Does Hoodia Actually Work?
It seems to be everywhere today: Hoodia the miracle cure to help everyone lose weight. The claims state that for centuries, South African natives of the Kalahari Desert have munched on the “Hoodiagordonii” plant and have always maintained optimal health and weight with no effort at all. So are these claims really true? Does Hoodia actually work?
Hoodia is a succulent plant, not a cactus as many people believe, and has a great deal of hype, but little scientific evidence to back up all of the claims. The plant is typically made into pill form and some experts explain that Hoodia works by tricking your brain into thinking that your body is full. However, there is little concrete evidence back up that assertion. There is only one study that has been conducted that tracked the use of this plant in animals. The results of the study found that Hoodia contains a molecule, known as P57, which may affect the hypothalamus in the brain. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating appetite. The same study also found that the body does not easily metabolize the P57 molecule, so the long-term effects in humans could not be established.
Members of the medical community remain skeptical of Hoodia’s claims. Since there is little scientific data to back up the effectiveness, or the safety of the product, most doctors do not recommend trying the supplement. Physicians warn that patients should try this product at their own risk, and use caution.
What most people do agree on is that there are many retailers selling fake Hoodia products. The most common source of fake Hoodia is the Internet. In addition to products that are fake, there are other supplements that simply do not contain enough Hoodia to be considered legitimate. The number of disreputable retailers is definitely high and is exemplified by the fact that there is more Hoodia offered for sale in North American markets than the South African area could even produce.
If you do decide to try Hoodia supplements, do a bit of homework and check out the retailer thoroughly. If the product seems very inexpensive, it is probably not a legitimate product. This type of supplement should only be purchased from a recognized company, or from a well-known brand name. Experts suggest questioning the manufacturer, and asking them to provide proof that they have their Hoodia supplies tested by independent laboratories for authenticity. Reputable manufactures should have this information readily available. If your retail outlet cannot produce this information, they are probably not selling true Hoodia products.
Check out these reviews & popular articles below:
