Does Hoodia Gordonii Really Make You Lose Weight
Doug Smith

Defined Tag: hoodia gordonii.
Hoodia gordonii is one of the most popular weight loss supplements in the world. Found in South Africa's Kalahari desert, this cactus like plant is said to decrease or eliminate hunger. The sheer hype surrounding hoodia makes the facts hard to find. Does hoodia gordonii really stop the appetite, producing weight loss?

Hoodia's History

For thousands of years, the residents of the Kalahari desert have reputedly consumed hoodia without any bad symptoms. Because they liked to eat together as a village, they used hoodia to stop their appetites during long hunting trips. This kept them from eating what they had killed for the village. Very few legitimate scientific studies can confirm this, and side effects and potential long-term effects have not been determined.

The Magic Study

There is one study that is frequently attributed with proving hoodia's properties. Overweight study volunteers ate hoodia gordonii, and were discouraged from physical activities. The study claims that 1000 fewer calories were consumed by the test subjects than by a group with received no hoodia.

What Is The Real Weight Loss Potential?

P-57 is the name for the active ingredient of hoodia. This chemical seems to trick the brain into believing that that the stomach is not hungry. The natural conclusion seems to be eating less food, and therefore weight loss. A U.S. reporter confirmed these results on herself after eating gordonii in Africa. Some sources claim that animals eating the plant can also lose weight.

Hoodia appears to curb only natural pangs of hunger. Hunger caused by excess carbs and sugars might not be affected, nor might hunger caused by physical activity. Exercise replenishment and high blood sugar levels appear to have negative effects on hoodia's properties.

It Will Solve Everything, Right?

Effective weight loss regimens combine good dieting with exercise. Fasting that lasts for a long time, whether or not it is caused by hoodia, is never a good idea. Be aware that many weight loss products claiming to contain hoodia might actually contain none. These bogus products might also contain too little hoodia gordonii to have any useful effect. Hoodia gordonii may turn out to have excellent weight loss properties, but it remains to be seen if it is the Magic Pill that everyone wants it to be.

Copyright 2007 by Doug Smith. All rights reserved worldwide. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.