Hoodia is a succulent plant that closely resembles a cactus and grows exclusively in the South African deserts. Recently this purple-flowered plant has been getting a considerable amount of attention for its beneficial weight loss properties. Though just recently made available to the general public, this botanical has been used by the native people of the Kalahari Desert, the San Bushmen, for quite some time. During extended hunting trips, these men would eat part of the juicy stem of the plant in an effort to ward off thirst and hunger, as well as for other ailments such as abdominal cramps, indigestion, hypertension, and diabetes.



Since hoodia is a relatively new on the weight-loss scene, there is not a substantial amount of published research available on its efficacy, but what is available is extremely promising. Scientists have isolated a number of particular compounds in the hoodia plant that work to suppress thirst and hunger. In particular, they have identified a molecule that they have name P57. P57 is steroidal glycoside, which is a chemical that reacts much like glucose in the body, but is substantially more active. Essentially this means that hoodia is 100,000 times faster and more effective at signaling the body that food has been consumed in an adequate amount. Once the P57 molecule triggers the signal that the body has been satiated, the hypothalamus then sends out its own signal to let the body know that it's time to turn off the appetite. Fundamentally taking hoodia tricks the brain into telling the body that it is no longer hungry. In addition to all of this there are no known adverse side effects to taking hoodia.

Though this herb has so far proven to be highly effective, it is not easily or cheaply available to the general public. Since the plant itself needs about four or five years to mature, it is not a quickly replaced resource. This keeps the prices for this herb quite high, but so far research has shown that individuals who use hoodia reduce their caloric intake about 40 percent on average, so it seems well worth it.

Without the same stimulating and dangerous side effects that come with the now-banned ephedra, hoodia appears to be an excellent option for those looking to lose weight. Of course you should always check with your physician before beginning to use any kind of weight-loss supplement, hoodia seems to be a gentle and effective avenue to a thinner, healthier lifestyle and body.