 What is Hoodia Gordonii, Is this a powerful way to loose pounds and inches?
Hoodia Gordonii is nothing more than a succulent plant with large flowers and a strong smell, is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae. It is found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa and grows in in extreme and inhospitable conditions. It can reach up to 6 feet high, has been around for thousands of years and can survive over a century. There are many difference varieties of Hoodia but only Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa has been tested and proven to have appetite suppressing ability. (Compare Top Hoodia Brands)
Although most people have not heard about Hoodia until recently, the weight loss properties have been known since the 1930s, when the San Bushmen of the Kalahari were observed using the Hoodia plant by anthropologists. For centuries they have eaten Hoodia to stave off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips and times of hardship. Not only did the Sans people quench their hunger with Hoodia, they also used it to treat indigestion and infections.
In the 1960s there was some testing done on Hoodia, but serious testing was not conducted until the 1990s. In 1996 the Scientists in South Africa at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), began studying Hoodia to find out why it worked and how. What they discovered was a previously unknown molecule that was responsible for the appetite suppressant action. This has come to be known a P57.
After receiving a patent for P57, the scientists licensed P57 to a British company named Phytopharm, who has since spent millions on Hoodia research. In 1998 the drug giant Pfizer became interested in Hoodia and Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to P57 to them.
Do to the media coverage and the demand for Hoodia by supplement manufactures, Hoodia is now a protected plant in South Africa. Much of the Hoodia now imported is grown on farms. Due to the demand for Hoodia and the restrictions placed on exporting it, many companies have resorted to Hoodia Species grown in other countries, such as China and Mexico. Be wary of this imitation product, as only Hoodia Gordonii has been proven to contain weight loss ingredients.
Hoodia Purchasing Guidelines:
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Make sure it is 100% South African Hoodia Gordonii!
All South African Hoodia Gordonii is certified. To legally export Hoodia requires a CITES permit. This is a certificate from the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. All shipments to the United States also require a Certificate of Analysis, which declares the Country of Origin, provides test results for contaminants and confirms the product is what it says it is. Do not buy any Hoodia product that cannot produce these two documents. Quality manufactures will also make available an analysis from an independent lab.
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Only purchase Hoodia that is made from only the heart of the Hoodia Gordonii plant:
Some companies advertise 100% African Hoodia, but it might be made from the skin and spines, which have no appetite suppressing qualities.
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Watch out for products that say made from Hoodia grown from South African Seeds:
A lot of Hoodia is now being grown in China and now even Mexico. It may not even be Hoodia Gordonii. Only purchase only 100% South African grown Hoodia Gordonii with the proper credentials.
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Make sure the pills are produced in a factory that is FDA compliant: They should also meet or exceed the GMP Guidelines for quality.
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Hoodia Capsules should have no added ingredients or fillers:
Some companies are adding caffeine, other herbs or filler material. 100% pure Hoodia gives you a subtle, natural energy boost and is very effective at controlling your appetite. Why pay for cheap additives that can make you feel jittery or nauseous. Some claim that pure Hoodia also lowers blood pressure, although we have found no studies to support this.
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Beware of inexpensive Hoodia:
Hoodia is very expensive and in short supply. Some manufactures are having trouble importing it. No one is selling authentic 100% pure South African Hoodia Gordonii cheap! Don't waste your time or money on any Hoodia that is not 100% certified and documented.
Potential Hoodia Side Effects:
Reported side effects that may arise as a result of Hoodia intake are very limited. Because Hoodia not only suppresses hunger but also thirst, a possible side effect may be dehydration. Dehydration, however, is easily combated by drinking plenty of water or other liquids throughout the day. In addition, Hoodia may pose some side effects for diabetics which may lead to loss of energy, because Hoodia tells the hypothalamus that the body has enough energy. Any supplement also has special concerns for pregnant or nursing women. Before taking any supplement or starting any weight loss program, everyone, regardless of age or health condition, should consult a physician.
Pros and Cons of Hoodia:
Any time something new comes out and is not regulated, you have unscrupulous companies flooding the market with inferior products. The same is true with Hoodia. There are many different varieties of Hoodia, but only Hoodia Gordonii grown in South Africa, has been proven to have appetite suppressant abilities. Although the strict export rules placed on Hoodia by the Government of Africa has sharply increased prices, it has also provided the consumer with a way to help ensure you are getting what you pay for. When purchasing Hoodia, reputable companies are proud to display their credentials for you to review.
The downside of Hoodia is that with all the regulations, it has become to expensive for many consumers to afford. This leads many people to turn to cheap drugstore products that sell for a few dollars, have no testing or regulation, and really do not work for most people. If you decide to go this route, read the ingredients carefully, and be extremely cautious if the pills have dangerous ingredients such as Ma huang ( Ephedra ) or high amounts of caffeine.
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