Hoodia Plant Diet Review

Hoodia Plant Diet Review - Hoodia is a wild plant that grows in the deserts in  South Africa.  Commonly referred to as a cactus, it is succulent, like the Aloe Vera plant.  There are 15 different types of species of hoodia, but only one –Hoodia Gordonii seems to reduce appetite.

Hoodia was observed to learn how it mimics as an appetite suppressant.  In 1963, scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa's national laboratory, began studying hoodia.  They claimed that lab animals lost weight after they were given hoodia gordonii.  The South African scientists, working with a British company named Phytopharm, isolated what they believed to be an active ingredient in hoodia gordonii, a steroidal glycoside, which they named p57.

One researcher explained the findings as follows; when glucose sugar is recognized by nerves in the brain, it causes a spike in blood sugar and signals your body that it is full. The P57 in hoodia reacts 10,000 times more than glucose, sending a very loud sign that you are full, leaving you no craving to eat. 

In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist studying the San Bushmen noted that they used hoodia gordonii to repress hunger.  In 1995, Phytopharm obtained a patent and a license on P57.  Phytopharm has invested over $20 million on hoodia research. 

Ultimately pharmaceutical giant Pfizer learned about hoodia and expressed interest in developing a hoodia supplement.  In 1998, Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to develop p57 to Pfizer for $21 million.  Pfizer returned the rights to hoodia to Phytopharm, who is currently working with another company, Unilever.

What we like about this plan The appetite suppressant seems to work for most people.  The most influential reviewer was Leslie Stahl, 60 minutes reporter, who went to South Africa for a report on the plant.  After eating a sample from the local bushman, Leslie admitted she was full for the entire day.  There are many different forms of hoodia gordonii, capsule, powder or liquid of tea forms in health food stores.  Hoodia is also found in the popular diet aid TrimSpa.

What we dislike about this plan  It is hard to find solid unbiased information on the internet on this product.  Many “reviewers” are also selling Hoodia products.  The product prices are also very highly overpriced.

How healthy is this plan?   Although there has been no negative press to date, the verdict is still out. This is the new “ephedra”…and we all know that was banned by the FDA after many negative side effects were related to the substance.  People with diabetes should be cautious about using hoodia.  One of the statements about how hoodia works is that it signals the brain that it has enough blood sugar.  This may make it possible for a person's blood sugar could drop dangerously low while taking hoodia. With the regular hunger mechanism turned off, the normal warning signs may be covered up until it's too late.

Hoodia is believed to suppress not only appetite but thirst.  There have been unverified reports of consumers in Africa who took hoodia to take the feelings off hunger pains away, but became severely dehydration because they didn't feel thirsty.

Here’s The Bottom Line  Let all the media hype and mass production (due to the huge commercial demand for Hoodia Gordonii, the herb is commercially farmed on a limited number of farms in South Africa.  As with all dietary supplements the FDA has no regulations on Hoodia.  In addition, counterfeit Hoodia products are widespread.  If you are still tempted to try 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 conference.

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