Hoodia Diet Supplement

Do images of a hot-fudge sundae, rich cheesecake and sumptuously creamy desserts keep floating on your mind? Do you find yourself hoarding cookies and sweets for “emergencies” time and time again? Are you frustrated that you just can’t stick with your diet?

Here’s good news! An all-natural solution to losing weight, it is a powerful appetite suppressant and anti-obesity supplement that can hoodwink you into thinking that you are full and don’t need to eat anything. It also effectively attacks obesity and has no side effects. And this seemingly miraculous solution can be found in the desert of Kalahari – a cactus-like plant called Hoodia. This plant is extremely hardy and can grow in very high temperatures. It has no leaves. Instead it has spines and the shape has been compared to that of a cucumber.

There are 13 varieties of hoodia. This is a plant that grows in green upright stems. The plant takes some five years to grow and mature. When its purple flowers come out, it signals the time that the plant is ripe for harvest. It seems that hoodia, because it grows in harsh conditions, as well as the hot desert sun, is potent particularly if it is directly taken from its natural surroundings. There are hoodia plants that are grown and cultivated in the greenhouse, but these have shown to be less effective than the ones that grow in the desert.

The Kalahari bushmen has discovered this plant and have used it to ward off hunger pangs while they go on long hunting trips. They claim that it keeps them from needing much by way of food and water. This plant, which is unattractive by any standard and bitter in taste, also promotes a feeling of well-being. It is also considered an aphrodisiac.

This plant, scientists have discovered, contains what is now known as P 57. This is a totally new molecule, until scientists discovered it in Hoodia. P57 is a steroidal glycoside. Here’s how it works. The hypothalamus contains nerve cells that function to signal the brain that it is full. It does so when it senses glucose sugar in the blood. Hoodia works like glucose, but it goes straight into the brain and tells it that you have eaten – even when you haven’t. You also lose the appetite. This can last for as long as 24 hours. The great thing is that there are no side effects usually associated with diet pills, like palpitations, indigestion or insomnia.

Hoodia gordonii is available in a variety of forms – liquid, tea, powder, protein shakes, capsule or diet bars. You may buy it from the Internet or from health food stores. There are some concerns, though, that some products claiming to contain hoodia may have fake or contaminated hoodia. Some manufacturers insert fillers and other additives since hoodia is actually quite expensive. You should be able to check the product’s authenticity when it is verified by an independent testing center or laboratory. Check the label to see that it lists “None” under the “Other Ingredients” portion.

One concern is that this powerful supplement may be abused. Those with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia may take this in excess and turn this “wonder” supplement into a life-threatening substance. Those who are underweight, pregnant or lactating should do well to avoid taking hoodia. Those with diabetes mellitus should also exert caution, as this may interfere with controlling that disease. Also, as with other natural foods, this may cause allergic reactions. The best thing to do is to ask the doctor about it.

It may be quite tempting to use hoodia to get rid of your appetites.  However, the sensible thing to do is to add hoodia into your diet and exercise plan.  Hoodia only works to suppress your appetite.  It does not burn fat, nor does it build muscle. For that, you need to exercise, as well as a balanced diet.  If you have a problem with your diet, you should also address that.  Please remember that diet supplements, no matter how powerful, are not magical substances that you can take and eat whatever you want and survive with little or no exercise.