Hoodia Gordonii - What Components Are Effective In Promoting Weight Loss

In these times, when it comes to acquiring fast, reliable and safe weight loss, Hoodia Gordonii is considered the trend-setter in this field. This succulent cactus-like plant was originally used by the San Bushmen of Southern Africa to suppress appetite during hunting trips and times of food scarcity.

Since this plant grows in one of the harshest regions of the planet, the plant comes with an aura of mystery as well as carrying a ton of weight loss benefits. Although the extracts from this plant have been tested to effectively suppress appetites, it has been a challenge to make the supplement readily available to Western consumers.

P57: The Single Molecule Which Effectively Promotes Weight Loss

The entire cactus-like plant is not required for appetite suppression, but rather one single molecule, P57, creates the desired effect. This molecule is found in the flesh of the plant, and not within the roots, spines, or flowers. Unfortunately, the chemical is quite hard to isolate from the plant extract. It is also reported to be difficult to synthesize, and it is highly unlikely that a cheaper, synthetic product will be created in the coming years.

The High Demand Has Created Supply Concerns

Contrary to popular notions, the Hoodia plant is not endangered. There are several other succulents and cactus plants that look just like it, and in turn, are the ones on the verge of extinction. Unfortunately for the other species, the high demand for Hoodia causes them to be collected by mistake. As such, the plant is on the list of Endangered Species and is under protection by international health and plant trade regulations.

Does Hoodia Have Any Negative Long-Term Effects?

Today, there are many prescription weight-loss medications sold in the market, and some have been noted to cause damage to the liver or other organs. It is not yet clear how past laboratory trials have fared to that of trials run on animal subjects during the development phases of many other medications. After Pfizer aborted the project, Unilever Pharmaceuticals took up the cudgels for developing this dietary product, and they are still working on it.

While the supplement is only available on a limited basis at the moment, there is no question that it is a potent appetite suppressant. Obesity is a major issue in almost every nation, and as pharmaceutical manufacturers work to establish reputable supplies, it would only be a matter of time before reliable products become readily available.

Hoodia is but one of many species in the genus and it takes a trained botanist or a native plant collector to be able to distinguish the actual plant, or the flower, from the rest. Without seeing the actual flower, it would be difficult to set apart other species, as some devious collectors may get another variety, and market the supplement as the real thing.

An international regulatory group, CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species), establishes guidelines for the proper harvesting and trade of this plant, and collecting Hoodia in the wild is considered illegal without first acquiring a permit from CITES and the local governments in the areas where Hoodia is prevalent.

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