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Hoodia
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 Hoodia Gordini Plant | |||
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 Hoodia Gordini Plant and Flowers |
Hoodia
The medicinal herb Hoodia as an alternative herbal remedy - Hoodia is a flowering, cactus-like plant native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Its harvest is protected by conservation laws.Common Names--hoodia, Kalahari cactus, Xhoba
Latin Names--Hoodia gordonii Picture of Hoodia
What Hoodia Is Used For
- Kalahari Bushmen have traditionally eaten hoodia stems to reduce their hunger and thirst during long hunts.
- Hoodia gordonii is a natural cactus like plant that grows naturally in Africa. Hoodia Gordonii has been known to produce major appetite suppression for many years in the South African region.
- Today, hoodia is marketed as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.
How Hoodia Is Used
- Dried extracts of hoodia stems and roots are used to make capsules, powders, and chewable tablets. Hoodia can also be used in liquid extracts and teas.
- Hoodia products often contain other herbs or minerals, such as green tea or chromium picolinate.
What the Science Says about Hoodia
- There is no reliable scientific evidence to support hoodia's use. No studies of the herb in people have been published.
What other sites are saying about Hoodia
Wikipedia: The use of Hoodia spp. has long been known by the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa, who infrequently use these plants for treating indigestion and small infections, but their use of the plant to suppress appetite on long hunting trips in the Kalahari Desert has stimulated the most interest.
In 1977, the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) isolated the ingredient in hoodia—now known as P57—which is responsible for its appetite-suppressant effect, and patented it in 1996.[1] The CSIR then granted United Kingdom-based Phytopharm a license, and they collaborated with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer to isolate active ingredients from the extracts and look into synthesizing them for use as an appetite suppressant. Pfizer released the rights to the primary ingredient in 2002. Paul Hutson, associate professor in the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy, told the Wisconsin State Journal, "For Pfizer to release something dealing with obesity suggests to me that they felt there was no merit to its oral use". Pfizer states that development on P57, the active ingredient of hoodia, was stopped due to the difficulty of synthesizing it. Jasjit Bindra, lead researcher for hoodia at Pfizer, states there were indications of unwanted effects on the liver caused by other components, which could not be easily removed from the supplement, adding, "Clearly, hoodia has a long way to go before it can earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Until safer formulations are developed, dieters should be wary of using it."
In 2002, CSIR officially recognized the San tribespeople’s rights over hoodia, allowing them to take a percentage of the profits and any spin-offs resulting from the marketing of hoodia. H. gordonii is a protected plant which may only be wild-harvested by individuals and the few companies which have been granted a license
Side Effects and Cautions of Hoodia
- Hoodia's safety is unknown. Its potential risks, side effects, and interactions with medicines and other supplements have not been studied. The quality of hoodia products varies widely. News reports suggest that some products sold as hoodia do not contain any hoodia. Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia gordonii is one of the most sought after succulents due to its medicinal properties. It has been called one of the wonder plants of the twenty first century. Trade in this plant is restricted. See Information document on trade in Hoodia gordonii and other Hoodia species for further details.
Description of Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia gordonii is a spiny succulent. In the early stages only one stem is produced but at a later stage the plant starts branching. Mature plants can have as many as 50 individual branches and weigh as much as 30 kg. Plants under ideal conditions can attain a height of 1 m. Flowers are borne on or near the terminal apex (top part of the plant). The flowers are large and have a carrion-like smell (smell similar to rotten meat). In some ways the Hoodia flowers resemble a petunia flower. Flowers vary in colour from pale straw to dark maroon. Flowers are normally borne in August or September. Flowers can reach a diameter of 75 mm. Seed is produced in October and November. The seed capsules resemble small antelope or goat horns hence the Afrikaans common name of bokhorings.
- Distribution
Hoodia gordonii has a very wide distribution. It occurs in the northeastern part of the Western Cape, the north and northwestern regions of the Northern Cape and southern Namibia . It is used to extreme heat (above 40°C), but it can survive in relatively low temperatures (-3°C).
The plant appears to have a wide tolerance of growing habitats, found in deep Kalahari sands, on dry stony slopes or flats and under the protection of xerophytic bushes.
- source: www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/hoodgord.htm
News About Hoodia
Truth of the Unique Kalahari Flora: Hoodia Gordonii
- (Top Health News)
- Hoodia Gordonii Supplement Health Benefits on Weight Loss
Many plants are praised for their natural ability to suppress appetite, thus assisting individuals who are struggling with weight loss. Hoodia gordonii is one of these plants. The supplement derived from the succulent South African plant is advertised as a potent appetite suppressant that can enhance the results of a balanced nutritional plan.
Interested in trying hoodia gordonii supplements? Here is everything about the origin of the plant and the science explaining its ability to speed up the weight loss process.
- Introduction
Hoodia gordonii is a native of Kalahari Desert in Africa. People have been consuming the plant for centuries. The bushes are often called “cactiform” because of the resemblance to cacti.
The Bushmen were the people using the succulent plant for a long period of time. Familiar with its appetite suppression qualities, the Bushmen used hoodia gordonii to survive in the harsh desert climate and to boost their energy levels.
The naturally-occurring chemicals in the plant are the ones responsible for the appetite suppression. The active ingredient is called P57, a chemical that is capable of increasing the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body. ATP is responsible for releasing energy during metabolic processes. High levels of ATP will also create a sensation of satiety. Explained in simple terms, it mimics the effects of glucose. Glucose causes an increase in blood sugar levels, which results in a sense of satiety.
Hoodia is an all-natural supplement. The Bushmen have been consuming the plant’s leaves for centuries without experiencing adverse side effects. This is why researchers decided to test the plant and see whether it could be used for the production of a weight loss supplement. The supplements are a fact and today, people from all parts of the world have access to such products.
- Science and Research
There have been just a few studies but the results are quite promising. Hoodia delivers weight loss benefits in a highly unique way, which determines the interest of the scientific community in the plant. Additionally, its appetite suppression qualities have been identified by an indigenous African tribe, which is a relatively rare occurrence. Many other plants that are recognized for their weight loss effects were used as food or herbal remedy by indigenous people, rather than as a way to stay slim.
A Brown University researcher named David MacLean is one of the individuals who decided to test hoodia gordonii. The results of the experiment were presented in 2004 and published in Brain Research magazine.
MacLean described P57 and its ability to affect the hypothalamus, creating a sensation of satiety.
MacLean used healthy rats to figure out how P57 affects the brain. The rats were injected daily with small amounts of P57. During the experiment, researchers found out that P57 increases the amount of hypothalamic ATP by nearly 100 percent! The rats were given a low-calorie diet but their ATP levels remained high, which suggested that the hoodia gordnoii extract was responsible for the effect. Additionally, the amount of food they consumed decreased significantly in comparison to the amounts for the control group.
A study involving human volunteers was carried out by Richard M. Goldfarb from Bucks County Clinical Research Center. Seven overweight volunteers participated in the experiment and they were given 500 milligrams of the weight loss supplement two times per day. The experiment continued for a period of 28 days.
At the end of the clinical study, the participants who took the supplement lost 3.3 percent of their body weight which translated to an average weight loss of 10 pounds. Participants in the study reported that they experienced appetite suppression within days of the experiment’s beginning.
- Reviews and Benefits
Hoodia gordonii has been endorsed by many researchers and professionals studying natural weight losspossibilities. One of these individuals is Dr. Richard Dixey who managed a pharmaceutical company researching remedies for many conditions including obesity. Dr. Dixey said that the molecular structure of hoodia gordonii is so potent that it can deliver a sustainable sense of fullness that is independent of food consumption.
A report about the effects of hoodia was created by a BBC journalist named Tom Mangold. While in Africa, Mangold decided to sample the actual plant. After eating a small piece of hoodia, both Mangold and his cameraman lost appetite and were unwilling to consume dinner. The same applied to breakfast the next morning. Their appetite returned within 24 hours of trying the succulent Kalahari Desert plant.
There are many hoodia gordonii supplements you can try to test the plant’s potency for yourself. There are hoodia teas, pills and even pops. Hoodia gordonii is generally safe for usage, though some people have experienced mild side effects like dry mouth. Because hoodia supplements are not of synthetic origin, they are much safer than otherweight loss possibilities.
People who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a clotting disorder or an eating disorder should avoid taking hoodia supplements. If you are currently using pharmaceutical products for the treatment of a medical condition, you should consult a physician before starting a hoodia gordonii weight loss program.
Using hoodia gordonii to suppress your appetite can help your weight loss efforts and help you achieve faster results. The Bushmen have known the qualities of the plant for a long time and they used it to decrease hunger level in a natural way. Trying hoodia supplements for yourself is the best way to figure out whether these are the right products for your needs.
Hoodia Cultivation: Learn About Hoodia Cactus Plants
- Source:http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/hoodia/hoodia-plant-information.htm
- By Bonnie L. Grant
Plant lovers are always looking for the next unique specimen to learn about or grow. Hoodia gordonii plant may give you the botanical fuel you are looking for. Not only is the plant fascinating in its adaptations and appearance, but it has some potential as a fat-busting supplement. The benefits of hoodia are not confirmed, but evidence seems to point to the plant having some effect on diminishing appetite. All of us dieters can give a cheer for that.
- What is Hoodia?
Picture a low-growing cactus with plump, spiny limbs and an attractive flower that smells like rotting flesh. It probably doesn’t represent a plant you want in your home, but this African native has been a staple of the Bushmen diet and may signify some hope for those challenged with obesity. Hoodia cactus has been on the menu for thousands of years in South Africa and may soon be coming to a store near you. What is hoodia? There are over 20 species in the genus with Hoodia gordonii plant just one of the many amazing specimens.
Tired of hearing your tummy grumble all the time? Hoodia cactus is a possible answer. The plant is covered in spines and has thick, fleshy limbs. It is a low-growing plant that will only get 23 inches in height at maturity. The spines and the short stature are necessary adaptations to protect the plant from hot scorching sun and conserve moisture. The spines also prevent many animals from eating the flesh. Hoodia produces a flat, saucer-shaped flower that is flesh colored. The flower is quite interesting looking but keep your distance if you get to see a bloom. The flower smells like something gone bad, but the odor attracts flies which pollinate the plant.
- Possible Benefits of Hoodia
The Federal Drug Administration has not approved the safety of using hoodia as an appetite suppressant but that hasn’t stopped several companies from manufacturing and distributing the supplement. The thick stems are edible, once you remove the spines, and appear to diminish appetite. Research done in the 1960’s on indigenous plants found that animals who ate the succulent lost weight. This didn’t immediately turn into a breakthrough discovery. It took several more decades before the pharmacological company, Phytopharm, took notice of the research and began to conduct their own. The result is a huge farming operation in South Africa with goals towards marketing the product in the future.
- Hoodia Cultivation
Phytopharm has acres of farmland devoted to hoodia cultivation. The plant may be grown in native soil or in a standard potting mixture. Water is the key between life and death with this plant. It lives in the Kalahari where rainfall is minimal. Too much water can kill the plant but too little will have the same effect. The average watering rules are once every third month all year around. That is only 4 watering cycles per annum. The only other considerations are lighting, insects and disease. Farmers are just learning how to deal with any insect pests and disease in a cultivated setting. Hoodia gordonii plants require bright light but prefer not to be exposed to the highest sun of the day. Some protection from noon time heat is appreciated. Wide scale cultivation is still in the learning phases as the potential drug becomes a cash crop. Disclaimer: The contents of this article is for educational and gardening purposes only. Before using ANY herb or plant for medicinal purposes, please consult a physician or a medical herbalist for advice.
How to Grow Hoodia Gordonii
- By Kay Dean (Demand Media)
Hoodia gordonii resembles a cactus in appearance, but it is actually a spiny succulent. Native to the South African Kalahari Desert, the plant is valued for its purported appetite-suppressant qualities. Demand for Hoodia gordonii sparked a rush on native plants compelling the South African Department of Nature Conservation to restrict trade in the plant. Hoodia gordonii can grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 in habitats that resemble its native Kalahari Desert region. These conditions exist in parts of California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
1 Locate a nurse plant that can shelter the young Hoodia gordonii plants. A nurse plant is a large shrub that provides shade from the harsh rays of the sun. The soil surrounding the nurse plant should be well-drained, sandy loam. Mix well-rotted compost into the seedbed. Plant the Hoodia gordonii seeds a scant 1/4 inch deep.
2 Water the seedlings sparingly -- three to four times per week during the hot summer months and only once every two weeks during the winter. Hoodia gordonii is a desert plant; overwatering can cause the germinating seeds to rot in the ground. Maintain the young plants under the nurse plant for approximately one year, by which time they should be strong enough to transplant.
3 Fill several 4-inch plastic pots with well-drained potting material. Dig up the individual Hoodia gordonii plants and carefully transplant them into the pots. Move the potted Hoodia gordonii plants to a location where they receive full sun. Leave the plants in pots and repot them as they grow or plant them in the ground. The established plants grow rapidly, reaching maturity in approximately three to five years. Full-grown Hoodia gordonii plants have multiple branches and can reach 18 inches in height.
- Things You Will Need
- • Hoodia gordonii seeds
- • Well-rotted compost
- • Garden trowel
- • Well-drained potting mix
- • 4-inch plastic pots
- Tip
The flower of the Hoodia gordonii plant gives off an aroma similar to rotting meat. Plant the Hoodia gordonii plants away from areas you frequent to avoid the unpleasant smell.
- Warning
Hoodia gordonii extracts, teas and powders are marketed as appetite suppressants, but its effectiveness is purely anecdotal. There is no scientific evidence to support claims of Hoodia gordonii’s appetite-suppressant qualities because no studies in people have been published, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Sampling the Kalahari Hoodia diet
- By Cahal Milmo
A multi-million pound race between the world's biggest food companies is under way to tackle the global obesity epidemic by producing the first clinically-tested "satiety pill".
Three conglomerates - the Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever, France's Danone and Kraft in America - are researching compounds to achieve the hallowed goal of inducing people to eat less by suppressing their appetite.
With 300 million people worldwide rated as overweight or obese, the annual global cost of treatment and economic loss from the epidemic is now £100bn.
Scientists are increasingly placing their hopes in a range of natural substances which have the effect of duping the brain into "satiety" - the feeling of a full stomach. In the last 12 months, patents have been given appetite-suppressing extracts including Korean pine nuts and chicory roots. But at the head of the race to cash in on the £3bn worldwide market for dietary control products is Hoodia gordonii - a spiny cactus, which takes five years to mature in the Kalahari desert.
Hoodia contains a secret weapon - a compound known as P57 which has been isolated by a British bio-technology company, Phytopharm, and is now at the heart of a £21m research scheme funded by Unilever.
Phytopharm announced last month that it was making good progress in clinical trials of P57. The cucumber-like core of the Hoodia has been used for centuries by indigenous San tribesmen to stave off hunger pangs. They eat it on long hunting trips.
Unilever has struck a deal with the San to pay the tribe a royalty from the sales of any product containing P57 to be used in a social programme.
Phytopharm, which will also receive a royalty on sales of all products containing its Hoodia extract, warned last month that it was talking with authorities to curtail the sale of "Hoodia" products on the internet which claim to cause weight loss. Unilever is working to launch a range of "hunger buster" products based on Hoodia in 2009.
Phytopharm found that the compound closely mimics a natural substance in the body which sends a satiety message to the hypothalamus - the part of the brain that controls appetite.
Trials have shown that those taking P57 can cut their consumption by as much as 1,000 calories per day. The recommended calorie total for an adult man is 2,500 per day and for a woman, 2,000. A Unilever spokesman said: "We don't want to put our name to something that is not backed 100 per cent by the science behind it. We are now satisfied that the product works and has the potential to help with weight management."
The cash and energy being pumped into Unilever's project is mirrored by its rivals. Danone has patented new types of dietary fibre which slow the passage of food through the digestive system, making people feel full for longer. Kraft is working on a special form of starch which resists being broken down by the body, again designed to create the sense that the stomach is full.
But a senior executive with one conglomerate told The Independent: "Satiety has the potential to be one of the biggest earners of the next five years."
Many of the substances, including P57, work by affecting a mechanism in the ileum, part of the lower intestine, where the presence of fat triggers a response of satiety to the brain.
This "ileal brake" is triggered or mimicked by the compounds by disguising the fat molecules until they reach the ileum. In one case, the body is convinced it has consumed 500 calories when in reality it has had just 190.
However, according to Gary Frost, professor of nutrition and dietetics at Surrey University, humans have a "squirreling" instinct which encourages them to eat to excess in preparation for times of food scarcity. "There is a sense that for the company or companies that can isolate a proven appetite suppressant, there is a market waiting that would entail the vast majority of the population," he said. "It is a glittering prize but a controversial one - can you confidently say that one food will halt your desire for another?"
Neville Rigby, spokesman for the International Obesity Task Force, said: "The key to tackling obesity is eating decent food and balancing your calorie intake with the amount of energy you burn. There is no magic bullet."
Sampling the Kalahari Hoodia diet
- Source:news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/correspondent/2947810.stm
- By Tom Mangold (BBC Two's Correspondent)
Correspondent's Tom Mangold travelled to Africa and sampled the appetite suppressing Hoodia, a plant which may make Kalahari bushmen millionaires.
Imagine this: an organic pill that kills the appetite and attacks obesity.
It has no known side-effects, and contains a molecule that fools your brain into believing you are full.
Deep inside the African Kalahari desert, grows an ugly cactus-like plant called the Hoodia. It thrives in extremely high temperatures, and takes years to mature.
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari, one of the world's oldest and most primitive tribes, had been eating the Hoodia for thousands of years, to stave off hunger during long hunting trips.
When South African scientists were routinely testing it, they discovered the plant contained a previously unknown molecule, which has since been christened P 57.
The license was sold to a Cambridgeshire bio-pharmaceutical company, Phytopharm, who in turn sold the development and marketing rights to the giant Pfizer Corporation.
- Fortune cactus
When I travelled to the Kalahari, I met families of the San bushmen.
It is a sad, impoverished and displaced tribe, still unaware they are sitting on top of a goldmine.
But if the Hoodia works, the 100,000 San strung along the edge of the Kalahari will become overnight millionaires on royalties negotiated by their South African lawyer Roger Chennells.
And they will need all the help they can to secure the money.
Currently, many bushmen smoke large quantities of marijuana, suffer from alcoholism, and have neither possessions nor any sense of the value of money.
The truth is no-one has fully grasped what the magic molecule means for their counterparts in the developed world.
- Blood sugar
According to the British Heart Foundation 17% of men and 21% of women are obese, while 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight.
So the drug's marketing potential speaks for itself.
Phytopharm's Dr Richard Dixey explained how P.57 actually works:
"There is a part of your brain, the hypothalamus. Within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar.
"When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full.
"What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose.
"It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten. Nor do you want to."
- Clinical trials
Dixey organised the first animal trials for Hoodia. Rats, a species that will eat literally anything, stopped eating completely.
When the first human clinical trial was conducted, a morbidly obese group of people were placed in a "phase 1 unit", a place as close to prison as it gets.
All the volunteers could do all day was read papers, watch television, and eat.
Half were given Hoodia, half placebo. Fifteen days later, the Hoodia group had reduced their calorie intake by 1000 a day.
It was a stunning success.
- The cactus test
In order to see for ourselves, we drove into the desert, four hours north of Capetown in search of the cactus.
Once there, we found an unattractive plant which sprouts about 10 tentacles, and is the size of a long cucumber.
Each tentacle is covered in spikes which need to be carefully peeled.
Inside is a slightly unpleasant-tasting, fleshy plant.
At about 1800hrs I ate about half a banana size - and later so did my cameraman.
Soon after, we began the four hour drive back to Capetown.
The plant is said to have a feel-good almost aphrodisiac quality, and I have to say, we felt good.
But more significantly, we did not even think about food. Our brains really were telling us we were full. It was a magnificent deception.
Dinner time came and went. We reached our hotel at about midnight and went to bed without food. And the next day, neither of us wanted nor ate breakfast.
I ate lunch but without appetite and very little pleasure. Partial then full appetite returned slowly after 24 hours.
- The future
Mr Chennells is ecstatic:
"The San will finally throw off thousands of years of oppression, poverty, social isolation and discrimination.
"We will create trust funds with their Hoodia royalties and the children will join South Africa's middle classes in our lifetime.
"I envisage Hoodia cafes in London and New York, salads will be served and the Hoodia cut like cucumber on to the salad.
"It will need flavouring to counter its unpleasant taste, but if it has no side effects and no cumulative side-effects."
Unfortunately for the overweight, Hoodia will not be around for several years, the clinical trials still have several years to run.
Do not travel to the Kalahari to steal the plant as it is hard to find and illegal to export.
And beware internet sites offering Hoodia "pills" from the US as we tested the leading brand and discovered it has no discernible Hoodia in it.
So just be patient. Help is at hand.
Reduce cravings with Hoodia
- By Carolyn Simon (Naturopath)
Hoodia gordonii is one of a group of succulent plants native to the semi-desert areas of southern Africa. Resembling a cactus, the flowers apparently smell like rotten meat to attract flies for pollination! This particular variety of hoodia was traditionally used for thousands of years by San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. They ate the bitter tasting fleshy part of the stem to suppress their appetite and thirst through the long hunting trips that were part of their nomadic lifestyle.
Following media publicity in a 2003 BBC report and a 2004 60 Minutes television programme, hoodia gained huge popularity in the western world as a natural appetite suppressant and weight loss supplement. Subsequent health industry marketing has created such a demand that hoodia has become an endangered species in several countries, requiring protective status. The street price for raw material skyrocketed and an estimated 80% of hoodia supplements on the worldwide market today are contaminated with other substances and may contain none of the appetite suppressing active ingredient at all. How does hoodia work?
Studies confirm hoodia gordonii’s appetite suppressing effect, reducing hunger and food cravings and thus dietary intake. With less calories being consumed the body naturally starts using up its fat stores for energy.
Hoodia contains a molecule called P57, the active ingredient that appears to work directly on the hypothalamus gland, which signals a state of fullness so that gastric acid production and appetite are inhibited. Scientists have yet to identify any other active ingredients or specific actions of hoodia, however its thirst suppressing action is well known and sometimes documented as a ‘side effect’.
Traditionally hoodia was used infrequently by the people of the Kalahari to treat indigestion and abdominal cramping, lift energy and improve mood.
What are the health indicators for supplementation?
For people who crave carbohydrates, need to lose weight, or tend to overeat or binge eat, hoodia may be indicated as an adjunct to dietary changes with professional nutritional guidance and/or counselling. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and fluid intake are important aspects of any weight management programme. When is hoodia contraindicated?
Don’t take hoodia if you’re trying to conceive a baby, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It’s contraindicated because suppressing your appetite can lead to potentially unhealthy nutritional deficiencies for both mother and baby.
People with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulemia are advised to avoid hoodia for the same reason, and because using it may reinforce dysfunctional eating behaviours.
As yet there are no scientific human studies on hoodia’s safety. Hoodia is contraindicated for people with liver or kidney disease because metabolising the active ingredient P57 can cause extra stress on the liver. Other components of hoodia that may affect liver function are still unresearched.
If you have diabetes or you are hypoglycaemic hoodia is contraindicated. The normal regulation of blood sugar relies on biofeedback mechanisms which are suppressed by hoodia. This could lead to abnormally low blood sugar levels, which can be life threatening for diabetics.
Because of hoodia’s thirst-suppressing effect, there is the potential to dehydrate. Always monitor your fluid intake while taking hoodia.
Any potential interactions of hoodia with medical drugs have not been researched, so caution is advised if you take any medications. What is a safe and effective dosage?
No dosage guidelines have been established for hoodia. It is considered a safe supplement with no adverse effects if the manufacturer’s directions are followed and the product is verified authentic hoodia gordonii.
Effectiveness will depend on the individual health picture and weight loss goal. Hoodia is best used to help reduce excess food consumption while still eating regular balanced meals to ensure your nutrient intake is maintained or improved. Importance of sustainable harvesting and pollution free sources
These are both big considerations when choosing a hoodia supplement. With the huge demand worldwide for weight loss supplements, hoodia has quickly gained popularity and in 2008 was one of 400 medicinal plants named by Botanic Gardens Conservation International as being at risk of extinction from over-collection.
Because it is now a protected plant, genuine hoodia gordonii supplements sourced from a certified exporter must carry the C.I.T.E.S. Certificate (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) which should be displayed on the manufacturer’s website.
Hoodia’s protected status means it attracts a high price, and continuing demand has resulted in bogus hoodia supplements flooding the world market. These may contain fillers with very little or even no true hoodia gordonii plant ingredient. Reputable manufacturers can supply verification that their product contains only authentic CITES certified South African Hoodia gordonii.
The health-giving benefits of hoodia
- (JOE.IE)
Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Hoodia. Not to be confused with: Hoodies. Hoodlums. Da hood.
This is a new one on me, I’m afraid. No great surprise there. It’s not one of the better known dietary supplements. That said, it is becoming increasingly popular as a weight-loss agent so you will probably see more of it over the coming years.
So what is it then? Basically, it’s a plant similar to a cactus that's native to parts of Namibia. They can reach up to a metre in height and have large flowers, a tan colour and a strong smell. Interestingly, they stink of rotten meat and are pollinated mainly by flies.
Okay, this sounds like the most disgusting plant on earth. Why in God’s name would I want to have anything to do with it? Well, most of us wouldn’t. That said, if you’re a tad on the plump side it might be of interest. Bush men used to chew pieces of it when on long hunts as a means of suppressing their appetite. Our present-day, narcissistic society has found another use for it – as a herbal diet pill.
What’s in it? Back in 1977 the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) managed to isolate the ingredient in hoodia which acts as an appetite suppressant. They gave it the imaginative moniker ‘P57’.
What does it do for you? Well, it’s supposed to stop you wanting to eat for short periods, but the medical community is somewhat split on the issue of just how well this stuff works. That said, it has its supporters and the fact that it has been taken in Africa as an appetite suppressant for centuries supports the idea that there is something in the lofty claims
Another point is that animal trials found that gastric acid production dropped by as much as 60 per cent when hoodia was thrown into the mix, and this may well play in part in suppressing your appetite.
So how is it taken? I don’t fancy taking bites out of a cactus that stinks of rotten meat. Not to worry. Extracts of hoodia, normally parts of the stem and roots, are dried and ground into powders. These are then refined into chewable tablets or capsules. There is a liquid form, but you don’t see it around very much.
Where can you get it? There are some issues with the exportation of wild hoodia due to the fact that its sudden popularity in the West saw it become a protected species. However, farmed hoodia is now also on the go. A number of health food shops stock hoodia and the various African shops around the country can also have it in on the shelves.
Is it safe? There do not appear to be any major side-effects of hoodia, although full clinical trials are yet to take place. The main danger is from buying hoodia products which contain various other bits and pieces which could disagree with you. When you are purchasing a hoodia product you should familiarise yourself with exactly how much hoodia is in it and with what else it contains.
The Weight Loss Benefits of Hoodia Gordonii
- By Dr. Edward Group (DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM)
Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to South Africa and Asia where indigenous populations have traditionally used it, most notably the Khoi-San, as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunting expeditions into harsh environments. These appetite-suppressing qualities of hoodia gordonii have made for a number of inquiries into its potential as a weight loss aid.
- How does Hoodia Work?
Formal research of hoodia goordonii began in the 1960’s but it wasn’t until 1977 when the active ingredient in hoodia responsible for appetite suppression, known as P57, was isolated by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. P57 is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside and increases the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body.
ATP is a nucleotide that, when broken down, releases energy for the body to use during metabolic processes. An elevated level of ATP will prompt the hypothalamus to send a signal to the brain to let you know you’ve had enough food by making you feel “full.” Hoodia operates by tricking the body into feeling full, which helps to curb appetite and reduce caloric intake. Glucose also raises ATP levels and suppresses appetite but, unlike glucose, P57 contains no calories.
- Hoodia Clinical Studies
In addition to historic cultural use and anecdotal popularity among naturopaths, hoodia gordonii has also been studied in various clinical settings. Conclusions of these studies support the claim of the appetite-suppressing mechanism of hoodia gordonii and suggest it may be an adjunct to weight control when used with caloric restriction and a healthy lifestyle.
David MacLean, MD, an adjunct associate professor at Brown University and a former researcher at Pfizer, published a report in the Sept. 10, 2004, issue of Brain Research documenting his study to determine if P57 had an effect on the amount of hypothalamic ATP in the body.
In his study, MacLean collected the hypothalamus from a group of fetal rats. A separate group of rats had P57 injected directly into their brains and their hypothalamus’ collected 24 hours later. In comparing the two, MacLean found that rats injected with P57 had increased levels of hypothalamic ATP by 5-150%.
Additionally, another aspect of MacLean’s study involved injecting P57 into the third ventricle. In these rats, ATP increases of 40-60% were observed and food intake over the following 24-hour period reduced by 50-60%.
Richard M. Goldfarb, MD, medical director of Bucks County Clinical Research, conducted a small, unpublished, efficacy study on DEX-L10, a hoodia nutritional supplement available in a 500-mg. capsule. Goldfarb’s study consisted of seven overweight participants who were instructed to take two capsules daily, in conjunction with a eating a balanced breakfast and taking a multivitamin. The participants’ other diet and exercise habits were not altered.
The results at the end of the 28-day study were astounding. Most participants reported experiencing a caloric reduction within days, meaning they ate less food. Because Hoodia contains no stimulants, none of the participants reported experiencing the adverse side effects typically associated with stimulant weight loss drugs. Furthermore, Goldfarb reported that participants experienced, on average, a 3.3% reduction in body weight, and a median weight loss of ten pounds.
“After [the appetite suppressant effect] accumulates in the system… after only a few days we saw study participants cut their calories in half and not desire any additional food,” said Goldfarb.
- Weight Loss Benefits of Hoodia
One of the most common stumbling blocks to weight loss is breaking bad habits related to food. Bad habits can come in the form of excessive snacking, eating late at night, over consumption, the wrong food choices, or all of the above. Many people have trouble simply getting into the habit of, “shutting off” their appetite. Using an appetite suppressant such as hoodia as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan, that includes a balanced diet and exercise, may help you to eat less, and force your body to use the fat and energy it has stored to promote weight loss.
The efficacy of hoodia has caused a proliferation of it in the marketplace by supplement and cosmetic companies who use hoodia of substandard quality, in attempt to reap quick profits. It is important to make sure all hoodia comes from reputable sources and is verifiably organic or wild crafted under organic conditions.
Hoodia users report results after three weeks
- By Carrie Weil
(LOUISVILLE) -- It's been three weeks since our "Hoodia Hopefuls" first put the product to the test. Many people have asked about their early results, so WAVE 3's Carrie Weil has an update.
Kristian Watkins, a local nail technician, told me she gained 100 pounds over the last ten years and wants to lose weight to set a healthier example for her two daughters.
She wrote me saying, "I love it! I can really tell a difference in my appetite. I have already lost 12 pounds. I have also had the desire to drink more water. This may be bad for some, but for me it is good.
"My sweet tooth has also been curbed. I am really pleased with Hoodia. I already am starting to feel better. When I don't take it, I can tell a difference, so I know this pill is working."
WAVE 3 Assignment Editor Aaron Ellis has seen some results mainly in his eating habits. He is hoping to lose 25 to 30 pounds and gain more energy.
"I have only lost a couple of pounds," Ellis said. "Nothing stellar yet, but it has helped me change how I eat and how much I eat. I am still eating two meals, but when I eat what I have, I am full. I do not go back for seconds and I'm not eating the heaping helpings that I used to."
Our third "hopeful" is Fredericka Hargis, a local elementary school principal. She's in her 50s, and even with eating healthfully and moderate exercise, she has put on 20 pounds in the last five years.
After three weeks of using Hoodia, she likes the results. "I am doing great. I have lost six pounds in three weeks. I have had no ill effects. I am less hungry and less likely to snack at all. I think the best thing is that it has caused less hunger and therefore smaller portions are easy."
Hungry for hoodia knowledge
- By Mike Bruton
Hoodia gordonii, or bitter ghaap, is one of many South African indigenous plants that has been used traditionally and is now the basis of a growing commercial industry.
Bitter ghaap is a leafless, thorny succulent with fleshy stems that grows naturally in sandy plains and rocky outcrops in the semi-deserts of the Northern Cape, Namibia and southern Angola.
Its flesh-coloured flowers smell strongly of decaying meat, which attracts the flies that pollinate them.
Hoodia is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). This Appendix includes species that are not endangered but are at risk if their trade is not controlled.
Hoodia plants are therefore strictly protected in the wild and only registered farmers are allowed to grow them and export their products.
The San people of the Northern Cape have eaten the succulent stems of bitter ghaap for thousands of years to stave off hunger and thirst, and to increase energy levels, during long hunting trips. They also carry cut-off stems as an emergency food supply in the harsh desert.
Recent research has shown that hoodia is one of the most effective appetite suppressants in the world. This research has revealed that hoodia contains a molecule that is similar to glucose. Scientists reckon that this molecule fools the body into believing that it has eaten glucose-rich food.
Research has also revealed that none of the side effects induced by other appetite suppressants, such as increased heart rate or insomnia, are produced by hoodia.
It is normally sold as capsules and is classified as a foodstuff rather than a medicine. Each capsule contains 400mg of pure hoodia extract with no additives, such as artificial colours or preservatives.
Thanks to the ingenuity of the San people, bitter ghaap provides thousands of people worldwide with an opportunity to lose weight with no side effects.
The San community in the Northern Cape and the CSIR have signed a benefit-sharing agreement in terms of which the San community will receive about R12 million over the next four years for the commercial use of their traditional knowledge of hoodia.
Today there is a deep appreciation of the value of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in South Africa and many programmes have been established to promote interest in this field.
In 2004, after an initiative from the Department of Science and Technology, the cabinet adopted a National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy, which received international recognition at a recent World Intellectual Property Organisation conference.
The Medical Research Council has established a Lead Programme (IKS Health) to promote, develop and protect indigenous knowledge and its innovative systems of health through education, research and development.
This programme assists with the protection of the intellectual property rights of the traditional people who first developed the medical remedies.
Well-organised databases on traditional medicines, such as Tramed III, have also been created to record knowledge and make it available to everyone.
This programme is also actively engaged in developing new products from traditional medicines that can be sold worldwide.
In addition, the Department of Science and Technology has established a National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office (Nikso) to develop, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems.
The vision of Nikso is to be a leader in the field of integrating indigenous knowledge with other knowledge systems.
The department is establishing centres of excellence, laboratories, funding programmes and entrepreneurial programmes to promote the development of food and medical inventions and other products derived from indigenous knowledge.
North-West University, the University of Limpopo and the University of Venda now offer Bachelor, Master’s and doctoral degrees in indigenous knowledge.
These are interdisciplinary qualifications, registered with the SA Qualifications Authority, that prepare students for careers in the health sciences, tourism, agriculture, environmental conservation, heritage education and law. - Cape Argus
Pictures of the Hoodia Gordonii Succulent Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
Hoodia gordonii Cactus
