Hoodia

There is a bit of mystery surrounding this elusive and now endangered succulent cactus found only in the Kalahari Desert. Hoodia Gordinii became a widely contentious subject when 60 Minutes did a story on it in 2004.

In its purest form, the inside or core of the stem of the Hoodia cactus can be eaten and curb hunger for long periods of time. It was originally discovered and used for centuries by the San Bushmen of the Kalahari. Eaten primarily while hunting, Hoodia cactus allowed them to go days without food. For this reason, Hoodia is now highly sought after as a weight loss aid. This non addictive, all natural botanical with no known side effects has set the pharmaceutical world on its ear.

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Up until 2008, different companies have provided many different forms of Hoodia as a weight loss aid. None of the products, however, is in the pure form or contains enough of the isolated molecule (P57) that is responsible for sending the impulses to the brain that reduces hunger.

After 30 years of research, and over $20 Million later, Phytopharm slapped a patent on the “application of the plant as a weight-loss material, and, of course, the active compounds within the plant”. Between the patent and the new plantations to grow greater quantities, this effectively will stop or at least slow down any real competition from providing 100% P57 like they claim to be able to do by mid 2009.

In the meantime, it is buyer beware. The Hoodia amounts indicated on the labels are doubtful to be effective for suppressing appetite. These pills may be all hoodia, but there is only one small part of the hoodia plant that is the part that works to reduce hunger.

• Hoodia has been tried in pill form from the extract and is still in the development stages as the amount of extract required to provide an adequate amount of effective ingredient is very expensive and not cost effective.

• The tinctures, or liquid form are derived from the powdered form, but some are derived from “whole plant” vs. “core plant”. The Core plant extracts at least give you a fighting chance of getting a higher percentage of the ingredient that actually works.

• The caps are probably the most effective and best bet, but again only those made from the powder of the concentrated core plant.

• There is also a Hoodia gel that is administered on the skin. The theory is, it goes directly to the bloodstream, rather than being digested. It is highly doubtful that this product is effective.

• Hoodia sprays boast to be a faster way for Hoodia to be absorbed into the body via the mouth and tongue. Reviews about the effectiveness of Hoodia sprays versus Hoodia pills and gels are mixed.

Are Hoodia Diet Pills Effective for Weight Loss?

There are many mixed reviews about how effective Hoodia is an appetite suppressant. This is likely due to the fact that there are many products that provide different concentrations of Hoodia as well as different quality. When Phytopharm and its partner Unilever do hit the market in 2009 with a 100% pure Hoodia P57 extract they may be the first and only to actually come up with a legitimate and consistent form of the plant that could end obesity.

Can Hoodia Diet Pills be taken by children?

So far, none of the products currently out there recommend that it be used for children under 16 without a physician recommendation.