Hoodia Gordonii
Who would have thought that a native of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa would have had such an impact on obese and overweight people worldwide? But that is exactly what has happened with the rising star in the world of the weight loss supplement - hoodia gordonii. And no, this is not a rising rap star or an item of clothing worn by adolescent tennagers. Hoodia gordonii is in fact a succulent, cactus-like plant, which can grow upto 1m in height. To dispel some of the hype surrounding this plant, here is some information about hoodia gordonii.
The Historical Usage of Hoodia Gordonii
On long journeys and hunts or when food was scarce, the African San Bushmen of the Kalahari used the hoodia gordonii plant to help curb their appetites. The last thing they wanted was to eat the prey they had hunted so long for. The San tribesmen have been using hoodia gordonii for hundreds of years but scientific studies would need to confirm this appetite supressing effect as well as studies into the plants' long term side effects.
Have Some Studies Been Done?
Yes. In 2001 Phytopharm, the UK licensee of hoodia gordonii completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in a group of overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers using the active P57 extract from Hoodia gordonii. The volunteers were divided into two groups, with one group receiving the P57 and the other a placebo. Both volunteer groups were advised to continue with their normal daily diet and exercise. The results of this study were as follows:
When comparing the P57 group to the Placebo group:
The P57 group had significant body fat reduction, a significant reduction in their intake of calories and no adverse side effects. It turned out that on average, the group given P57 actually consumed approximately 1,000 calories a day less than those in the placebo group.
Promising Weight Loss Potential
It has been discovered that the secret of hoodia gordonii is an active ingredient called P57 which imitates the effect glucose has on nerve cells in the brain, fooling the brain into thinking an empty stomach is full. An American news reporter who traveled to South Africa and ate hoodia gordonii reported no hunger or thirst for an entire day.
Hoodia gordonii only appears to suppress natural hunger pangs, and not those caused by diets high in sugar and carbohydrates. At this time it also does not appear to suppress exercise-related hunger. The body's requirement for excess nutrition after exercise and the presence of excess blood glucose levels can apparently counteract the effects of hoodia gordonii.
It Is Not A Magic Pill
Do not for one minute think that you can just take hoodia gordonii diet pills all day and the weight will drop off. For effective weight loss a combination of a healthy diet with an exercise plan is essential. Long-term fasting with the appetite being continually suppressed by hoodia gordonii is not a healthy substitute. Furthermore, many weight loss products claim to contain hoodia gordonii when they do not, or they contain too little to have a significant effect. Whilst hoodia gordonii appears to be an exciting and promising part of a successful weight loss plan, it is not the total solution.