Have you ever heard of hoodia? If you think it is the name of the leader of a band named The Blowfish, you haven't listened to the news lately. Hoodia is a plant whose almost-magical weight loss properties are being reported and hyped all over the world. It is reported that the hoodia plant is a natural appetite suppressant, resulting in easy weight loss. Where does this seeming miracle hoodia plant come from?
Hoodia is one of the 13 species that belong to the Apocynaceae family of flowering plants. The actual hoodia plant is classified as a succulent, or more appropriately a stem succulent, because of their water-storing abilities similar to jade in cactus. In fact, hoodia is often described as being cactus-like in shape, although hoodia and cacti are not related.
The hoodia plant can grow up to one meter (over one yard) high. Large colorful flowers are characteristic of the hoodia plant. It is an African desert species, ranging from the Namiba Desert to the south of Angola. Some people cultivate species of hoodia as garden plants. The species that is drawing the world's attention as a potential appetite suppressant is the hoodia gordonii plant.
Native people of Southern Africa have long used the hoodia plant as a home remedy against infections and digestive disorders. The substance in hoodia that causes the appetite suppression is called P57. It was first isolated and patented by the CSIR - the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Major drug companies then received licenses to create a synthetic form of the hoodia active ingredient. Phytopharm in the UK partnered with the U.S. Pfizer company for this task.
The resulting media coverage has caused an incredible demand for the hoodia plant. The plant has been declared a protected species in Namibia and other locations where hoodia grows. Due to the scarcity of the plant, and the difficulty synthesizing the active ingredient, many weight loss products claim to contain hoodia when they actually do not. Sources report that only the species from South Africa, hoodia gordonii, can lay claim to the weight loss effects.
Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence yet that the hoodia plant performs as claimed. Anecdotal evidence abounds with people actually eating the hoodia plant report little or no appetite for extended periods of time. The consumer is urged to carefully research all claims made by weight loss products that say they contain hoodia. It seems that the world is ready for hoodia, but hoodia is not yet ready for the world.
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