The Hoodia Gordonii plant was used by the SAN tribe men, in Kalaharidesert, as a way to avoid hunger and thirst during the hunt.
In 1996, it was studied, and their effects were validatedscientifically, because it was non toxic, and caused laboratory animals to lose weight. The P57 or pregnane glycoside is the active principleof the extract.
The rights of commercial exploration of the Hoodia extract belongedto Pfizer company, but in 2002, it was released to public researchbecause of the difficulty in synthesizing the P57.
The main effects of Hoodia are reduced interest for food, speciallyfor sugary products, larger intervals to hunger, augmented satiety andsense of repletion, and a feeling of energy boost.
In the last American Diabetes Meeting, while the Hoodia effects andresearch were being discussed in the auditorium, the buzz was high incorridors.
It’s being considered as a real promise in Diabetes, Obesity andmetabolic syndrome treatment. The best is, it is a natural remedy.
It is believed that it actuates in hypothalamus, a brain structurethat controls appetite, thirst, sex and sleep functions.
There is anenhancement in local energy levels (ATP production) and then,hypothalamus sends messages to upper brain, to block appetite.
As of the moment, there are no side effects, but it’s not recommended in pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Usual dosage goes from 400 to 800 mg of extract per day, corresponding to 60 to 120 mg of P57.
One capsule before the main meals can make a person be satisfied with forty percent less food.
There are indeed, a fifteen to twenty percent of people that don’t see any effects with the extract.
Large scale and blind-controlled studies are essential and neededto confirm the usability and safety of the extract.
One of the non-believers already said that the amount of P57 necessary to causesome type of effect would need that a person eat more than one pound ofthe plant per day…
The conventional, allopathic doctors are still in the beginning ofits use, but orthomolecular and homeopathic practioners are exultant
with its results.
Because of the many Hoodia-based products in the market today, somecountries are controlling firmly the registering and selling of thisextract. In fact, no country has a Hoodia product registered as a drug,only as a health supplement.
There are many counterfeit products that are ineffective and can even be hazardous to health. Always talk with your physician before attempting such treatment.
