One of the reasons that hoodia research is so very challenging is because it takes quite awhile for the plant that it is harvested from to mature (about five years). According to some reports, it is the flowering portion of the hoodia gordonii plant that is most effective.

However, the ability to research the effectiveness of hoodia as an appetite suppressant is not totally hopeless. Obtaining facts about the working power of this plant is possible even though some news sources attribute news about this place to an overabundances hoopla but very little science.

The most substantial proof of its working power is in how it curbs a person’s appetite. This has been documented in several ways. For instance, you may have seen many times in the media the story of how reporters have gone on excursions to South Africa.

One news reporter for sure has tried it first hand. Some others since then have then more likely followed suit. However, the one media presentation you hear about most often is the one that 60 Minutes had presented a few years back.

This 60 Minutes report is one that is most in favor of hoodia gordonii. Again, since it takes so long for the plant to mature researching its effects is very challenging. This leads into the next challenge about hoodia research.

It is very expensive. Of course, that is the case with any clinical trial. However, the complication of waiting for the plant to mature with the expense of research it just makes matters doubly difficult.

Another Answer

One of the most prevalent proofs of the hoodia gordonii effectiveness is its historical use. In fact, this is often the case. History often is far more advanced than science-as far as research is concerned anyway.

Along those lines, you should know that the history of indigenous tribes such as the ones located in South Africa was passed to later generations orally. What took place in early times was often not written down.

Still, the story was told and the fact that it was told orally does not necessarily make it any less accurate. Mistakes in writing could have been made just as well.

As it turns out, many reports indicate the use of hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant. You may have even heard the story. You may have heard that hunters used it on long trips when food was sparse.

It’s Role

The most authentic supply of hoodia gordonii comes from the aerial stems of this succulent plant. Usually it is found in South Africa. The main purpose of it is to suppress appetite, and it is only one species of this type of plant that has the P57 enzyme in it.

It is this enzyme which helps send signals to the brain. These signals help tell you when you are full and this is what helps you eat less.

What this substance will NOT do is this…

• It will not help you burn fat. The only exception is when you purchase a safe and effective supplement that has supporting fat burning ingredients such as green tea.
• It will not replace the need to eat healthy foods. You still need to eat a variety of high-fiber whole grains, fruits, and vegetables along with select cuts of lean meat and low-fat dairy.
• The use of hoodia supplements does not replace the need to exercise. It is ideal to plan a variety of strength and cardio routines to encourage fitness balance.
• It will not instantly correct years of bad eating habits. You still have to deal with the psychological addiction to food.
• Hoodia supplements are not going to correct eating disorders. In some cases, they can intensify an eating disorder, particularly anorexia nervosa. If a person is starving him/her self using an appetite supplement is dangerous.
• There is no way that a hoodia supplement is going to cause you to instantly lose weight. In fact, it is unhealthy to try to lose too many pounds at once.

The best way to evaluate this product is to learn more about its advantages and disadvantages. This should give you some clue as to how it could help you or hurt you, or otherwise be good, bad, or indifferent.

Advantages

The source of hoodia is from the aerial stems of the plant. This is the portion of the hoodia gordonii that has the P57 enzyme in it. Another advantage (at least according to some people) is that the ingredients are all natural.

This formula also has a fair amount of fiber in it to help you digest your food properly. Furthermore, it is a fairly inexpensive solution at only $30.50 for 30 capsules. The main ingredients in this supplement are very familiar and often associated with weight loss.

Disadvantages

This product has in it a relatively low amount ofh. gordonii per dosage (only 250mg). This may not be enough in this single dosage to help suppress appetite.

Although there is no official FDA recommendation, generally people use at least 700 mg, but typically 1500 mg of hoodia before they notice a difference. This could be a problem for people who are attempting to lose weight, as the amount of appetite suppressant ingredient present may not be enough.

This product also has not really been on the market for that many years. Therefore, the evidence pointing to its ability to burn fat is very limited. Furthermore, safety of some of the ingredients is questionable, although most of the ingredients are quite common.

The hoodia gordonii supply that has been studied and chosen for the use of appetite suppression originates in Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. This is the only supply of a complete genus of hoodia succulent plants that has this P57 molecule.

Reason for Strict Control

The reason for such strict control over the hoodia gordonii plant is because governments of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa agree it is for the best. This is because there is only a limited supply of this plant available and there are only a few safe and ethical ways to harvest it. It helps protect all the species of hoodia plant.

Harvest Requirements

A valid C.I.T.E.S. certificate is needed, which is a type of license that helps protect wild plants. Another certificate is needed that is provided by the National Department of Agriculture-a phyto-sanitary certificate.

These licenses are also part of the requirement for export of hoodia gordonii out of South Africa. This is considered the only official appetite suppressant source.

Natural Propogation

The only way this is done naturally of course is by the force of the wind. This is a totally separate process which involves local reproduction of h. gordonii within a specific geographical location.

Ingredients

This supplement is a basic supply of plant of a reasonable amount. It has 750mg per dosage of an appetite suppressant. It also has the following fillers/additives in it: Stearic acid, magnesium stearate, MCC, and Can Tab.

The claim is that users are able to lose an average of two to four pounds. These results may be different for each user, though. It depends how many doses are taken in a day, as the typical amount of hoodia normally used would be a minimum of 1,500 mg to be effective. (This is only a recommendation based on users though and not an FDA or USDA recommendation.)

Advantages

There is a long record of ancient tribesmen who have used hoodia as an appetite suppressant. Additionally, this specific capsule has about three times more than the average supplement (750mg versus 200 or 300mg).

Therefore, people who use it are likely to experience more of a weight loss than normally. The plant source in this product is also C.I.T.E.S. certified. It also is said to have a little bit of a mood enhancing effect.

Disadvantages

People might be disappointed if they still notice they are hungry. This product does not take away any psychological food cravings, only physical ones. Therefore, users still need to adhere to a regular exercise and diet program.

Although historically the hoodia gordonii plant is one that has provided sustenance on long trips, it is not FDA approved. The reason why it is not is mostly because the fact that it takes so long for this plant to mature (five years) that it takes forever for modern medical science to make advancements.

There has at least been evidence supporting the P57 enzyme effectiveness on animals. More testing is required for humans to further confirm because humans are different than small lab rats.

This hoodia gordonii supply usually is taken from various sections of South Africa-particularly the Kalahari Desert. One of the other prime areas of  h. gordonii growth is in the Namida location.

There are other sections of the world where this plant course may be found. However, the growth conditions that are most conducive to successful harvest would be those described in the previous paragraph.

Reason for Laws

The reason that this species of hoodia is being placed under close watch is so companies and individuals do not just come in and take over the land. It also insures that the crop that comes form this location is produced under very strict guidelines.

This ensures the safety of everyone, and also increases chance of product effectiveness. As a result, more people are then able to eat less because they are likely to have less of a desire to eat.

The C.I.T.E.S. certificate is one way for consumers to know that the product they purchase does have present in it a quality crop of hoodia. It is these certified products that have in them the aerial stems which is the only section of this succulent plant (desert plant often mistaken for a cactus) that has in it the P57 enzyme.

In fact, this certificate issued by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species gives you the assurance that you receive the portion of the right plant course. This correct plan source with the P57 enzyme is the only one that has been (so far) reported as one that is useful for suppressing appetite.

More Info

The knowledge of the appetite suppressing power of this plant species has been known by ancient African tribes for many, many years. It is today’s science and technology that needs to catch up with what nature has told many people for thousands of years.

So far, evidence based on scientific research of the workings of this substance has been confirmed on lab rats. At any rate, this species of hoodia has received quite a bit of media attention because it seems to have proven to work on humans many times, though extensive scientific testing has not yet been done on humans.

After this study was completed, reports were made that this plant actually helped suppress appetites in lab animals. The active component that works in this way is the steroidal glycoside, which has the P57 enzyme in it.

The scientists who were in charge of these studies worked with the British Phytopharm Company. Then, in 1995 Phytopharm received a license to obtain this P57 source after spending more than $20 million on research.

The popularity of 60 minutes heightened after it was introduced on 60 minutes. This was after a media crew made a trip to South Africa to try this plant. Leslie Stahl is one of the person’s who became a spokesperson for the benefits of this plant.

This was all done in an effort to provide more evidence of the validity of the claims that this plant is actually helpful for suppressing appetite. It in fact has helped many people, and not just the animals who were tested in lab-even if there is not yet any very much scientific evidence yet of its affect on humans.

Products

Today hoodia is found in capsule, power, liquid, or tea forms. It sometimes is sold as is, and in its purest form it seems to work the best. It also sometimes is mixed with other quality ingredients such as green tea that helps build metabolism.