia gordonii.
Consumers should consult their physician before using any new supplement, whether they are currently using a prescription medication or not. .
Questions concerning hoodia and antidepressants should be addressed to one’s physician.
Questions concerning hoodia and high blood pressure should be addressed to one’s physician.

No Hoodia Problem/Side Effect Reported

While Phytopharm has not completed the clinical research, there is no hoodia problem side effect to report at this time. Other than suppressing thirst as well as appetite, which means dieters must focus on water intake to avoid dehydration.

The initial question that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa wanted to answer was: Is the hoodia gordonii cactus safe? After learning that it had been used by the San, indigenous people sometimes called Bushmen, to ward off hunger and thirst when other food sources were not available. The CSIR noted that it caused weight loss in laboratory animals, but not due to any toxic effect. They observed that there appeared to be no hoodia problem, side effect or other contraindication for continued research. The following is a list of frequently asked hoodia questions.

Is the hoodia gordonii cactus safe for human consumption? Apparently, since it was eaten in its natural form by the San, but Phytopharm is still not ready to make a broad statement about any hoodia problem, side effect or overall safety. Questions about drug interaction, even interaction with other plants and herbs still need to be answered. While it was safe for the San, there are many plants and herbs that they did not have at there disposal and of course they did not need to lose weight, so it was not used for that purpose.

Is the hoodia gordonii cactus safe for breastfeeding women? No studies have included breastfeeding women, because anything that enters the mother’s bloodstream will enter her breast milk. Breastfeeding women should not use hoodia gordonii supplements.

Is there any hoodia problem, side effect or other concern for people with high blood pressure? It was used by the San to treat high blood pressure, but of course they had no other medications available to them and no studies have been released concerning any hoodia problem/side effect related to blood pressure.

Is the hoodia gordonii cactus safe from extinction? This is probably only a question for those of us who are naturalists or environmentalists, but the concern for hoodia gordonii and other species of hoodia in the wild is the reason that any exporter must obtain a special license. This is the often referred to CITES document.

In conclusion, while there has been no hoodia problem side effect reported at this time, dieters should consult their doctors before beginning any weight loss program, whether it includes a hoodia gordonii appetite suppressant or not.

Hoodia Comparison: Two 100% Hoodia Gordonii Products

There are many different hoodia products available. There are hoodia teas, liquids, capsules, sprays and patches. There are products which combine hoodia herb combos and then there is 100% hoodia gordonii. This hoodia comparison focuses on those products which are 100% hoodia gordonii.

Clinical research into the side effects of hoodia gordonii has not been completed at this time. All sources report no unwanted side effects among users of 100% hoodia gordonii products or extracts. Final clinical research should include possible drug interactions, but often there are no such studies into reactions with natural products like herbs. This is important to remember if you are considering a hoodia herb combo like Hoodia Gordonii Plus, but this hoodia comparison focuses on 100% hoodia gordonii products, comparing price, hoodia content and other considerations.

Hoodia XR is a 100% hoodia gordonii is distributed by an American company called Great Herbal Labs. According to their website, they have been in the herbal supplement business since 2001. The first item in this hoodia comparison is price, because this is a major consideration for many people. Hoodia XR 100% hoodia gordonii is currently selling for $49.95 per bottle plus shipping. Customers receive free Fed Ex shipping and a 10% discount when two bottles are purchased at the same time. With three bottles the company offers a 25% discount as well as free shipping. Total price for three bottles of Hoodia XR is $109.95.

Desert Burn Industries sells several different hoodia products, all are 100% hoodia gordonii, but for the purpose of this hoodia comparison, we are looking at Desert Burn ZA 750, which is currently priced at $59.95 per bottle plus shipping and handling. Three bottles cost $149.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. Desert Burn is the only doctor endorsed hoodia product we've found to date.

Hoodia content or milligrams per capsule is the next item in this hoodia comparison. Hoodia XR 100% hoodia gordonii is a 1000mg time released capsule. Suggested use is one tablet three times per day or as recommended by a healthcare professional. Desert Burn ZA 750, as the name indicates is 750mg. Suggested use is one or two capsules in the morning and one or two in the afternoon, not to exceed six capsules per day. There is no accepted “standard dosage” for 100% hoodia gordonii products. Research by Phytopharm which supports hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant can not be used to establish the necessary amount to achieve results, because the extract that they used for research contained only the active molecule, not the whole plant in powdered form. But, for the purpose of this hoodia comparison, let’s go with 3000mg per day, which is the Hoodia XR suggestion. It is important to note here that according to customer comments, dieters have achieved results with less.

If an individual needs 3000mg per day to achieve results then one bottle (90 capsules) of Hoodia XR is a 30 day supply, but a bottle of Desert Burn ZA 750 (60 capsules) is only a 15 day supply. This hoodia comparison is repeated among other companies selling 100% hoodia gordonii products. Product information and order information may refer to a bottle as a 30 day supply, but when we read the small print, we see that this is not necessarily true.

Both Hoodia XR and Desert Burn have appropriate certifications and licenses which indicate that their products are genuine 100% hoodia gordonii. Both have money back guarantees. Hoodia XR will accept return of one opened bottle per customer if they are dissatisfied for any reason, but customers must call for return authorization and the return authorization number must be written on the outside of the box or the return will be rejected. This completes this hoodia comparison of two 100% hoodia gordonii products.

Latest News about Phytopharm’s Hoodia Gordonii Product

It wasn’t just media news that caused supplement companies to begin looking for hoodia gordonii supplies. Press releases by Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, about researching hoodia and side effects that might be associated with hoodia caused the initial stir in the health supplement industry.

Phytopharm has two operating divisions; a plant extract division and a pharmaceutical division. In June of 1997, Phytopharm announced that “a naturally occurring appetite suppressant is to be developed into a prescription medicine by Phytopharm”. This was to be Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product. News of a naturally occurring appetite suppressant sent, not only supplement companies, but those who needed to lose weight searching for this “naturally occurring appetite suppressant”. At that time, everyone expected Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product to be a prescription drug even though it was consistently referred to by the company as a “natural anti-obesity treatment”. Their collaboration with Pfizer, another pharmaceutical company, to research hoodia and side effects that could be caused by hoodia use only supported the idea that Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii would be a prescription drug. Now, since they have partnered with Unilever, not a pharmaceutical company, it is somewhat unclear what Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product will be. They do seem committed to the idea that Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii will be superior to products that are currently on the market.

Phytopharm's product development strategy begins with what they call “proof of principle” clinical testing. These tests are designed to determine if a product has the potential to be safe and effective. Proof of principle testing of Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product began in March of 2001. News about hoodia and side effects were released after this first phase was completed in December of 2001. This was a naturally occurring substance and there appeared to be no side effects associated with its use. After completing the initial clinical testing, Phytopharm’s strategy advances to the search for a partner company for “late stage development, sales and marketing”. The partner company for Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is Unilever, manufacturers of food products, dietary supplements and over the counter medications. One of their more famous products is “Slim Fast”. Phytopharm is still researching and investigating the possibility or a drug to treat metabolic disorder and hoodia gordonii is the basis for this drug.

Phytopharm attempts to obtain patents for naturally occurring substances. “Phytopica” is a Phytopharm product for the treatment of dermatitis in dogs and was just released in April of 2006. Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is patented, but they have had more than a little trouble keeping other manufacturers of natural products from selling their own hoodia products. In May of 2006, they announced that they were aware that other companies were selling hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant and that they believed that this could be patent infringement. They said that they had contacted the appropriate authorities. The problem is that a naturally occurring product can not be patented. If Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product is unique and therefore stronger, safer and better than the hoodia products that are currently on the market, then how could there be patent infringement and why would they be concerned about companies that are selling what they imply are inferior products?

There is no comparison between the known side effects of hoodia and side effects associated with appetite suppressants that contain stimulants. Products which contain both hoodia and stimulants could create a problem. It is believed that problems with Ephedra arose as a result of being mixed with caffeine or other stimulants. The problem was that this could not be proven without endangering human health. Hopefully, Phytopharm’s hoodia gordonii product will be stimulant free as are many of the hoodia products that are currently on the market.

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.

Are You Looking for Hoodia Tincture or Hoodia Tea?

While there are no specific products being sold as “hoodia tincture”, tincture is a word that is synonymous with drops, medicine, tablet, tonic and many other words. As a result many companies use the phrase hoodia tincture to refer to their products. In this article we look at two hoodia tea products and what they contain. If you are looking for a different form of hoodia, there are complete articles in earlier postings comparing hoodia liquids, drops, capsules, herb blends and even hoodia coffee. There is at this time no prescription form of hoodia. Phytopharm appears to be working on that.

Manufacturers of hoodia tea commonly use the term hoodia tincture to describe the products that they sell. Two easily found hoodia tea products are Desert Tea and Bija Hoodia Tea. The price for Desert hoodia tea is $39.95 per twenty tea bags plus shipping and handling. The price for Bija hoodia tea varies depending on the distributor, but $12.95 per twenty tea bags was the listed price at the time of this writing. Before you decide to buy based on price, look at the ingredients.

Desert hoodia tea contains one full gram of hoodia gordonii per tea bag and rooibos (an African shrub whose leaves are dried to make an herbal tea) for flavor. Bija hoodia tea contains an unspecified amount of hoodia gordonii, green tea, magnolia bark, oatstraw herb, garcinia cambogia, bitter orange and grapefruit. Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate that the larger the amount of hoodia gordonii present, in any forms of hoodia tincture, the better the results. Green tea contains caffeine which is a stimulant and should be avoided by those who are sensitive to stimulants. Bitter orange and grapefruit are added as flavorings and for anti-oxidant value. Garcinia cambogia was used in traditional Indian medicine to treat swelling, constipation and an array of other complaints. Its effectiveness as a weight loss supplement has not been proven. Magnolia bark and oatstraw are commonly used in herbal teas. With that many different ingredients, there may not be very much hoodia gordonii present in this hoodia tea. Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate better results and overall satisfaction with a hoodia tincture that is 100% hoodia gordonii.

Other considerations about hoodia tea are the same as those with any hoodia tincture. For best results and satisfaction, look for products with CITES certifications that verify the presence of genuine hoodia gordonii. You should consult your doctor before using any hoodia tincture; this is particularly true of a hoodia tea which contains stimulants, since stimulants can affect blood pressure. Persons should be in reasonably good health. Products should not be used by children or women who are nursing. Whether you choose to use a hoodia tea or a hoodia tincture of another variety, report any unusual symptoms to your health care professional along with a list of the product ingredients.

Hoodia FAQ: Which Hoodia Gordonii is Authentic?

We looked at the “Hoodia FAQ” page of many different company’s websites that are currently selling or that intend to sell a hoodia product. Other than what is hoodia gordonii, how does it work and is it safe, the most frequently asked questions at these sites revolve around which hoodia gordonii is authentic.

Just about every health supplement company that sells a hoodia gordonii appetite suppressant has a hoodia FAQ page on its website. We were curious about the “most” frequently asked questions as reported by the different companies and by Phytopharm, who is not presently selling a hoodia product, but maintains a website specifically for hoodia FAQ. What is it, how does it work and is it safe appear to be the most frequently asked questions, but lately company’s have had to support their claims about the authenticity of the hoodia gordonii they are selling. So, which hoodia gordonii is authentic? First we have to define what “authentic hoodia gordonii” means and why there is any question.

When it comes to something like “green tea”, there is never any question about authenticity. Green tea is so common that no one has ever been accused of selling “counterfeit green tea”. When it comes to hoodia gordonii, questions about authenticity arise because of accusations that some companies were selling counterfeit hoodia gordoni. This accounts for the appearance of “which hoodia gordonii is authentic” on hoodia FAQ pages. It is unclear at this time whether the fake hoodia gordonii claims were true or a creation of rival companies, trying to increase their share of the market. There was a spam letter about a hoodia product that was sent to a very large number of e-mail addresses, but no one knows if anyone actually sent money to these spammers.

It is relatively simple to tell which hoodia gordonii is authentic or at least appears to be authentic. Most companies have a certifications page or it may be included as part of their hoodia FAQ page. Certifications for authentic hoodia gordonii will include a CITES license for exporting hoodia gordonii from South Africa. Some companies have analytical reports which are completed by independent laboratories verifying the products as hoodia gordonii and sometimes indicating the presence of the p57 molecule. A phyto-sanitary document is sometimes included, depending on whether the company imports the hoodia themselves or buys from a wholesale distributor of bulk ingredients. Customers can buy products from companies which display documents like these with relative confidence. A money back guarantee also helps.

From Phytopharm’s official hoodia FAQ comes the question; are other products that claim to contain hoodia the same as Phytopharm’s products? This may be the ultimate which hoodia gordonii is authentic question. Phytopharm’s answer is that only their product, which will not be available for several years, is “botanically verified to contain pure hoodia gordonii and has quantified levels of the chemical constituents that produce the anti-obesity effects...has had extensive safety studies performed and been clinically proven to reduce calorie intake and body fat.” How Phytopharm knows that only their product has been verified is unclear and leads to another hoodia FAQ. Are hoodia products currently on the market effective appetite suppressants? This appears to vary on an individual basis. An informal study by Dr. Joseph Varallo suggests that at least one hoodia product appears to be an effective appetites suppressant. You can read Dr. Varallo’s complete conclusions at the Desert Burn website. Our final answer to the hoodia FAQ; which hoodia gordonii is authentic? Only a chemist or botanist can tell for sure.