Breaking Hoodia Info

Fake Hoodia Diet Pills

2006-06-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best new is no news. There has been no recent news concerning fake hoodia diet pills on the market. There have been no recent complaints to the Federal Trade Commission concerning fake hoodia diet pills. While there is no question that the best selling hoodia products are genuine hoodia gordonii. There are some products that have been shown by independent testing to contain little or no genuine hoodia gordonii. These are the fake hoodia diet pills to look out for.

According to Hoodia gordonii.co.za, a South African based company which facilitates the authentication of hoodia gordonii products worldwide, there are still many fake hoodia diet pills on the market. They and the makers of Desert Burn, one of the best selling hoodia products on the market, have had nine different hoodia products tested at their own expense. Chemical testing is an expensive process, costing around $800, so testing of every hoodia product on the market has not been possible.

It is recommended that consumers who wish to avoid fake hoodia diet pills look for certification from hoodia gordonii.co.za or independent testing by a pharmaceutical laboratory which confirms the presence of hoodia gordonii. You can view sample chemical analysis reports at Desert Burn or hoodia gordonii plus websites. The best selling hoodia products will have analytical reports available for inspection. Importation licenses may not be enough.

The governments of South Africa have reported concerns that current suppliers may not be providing genuine hoodia gordonii to exporters. It is apparently difficult to distinguish hoodia gordonii from other species of the plant. Some of the fake hoodia diet pills may have purchased what they believed to be genuine hoodia gordonii, but without laboratory analysis, there is no real guarantee that what they are selling is genuine. Another problem is price.

The best selling hoodia products may seem expensive, but as of March 2006, hoodia gordonii was selling for about $40 per ounce. Many of the companies which have been accused of selling fake hoodia diet pills have a small amount of genuine hoodia gordonii present in their formula. But, in order to cut costs, the hoodia gordonii has been mixed with other natural appetite suppressants, leaving negligible amounts of actual hoodia gordonii present. When you know the facts, it is easy to see why the best selling hoodia products cost more and the fake hoodia diet pills cost less.

Another way to avoid the fake hoodia diet pills is to read their advertising. If they make outrageous claims about hoodia, then they may be trying to rip you off. The best selling hoodia products will advise you that hoodia gordonii is simply an appetite suppressant and is only one part of a weight loss plan which should include diet and exercise. People who have tried the best selling hoodia products have reported that they do not even think about food. People who have tried the fake hoodia diet pills have reported no effect on their appetites.

Hoodia Warnings

2006-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Although there are no known hoodia diet product side effects, products which do not contain 100% hoodia gordonii may cause side effects. The only relevant hoodia warnings concern customer satisfaction. Every company claims to carry the best hoodia gordonii, the most pure hoodia gordonii and the most effective hoodia gordonii. Then they warn customers about their competitors.

There are published hoodia warnings which state that some products have been independently tested and do not contain genuine hoodia gordonii. But if you do a little investigative work, you will find that those products have laboratory tests that seem to support their claims. Who is telling the truth here? It’s hard to say.

The only known hoodia diet product side effects are thirst suppression and appetite suppression, which is what it is supposed to do anyway. There are customer comments stating that Brand X did not work for them, while Brand Y did, but who knows whether these comments can be trusted. There have been reports from customers of hoodia diet product side effects relating to stomach upset, but at this time there are no clinical studies which support or contradict these complaints.

If you are looking for US government hoodia warnings, then you will not find any. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that consumers evaluate all diet products with a “healthy portion of skepticism”. The FTC investigates complaints against health supplement as well as other companies. At this time they have not reported any complaints about hoodia products specifically. There are several pending class action suits against products which claim to contain hoodia gordonii. These suits are not concerned with hoodia diet product side effects, but the possible absence of hoodia gordonii in the products.

Since there are no hoodia warnings that may not be suspect and there are no known hoodia diet product side effects, the best advice for dieters at this time is to read and fully understand a company’s guarantee before you buy the product. That way, if it does not work for you, you may not lose weight, but you will not lose money either.

FAQ: Is hoodia a good diet aide?

2006-05-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T04:04:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T03:09:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T02:15:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-18T04:48:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

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?

2006-05-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

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.

A Brief History of Hoodia Gordonii

2006-05-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

The setting for the history of hoodia gordonii is southern Africa. Long before Europeans explored the continent giving Latin names to the strange plants and animals they encountered, the San peoples knew hoodia gordonii by different names; xshoba, ikhoba, xhooba, etc. The question of hoodia safety had long been answered for them. They knew that hoodia gordonii was safe to eat, though not a preferred food source. The history of hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant goes back to these people. When traveling or hunting they knew that hoodia gordonii would ease their hunger and thirst. There was no question about hoodia safety. It had been used traditionally to treat abdominal cramps and indigestion. It was even used to treat hypertension and diabetes. Questions of hoodia safety came later in the history of hoodia.

Credit for giving the plant a Latin name goes originally to a botanist name Francis Masson, who sailed with James Cook. He called the plant Stapelia gordonii and wrote a book about it and other species of hoodia, which he called carrion flowers, because the blooms smell like rotting meat. Later on the name Stapelia was changed to hoodia, in honor of an ardent succulent grower named Van Hood. This begins the history of hoodia gordonii, by its current name.

In the 1960’s scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) investigated many African plants that were used by native people for medicinal purposes. They were interested in hoodia safety and effectiveness as an appetite suppressant. The scientists identified what they believe to be the active molecule in hoodia gordonii and patented the molecule. The recent history of hoodia gordonii scientific research begins here. The CSIR licensed a British pharmaceutical company to continue investigation of hoodia safety and effectiveness. Phytopharm sublicensed the rights to Pfizer, who returned the rights after closing their branch which dealt with plants and naturally occurring substances. Pfizer stated that they believed another company would be better equipped to continue research into hoodia safety and effectiveness. The history of hoodia and Pfizer ends here, in the late 1990’s, and caused some questions among a very few people about whether or not Pfizer would have returned the developmental rights, if hoodia safety and effectiveness could be proven.

Another opinion about Pfizer’s return of the hoodia license; often drug companies have several years to market their version of a new drug before anyone can market a generic or a similar natural health supplement. Because of Phytopharm’s long delay in bringing hoodia gordonii to the market (they are still involved in clinical research of hoodia safety and effectiveness), many health supplement companies have been able to obtain large supplies of the plant from farmers in South Africa. This actually begins the history of hoodia gordonii as a natural appetite suppressant. News continuously comes in. Just a few weeks ago (May 2006), Phytopharm announced that they and their new partner (Unilever) had just completed the first phase of a five phase clinical research program into hoodia safety and effectiveness. The world awaits the results.

Informative Articles + Hoodia News = The Hoodia Info Blog

2006-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that lots of people are happy with the results they have achieved by using hoodia gordonii. One of my responsibilities as one of the editors of the Hoodia Info Blog is to read hoodia reviews, hoodia articles and hoodia testimonials. I have come up with an equation; hoodia review articles + hoodia testimonials = customer satisfaction. But, when it comes to hoodia herb combinations, there are some very strange products out there. The ingredients included in some of these products make me wonder if they really work for anybody.

First hoodia itself is not an herb. Many people are confused because it is sold by companies that sell herbs and other natural dietary supplements. Hoodia is a succulent plant native to the deserts of southern Africa. Many of the supplement companies sell a “hoodia herb combo” and depending on the ingredients, these may not be as effective at suppressing appetite as 100% hoodia products. Hoodia Gordonii+ is one of the better hoodia herb combos and there is a complete article devoted to the interesting herbs and plant extracts that this company added to hoodia gordonii concentrate in an earlier post.

One hoodia herb combo that we looked at recently contains something called Banaba leaf. You might think that this is a misspelling of banana, but Banaba is an island in the Pacific Ocean. It is also a tree. Banaba leaf has been used to lower blood glucose levels and the hoodia herb combo which contains Banaba leaf, just does not make sense to us. Hoodia gordonii is believed to affect nerve cells that monitor blood glucose levels, creating a false signal that blood glucose has increased. A hoodia herb comb which contains an ingredient that may lower blood glucose levels seems contradictory. Our conclusion; Banaba leaf + hoodia gordonii may not equal customer satisfaction.

It seems to take 100% genuine hoodia gordoni products at relatively high doses (750-1000mg) to effectively suppress most peoples appetites. This conclusion was arrived at by reading informal studies by doctors following patients using hoodia gordonii and by reading customer comments posted at sites dedicated to reviewing hoodia products. The purpose of the Hoodia Info Blog is to provide accurate information in a timely manner to assist customers in making decisions that they will be happy with. We have evaluated many hoodia herb combos and our best advice is as follows: First, consult your doctor before you buy any hoodia herb combo, certain ingredients can affect blood pressure and heart rate. Second, read the listed ingredients, if you don’t know what something is or what it can do, don’t buy it until you look it up. Third, there are many natural stimulants which have the same effect on the body as caffeine, refer back to the second suggestion.

We came up with these equation for the conclusion; informational articles + hoodia gordonii + doctors advice + reasonable diet + appropriate exercise + water = happy hoodia customers.

Diet Pills and Oprah

2006-05-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, on one of those debate shows, a group of three gave opinions concerning Oprah’s affect on American’s. The makers, advertisers and web site designers of practically every hoodia gordonii diet pill on the market mentions the hoodia Oprah connection.

Why does America value Oprah’s opinion so highly? Books mentioned by Oprah become best sellers. Products mentioned by Oprah disappear from shelves. The Oprah hoodia connection is no exception. Hoodia gordonii is an amazing plant, appears to be a powerful appetite suppressant and is helping people lose weight, but why the American public believes it when they hear it from Oprah is an interesting question.

The hoodia Oprah connection was formed in July of 2005, when an article in “O” magazine called “Diet Pills, The Next Generation” mentioned hoodia gordonii. Hoodia is world famous today because of Oprah Winfrey and reporters from 60 minutes and the BBC. Not too many people have anything bad to say about hoodia gordonii. There are cautions concerning buying authentic or genuine hoodia. There are concerns about completion of clinical research, but people who listen to Oprah don’t care.

There are rumors about an “Oprah hoodia” diet pill. There does not appear to be any such product. People have said that Oprah is using hoodia herself. This does not appear to be true either. Oprah has had consistent problems with her weight for as long as the American public can remember. First she is really overweight, and then she slims down. She appears to be on that see-saw or roller coaster that many Americans ride when it comes to controlling their weight. Many of us have lost the same 10 or 20 pounds over and over again throughout our lives. There is nothing amazing about the fact that we continuously search for a miracle weight loss pill. About hoodia, Oprah’s opinions may be right. Research thus far and customer’s testimonials seem to indicate that hoodia works for many people. Like any product, it does not work for everyone, but most people who comment about being dissatisfied with results, find satisfactory results with another product.

The Oprah hoodia article did not support or recommend any product currently on the market. It was a general article, as were the television reports about the effectiveness of hoodia as an appetite suppressant. It is doubtful that any of the reporters or writers who investigated hoodia gordonii would have thought that their comments would prove to be the basis for a nationwide advertising campaign, but at least they gave hope to overweight people everywhere.

Possible Dangers of Hoodia Researched

2006-05-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

Though currently there are no known dangers of hoodia gordonii, Phytopharm is continuing its five phase clinical hoodia research program.

Hoodia gordonii is a species of succulent that grows wild in areas of southern Africa. The only published hoodia research to this date was performed by scientists at Brown University. They injected rats with an extract from the hoodia gordonii plant and reported no dangers of hoodia, but that was not the purpose of their research. They were interested in why hoodia gordonii could suppress the appetite. They learned that naturally occurring glycosides (chemical substances which when dissolved in water produce a sugar) in hoodia gordonii affect the nerve cells in the hypothalamus which are responsible for monitoring blood glucose levels. In easier to understand terms; this hoodia research indicates that substances within the plant triggers a reaction in the brain that mimics the brains response to increases in blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels increase when we eat; the brain reacts to this by sending out a “not hungry” signal. Concerns over the dangers of hoodia gordonii probably result from the known dangers associated with other plants and herbs. Ephedra is a species of bushy plant, but when used as an appetite suppressant, it has caused undesirable side effects and even death.

Phytopharm’s hoodia research continues to ensure that there are no possible dangers of hoodia use as an appetite suppressant. Research to this time has been promising. Animals that have been fed hoodia gordonii lost weight, but not due to any detectable toxic effect. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was looking for toxicity in desert foods that were commonly consumed by native peoples when they learned that hoodia gordonii had been used to ward off hunger and thirst, when food and drink were not available. This led to more hoodia research, because pharmaceutical companies saw the increasing need for an effective appetite suppressant. The dangers of other herbs and plant products are usually a result of misuse. The root of the Kava plant, when taken as directed, can create a relaxed state, soothing the nerves. A woman died as a result of drinking large quantities of Kava tea. The dangers of hoodia, if they are present at all, will probably arise from failure to follow recommended dosages.

Phytopharm is also working on a synthetic version of what they believe to be the active molecule in hoodia gordonii. Their hoodia research involves the use of this molecule, not the plant itself. Synthetic versions of natural occurring substances often have dangers that are not present in the original substance. Their may be dangers of hoodia synthetic version. This remains to be seen.

The best advice for anyone interested in trying hoodia as a natural appetite suppressant is to consult your doctor, make sure you are in reasonably good health. Hoodia gordonii appetite suppressants should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. Hoodia seems to suppress the physical urge to eat, but psychological cravings may still be present. Available hoodia research does not indicate that it has any of the side effects associated with appetite suppressants which contain stimulants, but not all hoodia products are stimulant free. Check the label. The final word about the dangers of hoodia will be left to Phytopharm and the general public.

Finding Genuine Liquid Hoodia Gordonii

2006-05-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

The list of available hoodia products just keeps growing. Liquid hoodia has been around for a while. There are hoodia teas, hoodia patches and even hoodia sprays.

Most 100% hoodia products (Hoodia XR, Desert Burn, Hoodia 750, etc.) are sold in capsule form. The same is true of the products which contain hoodia mixed with other ingredients (pur hoodia plus, tru hoodia, hoodia gordonii plus, etc.). Then there are the liquid hoodia products, with names like Desert Juice and Hoodia Juice. Designed for those who have difficulty swallowing a capsule, liquid hoodia is preferred by some. Hoodia sprays are interesting in that some of them contain alcohol, the labels say organic alcohol, and that is true, all alcohols are organic. There are too many hoodia products to compare in one article, so this comparison focuses on four products, Desert Juice and Hoodia Juice, which are liquids and pur hoodia plus versus hoodia gordonii plus, which contain hoodia combined with other herbs.

Desert Juice is liquid hoodia sold by the Desert Burn Company. They also sell hoodia coffee, tea and capsules. Hoodia Juice is sold through several different distributors and the price per bottle varies from company to company. Pur hoodia plus is distributed by a company called Direct Alternatives. Hoodia Gordonii Plus is a product from Ultra Herbal Supplements.

Desert Juice sells for $39.95 per bottle. Hoodia Juice prices go as low as $15.95 per bottle. When purchasing liquid hoodia, consumers are wise to follow the same guidelines as they would follow when purchasing any hoodia product. In other words, if you want genuine hoodia gordonii, the natural appetite suppressant, you need to look for CITES documents or at least a chemical analysis report verifying authenticity. Hoodia Juice liquid hoodia does not display any certifications of authenticity. Desert Juice displays CITES documents, chemical analysis reports and phyto-sanitary certification. Pur hoodia plus and hoodia gordonii plus use hoodia gordonii purchased from Stella Labs. Stella Labs has the appropriate documentation to support statements that they are supplying genuine hoodia gordonii.
Hoodia gordonii plus is $39.95 per bottle and pur hoodia plus is $44.95 per bottle. A bottle is usually a 30 day or one month supply, but with liquid hoodia products it is hard to judge the serving size. Sometimes the dropper will fill halfway and sometimes full, so a bottle of liquid hoodia may not last the full thirty days.

Pur hoodia plus contains green tea and banaba leaf. Banaba is a tree that grows in Thailand and is said to lower blood glucose levels. According to available information about hoodia gordonii, it affects the nerve cells in the hypothalamus which monitor blood glucose levels and works by making the brain think that blood glucose levels have increased. This basically turns off the hunger mechanism. One must wonder about the effectiveness of combining a product which may lower blood glucose levels, with a product that suppresses hunger by mimicking an increase in blood glucose levels. If you are interested in a hoodia with green tea product, hoodia gordonii plus is probably a better choice. There is an earlier post about the different ingredients in hoodia gordonii plus.

Liquid hoodia should be stored in the refrigerator when not in use and care should be taken to avoid touching the dropper against the tongue, mouth or any other surface to avoid bacteria growth. For more information about Desert Juice liquid hoodia, visit the Desert Burn website by clicking on our sponsor link.

Free Hoodia?

2006-05-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

There are a few companies with a hoodia free trial offer. Two are supplements in tablet form and one is a hoodia patch. Opinions vary on which are the best hoodia products, but the better ones do not offer free trials.

As with any free trial offer that you see on the internet or receive in your e-mail box, the hoodia free trial offers are not really free. You, the customer, must pay shipping and handling, provide credit card information and phone number. Shipping and handling costs almost $10.00 for the hoodia patch offer, $5.95 for one of the supplement offers and $8.25 for the other. The supplements are not 100% hoodia gordonii. It is commonly accepted that the best hoodia gordonii products contain 100% hoodia gordonii. But some people do prefer a blend, if only to limit the number of supplements they take on a daily basis. If you do choose to take advantage of one of the hoodia free trial offers, be sure to investigate the other ingredients. Many companies which sell a blended product use green tea and other natural substances which are stimulants. Cocoa, for example is used in some products and if you look cocoa up in the encyclopedia, you will find that it is a stimulant.

The supplement companies that currently have hoodia free trial offers do not mention regular price on their sites, except to value the free sample. For example, company A says the value of the seven day trial is $15.00 (shipping and handling for this product is $5.95). If a seven day supply cost $15.00, then a one month supply of product A would be $60.00. Product B regular price is even higher. Believe me, even the very best hoodia products on the market do not cost this much. For example, Desert Burn is a 750mg capsule of 100% certified genuine hoodia gordonii and cost for a one month supply is around 50 bucks. While they do not have a hoodia free trial offer, they do have a great refund policy. Desert Burn is rated highly by independent websites devoted to comparing hoodia products. The two products offering a hoodia free trial are not mentioned on any of these sites.

If you are interested in a patch for reasons of convenience, then the hoodia free trial patch offers are probably worth checking out. Ten dollars seems kind of high for shipping, but at least you will not be stuck with a number of patches if the product does not work for you. The best hoodia results are achieved by those people who include a healthy diet and reasonable exercise. You should consult your doctor before taking any appetite suppressant or beginning any weight loss program. It is also wise to see your doctor on a regular basis while you are using hoodia, to insure that you are not experiencing any unwanted side effects. There are no known side effects associated with using hoodia gordonii, but complete clinical evaluations have not been completed at this time. So, check with your doctor before you order a hoodia free trial.

Product Reviews: Hoodia Gordoniplus and Hoodia XR

2006-05-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

The two products hoodia gordoniplus and hoodia XR are compared in terms of price, content and other factors. Both products have CITES certificates inspiring confidence that each contains genuine hoodia gordonii, but the products vary in other ways.

Until now, most appetite suppressants contained caffeine or some other stimulant. Hoodia gordonii is not believed to have any stimulating affects, but blended products may. As the name indicates hoodia gordoniplus contains hoodia plus other active ingredients. These other ingredients are included to increase the effectiveness of the product. However, the inclusion of green tea extract will mean that a small amount of caffeine is present and could cause unwanted side effects in persons sensitive to caffeine. For instance, migraine sufferers are often instructed to avoid products containing caffeine. Hoodia XR, on the other hand, contains nothing except hoodia and the ingredients used to make the capsule.

It is difficult to compare the amount of hoodia gordonii in the two products. They use different manufacturing methods. Hoodia gordoniplus uses a concentrated form of hoodia. Concentrates are generally believed to be more potent sources of key ingredients. The package indicates that the hoodia gordonii content in hoodia gordoniplus is 400mg in a 10:1 ratio, which means that 10 grams of whole plant are used to create one gram of concentrate. Hoodia XR contains 1000mg of hoodia gordonii in powdered form, meaning that the entire plant is ground into a powder. There is no standard dosage for hoodia gordonii. Some persons need to use more than others to achieve desired results. Most companies recommend that the product should be taken one hour before meals or three times per day, but this is too strong for some people. It is not recommended that the appetite be entirely suppressed. No one recommends fasting.

Hoodia gordoniplus is currently selling for $39.95 for a one month supply. Many companies report that they expect prices to increase as supplies dwindle. It takes several years of growth before hoodia gordonii is ready for harvesting and the increasing demand for the product has reduced the current supply. Hoodia XR is currently selling for $49.95. Both companies offer discounts for purchases of multiple bottles and Hoodia XR currently offers free shipping via Federal Express for orders of two or more bottles.

Both hoodia gordoniplus and Hoodia XR offer a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee, but remember that thirty days is from the date of order, not receipt. Hoodia XR recommends that you use the product as directed for a full ten days, before making a decision. Some people experience a decrease in appetite after the first dose. Others do not experience effects for a week or more. Whether you choose hoodia gordoniplus, Hoodia XR or some other hoodia product, you should check with your doctor, be in reasonably good health and drink plenty of water, since hoodia can suppress thirst, as well as hunger.

Natural Hoodia Gordonii; The Natural Appetite Suppressant

2006-05-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Natural hoodia growing in the deserts of southern Africa has been used by native peoples for food (though not a preferred food item), for medicinal purposes and to suppress their hunger and thirst during long hunts. South African hoodia gordonii is now available to people all over the world for use as an appetite suppressant.

It is important to remember to look for CITES documents and chemical analysis reports when shopping for natural hoodia products. Some companies are suspected of selling products which do not contain South African hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii is believed to be a natural appetite suppressant, but there are many varieties of hoodia plants. The governments of the countries in southern Africa are concerned that harvesting hoodia gordonii in the wild will threaten the plant and possible cause its extinction. They are also concerned that other species will be harvested by accident and for this reason; all species of hoodia are protected. Growing, trading and exporting natural hoodia requires special licensing. Health supplement companies which are providing genuine South African hoodia gordonii will generally display their CITES license on their website.

Some companies also display chemical analysis reports. Independent laboratories evaluate samples of natural hoodia provided to them by the health supplement companies. Their reports will indicate the presence of South African hoodia gordonii and in some cases note the presence of the p57 molecule, as well. The p57 molecule was isolated from natural hoodia gordonii by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. They licensed the rights to research and develop the molecule to a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm. Phytopharm recently announced that they had completed the first phase of a five phase clinical research program relating to South African hoodia gordonii. Phytopharm has not published the results of any of their studies, but will probably do so after the release of their hoodia products.

Brown University Medical School published the results of one study involving p57 from natural hoodia gordonii. Rats were injected with p57 and the results indicate that glycosides in South African hoodia gordonii affect nerve cells in the hypothalamus. Glycosides are compounds that are often found in plants which yield a sugar and one or more non-sugar substances when dissolved in water. The natural hoodia glycosides affect the nerve cells that are responsible for monitoring blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are low, the brain signals hunger and we feel hungry. When blood glucose levels stabilize or increase the brain stops signally hunger and we stop feeling hungry. Scientists believe that p57 found in South African hoodia gordonii causes the nerve cells to sense an increase in blood sugar level, when no food has been consumed. And the brain sends out the “not hungry” signal to the rest of the body.

This is not how other appetite suppressants work. Most of them contain stimulants, which may make a person feel more energetic and less hungry. Stimulants work for some people and not for others. In some people stimulants only create a feeling of nervousness and do nothing to affect feelings of hunger. According to dieters who have used South African hoodia gordonii sold by health supplement companies, there are no feelings of nervousness and there are no feelings of hunger. Some people prefer one product over another. Higher dosages seem to work better for most people than lower dosages. A few people have reported that a specific product did not work to suppress their appetites and they had to try a different natural hoodia product. So, it may take a little trial and error to find the right product for you or you may want to wait until the Phytopharm product is available. Either way, natural hoodia could be the solution to your weight problem.

Hoodia and Breastfeeding Don’t Mix

2006-05-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

There have been some questions about hoodia and breastfeeding. For this reason, we address the subject here.

There is only one published hoodia gordonii study at this time. This study was performed at Brown University Medical School in Rhode Island. The participants in this hoodia gordonii study were rats. Questions concerning the safety of using hoodia and breastfeeding have not been addressed by the scientific community. However, it is important for mothers to remember that anything she eats or drinks or allows to enter her bloodstream in any other way will show up in her breast milk and will be passed along to her infant. If the current speculation concerning hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant is correct. This could mean that the baby’s appetite would be affected as well.

Any reputable manufacturer makes the following statements concerning the use of hoodia. Even though there is only one hoodia gordonii study and clinical research has not been completed by Phytopharm, who is licensed to develop the patented p57 molecule, consumers should consult their doctors before use. It is not recommended to combine hoodia and breastfeeding. Dieters should be in reasonably good health. It is not recommended to use hoodia during pregnancy. Drug interaction factors are unknown. Use by diabetics has not been formally studied. In fact the only information that is currently available is a simple statement by Phytopharm which indicated that results of their studies indicate no health risks and confidence in safety is high enough to continue research. Results from Phytopharm research and the other hoodia gordonii study have been promising enough to interest health supplement manufacturers and many hoodia products are available for purchase, but the potential for law suits is not as high in the health supplement industry as it is in the pharmaceutical industry. For this reason and others Phytopharm will not release its hoodia product until clinical research is complete. One hoodia gordonii study is not enough.

Everyone knows that one of the things concerning new mothers is taking off the extra weight they may have gained during pregnancy. But, using hoodia and breastfeeding simultaneously is not the answer. Breastfeeding mothers should not use any form of appetite suppressant. Breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctors before using any over the counter meds or health supplements. Breastfeeding is considered the best way to insure proper nutrition and psychological bonding for infants, but mothers need to be very careful about what they eat or drink. Proper diet and reasonable exercise will have to suffice while breastfeeding. There may never be a hoodia gordonii study involving hoodia and breastfeeding.

Beautiful Hoodia Plants

2006-05-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hoodia plants are quite interesting. There are at least 15 different species in the hoodia genus. Hoodia gordonii is the species which is believed to be a natural appetite suppressant. Gordonii is often misspelled. Sometimes you will see hoodia gordonil or hoodia gordini. These are not listed among the species protected by the governments of southern Africa, so one must assume that they are misspellings of gordonii.

Hoodia plants are succulents, not cacti, but most people think of them as cacti. A cactus is a type of succulent, just a different family of plants. Hoodia gordonii, sometimes spelled hoodia gordonil or gordini, is one of the hoodia plants found in southern Africa. It is often found growing in the sands of the Kalahari Desert, but sometimes appears in dry stony areas, growing under or near other dessert plants and bushes.

While all species of hoodia plants are protected by the governments of southern Africa. Some species are endangered. The hoodia officinalis delaetiana, for example, is only found in areas of Namibia and is rare and endangered. Hoodia gordonii (hoodia gordonil) is found in South Africa and Namibia and is not threatened with extinction at this time, but the governments feel that it may become threatened due to over harvesting. Hoodia gordonil has become and increasingly popular ingredient for appetite suppressants. The other hoodia plants are not believed to have any appetite suppressing effects, but their appearance is similar. So, the governments are concerned that the wrong hoodia plants will be harvested and sold. Because of this, trade regulations for all hoodia plants have been established and permitting is required to grow, sell or export hoodia gordonil or any other species.

Some reporters have referred to the plants as ugly, but the blooms can be quite beautiful and horticulturists have long been interested in cultivating the plants. Various species of hoodia plants can be found in green houses and herbariums. Though lovely the blooms have a very strong spell. The smell of the hoodia gordonil blooms have been likened to that of rotting meat. The blooms vary in color from pale pink to dark maroon or light purple. The blooms of other hoodia plants vary in size, shape and color. The hoodia alstonii bloom, for instance, is shaped like a five pointed star and is bright yellow. The hoodia officinalis delaetiana has a star shaped bloom as well, but it is much larger and light brown in color. Chris Moore has a large collection of plants at his home in South East London, including four different species of hoodia plants (no hoodia gordonil, if this is your plant of interest). His collection includes the rare and endangered hoodia officinalis. An exhibition of his collection can be viewed by visiting his website at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chris.moore30444.

Whether spelled correctly (hoodia gordonii) or incorrectly (hoodia gordonil), interest in the many species of hoodia plants is sure to grow as news of the natural appetite suppressant spreads throughout the world.

Hoodia Supplements: What’s In There?

2006-05-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds, possibly thousands of hoodia supplements on the market. There is hoodia with green tea, garcinia cambogia, cocoa, and a variety of other ingredients. And then there is 100% hoodia gordonii.

Choosing among the variety of hoodia supplements currently available may seem like a chore. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error, before a dieter can find the appetite suppressant that works best for them. Hoodia with green tea is often seen. Green tea has been promoted by some very popular diet doctors as an effective natural appetite suppressant. The amount of caffeine found in green tea is less than that found in an equivalent amount of coffee, but people who are sensitive to stimulants may still have to avoid these hoodia supplements.

Hoodia Gordonii Plus is hoodia with green tea, garcinia cambogia, magnesium and a proprietary blend of plant enzymes. The price per bottle is $39.95, but cost per day depends on how much a person needs to take to achieve results. Many people find that they must exceed the dosages recommended on the packages. There is no accepted standard dosage for hoodia supplements. Some people need more. Some people need less. Exceeding the recommended dosage of a product which contains hoodia with green tea could cause side effects, because of the caffeine content. While no side effects have been reported among persons using products containing 100% hoodia gordonii, caffeine may cause increase in heart rate, nervousness, moodiness and could increase blood pressure.

Hoodia XR, Hoodia 750,Desert Burn and many other products contain 100% hoodia gordonii. These hoodia supplements are all certified, genuine hoodia gordonii. They all display appropriate CITES licenses which should insure that the product is genuine hoodia gordonii. The governments of southern Africa are concerned that some suppliers may not know the difference between hoodia gordonii and the 14 other hoodia species. For this reason, the makers of Desert Burn went to Africa and contracted with a local farmer to supply hoodia gordonii for their hoodia supplements. If you are not happy with the performance of a hoodia with green tea supplement, then you may achieve better results with a 100% hoodia gordonii product.

It is important to consult your doctor before beginning to use any appetite suppressant. Just as it is important to do so before you begin any diet or exercise program. People do not often listen to this advice, but it is important. If you have an elevated blood pressure, a supplement containing hoodia with green tea or any other stimulant is not the right choice for you. While there are no known side effects associated with 100% hoodia supplements, long term clinical studies have not been completed at this time. So, the best advice is to consult your doctor before you begin to use hoodia supplements, and visit him/her at regular intervals while you are using these products, to be certain that you are not experiencing any negative side effects.

Hoodia Feedback Encouraging

2006-05-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

One of my responsibilities as one of the editors of the Hoodia Info Blog is to read the feedback from people who have actually used a hoodia diet supplement. These are just a few of the stories that are out there.

The hoodia feedback is encouraging, to say the least. It is sometimes a little funny to read people arguing back and forth at chat rooms about which hoodia diet supplement is the best. For instance, at one site I read a woman saying that product X was working great for her. To which a gentleman responded something like, “You must be working for the company, because it does nothing for me.” Her response; I’m not working for the product X company; you must be working for a competitor. And back and forth they went.

If the hoodia feedback means anything, then Americans may have found a solution to their ever increasing waist lines. Not that some people in other countries could not benefit from a hoodia diet supplement, but the American weight problem is now recognized as a serious, chronic disease, according to the American Obesity Association. In the news we read that a major insurance company has increased coverage for obesity treatment and that a new government report finds surgery effective. Surgery seems like an extreme measure, but for some there is no choice. We can only hope that the hoodia feedback is true.

The most common statement made by people using a hoodia diet supplement is that they just do not feel like eating. They do not feel sick, nauseas, dizzy, nervous or light headed, but they do not think about food. A nurse from Alaska reported that at the end of a long shift, she realized that she had not eaten all day, but that she was not jittery, which is often the case with appetite suppressants that contain stimulants. Hoodia feedback does not indicate that anyone who is taking a 100% hoodia diet supplement feels any of the side effects associated with stimulants.

There are some hoodia diet supplements that do contain stimulants. Often, it is hard for the consumer to spot these. Most people are aware that caffeine is a stimulant, but so are green tea and cocoa. The most positive hoodia feedback comes from dieters using a 100% hoodia diet supplement and apparently the higher the dosage the better. A Desert Burn customer, who had used their 400mg product and lost 20 pounds, gained back 12 when she had to stop taking it due to an illness. When she was able to resume use, she chose the 750mg capsule and lost the 12 plus 5 more in about two weeks. These results seem amazing.

There is no standard dosage for a hoodia diet supplement and length of time to experience results varies among individuals. Some people realize that they are not hungry after the first dose, but for others it takes a few days. Hoodia XR, a 1000mg extended release capsule (meaning that the hoodia gordonii is released into the system gradually, rather than all at once) recommends that customers take the product as directed for ten days. If after ten days, a customer is dissatisfied for any reason, they may return the unused portion for a full refund. Hoodia feedback indicates that some people think that they may have been “ripped off” when they do not notice an immediate result, but if they continue to take the product, they do notice a difference in their appetites.

Doctors who have recorded the progress of patients using a hoodia diet supplement have noted that weight loss varies depending on the diet and exercise program the patient uses. Of course, including exercise increases success rates and pounds lost. Anyone who is considering using a hoodia diet supplement should be in reasonably good health and should consult their doctor before they begin. Hoodia feedback does indicate that most people are choosing to eat properly, because they can resist the high calorie, high fat foods that are everywhere and most hoodia customers are exercising more, feeling more energetic and pleased with their progress.

Before You Buy Hoodia Cactus Seeds

2006-05-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Before you buy hoodia seeds, which are being sold on e-bay and other places around the internet, you might want to ask yourself a couple of questions. First, why do you want to grow hoodia?

Hoodia gordonii is an increasingly popular appetite suppressant and has received lots of media attention. Hoodia plants, hoodia products and even hoodia seeds are being sold on e-bay and all over the internet. If you are considering buying hoodia cactus seeds, there are some things that you should know.

Hoodia is a group of succulent plants that grows throughout southern Africa. Hoodia gordonii is just one species in that group. All together, there are at least fifteen different species of hoodia. If you are buying hoodia seeds because you want an interesting plant to add to your collection, then go ahead. If you are an experienced horticulturist then you may have success. They are difficult to grow.

Collecting hoodia cactus seeds from wild hoodia plants in Africa is illegal in most countries. Botswana, South Africa and Namibia requested that all species be protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. These countries were concerned that the popularity of hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant could threaten the hoodia population. Growing hoodia, trading hoodia and selling hoodia seeds or plants requires special permits. But, if you really want to try to grow your own plant, consider these facts.

It is necessary to grow hoodia gordonii from seeds, cuttings almost never take root. Hoodia cactus seeds must be germinated in a seed tray and it takes about a year before they can be transferred to a small pot. In three or four years your hoodia seeds will bloom. The blooms smell like rotten meat. Francis Masson, a botanist who sailed to southern Africa with James Cook called them “carrion flowers”, because of this smell. The smell is probably enough to suppress anyone’s appetite. Probably the reason for this smell is that hoodia is one of the few plants in the world that is pollinated by flies. The sweet smell of most flowers attracts bees, the rotting meat smell would (one would assume) attract flies. In a couple of months, your plant will form seed pods that resemble miniature antelope horns which earned it the Afrikaans name of bokhorrings. So, if you have a good greenhouse (hoodia gordonii plants thrive at very high temperatures), and you buy some hoodia cactus seeds now, then in about four years, you can sell hoodia seeds on e-bay.

Before You Buy Hoodia Products

2006-05-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

There are several things that a consumer should consider before they buy hoodia products. First and most important is to be in reasonably good health.

Many people start a diet and exercise program without talking to their doctor first, no matter how many warnings they read, but it is still the best advice that anyone can give. Consult your doctor before you buy hoodia products. Hoodia gordonii is believed to be safe and has no known side effects, but one should be in reasonably good health before using it or any other appetite suppressant.

Once the doctor gives the green light, look for hoodia products that display CITES permits and/or analytical reports. There have been reports that some of the products on the market are not genuine hoodia gordonii. To avoid these products, buy hoodia that displays their certifications on their websites. One company required that the customer make a purchase before providing this information, might be wise to avoid that hoodia product.

There are many companies selling genuine products. Choosing among them may be a matter of trial and error. Customers report that some hoodia products work better than others and some say that certain ones did not work at all for them. There is no standard dosage for hoodia products, but dieters seem to be more successful when they buy hoodia with higher, rather than lower dosages. For example, Desert Burn 750mg contain more hoodia per capsule than most hoodia products and they receive high ratings at websites devoted to hoodia reviews. It is also 100% pure hoodia and doctor endorsed.

There are some hoodia products which contain other natural appetite suppressants and these might work better for some people. Most of them contain natural stimulants, like green tea, cocoa or caffeine. Check the labels before you buy hoodia. Look at the ingredients. If you are sensitive to stimulants, you may experience unwanted side effects from these products, including increased heart rate, shaky hands, dry mouth, etc.

Price is a big consideration for many people. In general, hoodia products are more expensive than other appetite suppressants. Companies report that they expect prices to go up because supplies are limited. Wild hoodia gordonii is protected from harvesting by the governments of southern Africa, which is the only place that it grows. One can not buy hoodia gordonii in most places without a permit. It can not be exported without a CITES (Council on International Trade of Endangered Species) permit. African farmers must have a permit to grow hoodia gordonii and one will only be issued if there is no chance of damaging wild stands. The best advice for dieters looking to buy hoodia is to take advantage of multi-bottle discounts offered by companies with a satisfaction guarantee. Most people know within a couple of weeks whether or not the hoodia products are suppressing their appetites, but remember that thirty days is generally from the date of purchase and not the date of delivery.

Product Comparisons: Hoodia 750 and Two Other Hoodia Gordonii Weight Loss Pills

2006-05-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hoodia 750 and some other hoodia gordonii weight loss pills use hoodia gordonii purchased from Stella Labs, a wholesale supplier of bulk ingredients for nutritional and dietary supplements. Recently one appetite suppressant which uses hoodia gordonii supplied to them by Stella labs (not hoodia 750) became the target of a potential class action suit. Someone said, “We live in a litigious society.” No product is safe from the threat of a law suit. If a product does not work in the way that it is advertised to do, not to worry, take them to court. But, it is not my job to comment on society, I just write about and compare health supplements.

Hoodia 750 is an appetite suppressant, as are the other hoodia gordonii weight loss pills. Labeling indicates that hoodia 750 contains 750mg of hoodia gordonii and nothing else except the ingredients used to make the capsule itself. Other products contain 750 mg of hoodia gordonii or more. Hoodia XR contains 1000mg of hoodia gordonii. Desert Burn 750 is a 750mg tablet. Which of the hoodia gordonii weight loss pills is better? It might be necessary to compare the products for yourself.

All three of the hoodia gordonii weight loss pills mentioned receive high ratings at websites dedicated to hoodia reviews; hoodia 750, hoodia XR and desert burn. So, let’s compare CITES certificates and analysis reports. Hoodia 750 has CITES certificates from Stella Labs. Hoodia XR has a CITES certificate. Desert Burn has its own CITES certificate displayed along with many other certifications of authenticity. If the question is about who is supplying genuine hoodia gordonii, then they all appear to be.

Next we compare price. The first bottle of hoodia 750 costs $54.99 for 90 capsules; recommended dosage is three capsules per day. Subsequent bottles may be purchased for $44.99, if you are on their recurrent billing plan. Desert Burn 750mg capsule costs $59.95 for one bottle of 60 capsules; recommended dosage is one or two capsules in the morning and one or two capsules in the afternoon, if needed, not to exceed six capsules per day. The pricing of these two products is very similar, depending on how much the individual needs to take to suppress his or her appetite. There is no established recommended dosage for hoodia gordonii weight loss pills and some people seem to need higher dosages than others. Hoodia 750 and the other companies offer discounts on shipping and handling as well as price per bottle when multiple bottles are ordered.

Guarantee. Hoodia 750 offers a “multi-bottle” satisfaction guarantee; meaning that if you order two or more bottles, they give you a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Desert Burn accepts returns of unopened bottles for any reason. Hoodia XR accepts returns of one opened bottle per person, but individuals must call for a return authorization number which must be displayed on the outside of the box. Customers should remember that thirty days is from the date of order, not the date of receipt.

All dieters need to remember that hoodia 750 and all other hoodia gordonii weight loss pills should be combined with a healthy diet and reasonable exercise. All three mentioned companies recommend that you consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss program.

Hoodia Products: Hoodia Diet Patch and Hoodia Slim

2006-05-12T05:02:00.000-07:00

There are many different hoodia gordonii products available from health supplement companies today. Here we look at the price, content and other considerations of the hoodia diet patch and hoodia slim.

Trans-dermal patches seem to be the newest way to get a product into a person’s bloodstream. The new hoodia diet patch utilizes this relatively new system. Trans-dermal literally means “through the skin”. Users apply the patch once daily and as the advertisements say, forget about it. Hoodia slim is a more conventional product, just your basic garden variety capsule.

There are actually a couple of manufacturers that make a hoodia diet patch and the cost is about the same; less than a dollar per patch. At least one of the companies is currently offering a “free” one week trial, but shipping and handling is almost $10.00, which seems kind of high. Hoodia slim is similar to most hoodia products in package size and the price is similar to other products that include hoodia mixed with other dietary supplements; 60 capsules for $34.99. Product label says serving size is one capsule, but suggested use is one capsule, once or twice a day, so this is about a 30 day supply.

Content of the hoodia diet patch varies from one company to another. Be sure to check the label before you buy. For example, one product contains guarana extract which is a stimulant. Many people are sensitive to stimulants and stimulants really do nothing to curb appetite. Stimulants can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. Hoodia slim also contains stimulants; green tea (100mg) and cocoa (200mg).

Most people choose a hoodia diet patch, or a transdermal patch of any kind, because they feel it is more convenient than taking a capsule. Some people simply have trouble swallowing capsules. Others may be worried that they will forget to take a capsule. Some people have trouble keeping a patch on when they perspire or shower, making it necessary to replace the patch and, of course, increasing the cost per day.

When a dieter is selecting a hoodia product, there are certain things to look for to increase the likelihood of success and satisfaction. Look for products that are certified by CITES documents or analytical reports to be genuine hoodia gordonii; none of the hoodia diet patch products (that we looked at) displayed either, nor did hoodia slim. Money back guarantees inspire confidence; hoodia slim has one; one of the hoodia diet patch products has a “satisfaction guarantee” which is not defined.

The greatest satisfaction is reported by customers using products which provide higher dosages of hoodia gordonii than the hoodia diet patch or hoodia slim. Desert Burn 750mg, for instance, receives good reviews and high satisfaction ratings. They do display CITES permits, analytical reports and have money back guarantees.

Choosing products is an individual decision. The facts presented in this article are only intended to help consumers make informed decisions, without having to visit every product website. Whether you choose the hoodia diet patch, hoodia slim or another weight loss product, reasonable diet and appropriate exercise are important, and you should consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss program.

Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects

2006-05-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

Unlike articles about most over the counter and prescription drugs, as well as most health supplements, articles about hoodia gordonii side effects are relatively short, because there really are no known side effects, except for thirst suppression. Intended for use as an appetite suppressant, hoodia gordonii is also known to suppress thirst.

The side effects of hoodia may be unknown at this point. Other than thirst suppression, which most people think of as minor, but should be recognized in order to avoid dehydration. Most diet experts recommend eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day. That may seem like a lot, but most sports bottles contain about twenty ounces, so three a day and you should be covered.

One side effect associated with appetite suppressants which contain stimulants is increased heart rate. No studies of hoodia gordonii side effects list increased heart rate. In animal studies, no increased heart rate was noted. Phytopharm, the British pharmaceutical company which is licensed to develop the active molecule in hoodia gordonii, published the results of one clinical study and noted that there was no increase in heart rate among participants. Phytopharm recently announced that phase one of a five phase research project has been completed. Generally companies do not proceed with research if dangerous side effects are noted, but in some cases pharmaceutical companies develop drugs which are known to pose health risks and complicate existing health problems. There may be unknown side effects of hoodia gordonii. Phytopharm is not publishing research reports.

Informal studies of hoodia gordonii side effects performed by supplement companies and in some cases by independent practitioners have reported no increase in heart rate, no increase in blood pressure and no detrimental side effects. Animal studies performed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa reported that animals lost weight after being fed hoodia, but not because of any toxic effect. The CSIR is credited with identifying and isolating the active molecule in hoodia gordonii. It appears that the side effects of hoodia are none.

Product reviews, testimonials and customer comments contain no reference to side effects of hoodia. Published negative comments indicate that some products do not work for some people. Individuals have reported trying several different products before finding one that worked for them. If there are hoodia gordonii side effects, then no one is talking about them.

Hoodia Gordonii Propagation and Cultivation

2006-05-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hoodia gordonii propagation or reproduction in the wild is threatened and cultivation is difficult. This means that supplies are limited for health supplement companies to use in their appetite suppressing products.

Hoodia gordonii is highly sought after for its reputation as a natural appetite suppressant. Because hoodia gordonii propagation (natural reproduction of the species) in the wild is threatened and cultivation is so difficult, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) placed all hoodia species, not just hoodia gordonii, on a list known as Appendix II in January of 2005. Appendix II is a list of species which are not currently threatened by extinction, but have the potential to become threatened if trade is not closely controlled. This means that special permits are required to trade or export hoodia gordonii plants or seeds in raw or processed forms.

The governments of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa requested that all 15 species of the hoodia genus be protected, because they were concerned that the other species could be mistaken for hoodia gordonii and harvested for use as an appetite suppressant. None of the other species were traditionally used by indigenous peoples as an appetite suppressant, but those who have only heard that hoodia is an appetite suppressant may believe that this applies to all species. The government’s goal is to protect hoodia gordonii propagation in the wild and propagation of the other species, as well.

In the Northern and Western Cape areas of South Africa, no on is allowed to collect hoodia gordonii plants or seeds without a valid permit. No one is allowed to harvest or transport any hoodia material without a valid permit. Cultivation 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 hoodia gordonii propagation in Namibia, no harvesting, no collection of plants or seeds is permitted (with or without a permit) until the government has reviewed the status of the species.

The countries in southern Africa are not only concerned about protecting hoodia gordonii propagation. When the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research identified the molecule which is responsible for the appetite suppressing abilities of hoodia gordonii (it is unclear whether the molecule is found in hoodia gordonii plants or seeds, or only the stems or flowers) 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.

Hoodia gordonii propagation in the wild is assisted by the wind. Seeds are carried away from the mother plants in a way that is similar to the way that dandelion seeds are spread. Collection of hoodia gordonii plants or seeds interferes with this process. Cultivation of the species may be beneficial to mankind, but may eventually cause the extinction of the plant in the wild.

Are Hoodia Testimonials Too Good To Be True?

2006-05-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

Internet websites are loaded with hoodia testimonials. News about hoodia and reviews of hoodia products are not only on the web, but in the newspaper, on TV and in your e-mail box. People wonder whether or not this is all too good to be true.

“...after only three weeks of taking Hoodia XR I have dropped 13 pounds and a dress size,” reads one testimonial.
“I have lost 24 pounds in the last month...” reads another. Are these testimonials too good to be true? How about these? “Hoodia XR has not given me any side effects...” and “...I never think about snacking.” If these are the results that dieters can expect, then no wonder everyone wants to try it. There are a few critics, but the positive testimonials by dieters using hoodia and reviews of product performance far outweigh them. One informal study using Desert Burn, doctor endorsed pure Hoodia reported satisfactory results in 80% of the customers surveyed. Of the other 20%, many stopped using the product for financial reasons. These products can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $40 to $90 for a thirty day supply. And price does not necessarily equal quality. One of the more expensive products is currently the subject of a class action suit.

To date, only a handful of people have had anything negative to say about hoodia gordonii. There is no real controversy surrounding it. However, negative comments about products which claim to contain genuine hoodia and reviews of those products do exist. And, even these companies use positive hoodia testimonials for advertising. Consumers must be educated, at least a little, and do a little research before they buy any health supplement which claims to contain hoodia gordonii. One can not always trust the hoodia testimonials.

Genuine hoodia gordonii is expensive and rare. Exportation of the plant from South Africa is strictly regulated. Customers can look for a CITES certification, which is a license to export hoodia, and reviews of the chemical composition of the product. These are generally referred to as analytical reports. Customers will usually find more positive hoodia testimonials of products which can display these documents. There is at least one company that will not supply this evidence to the customer until the product is purchased. It might be wise to avoid this product altogether.

Hoodia testimonials concerning side effects or the absence of side effects may be the most amazing to people who have tried other appetite suppressants. Most appetite suppressants are stimulants. Side effects related to stimulants can range from mild to life threatening. Ephedra, which is also a plant derivative, is a stimulant and actually caused deaths in some cases before it was banned by the Food and Drug Administration. Stimulants increase heart rate and blood pressure, not a good thing to do to an overweight individual. To date, there is no evidence that anyone has experienced any of these side effects when using hoodia and reviews of the hoodia gordonii plant’s composition does not indicate the presence of stimulants.

There are websites which are dedicated to side by side comparison of hoodia testimonials, content of hoodia and reviews of pricing. Hoodia gordonii supplements are currently some of the best selling appetite suppressants on the market. They may not work for everyone and dieters should check with their doctors before they begin any weight loss program. Obesity is a real health threat and hopefully hoodia gordonii can help people stick to their diets and lose those dangerous pounds. Hopefully the hoodia testimonials at the beginning of this article are not “too good to be true”.

Does Hoodia Work?

2006-05-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to know. Particularly the millions of overweight Americans interested in hoodia weight loss programs or any weight loss program for that matter.

If you asked a San Bushman, “Does hoodia work?” He would probably tell you, through an interpreter of course, that it does work as an appetite suppressant. He would tell you something like you will feel no hunger or thirst. Eating the plant reportedly makes the hunger go away. Does this mean that those who are using a hoodia weight loss program do not need to diet or exercise in order to lose weight? No.

If you asked the British pharmaceutical company Phytopharm, “Does hoodia 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 quoted directly from their website. The website also mentions that Phytopharm and their partner Unilever (makers of Slim Fast products) are aware that products claiming to contain hoodia and causing weight loss are in stores and on the internet. They are discussing this with the authorities. Will Phytopharm delay hoodia weight loss programs by forcing health supplement companies to pull their products of the market? No.

If you asked the makers of Hoodia XR, “Does hoodia work?” The answer on their website says that results vary depending on the individual’s diet and exercise program. If you asked how much you could lose with a hoodia weight loss program, they say that 20 pounds is common. They have a “frequently asked questions” section on their website. They do not say how long it took these individuals to lose 20 pounds. They do say that they conducted studies of people who took Hoodia XR consistently for at least a month and that these people reduced their caloric intake. This does seem to indicate that hoodia works as an appetite suppressant.

If you asked Dr. Joseph Varallo, “Does hoodia work?” He might tell you that there was an overall satisfaction rate of 80% among the 350 women that he followed who were using a hoodia product called Desert Burn 750. He does point out, as will any honest person, that these individuals included diet and exercise in their hoodia weight loss program. He said that the average weight loss was two pounds per week and that the maximum weight lost was 40 pounds. Most diet experts agree that two pounds per week is a reasonable expectation for any weight loss program, even a hoodia weight loss program.

How does hoodia 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 work for everyone? No. There has never been an appetite suppressant that works for everyone and there will probably never be an appetite suppressant that works for everyone. A hoodia weight loss program will only work for individuals who are motivated to succeed. Some people think that it is simply a placebo effect. If you believe something may suppress the appetite, then it will. Others will remind you that exercise alone has a tendency to suppress the appetite, at least temporarily. And still others will point to all the diet and exercise programs that work temporarily for most people, long term for some people and not at all for others. Here is the real answer to the question; does hoodia 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.

Hoodia Info

2006-05-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

The hoodia gordinii plant grows wild in the deserts of South Africa. It is known by many names and the scientific name, hoodia gordonii, is commonly misspelled. It is sometimes called xhooba, ikhoba, ghaap, and is commonly referred to as the hoodia gordonii cactus, even though it is a succulent.

Scientists believe that succulents developed millions of years ago, before the continents drifted apart. Hoodia gordinii is a succulent, but it is commonly referred to as a cactus. No one knows exactly how long hoodia gordinii has been around. It is one of many plants referred to as “bush food”; meaning that the San or Bushmen of South Africa gathered it for food. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa studied many indigenous species and noted an interesting fact about the hoodia gordonii cactus. When it was fed to animals, they lost weight, but not due to any toxic effect that they could detect. Natives reported that it was used to treat many common ailments. Most indigenous peoples used plants, roots and herbs for medicinal purposes. After all, there were no drug stores.

Most people are interested in the hoodia gordonii cactus for just one reason. The South African Bushmen reported that hoodia gordinii or xshoba, as it is called by the natives, was used by hunters to ward off hunger and thirst during times when other food was not available. They were not trying to lose weight. They did not have a weight problem. Anyone who spends the better part of a day searching for food is not going to be overweight. But, those people who are overweight have latched on to the idea that the hoodia gordonii cactus can help them lose the extra pounds.

News reports about hoodia gordinii have made the public aware of the possibility that a natural appetite suppressant that does not appear to be a stimulant has been discovered. Most of the research has been done by a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm. Phytopharm is not particularly happy to be sharing their research information at this time, because the health supplement industry is capitalizing on it. While the Phytopharm extract from the hoodia gordonii cactus is not expected to be release for quit some time. Many health supplement companies are selling hoodia gordinii powder and the better ones seem to be working. Dr. Joseph Varallo, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recently shared his experiences with Desert Burn®, a health supplement company which sells a 750mg tablet of powdered hoodia gordonii cactus, and they were quite positive. His full report is posted at the Desert Burn® website.

There is no doubt that hoodia gordinii will continue to make news. At some point in the future Phytopharm and its partner Unilever (maker of Slim Fast products) will release their product or products which contain the extract of the hoodia gordonii cactus. Some health companies are being investigated for making false claims about the actual content of their products. There is at least one class action suit involving a health supplement company and the claims the company made about their product. No reputable company will advise the customer that hoodia gordinii alone will take care of their weight problem. Reasonable diet and a regular exercise program are necessary to maintain a weight loss. Health supplement claims about the hoodia gordonii cactus should never be “too good too be true”. Companies that make such claims should be avoided. If they are not making honest statements about the effectiveness of appetite suppressants, then they may not be making honest statements about the content of their products. Look for CITES certifications at company websites to be confident that the product you are about to buy is genuine hoodia gordinii.

Why Do People Want To Know Where To Find Original Hoodia Cactus?

2006-05-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

People are looking for the hoodia plant and being unable to find it, they begin to look for natural certified hoodia. Why? Media coverage of the hoodia gordonii plant has been extensive and people want to know where they can find this natural appetite suppressant.

The American Obesity Association calls obesity a “chronic disease” which is a “neglected public health problem”. Currently there are more than 120 million overweight adults in the United States. Is it really any wonder that lots of people want to know where to find original hoodia cactus. With reports by respected journalists first praising the plant for its appetite suppressing abilities and then saying that research is still underway and dieters will have to wait. That’s like dangling a carrot, or more appropriately a cupcake, in front of overweight Americans and then pulling it away. So, the overweight begin to search: first for where to find original cactus and then for natural certified hoodia. They search for natural certified hoodia, because information on the web advises them that not all hoodia products are the same.

Class action lawsuits have been brought against at least a couple of companies for selling something other than what their package claims they sell. The Federal Trade Commission investigates complaints of false or misleading advertising in the health supplement, as well as other industries. They advise consumers to beware of bogus weight loss claims and list seven claims that almost always signal that he or she is about to be ripped off. They are currently investigating several health supplement manufacturers.

So, informed people search for natural certified hoodia from a company that does not make claims that are just too good to be true; because where to find original hoodia cactus is in South Africa and most dieters are just not willing to travel there. Even if a dieter was willing to make the trip, they could not buy a hoodia gordonii plant and bring it back home with them. Hoodia gordonii is on a list of rare and endangered species. Exportation from South Africa is strictly regulated. Companies must be licensed by the South African government in order to take hoodia gordonii out of the country. This, at least, makes it easier to find natural certified hoodia gordonii. Dieters can be relatively confident about buying products from companies that display a CITES certificate. For example, Desert Burn's website displays both CITES certificates and chemical analysis reports. These reports confirm the presence of natural certified hoodia gordonii. Such companies know where to find original hoodia cactus, even though it is technically a succulent.

Phytopharm Still Researching Hoodia P57 Molecule

2006-05-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

Phytopharm announced in April 2006 that they had just completed the first phase of a five stage research program related to the hoodia p57 molecule. What this means to dieters is that pure hoodia p57 from Phytopharm is still unavailable.

First a little background. Scientists in South Africa at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have known for more than forty years that hoodia could probably be used as an appetite suppressant. They studied many plants indigenous to South Africa, looking for potential food products and testing for toxicity. It was much later before Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, became involved. In 1995, Phytopharm, working with the CSIR, identified and patented a molecule in hoodia, p57, which they believe to be the active appetite suppressant in hoodia gordonii. Building on and adding to the research performed by the CSIR, Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to develop pure hoodia p57 to the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. At this time Phytopharm hoped to come up with a semi-synthetic form of hoodia p57 and they may still be working on this idea, but their new relationship with Unilever (makers of Slim Fast) is focused on the development of a dietary supplement. They are looking for a new partner to help with research and development of a prescription drug that may be useful in treating metabolic problems related to obesity. This drug will also be based on the hoodia p57 molecule.

While dieters will see many products on the internet and in stores which claim to contain pure hoodia gordonii, manufacturers must be very careful about claims concerning hoodia p57 or pure hoodia p57. While Phytopharm and its partners cannot patent a naturally occurring substance like hoodia gordonii, they do have a patent on the isolated molecule. Health supplements and diet aids which contain genuine hoodia gordonii will in fact contain p57, because p57 is found in hoodia gordonii. P57 hoodia products from Phytopharm may contain only the p57 molecule which has been extracted from the hoodia gordonii plant. Products currently on the market are simply the hoodia gordonii plant that has been ground into a powder.

While there is really no way for dieters to know how similar Phytopharm’s pure hoodia p57 will be to those products which are currently available, it is possible to be relatively confident that the product contains genuine hoodia gordonii and not something else. Because reporters and other individuals have investigated certain products and found that they were not genuine hoodia gordonii, those reputable companies which do use hoodia gordonii in their products provide certifications and analytical reports for their customers to view. A CITES certification, while not a guarantee of any hoodia p57 content, does certify that the company exported the plant from South Africa. Analytical reports are chemical analyses of the compounds within the health supplement, performed by independent laboratories. Desert Burn and Hoodia Gordonii Plus websites display both of these certifications. Close inspection of the analytical reports displayed by some companies do indicate the presence of the hoodia p57 molecule.

Phytopharm and Unilever announced recently that they have contacted the “appropriate authorities” about other companies selling hoodia gordonii. It is unclear at this point what issues they are trying to address. There do not seem to be any companies out there who claim to be selling pure hoodia p57 only pure hoodia gordonii. There are definitely no companies that are extracting the hoodia p57 molecule from the plant. There are companies whose names are similar to hoodia p57, but it may not be possible for Phytopharm to bring patent infringement complaints against those companies.

Phytopharm and Unilever have spent millions of dollars on the research and development of their hoodia p57 product. Their hesitation about entering the market before clinical research was completed is admirable. But, no matter how much the public admires their efforts, many are just not willing to wait for their pure hoodia p57 products to hit the market. These dieters are giving the hoodia gordonii products that are on the market a try. Whether or not these products work as well as Phytopharm’s product will not be clear until the clinical research is completed...in a couple of years.

Is Hoodia Effective for Dieting?

2006-05-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

Many people ask, “Is hoodia effective for dieting?” Research indicates that hoodia is an effective appetite suppressant. And then they ask, “What is the best hoodia product?” The answer to this question is not so simple.

Research performed at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa focused on plants called “bush food”. These were plants that were commonly eaten by the African natives. The scientists noted that when animals were fed hoodia gordonii, they lost weight, but not due to any toxic effect. This was in the sixties and at they time, they may not have thought of the possibility of using hoodia gordonii as a weight loss supplement. It is unlikely that anyone asked, “Is hoodia effective for dieting?”

Later, a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm became interested in hoodia gordonii and efforts to create the best hoodia product began. It was ten years ago when Phytopharm patented and licensed what they believe is the active molecule in hoodia gordonii. It wasn’t until hoodia began to receive attention from the media that Phytopharm had to continuously answer the question; is hoodia effective for dieting. Their answer to that question is this: “...only Phytopharm’s Hoodia gordonii product has had extensive safety studies performed and been clinically proven to reduce calorie intake and body fat.” Apparently Phytopharm has the best hoodia product.

The problem for dieters is that it may be years before that product is available. Should everyone put their diets on hold for a couple of years? Many websites list testimonials from users who answer a resounding, yes, to the question; is hoodia effective for dieting. Can these testimonials help us find the best hoodia product? That’s hard to say. It is natural to be a little suspicious of testimonials posted on a company’s websites. There are several websites dedicated solely to hoodia reviews. And on these sites, most products get mixed reviews.

For the millions of Americans who are overweight, waiting is obviously not the best option for their health. The question, is hoodia effective for dieting, can really only be answered by the individual. Results will vary. Results vary whenever we talk about any health supplement or prescription drug. Searches for the best hoodia product will have to be conducted on an individual basis. One thing is certain; no appetite suppressant will be effective in the long term. It takes life style changes to maintain weight loss. Even the best hoodia product can only be considered a kind of weight loss “crutch”. In the end, we all must wait for a definitive answer to the question; is hoodia effective for dieting. When Americans become less overweight, then we will know.

Why Was Hoodia on 60 Minutes?

2006-05-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

It is a very interesting plant, but the reason reporters investigated hoodia on 60 minutes had little to do with botany. African hoodia extract is currently being researched for its appetite suppressant abilities.

In November of 2004, Leslie Stahl traveled to Africa before broadcasting her report about hoodia on 60 minutes. After walking into the desert with a guide and a translator, she was surprised to see what a small amount the guide cut for her to eat. She wanted to know if that little bit of hoodia was going to suppress her hunger all day. Speaking through a translator, the African native said that she would have no desire to eat, no hunger. She repeated the “all day” question and the translator said, “Well we’ll have to see about that.” Manufacturers which produce diet aids containing African hoodia extract suggest that two or three little tablets will suppress the appetite for the entire day. So, what about that little piece of hoodia fresh off the plant? Stahl reported that she was not hungry for the rest of the day, even around mealtime and she had no desire to eat or drink, but she did not feel any after effects. There was no funny taste in her mouth, no queasy stomach, and no racing heart.

The NBC News story by Janet Shamlian was similar to the report about hoodia on 60 minutes, but no one traveled to Africa. The NBC story came out in October 2005. One of the Today Show staff members was trying a health supplement which contained African hoodia. A spokesman for GNC said that it was one of their biggest sellers. The dietary expert they interviewed said that more research about hoodia was needed.

The BBC report was even more similar to the report about hoodia on 60 minutes. BBC’s correspondent Tom Mangold did travel to South Africa to sample the hoodia plant. He and his camera man each ate a small portion of hoodia fresh from the desert. They reported that they did not even think about food. The brain keeps saying that the stomach is full. This is the magic of hoodia. Dr. Richard Dixey of Phytopharm, the British pharmaceutical company which owns a patent for a molecule derived from African hoodia extract, explained that eating increases blood sugar. The brain senses the blood sugar increase and sends out signals indicating fullness. The active molecule in African hoodia extract seems to cause the brain to believe that there has been an increase in blood sugar and that food has been consumed; even when nothing was actually eaten, other than the hoodia. Mangold’s experience was similar to the effects Stahl reported about hoodia on 60 minutes. He reported that at dinner time they were still not hungry and went to bed without food. Even the next day, neither wanted breakfast and at lunch time they still had no appetite. All together it took over 24 hours before they felt hungry again.

Mangold also reported testing the leading brand of health supplement claiming to contain African hoodia extract and found that there was no hoodia in it. He does not mention the name of the product he tested. He advised dieters to be patient, indicating that they should wait for the release of the Phytopharm/Unilever product after clinical research has been completed. Because, some plants are known to be toxic, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa has evaluated the hoodia plant for toxicity. They concluded that animals which were fed hoodia lost weight, but not because of any toxic effect.

Research is now the job of the folks at Phytopharm and Unilever. The reports about hoodia on 60 minutes, NBC and the BBC have increased the public’s awareness that African hoodia extract may be the next and possibly the best appetite suppressant. In April of 2006, Phytopharm and Unilever announced that they had completed phase one of a five phase clinical research program. It may be years before their version of African hoodia extract is on the market. Some may wonder why so much research is needed. Companies are worried that there could be side effects associated with long term use of African hoodia extract.

The stories about hoodia on 60 minutes and the other news associations mention the American public’s desire to look great, but not that obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. This information comes from the American Obesity Association. 127 million adults in the United States are overweight. Sixty million are obese and nine million are severely obese. Is it really any wonder that GNC and other health supplement companies are already selling African hoodia extract?

Even though Ephedra was linked to several deaths, people still wanted to buy it. Some companies were able to get a low dose version of Ephedra on the market and it is about to be banned. Ephedra is also a plant, but ephedra is a stimulant. Studies of the African hoodia extract which have already been completed show that hoodia has no stimulating effects on people or animals. Heart rate and blood pressure do not increase. Maybe this product will save some lives. The debut of hoodia on 60 minutes was just the beginning of the story.

What’s in Hoodia Gordonii Plus?

2006-05-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

The plus must mean something. Hoodia Gordonii Plus is one of the many popular hoodia diet pills on the market. Here’s a look at what’s in it and why these other ingredients were included.

If you really want to lose weight and you are looking for a hoodia diet pill to use as an appetite suppressant. There are many products to choose from. One interesting product is called Hoodia Gordonii Plus. This may or may not be the right product for you. This information is provided to help you decide.

The primary active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii Plus is, as the name suggests, hoodia gordonii. Some hoodia diet pills use a very small amount of hoodia gordonii in their products. Hoodia Gordonii Plus uses 400mg of a concentrated form of hoodia gordonii. CITES certification and product analysis available for inspection at the Hoodia Gordonii Plus website support the authenticity of the hoodia gordonii used by the company. Concentrated forms are created by using alcohol to isolate the active ingredient. The powder which remains when the alcohol is removed contains no skin or fibers and is considered to provide a more potent source than those powders which are created by grinding up the whole plant. Some manufacturers of hoodia diet pills claim that the African natives ate the whole plant to curb their hunger when other food sources were not available, but they actually peeled and discarded the skin.

As the plus suggests, hoodia gordonii is not the only active ingredient in 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. It was included in 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. There is another hoodia diet pill which includes garcinia cambogia, but the amount of genuine hoodia gordonii in that product is questionable.

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 hoodia diet pills. 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 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 Hoodia Gordonii Plus. Some other hoodia diet pills include green tea as well. 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. 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 small amounts of caffeine (less than a cup of coffee), those who are particularly sensitive to stimulants may have to choose a different hoodia diet pill.

There are other ingredients in Hoodia Gordonii Plus. Those mentioned here are just the most interesting. There are other good hoodia diet pills on the market, which contain nothing but hoodia gordonii. Choosing one product over another is of course an individual decision.

Phytopharm/Unilever Hoodia Product Still in Clinical Research Phase

2006-05-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

The development of the Phytopharm/Unilever hoodia appetite suppressant has been widely anticipated. Phytopharm hoodia plantations were established in South Africa in 2001. The plant requires at least five years of growth before reaching maturity and sources of the raw plant have been limited up to this point, hopefully soon the Phytopharm/Unilever hoodia supply will be large enough to permit larger clinical studies.

Phytopharm hoodia product development was delayed, somewhat, when Pfizer decided to take over the research in 2002. At that time Phytopharm planned to work on the development of a semi-synthetic version of the active molecule, leaving research and development of the naturally occurring molecule to the Natureceuticals group within Pfizer. Following the closure of the Natureceuticals group in July of 2003, Pfizer returned the rights to license the Phytopharm hoodia product. Pfizer stated that they believed another company would be better suited to continue the research and development of the hoodia appetite suppressant. This generated some concern that Pfizer was dissatisfied in some way with research results, but Pfizer actually stated that the clinical data encouraged further research of the Phytopharm hoodia product.

The Phytopharm and Unilever hoodia collaboration began in late 2004. In April of 2006, Phytopharm announced that phase 1 of the 5 stage research and development program had been completed. It may be years before any Phytopharm hoodia or Unilever hoodia products reach the market. Unilever does seem to be more committed to the project than Pfizer was. They initially agreed to collaborate with Phytopharm on studies of safety and effectiveness, as well as manage a program for farming hoodia gordonii.

Unilever hoodia would be added to the company’s long list of consumer goods which includes the Slim Fast diet products. This may indicate that the Unilever/Phytopharm hoodia products will not be prescription drugs, as was the previous assumption, when Pfizer was involved. In press releases in 2006 Phytopharm states that they intend to bring new “weight management products” to the market. In years past, press releases about Phytopharm hoodia specified a “prescription drug for obesity”.

Consumer reaction to hoodia products currently being marketed by health supplement companies has been mostly positive. Desert Burn and Hoodia Gordonii Plus are among the many products available. As the obesity problem in the United States continues to grow, dieters may not be able to wait for the Unilever hoodia products and they may not need to.

Are You Buying African Hoodia?

2006-05-08T03:06:00.000-07:00

It is necessary to do a little research, before you can be sure that the product you are buying is South African hoodia. There are many varieties of the hoodia plant, but only South African hoodia gordonii is believed to be a natural appetite suppressant.

Many people have heard about African hoodia. News reporters have traveled to Africa to sample the plant. Pharmaceutical companies are currently working on a prescription medication which makes use of the South African hoodia gordonii plant. Many health supplement companies are marketing products which claim to contain African hoodia 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 South African hoodia gordonii, at all. So, how can the consumer be sure that what he or she is buying is genuine?

Wild growth of South African hoodia gordonii is rare and protected from exportation by legislation. In order to legally export African hoodia gordonii, a manufacturer must have a CITES license. Legally exported African hoodia is grown on farms or plantations. A reputable supplement company should be willing to make their licenses available for inspection by consumers. In order to support claims that they are selling genuine South African hoodia gordonii, some companies display their CITES licenses and the chemical evaluations of their products. The wise consumer will read these reports carefully. Some companies appear to have documents that, upon close inspection, are questionable.

South African hoodia gordonii is a succulent that grows in clumps of upright stems. Some reporters have called it an ugly plant. Beauty is, however, in the eye of the beholder. After about five years the South African hoodia gordonii produces pale purple flowers. According to Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company holding the patent on the active molecule in African hoodia, it is around this same time that the plant reaches maturity and can be harvested. Phytopharm has invested millions of dollars researching the African hoodia plant’s potential as an appetite suppressant. Some critics of the health supplement industry are concerned that the active molecule may not be present in large enough quantities to have an effect on a person’s appetite. Supporters recount the South African hoodia plant’s historical use by natives. They were not able to isolate an active molecule. They reportedly ate the stems of the African hoodia gordonii in its natural form.

Dieters who have tried the appetite suppressants currently on the market report mixed reviews; as with most health supplements, African hoodia works for some people and not for others. No one is claiming that healthy diet and a reasonable exercise program are not important for weight loss. While South African hoodia gordonii may help to curb a person’s appetite, it will not magically melt the fat off of a person’s body. Consumers interested in trying African hoodia should buy from a reputable company that sells other health supplements, displays a CITES certification and/or chemical analysis, and offers a reasonable money-back guarantee if the product fails to produced desired results. Two products which meet all of these criteria and have received positive reviews by dieters are Desert Burn and Hoodia Gordonii Plus. Desert Burn is a 750mg capsule which contains 100% pure South African hoodia gordonii direct from South African farmers and is doctor endorsed.. Hoodia Gordonii Plus contains a mixture of African hoodia and other natural appetite suppressants.

A Comparison of Four Popular Hoodia Products

2006-05-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hoodia thin, Hoodia Gordonii Plus, smart burn with hoodia and Hoodia XR are popular diet aids with prices ranging from almost $40 to almost $90 per bottle. Are the more expensive products really better?

Only one hoodia product we've found is doctor endorsed and has been independently verified to contain genuine hoodia gordonii. And that product is Desert Burn.

Thousands of people are using, or thinking of using, a hoodia product to help them lose weight. Choosing a product can be difficult. Many people make the decision based solely on price. A one month supply of smart burn with hoodia costs $87.92. A one month supply of hoodia thin costs $54.95. A one month supply of Hoodia XR is $49.95. And Hoodia Gordonii Plus sells for $39.95. It is difficult to determine what justifies these extreme price differences. Hoodia gordonii is hard to grow and expensive to import, but one would think that the prices would be a little more comparable.

Perhaps the price difference relates to the amount of hoodia each product contains. If this was the case then smart burn with hoodia should contain the most, since it costs the most. But, smart burn with hoodia product information does not indicate exactly how much hoodia gordonii is in each tablet. According to the manufacturers, hoodia thin and Hoodia XR contain 100% pure hoodia gordonii. Hoodia thin is a liquid and Hoodia XR is a 1000mg extended release tablet, so it is difficult to compare these two products in terms of dosage. The least expensive of the four is Hoodia Gordonii Plus which contains 400mg of hoodia gordonii concentrate and a variety of other natural appetite suppressants. So, apparently the price difference is not related to the amount of hoodia each product contains. Perhaps the more expensive products offer a better guarantee or more complete documentation of authenticity.

Guarantees are a tricky thing. For example, if a customer purchases a one month supply of hoodia thin and is dissatisfied, he or she must return the unused portion within 30 days to get a full refund, less shipping and handling. This is 30 days from the date of purchase, not the date the customer receives the product. Hoodia XR suggests that the customer uses the product as directed for a full 10 days and then if he or she is not completely satisfied, they may return the unused portion for a full refund. But the customer must call for a return authorization number which must be displayed on the outside of the package or the package will be rejected. Smart burn with hoodia and hoodia gordonii plus have similar return policies. With each of the four products the customer only has about ten days to try it, before he or she must make a decision about returning it. While the price breaks for large supplies are tempting, it is probably wise to order the smallest amount available.

There is a problem with the CITES certificate displayed on the hoodia thin website. A CITES license is required to export hoodia gordonii from South Africa. The problem with the hoodia thin CITES certificate is that the section which should display the manufacturers name is blank. Smart burn with hoodia displays no CITES certificate at all. Hoodia XR and Hoodia Gordonii Plus display proper CITES documents. Hoodia thin may purchase their hoodia from a middle man which they do not want to disclose and this could be the reason that the company name section is blank. An e-mail to hoodia thin concerning this question has yet to be answered.

So, the more expensive products, smart burn with hoodia and hoodia thin, do not offer better guarantees and their documentation of authenticity is questionable. There seems to be no explanation for their higher prices.

What You Should Know Before You Buy Hoodia Weight Loss Pills

2006-05-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

There are scams, fakes and even companies that have been accused of selling counterfeit hoodia weight loss pills. There are things that you can look for before you buy to avoid being disappointed and wasting money.

While many people lose weight with hoodia gordonii dietary supplements, they do not work for everyone. The question is what exactly caused the lack of results for those people. Hoodia weight loss pills should work as an appetite suppressant, if they contain genuine hoodia gordonii. Research by Phytopharm (the company which owns the patent for the active molecule in hoodia gordonii) and at Brown University supports the effectiveness of hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant. So, how does the consumer know if the product they are about to purchase contains genuine hoodia gordonii?

Many governments in South Africa (country of origin for hoodia gordonii) have placed strict limitations on the exportation of hoodia gordonii. Manufacturers of hoodia weight loss pills must be licensed by these South African governments, if their products contain genuine hoodia gordonii. Those manufactures who are licensed will display a CITES certification on their websites or product package. Those consumers who are hoping to lose weight with hoodia should look for this certification, but beware, there are companies which say that they have a CITES certificate, but will only make it available for inspection upon purchase. One such company is being investigated for selling counterfeit hoodia weight loss pills.

Hoodia gordonii is expensive and quantities are limited. The hoodia weight loss pills sold “off the shelf” in discount pharmacies probably contain little or no hoodia gordonii. Reputable manufactures may offer discounts and free shipping on multiple bottles, but if the price is too low, then the consumer should beware. Genuine herbs of all kinds are relatively expensive. Anyone who purchases herbs for other health benefits and wants to lose weight with hoodia has an advantage over those who are unfamiliar with herbs. They know that a quality product does not come cheaply.

There are stories on the web written by people who have been unable to get a refund on hoodia weight loss pills. These stories are written by people who say that they were not able to lose weight with hoodia. This situation is easily avoidable. Reputable companies display return information on their websites. It may seem like a lot of trouble to read this information about return authorizations and other limitations, but it is worthwhile. Only a few companies will accept returns of opened bottles if a customer is unable to lose weight with hoodia. Hoodia XR is one that does.

Reputable companies will not make claims about their products that are “too good to be true”. Anyone who wants to lose weight with hoodia must reduce their daily caloric intake and increase their activity. Hoodia weight loss pills are appetite suppressants. They may help dieters stick to their plans and achieve their goals, but they will not work in any other way. Hoodia weight loss pills do not burn fat off while we sleep or “melt” the pounds away as some products are advertised to do. Some may ask, “If I have to eat less and exercise, then why should I take hoodia?” The answer to that question is, “If you can stick to a low calorie diet and exercise regularly without feeling deprived, hungry and exhausted, then you are probably not overweight.”

In conclusion, to those who are interested in trying to lose weight with hoodia weight loss pills, buy genuine hoodia gordonii from a reputable company that sells other health supplements or herbs and openly displays their return policy in writing.

The Amazing Hoodia Plant

2006-05-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

All of these are pictures of the hoodia plant. None of them is the hoodia gordonii variety. While there are nurseries that may advertise the hoodia plant for sale, this is not the hoodia gordonii variety which contains the natural appetite suppressant.

Hoodia is a genus in the plant family Apocynaceae. Advertisements which reference the appetite suppressing abilities of the hoodia plant are referring to the hoodia gordonii species. This is the only species on which research has been done to this date. Any website, nursery or other company which advertises that they have a hoodia plant for sale is referring to the typical garden variety of hoodia plant.

Though the hoodia plant is commonly referred to as a cactus, it is actually a succulent. Succulents and cacti are very similar plants and it is relatively difficult for anyone other than a botanist to tell the difference. There are a few differences which may help consumers distinguish the hoodia plant from some form of cactus. The major one is country of origin. An advertisement which offers a hoodia plant for sale and lists the country of origin somewhere in North or South America is probably selling some sort of cactus.

The hoodia plant is native to the continent of Africa. As an interesting note, only one form of cactus grows wild in Africa. Botanists believe that the cactus did not develop until after the continents drifted apart millions of years ago. Succulents are found on most continents and are believed to have developed before the continental drift. Any hoodia plant which was not imported from Africa is not a genuine hoodia plant.

Offering a wild hoodia plant for sale in many countries in South Africa is illegal. The hoodia plant has been placed on a protected status due to the large publicity it has received for its natural appetite suppressing abilities. Many South African farmers have begun to cultivate the hoodia plant for sale to health supplement companies throughout the world. A special license is required to export the hoodia plant, since wild stands are practically depleted. This is referred to as a CITES certification. Most health supplement companies which are licensed to export hoodia gordonii will display their CITES certification in order to support the claim that their product contains genuine hoodia gordonii. This became necessary after several companies offering hoodia for sale were found to be scammers.

Another factor which may help a consumer distinguish between the gordonii variety of the hoodia plant and some other hoodia plant for sale is price. Currently, as of April 2006, sources say that authentic hoodia gordonii is selling for $300/kg on the open market. This price is expected to go up as supplies become more and more limited. The gordonii species of the hoodia plant is difficult to grow and requires four or five years to reach maturity. It also has a very strong smell. Some companies are developing their own hoodia plantations in Africa to guarantee their continued supply of product.

It may be years before Phytopharm, the British pharmaceutical company which holds a patent on the isolated active molecule in hoodia gordonii, releases its product to the world. There are a few reputable health supplement companies that deal exclusively in herbs and other natural products which offer the powdered form of hoodia for sale to dieters. One such product is Desert Burn. Desert Burn has received positive reviews from dieters, offers a money back guarantee, and contains 750mg of powdered hoodia gordonii and is doctor endorsed. The best advice for dieters not willing to wait for the Phytopharm product is to do a little research on the health supplement company and be wary of anyone offering the hoodia plant for sale.

Hoodia Product Comparisons: Hoodia Supreme vs Other Popular Brands

2006-05-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

With a name like Hoodia Supreme...hoodia supreme is one of those products that may not live up to its name. When shopping for hoodia products, there are other considerations besides price.

Hoodia Gordonii is a rare African succulent and quantities are protected by the African Government. Products like Desert Burn® and Hoodia Gordonii Plus display C.I.T.E.S. certifications on their websites. A CITES certification is a license issued by the African government allowing the exportation of rare or endangered species. Although hoodia supreme claims to contain 800mg of pure African hoodia gordonii powder, they do not display a CITES certification. They display what appears to be a certification of their own design and do not explain the origin of their certification. So, in terms of certification, Hoodia Gordoni Plus and Desert Burn® are supreme.

Desert Burn® recently began farming operations to guarantee that they have adequate future supplies of hoodia gordonii. It takes four or five years before the plant is ready for harvesting. Desert Burn® sells several hoodia products including a hoodia juice. The Desert Burn® product which is comparable to hoodia supreme contains 750mg of hoodia gordonii powder and costs $59.95 per bottle. Hoodia supreme costs $39.95 per bottle. Each bottle contains 60 tablets which is true for most hoodia products. The one exception appears to be Hoodia XR, which contains 90 1000mg tablets per bottle and costs $49.95. 1000mg is the highest content of pure hoodia gordonii powder on the market. So in terms of cost per tablet and mg per tablet, Hoodia XR is supreme.

Another consideration for shoppers is manufacturing method. Manufacturing methods which concentrate and isolate the active ingredients, while filtering out skin, fiber and other impurities is generally considered to provide a more potent product than grinding the whole plant into powder. Both Desert Burn® and hoodia supreme products contain hoodia powder. Hoodia Gordonii Plus contains 400 mg of concentrated hoodia gordonii. Manufacturers which provide a concentrated product indicate the ratio of whole plant to extract for comparison purposes. Hoodia Gordonii Plus provides a ratio of 10:1. This means that ten grams of whole plant material is used to create one gram of extract. So, even though 400mg per tablet appears at first glance to be substantially less than other products, the process of concentrating the plant should provide an equally potent product. Concentration is a more expensive manufacturing process, but the price of Hoodia Gordonii Plus is comparable to hoodia supreme at $39.95 per bottle.

Hoodia supreme and Desert Burn® list only hoodia gordonii as the active ingredient. Choosing a product which is 100% hoodia gordonii over a product which contains a blend of herbs is a matter of personal preference. Other herbs may prove beneficial to the dieter. Hoodia Gordonii Plus contains green tea, garcinia cambogia, magnesium and a proprietary blend of plant enzymes. Some consumers may prefer this type of product. Others may choose Desert Burn®, hoodia supreme, Hoodia XR or any one of a number of hoodia products on the market which contain 100% hoodia. Of the three, only Hoodia XR is a time released product, which may be more effective for some people.

One last consideration is return policy. Since hoodia, like any dietary supplement, may not work for everyone, it is important to check out return policies up front. Both Desert Burn® and Hoodia Gordonii Plus accept returns of unopened bottles, less shipping and handling. Only two products, Hoodia XR and hoodia supreme will issue a refund for one opened bottle, as well as unopened bottles, to customers who are dissatisfied with the effectiveness of this appetite suppressant. So, in terms of return policy, both Hoodia XR and hoodia supreme are supreme.

Buying Hoodia Extract

2006-05-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

Dietary supplements containing hoodia extract are not all the same. There are ways for the consumer to evaluate a product before they buy.

For the last several years, products containing hoodia extract have been featured in ads all over the internet and similar products are sold at large retailers. Media coverage of hoodia cactus extract and its ability to suppress the appetite has been extensive. Correspondents from CBS and the BBC have traveled to Africa to sample the plant. No one knows exactly how long hoodia gordonii has been used by South African natives. The Bushmen or San people have lived in the areas surrounding the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years. The San live a hunter-gatherer way of life. Meaning that they eat what animals they can hunt and what plants they can gather. The hoodia gordonii plant is not a particularly pleasant tasting plant, it was typically eaten by hunters to suppress appetite and thirst when other food was not available.

Products containing hoodia extract are being sold to help dieters achieve their goals. Sticking to a low-calorie diet is not an easy thing to do for anyone. People with a naturally high metabolism may not understand. People with a naturally low appetite may not understand. Those of us with a weight problem and a sluggish metabolism, but what used to be called a “healthy” appetite understand completely. If, hoodia cactus extract can help us resist those delicious high calorie foods, then we are all for it. The problem is that not all products claiming to contain hoodia extract are equally effective.

Hoodia is a term that can refer to any number of plants, so the first goal for the consumer is to find a product that actually contains hoodia gordonii. This is the only species that has been studied for its ability to suppress the appetite of humans and animals. Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, has studied the effects of their patented version of the hoodia cactus extract on overweight individuals. Results showed that these people were able to reduce their caloric intake by as much as 1000 calories per day without feeling hungry. Any product may have a placebo effect in humans; sometimes if we think it will help, it does. So, animal studies may actually be more reliable. Rats that are fed or injected with hoodia extract stop eating. Rats that will eat just about anything, just about all the time.

In order to find a product that contains hoodia gordonii and not some other type of hoodia, a little detective work is necessary. Products displaying a C.I.T.E.S. certification can be purchased with confidence. A CITES license, issued by the South African government, allows a manufacturer to export rare or endangered species. Wild stands of hoodia gordonii are protected from exportation by the government, but South African farmers have cultivated the species. This is the South African hoodia cactus extract that can be legally exported.

There are several independent websites which rank and compare the various products containing hoodia extract. Criteria for these rankings include price, product guarantee and content. For example, Desert Burn receives high ratings because it is reasonably priced, has a money back guarantee, is doctor endorsed, and contains 750mg of hoodia gordonii. There are many products that blend hoodia cactus extract with other herbs. There are only a few which contain hoodia gordonii as the sole active ingredient and 750mg is considered a very high content. A satisfaction guarantee is important because hoodia extract does not work for everyone, but most companies offer the best price and free shipping when several bottles are purchased at once. The ability to return those extra bottles, if the hoodia extract does not effectively suppress one’s appetite, is a big plus.

Taking Hoodia for Weight Loss

2006-05-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Before you begin taking hoodia for weight loss, there are some things that you should know. While there is no specific “hoodia diet”, there are recommendations that will help you achieve your goals.

It is important to remember that hoodia, like any other appetite suppressant, is just an aid. It is important to set realistic goals for yourself, before you begin taking hoodia for weight loss. A realistic goal is one or two pounds a week. A “hoodia diet” should include planned meals, even though you may not be hungry. There is a free program on the web called Spark People, which will help you plan a diet and exercise program based on your personal preferences or physical limitations. If you are 50 pounds overweight, it will take you five or six months to lose the extra weight. This may seem like a long time, but if you begin exercising while taking hoodia for weight loss, you will “feel” like you have lost more. Exercise tones muscles, which will cause you to feel less “flabby”. Your clothes will fit better and you will have more energy. People who are on a hoodia diet and exercise program may feel more energetic because of the exercise and because of the hoodia. Research has shown that hoodia gordonii increases the amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the blood stream. ATP is an important source of energy for all the cells of the body.

Research has also shown that hoodia gordonii suppresses appetite and thirst. This is why people began taking hoodia for weight loss. It is believed that the active molecules in hoodia gordonii trick the brain into believing that food has been consumed. It is unclear why hoodia suppresses thirst, but it does. Because of the lack of thirst, it is important to drink plenty of water. Water is an important factor in any diet and a hoodia diet is no exception. Many overweight people have a tendency to retain fluid. Drinking water helps the body rid itself of excess fluid in the tissues. Often when a person begins a diet which decreases salty and fatty foods and increases water consumption, they will lose five or six pounds in the first week. It is not realistic to expect these results every week, but it does have a tendency to motivate dieters. So, remember to drink water when you take hoodia for weight loss.

Some people wonder why they must continue to eat regular meals as part of a hoodia diet. If you are not hungry, why should you eat? Some websites even condone fasting to lose weight quickly. Fasting is extremely hard on the body. Eating regular meals is important in order to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Some diet experts suggest that the best time to eat is when we are not hungry. By eating small meals every couple of hours, we are less likely to overeat, we maintain proper blood sugar levels and we will not decrease our metabolism. Studies have shown that using a low calorie diet for a long period of time has a tendency to decrease a person’s metabolism or the rate at which the body burns fat. Those who take hoodia for weight loss may have less to worry about in regards to metabolism. ATP, which was previously mentioned in relation to energy, is also an important factor in metabolism. But, your long-term goal is to increase your metabolism through diet and exercise. Hoodia gordonii is a short term solution for those who experience hunger between meals, have a tendency to overeat, or trouble resisting high calorie foods.

Internet users will see hundreds of “hoodia for weight loss” ads. Remember to look for products which contain African hoodia gordonii, there are imitators. Manufacturers with C.I.T.E.S. certification are selling the real thing. A hoodia diet does not work for everyone. No diet works for everyone. You should check with your doctor and be in reasonably good health before you begin a diet and exercise program and before you begin taking hoodia for weight loss.

A Look at Hoodia Reviews

2006-05-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hoodia is making news and everyone seems to have something to say about it. Here is a look at some hoodia reviews, customer comments and basic product information.

Hoodia gordonii is a plant that grows wild in the deserts of South Africa. Commonly referred to as a cactus, it is actually a succulent, something like Aloe Vera. Its effectiveness as an appetite suppressant is the subject of some debate, but for the most part hoodia reviews are positive. It was a couple of years ago when Leslie Stahl gave what may be the most famous hoodia review. The 60 minutes reporter traveled to Africa to investigate the product. After eating a sample that a Bushman helped her locate, she declared that she was not hungry for the rest of the day.

Hoodia reviews which contain customer comments are not always positive. Generally these hoodia reviews refer to specific products and not to the overall effectiveness of hoodia as an appetite suppressant. It seems that some products receive more positive reviews than others. There are a couple of things that may lead to this disparity among hoodia reviews.

First, there are at least 15 different varieties of hoodia, but only the hoodia gordonii species is believed to suppress appetite. Some negative hoodia reviews may be of products containing some other variety of hoodia. There are two certifications that a dieter can look for to confirm that a product contains South African hoodia gordonii. They are the C.I.T.E.S. certificate and the Analytical Report. Products which display one or both of these certifications on their websites or package can be purchased with confidence.

Second, some products contain additional ingredients, such as green tea. Green tea is also considered to be a natural appetite suppressant, but contains caffeine which is a stimulant. People who are sensitive to stimulants may report a negative hoodia review if they are taking products which contain green tea. On the other hand, this combination may work better for some people. Dietary supplements of all varieties work on an individual basis. That is to say; they work for some and not for others.
Sometimes, it is necessary to try a product or a variety of products, before the best product for a specific individual is found. Reading the hoodia reviews is not always a guarantee of personal satisfaction, but it is a place to start.

This leads to the third factor that may determine a person’s overall satisfaction with a hoodia product. Those manufactures which guarantee their products generally get a positive hoodia review, while those products with no guarantee will get more customer complaints. Some companies only make refunds on bottles that have not been opened and charge a restocking fee. Other companies accept returns of opened bottles when a customer is dissatisfied and do not charge additional fees. There are websites that are dedicated to comparing different products and publishing customer comments. These can be found by typing in the search term “hoodia reviews” or “hoodia review”. Desert Burn is one product which is highly rated by these sites, both for price, guarantee and customer satisfaction.

It is difficult to judge a product based solely on a customer’s hoodia review. Customer expectation is often unrealistic. Hoodia and other appetite suppressants only work when used in conjunction with a proper diet and reasonable exercise. It is not a “magic pill”. As far as anyone knows there is nothing that will help a person lose weight, if that person does not make any lifestyle changes. Hoodia is, after all, just an appetite suppressant. It may appear that a lot of people say that a specific hoodia product does not work. It is important to remember that satisfied customers often say nothing. Anyone who has worked in retail is aware that comment and suggestion boxes contain more negatives than positives. This may be the primary reason for negative hoodia reviews.

What is Hoodia?

2006-05-04T02:14:00.000-07:00

Most people interested in hoodia today are primarily interested in the potential of pure hoodia gordonii products as appetite suppressants. People ask, “What is hoodia?”, because, until recently, it was commonly used by only a small group of South African natives. The San or Bushmen, commonly referred to as San Bushmen, are believed to have lived in southern Africa for at least 20,000 years. Living in areas surrounding the Kalahari Desert, the Bushmen are familiar with the hoodia gordonii and have used it to suppress appetite and hunger during long hunts. This practice inspired the modern use of pure hoodia gordonii products by dieters.

If a tourist asked, “What is hoodia?” The Bushmen might point out a plant with purple flowers and long spiky leaves that resembles a cactus, but is actually a succulent. There are many different species of hoodia, but only hoodia gordonii has been researched for its effectiveness as an appetite suppressant. There may be products on the market, claiming to contain hoodia and being sold as appetite suppressants, which contain some other species of hoodia. Dieters’ asking what is hoodia and searching for hoodia supplements would be wise to avoid these products, since they will probably not work. One way to find a product that is more likely to be an effective appetite suppressant is to look for one which contains pure hoodia gordonii from South Africa.

According to the American Obesity Association, there are approximately 127 million adults in the United States that are overweight and another 69 million that are obese. This may account for the large number of people asking; what is hoodia. People concerned about being overweight and the effects it may have on their health will try just about anything to lose those extra pounds. Pure hoodia gordonii products may help.

Which brings up another question; what is hoodia gordonii not going to do. Pure hoodia gordonii will not cause rapid overnight weight loss. It is not a miracle drug and manufacturers do not make outrageous claims about its effectiveness. Like so many products, pure hoodia gordonii works for some people and not for others. It does not, nor is it advertised to, take the place of reasonable diet and exercise programs. Pure hoodia gordonii is merely an aid. Some people have trouble sticking with a low calorie diet and low calorie diets often lead to decreased metabolism. Research of the active molecule in pure hoodia gordonii suggests that it may reduce appetite, without reducing metabolism.

H57® Hoodia, Hoodia 920 and Other Hoodia Products

2006-05-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

Dieters searching for hoodia products because of media coverage or internet promotions will see many brands. Two commonly seen names are H57® hoodia and hoodia 920. One is a real product, the other is not. H57® hoodia by JEC Nutrition is a big seller and is available at many retailers including GNC and Walgreen’s. Hoodia 920 is a product of some spammer’s imagination.

H57, without the ®, is used by several internet companies to draw traffic to their websites. These sites face risks of being prosecuted for trademark infringement by JEC Nutrition, but right now JEC is just trying to let consumers know that those other companies may not be providing the same quality product. Hoodia 920 is also used as a search term by many internet companies, even though it is not a real product; once again to attract traffic to their sites. Since hoodia 920 is not a real product, there is no need for anyone to worry about trademark infringement.

Dieters looking for a pure hoodia product should know that H57 ® hoodia contains other ingredients. Those other ingredients are green tea, cinnamon bark extract and trans-resveratrol. Green tea contains caffeine, a stimulant, and those who are sensitive to caffeine and other stimulants may want to avoid the JEC Nutrition product. There are other products out there which contain pure hoodia extracts or powders. Desert Burn is a prime example. Hoodia 920 does not contain anything.

Cinnamon bark extract is included in H57® hoodia because of its thermogenic, or fat-burning properties. Research indicates that hoodia may increase a person’s metabolism, but there is nothing to indicate that it could be considered a fat-burner. Fat burners work for some people and not for others. Hoodia 920 will not work for anyone.

Trans-resveratrol or resveratrol is a compound found in red wine and is known to have many health benefits, none of which relate to weight loss. JEC Nutrition does not explain why they chose to include resveratrol in H57® hoodia, but it is not something that dieters should be particularly concerned about. Any dieter considering a purchase of hoodia 920 should stop themselves.

Hoodia 920 advertisements and e-mails were probably meant to be a joke. Some of these e-mails included phony testimonials. It is not clear whether the original spammers were also scammers, selling phony products or if the whole thing was strictly meant as a joke. Undoubtedly, many overweight people searching for appetite control did not find the whole thing funny, but some people probably did.

Dietary experts make the following recommendations concerning hoodia products. Consumers should buy hoodia products, like H57® hoodia and Hoodia XR, from a reputable company which sells other dietary supplements. Reviews of hoodia products indicate that it works as an appetite suppressant for some people and does not work for others. This is true of many dietary supplements, not just hoodia. Those dieters who are taking hoodia should remember to eat regular meals and drink plenty of water. Fasting is dangerous and is not recommended by reputable manufacturers. Water is a necessity, because hoodia is known to suppress thirst as well as hunger. The most important thing to remember when buying hoodia products is that some, like H57 hoodia and hoodia XR may help dieters and some, like hoodia 920, will not.

Is Hoodia Safe?

2006-05-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

What are hoodia side effects? Is hoodia safe? Dieters want to know. There is no short answer to this question. Known hoodia side effects amount to nothing more than thirst suppression, requiring dieters to drink water, even when they are not thirsty. But, is hoodia safe? It should be. Other succulents like aloe provide the active ingredients in many patented medicines and are considered safe for most people. If hoodia side effects are similar to those of aloe, then it should not be used by pregnant women. Aloe increases menstrual flow and is used to treat amenorrhea, which is a lack of menstrual periods in women of child-bearing age.

There are several reasons that it is difficult to answer the question; is hoodia safe. Clinical research has not been completed. The available research supports claims by the health supplement industry concerning appetite suppression. There is also evidence to support the statements concerning increased energy and metabolism. What the research can not do is provide an absolute answer to questions about hoodia side effects and safety. It is understandable that dieters are cautious. It has not been long since ephedra was removed from the market and memories of Fen-fen related deaths are still fairly fresh in the public’s mind. It is difficult to recommend a product when so little is known about it. But, one thing is certain, hoodia is not a stimulant.

Most appetite suppressants contain stimulants. If an overweight person is about to purchase an appetite suppressant, then the answer to the question; is hoodia safe, should be answered a little differently. Hoodia side effects do not include any of those associated with stimulants. It does not increase heart rate or blood pressure. If a person is deciding between hoodia and a product containing a stimulant, then the safest choice is hoodia.

Phytopharm is the company that is best suited to answer the question; is hoodia safe. Phytopharm was the first company to work with the scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Africa. Phytopharm states that, “...the safety data are consistent with a satisfactory overall safety profile...” Phytopharm is still conducting research concerning hoodia side effects and is not yet ready to release its patented product, but has invested millions of dollars in creating hoodia plantations in Africa. This seems to indicate that they believe the outcome will be positive.

In March 2006, Consumer Reports concluded, “Given the very scanty evidence that hoodia works and the even scantier evidence that it’s safe, particularly for long-term use, we do not recommend the use of hoodia-based weight-loss products.” It is difficult to understand why consumer reports would make such a broad statement. For one thing, most dieters would not need to use hoodia on a long-term basis, so hoodia side effects related to long term use are irrelevant. For another thing, Consumer Reports does not make similar statements relating to weight loss products containing stimulants. In these articles, they state that stimulant containing appetite suppressants should only be used by otherwise healthy individuals. This would be a more unbiased statement. The Consumer Reports article may lead individuals to believe that, “no” is the answer to the question; is hoodia safe. When in actuality, there is no evidence of adverse hoodia side effects and no evidence suggests that hoodia is not safe.

Hoodia Gordoni and Dieting

2006-05-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Pure hoodia gordonii supplements are being marketed all over the internet. Millions of Americans are overweight; it has been called a national health problem. So, the internet companies are aware of the sales potential for any supplement that suppresses the appetite. Hoodia gordoni is no exception. Weight loss products are big sellers. Everyone is looking for a miracle; some product that magically allows overnight weight loss. Pure hoodia gordonii supplements are not magic pills. They will only help suppress the appetite. Dieters should consider hoodia gordoni as part of a healthy weight loss program and not the weight loss program.

It is commonly accepted that anyone can lose weight if they reduce their caloric intake. Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, studied the effects of the active molecule in pure hoodia gordonii in 2001. This was a double-blind study of overweight, but otherwise healthy individuals. Participants were placed on a reduced calorie diet for two weeks. Those participants who received the hoodia gordoni extract reported feeling less hungry than those participants who were given a placebo. Both groups lost some weight, but the group that received the hoodia gordoni lost a significant amount of body fat. It is believed that the active molecule in pure hoodia gordonii improves metabolism. This may explain the loss of extra body fat or it could have been caused by other factors.

Many supplement companies are marketing hoodia gordoni, but Phytopharm (the first pharmaceutical company to do any research on the appetite suppressant qualities of the plant) is not yet ready to market their patented form of pure hoodia gordonii. Phytopharm says that clinical trials are not complete, long-term effects are unknown and necessary quantities are not yet available. Pharmaceutical companies have to be careful when entering a new market. Recalls are far too common and can prove disastrous for the companies. Supplement companies are apparently more willing to take the risk.

Manufacturers of dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles all complaints related to hoodia gordoni and other supplements. The FTC has not reported any complaints related to pure hoodia gordonii products as of this writing. Other false claims concerning weight loss supplements have been investigated and some have been taken off the market. The FTC advises that the best way to lose weight is by reducing calories and increasing physical activity.

Most overweight people know that the only way to maintain a healthy weight is to watch what they eat and exercise, but for many, it is hard to stick to a low calorie diet long enough to see results. This is where hoodia gordoni may be helpful. If it does help to suppress the appetite and increase metabolism, then it may be easier for a person to lose weight. Another important thing to remember is that a low calorie diet has a tendency to have a negative impact on a person’s metabolism. If pure hoodia gordonii products can suppress the appetite, allowing a person to stick to a low calorie diet, without lowering that person’s metabolism, then dieters should not hit those terrible plateaus where they are unable to lose any more weight. No matter how hard they try.

So, if all the things that everyone is saying about hoodia gordoni are true and the research seems to support these statements, then it may be worth a trial. It is recommended that dieters remember to drink plenty of water, since pure hoodia gordonii products will suppress thirst, as well as appetite. Water is important to dieters, in any case. The average person needs about 64 ounces of water per day. Most people do not drink enough. So, if you need to lose some weight, see your doctor to confirm that you are in good health. Make some lifestyle changes that include an increase in physical activity and a decrease in high calorie, high fat foods. And, if you usually have trouble sticking to a diet, purchase some hoodia gordoni from a reputable company to help suppress your appetite.

All about the African Hoodia Cactus

2006-05-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

The African hoodia cactus is known by many names. It is called xshoba or xhooba by the San Bushmen who have used it to treat indigestion, minor skin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunts. The scientific name is hoodia gordonii. It is actually a succulent so the names hoodia cactus and South African desert cactus are actually misnomers, but they are commonly used. The plant resembles a cactus when seen growing wild in the Kalahari Desert.

There are problems associated with growing the African hoodia cactus for commercial purposes. First, logically, is temperature. In order to thrive the hoodia cactus requires desert like temperatures. Second is time. It takes four or five years for the African hoodia cactus to reach full maturity. Quantities of the wild plant are extremely limited and are protected by the governments of South Africa from harvesting. Phytopharm, the first company to research the properties of the African hoodia cactus, has established plantations in South Africa, but will not begin to sell their patented product for at least a couple of years.

In the meantime, supplement companies have begun marketing products which contain the plant in powdered or concentrated form. These African hoodia cactus products are being sold to dieters as appetite suppressants. There is research supporting the claims made by these companies, but there are some concerns about safety and cost. Because of the limited quantities available, at this time the African hoodia cactus is only being exported from certain areas of Africa, hoodia products are expensive. Safety is a concern because clinical trials have not been completed and effects of long-term use are not known. Phytopharm, who works with Unilever, does not want to be put in an “ephedra-like” situation, necessitating recalls and costing large amounts of money.

It is important to note that there are more than twenty different varieties of hoodia, but only hoodia gordonii is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Some companies may be selling products that are purported to contain the African hoodia cactus, but if it is not hoodia gordonii, then it may not work. As with all health supplements, it is best to buy hoodia products from a reputable company that sells a complete line of products. In addition, dieters are advised to remember to drink plenty of water since hoodia suppresses thirst, as well as appetite.

By any name, the African hoodia cactus is a beautiful plant. Flowers are pale purple and appear after the plant reaches maturity. Even though dieters would love to have a large immediate supply, it is important to protect the wild African hoodia cactus from over-harvesting, so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.

Facts about the Hoodia Patch

2006-05-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hoodia is a plant. In order to make the plant marketable and readily available to the general public, manufacturers either grind the whole plant into a powder or use alcohol to concentrate the active ingredients. The powder or concentrate is then sold in capsules, liquid form and most recently in the form of the hoodia patch.

The hoodia patch is a transdermal patch, meaning that the method of delivery is through the skin. For those who are unfamiliar with transdermal patches, they are used by a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Most commonly known is probably the nicotine patch, which is an aid for those people who are trying to quit smoking. Hoodia patches are aids for those who are trying to lose weight.

Hoodia in its natural form has an appetite suppressing effect. The goal of the hoodia patch and other hoodia products is to deliver the same appetite suppressing effect without needed to consume the plant. Hoodia is a succulent that resembles a cactus and grows wild in the deserts of Africa. It is of course not practical for most people to travel to Africa to sample the plant, but one reporter did do just that. Her report has led to an increased interest in hoodia products in general. Hoodia patches are just one of the many products available.

Some people prefer a transdermal patch because they can put it on in the morning and forget about it. The hoodia patch, like other transdermal patches, uses a time-released mechanism so that a small amount of the active ingredient is released into the blood stream throughout the day. Complaints concerning transdermal patches in general include itching and minor skin irritations. Hoodia patches may cause the same reactions. Some people have a problem keeping a transdermal patch on when they sweat. If the patch comes off, it must be replaced with another one. A hoodia patch is not an inexpensive product and this may be one of the drawbacks for some people. Replacing a patch because it falls off during exercise can increase the cost per day to the individual.

Ideally a person should be able to use one hoodia patch per day, replacing it every 24 hours. If forgetfulness is the reason that a person desires a patch, they may not be any easier to remember. On the other hand, it is recommended that hoodia supplements be taken one hour before meals. Busy people do not always eat at the same time everyday and really busy people may not know when their next meal will be. Hoodia patches may offer a solution for these people.

The same recommendations that apply to taking a hoodia capsule apply to using a hoodia patch. Hoodia suppresses thirst as well as appetite. In order to avoid dehydration, it is important to remember to drink plenty of water, even if one is not thirsty. Even really busy people should be able to carry a bottle of water with them. There are no known side effects associated with hoodia and the only drawbacks or considerations for those dieters using hoodia patches have already been mentioned. The hoodia patch does not contain drugs, so disposal or skin-to-skin contact should not be a problem like it is with nicotine and hormonal patches.

Only healthy people should use hoodia products, whether in the form of hoodia patches, capsules or liquid and dieters are reminded to consult their doctors before beginning a weight loss program. It is advisable to reduce calories gradually and continue to eat small meals, several times a day. A vitamin supplement is also important. Some companies selling hoodia patches and other hoodia products advocate fasting, but fasting can cause many health problems and should only be considered if one is under a doctor’s supervision.

Selecting a weight loss aid is an individual decision. Hoodia, which is a natural product, is probably a better choice than appetite suppressants containing stimulants. Choosing between available products is also an individual decision. There are pros and cons associated with the hoodia patch and in the end, the dieter must decide which product best suits his or her lifestyle.

How Hoodia Diet Pills Work

2006-05-02T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hoodia diet pills are relatively new to the ever growing list of weight loss products. Read on for details about scientific research related to hoodia.

African hunters were the first to use the hoodia plant to reduce hunger and thirst. Hoodia diet pills contain concentrates or the powdered form of the plant and have been shown to produce the same effects noted by the Aftrican hunters. Because many appetite suppressants can cause adverse reactions and some are actually dangerous, most people are curious about how hoodia diet pills work and what side effects they may cause.

First, it is important to mention that hoodia diet pills are not stimulants. Stimulants like caffeine, which are present in most appetite suppressants, cause an increase in feelings of wakefulness and alertness, but have no particular effect on feelings of fullness. Stimulants also cause an increase in heart rate and can lead to insomnia, nervousness and other health problems. Hoodia diet pills usually do not contain caffeine or other stimulants and most do not, but it is always important to check the label or the manufacturer's website for a complete list of ingredients. Now that we know what hoodia diet pills are not, let's look at what they are and how they work.

According to scientific research, p57 (the active molecule in hoodia diet pills) increases the amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the bloodstream. Scientists believe that this is the key to the appetitie suppressing effects of hoodia diet pills. ATP is normally produced by the body and is used by the cells as an energy source. This supports manufacturer's claims that hoodia diet pills increase a person's energy levels.

It normally takes glucose to produce ATP and it normally takes food to produce glucose. Since the brain senses the increase in ATP levels, it believes that food has been consumed. This leads to feelings of fullness and satisfaction, reducing feelings of hunger. This supports the manufacturers' claims that hoodia diet pills suppress appetite.

The more ATP that is available to the cells of the body, the more processes the cells can perform. Metabolism or the conversion of food to energy is a process performed by the cells for which ATP is a fuel. It is believed that the increase in ATP in the bloodstream will cause an increase in metabolism. This belief supports the manufacturers' claim that hoodia diet pills increase metabolism. Stimulants, on the other hand, are not suspected to have any effect on metabolism.

Anyone who attempts to lose weight by reducing calorie consumption experiences feelings of hunger and fatigue. Low calorie diets may also cause a reduce metabolism, making it harder for a person to lose weight. Hoodia diet pills attempt to reduce the feelings of hunger and fatigue, without reducing metabolism, making it easier to stick to a low calorie diet and therefore lose weight. As with any weight loss plan, only people who are in good health should use hoodia diet pills and they should be used in conjunction with appropriate diet and exercise. Because thirst is suppressed as well as appetite, it is important to remember to drink plenty of water. Most experts recommend eight 8 ounce glasses per day to maintain proper hydration. Other than thirst suppression, there are no known side effects associated with hoodia diet pills and they are probably a much better choice than diet pills containing stimulants.

Hoodia-The All Natural Appetite Suppressant

2006-05-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

No one knows how long the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have been consuming the stems of the hoodia gordonii plant to ward off hunger. Hoodia grows wild in Africa. A Dutch anthropologist was the first European to describe the plant. In 1937, he was studying the habits of nomadic African hunters and noted that they often ate the plant when food and water were scarce. He mentioned that the hoodia gordonii plant was not particularly tasty, but had the desirable effect of reducing appetite and thirst.

It was not until 1963 that an organized study of hoodia gordonii was performed. Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa reported that laboratory animals which were fed the hoodia plant lost weight. Research was slow, as is common in the scientific community, and expensive. Sometime in the 1990's the scientists in South Africa were able to attract the interest of a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm. Eventually, through a joint effort, they were able to isolate and identify the active molecule in hoodia gordonii and named it p57. Though a naturally occurring molecule cannot be patented, an isolated form of that same molecule can be patented. In 1995 Phytopharm licensed and patented p57.

Phytopharm reportedly spent more than 20 million dollars researching the effects of the p57 molecule found in the hoodia gordonii plant before they sub-licensed the rights to the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in 1998. Pfizer invested another 20 million dollars in research and development. One of the major production problems was (and still is) the limited availability of hoodia gordonii. Though it grows wild in some areas, natural populations are protected and licensing is required for harvesting. The plant requires extremely high temperatures to flourish and four to five years to mature. Phytopharm is now working with Unilever and has established hoodia gordonii plantations in South Africa.

Hoodia gordonii received national attention recently when Lesley Stahl, a reporter for 60 minutes traveled to Africa to investigate the plant for herself. With the help of a native, she was able to locate and eat a piece of hoodia gordonii. She reported that she experienced no hunger for the rest of the day. For many viewers, this report was enough to send them searching for their own pieces of hoodia gordonii.

The scientific explanation for Lesley's lack of appetite relates to the body's production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Research at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island concluded that p57, islolated from hoodia gordonii, led to increased production of ATP. ATP is an energy source for the cells of the human body. It is one of those things which the body needs, but can not store. Any increase in production of ATP will lead to a decrease in hunger, an increase in energy and an increase in metabolism. According to this study, the p57 found in hoodia gordonii led to a 50-150% increase in ATP. More impressive may be the clinical studies by Phytopharm in which participants were able to reduce caloric intake by 1000 calories or more without feeling any hunger. This study noted a significant reduction in body fat content after only two weeks among overweight individuals that were given extracts of hoodia gordonii.

Experts make the following recommendations for overweight people interested in trying hoodia gordonii supplements. The length of time to experience the appetite suppressing effects may occur quickly, even following the first dose, but some people do not notice a significant difference until taking the supplement for several weeks. In addition, the recommended dosage may need to be adjusted up or down depending on the individual. There are no adverse effects associated with hoodia gordonii and none have been reported by individuals who need to take a higher dosage in order to achieve the desired effect of appetite suppression.

Hoodia Info

2006-04-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Hoodia Info Blog.

Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa has become one of the hottest selling weight loss supplements of all time, and in short order.

Much of this has to do with the mystique of the hoodia plant, with a history spanning a hundred thousand years of use by the Sans Bushmen tribe of the Kalahari Desert to suppress their appetite.

It also has to do with the fact that large pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in the active ingredient in hoodia, hoping to turn it into blockbuster weight loss products.

Lastly, a deluge of major media coverage has spurred tremendous demand for hoodia...along with anecdotal accounts that, unlike much of the hype filled industry, delivers what it promises.

On this blog, we will cover news, facts, history, and the science behind hoodia and keep our visitors abreast of breaking news.

Hoodia is almost certainly here to stay...and the years ahead will most likely see a growing, not diminishing, interest in this amazing plant.