There are many different kinds of Hoodia, but merely Hoodia gordonii has been shown to have appetite suppressant qualities. For this reason it is vital to halt that any product claiming to be Hoodia truly contains pure Hoodia and in particular Hoodia Gordonii rather than any original role.
Hoodia gordonii came to care in 1996, when the diet of the San clan was studied by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, or CSIR. While the CSIR were studying the distinct plants eaten by the San clan, they stumbled across the thirst suppressing qualities of Hoodia gordonii.
Put simply, when Hoodia gordonii was added to the diet of animals, the animals lost weight. Testing continued and in 1997 CSIR was able to view off precisely what it was that caused Hoodia gordonii to suppress the appetite. They obtained a patent for this molecule and licensed it to Phytopharm, who designated the molecule P57.
The bushmen were not thankful about the millions being made by Phytopharm, because they were not receiving a cent of compensation. After a lawsuit filed by Roger Chennells, the San people's representation, CSIR and Phytopharm were required to repay the bushmen for the Hoodia gordonii that never would have been discovered had it not been for them.
When purchasing any Hoodia diet supplement, be sure that the Hoodia is grown in Africa and that a portion of the proceeds goes to the San tribe. Hoodia grown anywhere else is not authentic Hoodia!
Although you can purchase supplements containing Hoodia gordonii, it is not available in its natural form just yet. By 2008, Phytopharm hopes to release a series of food products such as energy bars that contain pure Hoodia gordonii in it's most basic form.
BBC News correspondent Tom Mangold ate raw Hoodia in the wilds of Africa in 2003. He reported that after experiencing an immediate sense of well-being, he lost all desire to eat for an extended period of time. Such is the power of this new natural supplement.
There are lots of products on the market that transport Hoodia gordonii. Simply adding Hoodia to a rational diet and exercise plan can greatly increase your chances of shedding unhealthy additional pounds.