The ABC of Weight Loss

What is Hoodia Gordonii

The supplement hoodia gordonii is a relatively new weapon for those looking to lose weight.  It is a natural appetite suppressant first emerged on to the world scene in the beginning of 2004.  It has gained popularity since it first appeared in the marketplace, yet we still know little about its long-term effectiveness.

Hoodia gordonii looks like a cactus, but it is really a succulent from the Kalahari Desert in Africa.  African natives have reportedly used hoodia gordonii for centuries to prevent hunger pangs when they take long journeys into the desert.  It should be noted that there are a number of forms of hoodia but only the gordonii type of hoodia works as at suppressing appetite.  It makes you feel as if you are full by fooling your brain into thinking that you have already eaten. 
 
Users are yet to agree on how long it takes for it to take effect.  While some report that they feel the effects right away, others say that several weeks had to elapse before they noticed any impact.   The major effects of hoodia includes feeling fuller for longer, having a lessened interest in food, and an overall sense of well-being.   It is important to note that research is yet to be done on its long-term side-effects. Additional studies need to be conducted in order to determine whether hoodia should be used for appetite control across a wide population.  There have been no widespread clinical trials investigating the safety of hoodia as a nutritional supplement.        

Some people who have used hoodia report that you need to take a substantial amount for it to truly suppress your appetite, far greater amounts of the supplement than its promoters claim.  For this reason, using hoodia can be expensive, since you will have to use a great amount of it in order to achieve measurable results.   Also, hoodia does not counteract blood sugar level declines that typically happen after you consume refined carbohydrates such as cookies, white bread, white rice, and soft drinks.  Some people who have used hoodia say that it didn’t suppress their appetite on days when they ate carbs.  As a result, hoodia only appears to work in connection with a diet that involves controlled carb intake.   Hoodia also appears to have little impact on appetite after an intense workout.  In other words, after taking hoodia, if you exercise, you’ll feel just as hungry as you normally would. this could be a good time to take a low calorie snack such as a protein shake.

Generally speaking, hoodia tincture seems to be the most effective form of hoodia.  This is because the tincture suppresses the appetite faster than the powder.   When using the powdered form it seems to require slower digestion to extract the same amount of chemical compounds.  The tincture also seems to work in comparatively smaller doses.   

Certainly, there has been a great deal of media interest in hoodia.  But it will take time—and a great deal of research—before an accurate picture of this diet supplement can appear in focus.

One thing to keep in mind when dealing with any type of hunger suppressant is the fact that you need to change your lifestyle or the weight will come back on as soon as to stop taking the supplement. You need to increase your daily activity level and follow a healthy eating plan, with coontrolled food portions.

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