The South African Hoodia Gordonii Cactus is known by many names. It is called xshoba or xhooba by the San Bushmen who have used it to treat indigestion, minor skin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunts. The scientific name is Hoodia Gordonii. It is actually a succulent so the names Hoodia cactus and South African desert cactus are actually misnomers, but they are commonly used. The plant resembles a cactus when seen growing wild in the Kalahari Desert.

It is important to note that there are more than twenty different varieties of hoodia, but only Hoodia Gordonii is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Some companies may be selling products that are purported to contain the African hoodia cactus, but if it is not Hoodia Gordonii, then it may not work. As with all health supplements, it is best to buy hoodia products from a reputable company that sells a complete line of products. In addition, dieters are advised to remember to drink plenty of water since hoodia suppresses thirst, as well as appetite.

Finally, the C.S.I.R. isolated the active ingredient responsible for the 'appetite suppressing' effects and called it 'P57'. This is the 'Hoodia cactus extract'. They then sold the rights of 'P57' to a British pharmaceutical company called 'Phytopharm'. You may be wondering how it can be there are so many Hoodia products on the market if only 'Phytopharm' has the rights to 'P57'. The answer lies in the patent laws. You know that, only 'Phytopharm' can extract the active molecule called 'P57' from Hoodia Gordonii and use it in their product line. But a whole natural plant - in this case the Hoodia Gordonii plant- cannot be patented. As a result, other companies' can very well produce supplements or products made from Hoodia Gordonii and sell them legally.

Hoodia Review Website will all Hoodia offers. On November 21, 2004 CBS correspondent, Lesley Stahl reported on 60 Minutes that a strange little plant, Hoodia Gordonii, “... is a natural substance that literally takes your appetite away.” According to CBS, “Scientists say that it fools the brain by making you think you’re full, even if you’ve eaten just a morsel.” It has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, ABC, NBC Today, BBC, CNN, in Oprah's “O” Magazine and in other major media.

The Hoodia Gordonii diet pill is the newest catch phrase in the weight-loss industry today. Everyone seems to be sticky with this secret, but still quite a few are susceptible about this miraculous plant. How can it help you lose weight? How does it work? And why it was not been heard before? Well, some of it appears to be true, but you will appreciate that everything needs some time to establish its truth. Gordonii product has also taken its own time impress on the weight-loss process.

How Does Hoodia work?
Scientists believe that the reason for Hoodia's appetite suppressing abilities is a molecule called "P57". Normally, when you eat the glucose in your body rises and eventually signals to your brain (the hypothalamus) that you are full. It is believed that "P57" molecule in Hoodia mimics the effect that glucose has on your brain, telling part of your brain (the Hypothalamus) that you feel full. Consequently, you have no desire to eat.

Is Hoodia Safe?
Since Hoodia is a plant (versus a man-made chemical), it is completely natural and experts say it is safe to eat. Scientists have been studying Hoodia for almost 10 years and have not found any side effects. (Not to mention the San Tribesman who have been eating Hoodia for years with seemingly no ill effects).

What Can You Do?
One way to tell if a Hoodia pill is real is to look for a document called the C.I.T.E.S. Certificate (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Since the Hoodia plant is a protected plant species it can only be sold to an exporter who has this certificate.

Science Behind Hoodia Gordonii
In this article we will look more specifically at the science behind hoodia and how it has been studied as an appetite suppressant. We will also examine some theories on how hoodia is able to suppress your appetite.

What evidence is there that Hoodia works as an appetite suppressant?
For thousands of years the Bushmen of South Africa having been eating Hoodia Gordonii to fight off hunger during their week long hunting trips. For the Bushmen there is no question as to the appetite suppressant power of Hoodia Gordonii - it is a simple fact of life - if you are going on a long journey you chew on hoodia to avoid hunger.

The important thing for consumers right now is to make sure that they are buying a product that contains genuine South African Hoodia Gordonii.

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Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects
A lot of research and development programs were undertaken before launching the finished Hoodia Gordonii weight–loss miracle product in the market. It has been established that Hoodia Gordonii can safely reduce your appetite so you can restrict your caloric intake up to one kilo calories per day.

Studies performed till date show no bad effects among those supplementing their diet with Hoodia Gordonii. There are no documented harmful side effects by taking Hoodia Gordonii; still there are few rumors of a ‘mild aphrodisiac and mood elevation’ effect. An element known, as ‘P57’ is apparently what is responsible for a reduction in hunger when taking some ‘fat burners’ that contain Hoodia Gordonii.