Hoodia

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Botanical: Hoodia gordonii

Family:  Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) - Apocynaceae (dogbane)

Other common names: Khobab, Bobbejaanghaap, Bitterghaap, Bergghaap, Bokhorings

Dieters are always looking for a natural way to decrease appetite and help reduce the amount of calories consumed, and the South African plant Hoodia gordonii may indeed be an effective diet aid.  Hoodia is entirely natural - it is not a drug, and has no stimulant properties.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Viable Herbal Solutions is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History and Uses:
The common name Hoodia is derived from Hoodia gordonii, a leafless, ribbed, thorny plant and although it resembles a cactus, it is considered a succulent milkweed.  Hoodia gordonii grows primarily in northwestern parts of South Africa and has been used as a food for centuries in that area to control hunger and thirst during Bushmen hunting expeditions in the Kalahari Desert.  Although there are many false claims offering Hoodia gordonii products, they are not the authentic plants grown solely by South African farmers, who have been granted special permission and licensed by South African Nature Conservation officials to do so, after which the plant is processed under South African government pharmaceutical control and exported legally.  Thus, it is important to ensure that the product purchased is only Hoodia gordonii from South Africa, and not another plant species, since the industry has unfortunately been flooded with adulterated and misrepresented materials reported to be Hoodia gordonii or Hoodia 20:1 extracts.  With respect to this very important subject, BioCell Hoodia™ is authentic Hoodia gordonii, sourced exclusively from the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.  Analytical methods have been developed by specialists in the field of phytochemistry to identify and authenticate the plant, using digital photo-microscopy (DPM), high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), macroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to ensure that it passes specifications for identity, authenticity and quality.  Each batch of BioCell Hoodia is tested by an independent laboratory via three measures (HPLC-P57, TLC, and Microscopy) to verify all subjects.  In November, 2005, the CBS news program, 60 Minutes, aired a segment about Hoodia gordonii and its use as a diet supplement, and the coverage caused a surge of interest in this new botanical throughout the United States.

Hoodia gordonii is entirely natural - it is not a synthetic drug and has no stimulant properties.  It supports weight loss by curbing the appetite naturally, and it is said to reduce the impulse of hunger.  For thousands of years the Bushmen of the Kalahari have been eating Hoodia as an appetite suppressant when embarking on long journeys or in difficult times when food is scarce.   Apparently, there is a bioactive compound in Hoodia (P57) that mimics the effect that glucose produces on nerve cells in the hypothalamus area of the brain (the gland that sparks hunger), deceiving those cells into thinking that the body is full, and the appetite is satisfied.  Within that mid-brain, there are nerve cells that sense the presence of glucose sugar.  When you eat, your blood sugar goes up, and these cells start "firing" to indicate when you are full.  Hoodia seems to contain a molecule that is about 10,000 times more active than glucose.  This constituent travels quickly to the mid-brain region, and makes those same nerve cells "fire" as if you were full when, in fact, no food has been consumed, nor is there any desire to eat. The inclusion of Hoodia in a sensible diet plan, along with daily exercise, may help reduce food intake and, therefore, calories consumed.

Hoodia is not a stimulant but is said to naturally increase energy.  It is also believed to support a thermogenic effect on the body – the process that burns fat.   A clinical study conducted in 2001, testing healthy volunteers who were given Hoodia, demonstrated that there was a significant reduction in the average daily caloric intake, as well as a significant reduction in body fat.

Additional Information:

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) capsule, two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Currently, there appear to be no warnings or contraindications with the use of Hoodia.  Results may vary with regard to the time that Hoodia takes effect; some are immediate; and some may take several weeks.

Capsule Information:
Our Hoodia supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.