| Is Hoodia a Safe and
Effective Supplement? |
 Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent plant that grows in the
Kalahari Desert in South Africa and Namibia, and has been used
medicinally by the indigenous San Busmen to fight hunger and thirst
during extended hunting expeditions, due to its appetite
suppressant properties.
The obesity explosion is the most pressing health issue of our
time, with modern medication having an array of adverse health
effects, and is disappointingly limited in treating this “disease”.
So the hunt for an effective alternative remedy has led researchers
to Hoodia Gordonii. The metamorphosis of Hoodia from a bushman’s
diet to global recognition in the fight against obesity could not
have happened without some kind of evidence and results.
The safety and results of Hoodia Gordonii has been documented
in various studies.
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Whole Hoodia powder contains fiber, antioxidants, and the only
reported active ingredient P57, an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside.
Studies at Brown University Medical School have demonstrated P57 to
be a hypothalamic ATP modulator, increasing the content of ATP by
50-150%. ATP is the molecule that stores the energy that we need
for every action that we perform in life. P57 informs the brain
that blood glucose levels are high, thus fooling the brain into
thinking it’s full. P57 contains zero calories, yet is 10, 000
times more potent than sugar in suppressing appetite.
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In a trial of 24 morbidly obese people where all that they
could do was to read, watch television, interact with each other,
and of course eat. Half the participants were given Hoodia
Gordonii, and the other half a placebo. After 15 days the Hoodia
Gordonii group had reduced their calorie intake by 1000 calories a
day, despite taking no exercise and not being on any kind of weight
loss diet.
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In another double blind 15-day study, 19 overweight males were
randomized to P57 or placebo. Nine subjects in each group completed
the study with a statistically significant decrease in calorie
intake and body fat and no serious adverse events. Hoodia, in its
natural form, has no interactions with any medications and no side
effects such as diarrhea, anxiety, irritability or change in sleep
habits were reported.
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Although Hoodia is still not FDA approved, and further studies
would be desirable, there seems to be little doubt as to the
effectiveness and safety of Hoodia as a weight loss aid when
combined with a nutritious diet, exercise, and good hydration. The
problem is that an estimated two thirds of all Hoodia available is
either counterfeit or contains very little of the P57
ingredient.
The C.I.T.E.S. (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate is being displayed to
indicate authenticity by many sellers of Hoodia, and while it is a
necessary requirement, independent laboratory certificates are the
only way to ensure that you are buying genuine Hoodia, and a good
example of a supplier with all the necessary certification is
Desert Burn.
It’s also suggested that only Hoodia powder or liquid is effective,
and gimmicky items such as patches, snack bars and gum are probably
best avoided. |
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