Hoodia is a succulent plant often likened to a cactus due to its spiky appearance, native to the semi desert regions of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. Hoodia Gordonii is the only variety of Hoodia which contains the active ingredient termed as P57 by Unilever and it is this that enables its mystical appetite suppressing capabilities. Hoodia has for thousands of years been used by the San Bushmen native to the region to suppress their hunger while on a long hunt. These hunters would slice up a Hoodia stem in to think slices which they would either eat there and then or dry and take with them to eat when required throughout the day. By all accounts the smell of the flower is akin to rotten meat, however a correspondent from 60 minutes described the taste as not bad and texture like cucumber. The active ingredient, P57, in the Hoodia plant then performs its magic and the hunters are able to hunt long after hunger would have over taken them without the Hoodia!

How Does Hoodia Work?

As mentioned earlier, Hoodia contains the active ingredient known as P57, a steroidal glycoside, which fools the brain in to thinking you are full. The brain works out if you are full or not by the variations in your blood sugar levels. The brain checks these levels in part by monitoring ATP, an energy molecule levels. P57 affects these levels which results in the brain thinking you are more full than you actually are.

Who Should Use Hoodia?

Hoodia is an appetite suppressant. This means it is ideal for those seeking to lose weight and those looking to keep it off. If you are a perpetual snacker in between meals, Hoodia is ideal for you. You will find taking Hoodia will reduce your desire to make that tertiary trip to the fridge or the biscuit barrel. If you are at risk of weight induced diabetes then Hoodia might make the difference to you by allowing you to cut your calorie intake to a more normal level. The only side affect of taking Hoodia is a feeling of well being when you set foot on those previously feared scales!