The Hoodia cactus plant extract has recently gained quite a lot of publicity in the media. The BBC and CBS 60 Minutes both sent reporters to investigate Hoodia, and interest in it is growing as a result.
Although there are several kinds of Hoodia plants, the one known for its remarkable ability to suppress the appetite is Hoodia Gordonii. For hundreds of years, this plant has been used by the San Bushmen of Africa's Kalahari Desert. In this most inhospitable region, where food and water can be extremely scarce, the San people learned that they can go for long periods of time without craving food or water if they first eat a particular plant.
In the 1990s, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was doing research on the plants the San Bushmen eat, and they discovered that Hoodia Gordonii not only was non-toxic, but it reduced the desire for food of the animals that tested it.
After more study, researchers discovered that a molecule in Hoodia Gordonii works on the part of the brain that responds to high levels of glucose in the blood that come from having eaten a satisfying meal. Nerve centers in the hypothalamus located in the mid-brain, sense the glucose and tell the body it has had enough food. What Hoodia is believed to contain is a molecule that is thousands of times more active than glucose, so when Hoodia is ingested, the brain is tricked into believing the stomach is full, and the appetite is lowered.
How well does Hoodia work in stopping people from craving to eat? This was demonstrated dramatically in an experiment conducted in the United Kingdom. A group of people diagnosed as morbidly obese were chosen for the test. Half the group was given Hoodia and the other half a placebo (sugar pill). All were allowed to eat as much food as they wanted. In about two weeks, the group using Hoodia were eating an average of 1,000 fewer calories per day than the control group.
People who desire to lose weight are often concerned about whether there are any harmful side effects caused by diet products they may be considering to use. Weight loss products such as Hoodia Gordonii Plus have been found to have no harmful side effects. Of course, people using Hoodia who consume less food should be concerned about getting enough nutrition in their systems. That is why Hoodia Gordonii Plus was formulated to include magnesium, mangosteen oil extract and green tea extract. Magnesium is an essential nutrient the body requires to function in a healthy manner. Mangosteen oil extract, Garcinia Cambogia, contains significant amounts of Vitamin C and may help prevent excess calories from being converted to body fat. Green tea has been associated with not only weight control but also help in treating arthritis, high cholesterol levels and heart disease. It contains the powerful anti-oxidant EGCG.
Hoodia Gordonii Plus users should be cautioned, however, that it should not be used during pregnancy, by children, lactating mothers or anyone who is underweight.
By: Robert Scheer