Hoodia History Hoodia Gordonii resembles a cactus like plant, but is actually a succulent. There are 13 different species of Hoodia and only Hoodia Gordonii has the astonishing appetite suppressing quality. Many Hoodia species are protected plants and are typical found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, especially in plains and rocky areas. Common names include "Bushman's Hat" and "Queen of the Nimbi". The indigenous Bushmen of South Africa, The San People call Hoodia Gordonii, xshoba or xhooda. They used the plant for generations to treat indigestion, minor shin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunts. They also used Hoodia for severe abdominal cramps, haemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion, hypertension and diabetes. The Hoodia Gordonii plant will grow up to 1mt high and has large flowers. The flowers are pale purple and appear after the plant reaches maturity. The plant requires extreme heat to grow and takes four or five years to reach full maturity. Quantities of the wild plant are extremely limited and are protected by the governments of South Africa from harvesting. This prompted the establishment of plantations in South Africa that grow Hoodia Gordonii for commercial us to protect wild plants and prevent over harvesting and possible extinction.

Scientist at the Council performed an organized study of Hoodia Gordonii in 1963 for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. In the 1990s scientist isolated and identified the active molecule in Hoodia Gordonii and named it P57. This molecule, affects nerve cells like glucose molecule would tell the brain that the body was full and did not need to eat. In 2002, CSIR officially recognized the San tribespeoles right over Hoodia, Allowing them to take a percentage of the profits.

The BBC started the media hype when they reported on the Hoodia Gordonii plant in 2003. The following year, 60 Minutes aired a report on the effectiveness of the Hoodia Gordonii plant as a natural appetite suppressant. Because of this, Hoodia Gordonii products have quickly become one of the fastest growing divisions of the 'diet supplement market'. Hoodia was introduced in the market very recently in year 2004. These reports and other heavy marketing by nutritional supplement companies created such a demand for Hoodia plants that a protected status was imposed.

Out of all the Hoodia species only Hoodia Gordonii is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Some companies may be selling products that allege to contain the African Hoodia cactus, but if it is not Hoodia Gordonii, then it may not work. As with all health supplements, it is best to buy Hoodia products from a reputable company that sells a complete line of products. In addition, dieters are advised to remember to drink plenty of water since Hoodia suppresses thirst, as well as appetite.

Even though Hoodia Extract is natural and able to work on its own to help safely restrain your hunger, it is essential that you incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle with whole foods and daily exercise. What you decide to eat for your meals and how much you exercise will determine how much weight you lose.

The science behind Hoodia The use of Hoodia has long been known by the indigenous population of Southern Africa, who used the plant to treat indigestion, minor shin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunts. They also used Hoodia for severe abdominal cramps, haemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion, hypertension and diabetes. Only the Gordonii variant of Hoodia has the appetite suppressant characteristics.

In 1937 a Dutch anthropologist was the first to describe the plant, he was studying the habits of nomadic hunters and noted that they often ate the plant when food and water were scarce. He mentioned that the Hoodia Gordonii plant had the desirable effect of reducing appetite and thirst.

Scientist at the Council performed an organized study of Hoodia Gordonii in 1963 for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. They reported that laboratory animals that were fed the Hoodia plant lost weight. In the 1990s through a joint effort with a British pharmaceutical company, the South African scientist isolated and identified the active molecule in Hoodia Gordonii and named it P57. This molecule is responsible for its appetite suppressant effect. Normally, when you eat food, your blood sugar goes up because of it. The hypothalamus, which is in the mid-brain reagin, has nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. When you eat your blood sugar goes up because of the food, the nerve cells start firming and you feel full. The molecule P57 that is naturally found in Hoodia sends the same signals to your brain that you are full. It not only makes you feel full, but it also slows down the desire to eat. Many people feel physically full but continue to eat for different reasons such as timing, emotions and social influences. Most emotional eating is actually responsible for overeating rather than physical hunger. Hoodia Gordonii suppresses this desire and can help break the emotional attachment to food.

In 2002, CSIR officially recognized the San tribespeole's right over Hoodia, Allowing them to take a percentage of the profits. Hoodia was introduced to the market very recently in year 2004 and the demand for the plant forced the government to impose a protected status.Hoodia Gordonii is a protected plant, which may only be wild harvested by individuals and the few companies who have been granted a license. In fact pure Hoodia is very expensive and hard to get so, remember that any diet pill made from 100% pure Hoodia' is going to cost about $40-$65 for a month's supply.

Side effects. Hoodia Gordonii is an all natural appetite suppressant; it contains no Ephedra, stimulants, or Caffeine and has no known adverse side effects. When using Hoodia you have to remember that you are not going on a diet. Hoodia simply decreases your appetite, you will not feel hungry and you will feel healthy and energetic at the same time.

Hoodia is classed as a food; it is a herb not a medicine.

The only effect this plant has is that it causes your brain to believe that you are full.The only concern with Hoodia is if it's misused by people with eating disorders for rapid weight lose. You should not use any Hoodia Gordonii products in childhood, pregnancy, or lactating mothers.

It should not be used by individuals with eating disorders, those who are underweight or within a normal weight range. The abuse of Hoodia can deprive the body of the necessary nutrients it may need.

How Hoodia Gordonii will help with weight loss. Hoodia contains a molecule known as P57, this is responsible for its appetite suppressant effect. Normally, when you eat food, the body turns food to glucose. When the glucose level in your body increases you get the feeling of fullness, Hoodia sends the same signals to your brain that you are full. It not only makes you feel full, but it also slows down the desire to eat.

Many people feel physically full but continue to eat for different reasons such as timing, emotions and social influences. Most emotional eating is actually responsible for overeating rather than physical hunger. Hoodia Gordonii suppresses this desire and can help break the emotional attachment to food.

Due to the affect Hoodia Gordonii has on the body it is important to have sufficient hydration and to eat a healthy diet. It will help you reduce calorie intake, which help you in weight loss. The fact that you do not feel hungry will give you the opportunity to concentrate on what foods you are eating and allow you to make healthier chooses without cravings and constant thoughts of hunger. This allows you to set up healthy eating habits without the stresses involved. Even though Hoodia Extract is natural and able to work on its own to help safely restrain your hunger, it is essential that you incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle with whole foods and daily exercise.

The ideal dosage will vary from person to person. It will depend on your body size, composition, health or weight; you may need a little more or less. To start with you may take 400mg of Hoodia before meals, or you can step up to 750mg per day. The average is about 500mg, either way the speed of results will vary according to individuals and remember to give yourself a couple of days to see results. What you decide to eat for your meals and how much you exercise will determine how much weight you lose.

You must make sure to listen to your body, consult your doctor and take Hoodia with a healthy whole food diet and exercise program for maximum weight loss results.

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Herbalist.Always looking for natural products that work.