However, recently is not the only time it had been used. It is documented at least orally that it was used as early as a few thousand years ago during ancient times.

The question remains regarding this plant source: if it is so effective why has it not been used as much during modern times as it was in ancient times?

The answer is that it is like that with just anything. Something that may be a “fad” one day may go out of style the next. One reason that hoodia gordonii was not used for a long time is perhaps because other types of weight loss and appetite suppression have taken its place.

The other answer may be that the original intent was not necessary for it to be used as a weight loss aid. Originally it was used to help stop hunger. However, that was not usually for the purpose of weight loss.

Rather, it was because hunters were taking long trips. Sometimes during these long trips food was sparse. Therefore, they needed to use something to hold them over-to ease the hunger pangs you probably could say.

However, some reports document that it was more than just a hunger stopper. It also was a thirst quencher. It at least gave the travelers the illusion they were not hungry or thirsty.

So what does that mean now? Well, further research is being done to figure out how healthy the use of hoodia gordonii may be. Further studies are also being conducted to ensure safety and effectiveness of the P57 in this plant that suppresses appetite.

For Consumers

People considering weight loss by way of using a hoodia diet pill or other diet supplement should seek the council of a qualified medical professional. This will ensure as safe of an experience as possible.

You should also know that enough Hoodia taken daily is needed to be effective-usually about 1,500 to 3,000 mg. You might also want to know that hoodia liquid forms cost considerably more than solid pills.

However, the liquid hoodia supplements allow the body a higher percentage of product digestion and usage in contrast to solid pills. The result is enhance effectiveness and greater chance of weight loss.

The hugest criticism of all is that very little science supposedly backs up the usage of hoodia gordonii and supplements that are made from this plant. It may be a good idea to explore for a second why so much controversy surrounds the usage of this plant or parts of this plant as a weight loss aid.

This controversy could be for one or more of the following reasons:

• Rash judgments based on inconclusive research either showing evidence for or against hoodia usage
• Imbalance of research emphasis: Scientific studies taking prevalence over historical usage evidence
• Discounting of individual consumer experience
• A general skepticism either by the consumer or by health experts
• Generalized fears stemming from past uses of fatal or harmful weight loss herbs/plants
• Bad experiences stemming from improper or excessive use
• Inadequate education about possible contraindications of health conditions when hoodia is used
• Difficulty and expense of researching a plant source that does not mature for five years
• Lack of information about benefits vs. drawbacks

There are so many reasons why the usage of hoodia gordonii as a weight loss aid is such a controversy. One thing people have to remember is the scare that took place before this particular plant source became popular.

To make matters worse, there does not seem to be very much information in medical journals indicates that hoodia is able to suppress appetite in humans. This probably is because not many human studies have been conducted.

Most of the studies pertaining to appetite suppression and hoodia are administered on lab rats. Now, these are animals that often have been used as subjects of studies to find out what the affect would be on humans.

However, there is no way to predict that activity that takes place on a small lab animal would be the same as on a human. This is sometimes what makes studying herbs and medicines very difficult.

Side Effects Info

Does hoodia have side effects? That is a huge question being asked today. Long-term positive and negative side effects are not yet fully understood. There is one concern that remains at the forefront today.

That is the possibility that using a hoodia supplement could cause a diabetic’s blood sugar to fluctuate or skyrocket. It also is suggested that supplements made from this plant source are not meant for people with severe liver problems.

News Coverage

Various reports about hoodia gordonii have been generated by the following major news venues: ABC, BBC, CBS, and National Geographic. Other reports also have shown up on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today Show, and on 60 Minutes.

Granted, not all the reports that were issued had all positive things to say. However, among all these stations as well as others you can gain as much knowledge about this plant source as possible.

Sometimes the reports that were made questioned how valid claims were about hoodia gordonii effectiveness. Various aspects of weight loss such as that of fighting fat and suppressing appetite were explored in some of these reports, as well as others made.

It would do you well to go back and review some of these media reports if you have not done so already. Quite a few of them for sure have been presented from the year 2003 to present.

More Recently

Sometimes concerns are related to forms of hoodia. For instance, a 2010 report indicates that dietitians are wary of a cubed-shaped hoodia form. However, at the same time ABC reports of a woman who had lost 20 pounds in 3 months using this product.

In spite of this progress, there still is quite a bit of leeriness behind the use of this frozen hoodia ice cube supplement. There still is concern about the lack of evidence backing the effectiveness and safety of using any type of hoodia gordonii product.

Still to date the most prevalent evidence in the media lies within individual stories of this supplement’s effectiveness. This along with historical data is currently the best choice of information regarding usage of the gordonii species of this type of plant.

More about the cubed-shaped hoodia: It comes frozen. You can order it on the internet that way. You can put it in a glass of water or juice to keep it cold. Yet at the same time you can experience the appetite-suppressing benefits of the hoodia that makes up this frozen ice cube.

More Info

It is only the gordonii species of the hoodia succulent plant that has this appetite suppressant enzyme (P57) in it. Forms of this plant source and/or enzyme are found in many pills, teas, powders, extracts, snacks, juices, candy, and even lip gloss.

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.

Pros

A healthy supply of C.I.T.E.S. certified hoodia gordonii is present in this product. Each dosage is 460mg. This is more potent of a dosage of this medication than in a large number of solutions out there-about 1/3 of the standard daily amount used to suppress appetite. This product is preferred for another reason, in that it has no fillers or binders in it. No excess ingredients just the pure plant product.

The Unique Hoodia brand is also one that is very much trusted around the world. It was tested in a FDA laboratory and has been proved to be clear of harmful substances such as E. Coli.

It is said to be able to help people reduce their food intake to 2,000 calories per day. People who have used it were able to lose on average from one to five pounds per week.

Cons

There is not quite as much research supporting the use of hoodia gordonii as scientists would like to have had. Right now medical teams and manufacturers are relying on small lab animal research to determine capability of this plant source to support appetite suppression.

Furthermore, users often make the mistake of thinking they can rely on Unique Hoodia alone for their source of weight loss. They need to understand that proper dieting and exercise is also necessary.

There also is the danger of taking too much hoodia. This could lead to accidental starvation. Therefore, it is not recommended to people who are prone to eating disorders.

People who have struggled with anorexia nervosa are especially susceptible to further problems. However, people who are bulimic (binging and purging disorder) also may not be able to use it.

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.

The Science of Hoodia

This plant source affects the hypothalamus gland which is responsible for the control of blood glucose levels. Our blood glucose levels drop when we get hungry, which signals for us to eat.

When these levels are raised we are then not inclined to want to eat. It helps send out that “not hungry” signal and a person’s appetite is then suppressed.

According to studies, this product is at least moderately effective for suppressing appetite. However, it does not have any lasting effect on blood sugar levels.

Additional research has monitored ATP activity. An increase of it has been found in the bloodstreams when studying rats who had been injected with hoodia. This was done in an effort to study the ability of this popular weight loss plant and its ability to increase metabolism.

However, the enzyme of this succulent (sometimes called cactus) plant is most often known for its role in appetite suppression.

Additional Important Info

You need to realize that although your physical craving may be dampened, psychological cravings may persist. It takes discipline to break old habits and although hoodia gordonii supplements may help, it is not the end-all be-all.

Therefore, you still may need support and accountability while you devise a whole weight loss program. This might include personal trainers and diet coaches.

Safety Concerns

For the most part, this plan source has been deemed safe. However, if you for some reason notice any side effects consult your doctor. Chances are these side effects are occurring because the hoodia in a particular supplement has been combined with some irritating or allergenic ingredients.