Who hasn’t received the SPAM emails touting the benefits of Hoodia? This quirky word is actually a South African succulent – one that looks like a cactus -- that’s been exalted for its miraculous weight loss properties. The Cactus Diet is more of a cactus-esque snack than a sound weight-loss program. Supposedly the Hoodia, which is now sold in capsule, liquid and tea form, has properties that fight hunger and in turn battle obesity.
For thousands of years, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari have eaten the cactus-like plant to hold themselves over during long trips. Researchers started dissecting the Hoodia to determine what causes it to act as an appetite suppressant. What they found was the presence of an unknown molecule, which has been named P57. According to one researcher, there are nerve cells that detect glucose sugar in the hypothalamus, the mid-brain. "When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten. Nor do you want to," says Dr. Richard Dixey of a bio-pharmaceutical company studying the Hoodia. Keep in mind that many of the Hoodia Pills being offered on the internet usually have no Hoodia properties in them whatsoever. Also, no research has been conducted to determine the long-term effects of Hoodia on the body.
Comment #1
(Posted by vicki owens) Rating
I just started using I still am reviewing product
Comment #2
(Posted by Connee Andrews) Rating
Thank you for the imformation on the Hoodia cactus plant.
Comment #3
(Posted by Rhonda Evans) Rating
This article was very informative. I will research the Hoodia cactus further.
Comment #4
(Posted by Jerry) Rating
As long as I don't feel hungry I'll skip a meal.
Comment #5
(Posted by simp) Rating
I wanted to read more about this Hoodia. Thank-you for your information.Since their has been no research on the long term use of these products, it is at my best thinking to avoid Hoodia products altogether. I will take the tea back which I purchased. I did feel full for about 3 days. I drank probably 3 cups of tea. The taste was really not inviting so I added a little lemon to be able to drink it. I
didnot like the full feeling so I haven't drank any since.I prefer the American green teas. Thank-You.
Comment #6
(Posted by BRENDA) Rating
i got suckered into the hoodia craze just to find it is all a big joke.
Comment #7
(Posted by Lisa G.) Rating
I tried the pills and the whole bottle later resulted in nothing.What a waste.
Comment #8
(Posted by bridget) Rating
i truly think its time for everyone to take a good hard look at themself and be responseable. who and what you are is what you will be. i am going on 59 and i have taking responsability for not just my life but my health. everyone is surprise at the change im my life and health. i had many many problems not i just live an take it one day at a time. it sure has made me wholesome and loving,happy and very excepting to life way.
Comment #9
(Posted by Rebecca Kahl) Rating
I just began using this, I am still reviewing, and so far have noticed that my appetite has decreased.....I will let you know
Comment #10
(Posted by blt) Rating
I find it interesting that there are at least two ads for hoodia products on your website and then this article.
Comment #11
(Posted by williebird) Rating
Thank you for confirming my suspicion that Hoodia is another loser...
hoodia-trust?
Comment #12
(Posted by L.L.R.) Rating
I would say someone needs to reasearch this product more before they put it on the market for human consumption. It sounds to me as tho humans are being used as GUINEA PIGS to test this product , if in fact the drug & food administration has NO idea what the long term affects are going to be on people.
Comment #13
(Posted by BMealer) Rating
It seems everyone is looking for the easy way to loose wieght without taking responsibility for their problem. I have lost 12 lbs just by cutting out products with high fructose sugar in them. I allow one soda a week and one bought sweet. I have found that sugar in moderation is ok but not processed foods. We are a society of lazy people who accept foods that make us fat. I had to change that and am having success with not eating processed foods with unwanted things in it.
Comment #14
(Posted by Mitch) Rating
I agree people need to take responsibility and stop looking for a quick fix. People are too willing to put anything in their bodies. Working in the fitness industry, I see people all too often that just want something that will work fast and they don't want to work hard. All that really is required is to eat by the food pyramid, eat a variety of whole fruits/veggies and less processed foods AND we all need regular exercise. It's OK to have treats and sugars in moderation. But until we get exercise, no matter what you do to lose weight, your health is still at risk. You can be stick thin but have poor cardio health. There are so many fitness programs out there to choose from. You will be glad you did and feel more proud of yourself that you worked hard and didn't just take a pill.
Comment #15
(Posted by Dianne) Rating
excellent product as I have used hoodia throughout my weight loss. I have lost 136 pounds and have 25 more to go. More should try this product because it does dull the appetite making weight loss easier.
Comment #16
(Posted by Brenda) Rating
After much research, I learned there are only a handful of Hoodia products that actually have pure Hoodia in them. And I also found that a minumum of 1500 mgs are needed to effectively work properly. After all that, I decided to try one of the top rated products and have found it very effective in "tricking" me into thinking I was full. The "good" ones are not cheap, however, and one bottle will not last a month, if you take the 1500 mgs per dose. I am only using this one bottle and hope it has "programmed" me enough to not want to eat alot all the time.
Comment #17
(Posted by Vi) Rating
I found this very interesting since I recieve at least 1 advertisement per day on Hoodia.
Comment #18
(Posted by Olivia) Rating
I bought a bottle of Hoodia online. I am about half way through it and all I have noticed is that my fingers swell up when I exercise. I am still hungry, but it's like a retain water. It was a complete waste of money. I wouldn't even bother to try it. The only thing that really ever worked was ephedra and they banned that!
Comment #19
(Posted by daveinboca) Rating
Am using Miracleburn & it seems to depress appetite. Why not mention GOOD Hoodia pills instead of saying "many....usually have no Hoodia properties in them whatsoever" which is a blanket cheap shot. Typical drive-by media shallow superficial "investigative journalism."
Comment #20
(Posted by Valerie Adams) Rating
I was going to try the Hoodia but after reading this peice I'll find something else. I use the green tea quite often.
Comment #21
(Posted by cg) Rating
Where is the best place to buy this? I dont trust most of the ads I get through my e-mail.
Thanks
Comment #22
(Posted by Cindy) Rating
I have heard alot about Hoodia and was glad to read a review about it. The claims that are made seem to good to be true as most diet cures seem to be. I had read somewhere that Oprah talked about the benefits of it.Anyone who is overweight would love a "miracle cure" however; there really isn't one. I've been following Weight Watchers which is a way of life not a diet and have successfully lost 40 and counting by healthy eating, moving more, and making good choices.
Comment #23
(Posted by AlexM) Rating
Your blog is interesting!
