Weight Loss Effective Hoodia

How To Make Sure You Are Buying Weight Loss Effective Hoodia

By Matt Denos, PhD, is a biochemistry scientist who enjoys writing diet and health articles that offer insight into typically confusing topics.

Everyday millions of people across the world wake up to fight the battle of the bulge. Obesity is a disease that affects a person in myriad ways, physically, mentally and emotionally. It is estimated that there are 1 billion overweight people in the world. Of this 300 million are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for a plethora of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stroke. In addition, some types of cancer are related to obesity.

Hoodia Does Work For Many

According to a 2009 study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, obesity costs Americans $147 billion every year. It is thus not surprising that people look for appetite suppressants that could help reduce their eating and avoid becoming obese. Hoodia gordonii is a natural appetite suppressant, and according to tests conducted, it is safe for consumption. The fact that Hoodia can help people stay healthy and fit, has aroused the interest of individuals as well as businesses that deal with health care and weight loss products. In fact many Hoodia products are available in the market and more than a dozen patent applications have already been registered.

Native to South Africa and Namibia, Hoodia is a succulent medical plant. It is used traditionally to treat infections and as an appetite suppressant by the Bushmen on long hunting trips. Research has been conducted on Hoodia and specifically on its ability to enhance satiety. It was found that an oxypregane glucoside, also referred to as P57, acts on the hypothalamus providing a feeling of satiety and therefore suppressing appetite. This has been substantiated with experiments on rats. The hypothalamus is an integral part of the central nervous system and plays a key role in the control of hunger. As it has been suggested, P57 influences the hypothalamus and helps control hunger and therefore eating. In research conducted with animals, P57 showed no side effects. Furthermore, Phytofarm, which conducted studies in humans, found that P57 was well tolerated. Consumer studies of Hoodia users confirm this conclusion. Of course the most important evidence comes from the Bushmen who have been using Hoodia for centuries now without any threat to their health.

Hoodia Adulteration Problem - Hoodia grows naturally in a limited part of the world; this includes Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Its export is restricted in South Africa by the government and by Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It takes the plant over five years to grow fully and adequately for commercial use of the P57. Moreover, to ensure the sustained growth of the plant, it can be harvested only every second or third year. This essentially means that the Hoodia plant is difficult to be harvested and exported in quantities that are large enough to fully cover the enormously high demand. In contrast the need for Hoodia based products is high and constantly rising. Hoodia can be found in the form of liquid, powder, capsule, snack bar, or as a beverage.

In 2008, Dr. Avula, in the University of Missouri, conducted a study with 35 products that claimed to use pure Hoodia. It was revealed that only 9 contained the active Hoodia ingredient, P57. This indicates a shocking 75% of adulteration. While this is a cause for dismay, it is also important to understand that there are legitimate companies that are working hard to ensure that their consumers receive pure Hoodia. The relevant question that arises is how one can ensure that a given product contains authenitic Hoodia.

The Solution - It is important for consumers to look for the CITES certificate on the product details. This indicates that the product has been imported legally from South Africa and it comes from indigenous plants. In addition, one can look for independent studies and tests conducted on Hoodia products. Several companies offer phytochemical analysis of Hoodia products. Alkemist Pharmaceuticals is a reputable and reliable company that offers independent Hoodia tests to a number of companies that sell Hoodia products. The company offers three different testing methods and follows the specifications as laid down by the American Herbal Products Association in order to identify and determine the purity of the Hoodia gordonii products.

Test Method 1- Microscopic Analysis
The aerial parts of plants (those that are above ground) are the ones that are used to make Hoodia products. Hoodia plant roots are a common form of adulteration. A trained microscopist can study a product and identify cellular components that are not from Hoodia aerial parts. In addition, other species such as Opuntia, that are often used for adulteration can be identified with this technique. However, microcopic observation cannot successfully discriminate between species that are very similar to Hoodia gordonii. This is because microscopic features indicative only of Hoodia gordoonii stem have not yet been found. Therefore a microscopist cannot detect adulteration of Hoodia gordonii with related Hoodia species, such as Caralluma fimbriata. Hoodia products that have passed the microscopic analysis test are accompanied with a certificate that says "the microscopic features of the tested sample are characteristic of Hoodia gordonii aerial part".

Test Method 2- Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
The TLC certification of a Hoodia product indicates that it contains the 'chemical fingerprint' of pure Hoodia. Every plant has its own specific chemical composition that gives it a distinct 'chemical fingerprint'. The TLC is able to compare the chemical fingerprint of a questionable product with that of a pure Hoodia sample used as a reference. Thus, when you are buying a Hoodia product you must make sure the TLC certification reads something similar to "The TLC profile of the test sample is consistent with the reference sample."

Test Method 3- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
The P57 is the ingredient that is believed to be the appetite suppressant chemical in Hoodia. Without this a Hoodia product will not promote weight loss. The HPLC is a chromatographic technique used to investigate the presence of P57 in Hoodia products. This technique uses a chromatographic column, where high pressure is induced at one end while chemicals move at different speeds along the tube, according to their chemical properties. The P57 exits at a specific time. If no chemical exits at the specific "p57 exit time" the product doesn't contain P57. If this test has been performed, then the product's HPLC certificate will display the detection of P57 in the chromatogram.

Conclusion
The use of Hoodia, by people across the world, has shown its success as an appetite suppressant. Some amount of scientific research has also been able to substantiate this. While Hoodia is now widely used as an appetite suppressant and its popularity has exceeded that of savings coupons for Medifast, coupons for Nutrisystem discount and BistroMD coupon, it is still important to choose products that have been tested and found to contain P57 and pure Hoodia gordonii. It is a good idea to consider independent testers who validate products.

Statements contained on this site have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure any disease.
Read our FULL FDA and FTC Disclosure Statement.

Finding and identifying real weight loss Hoodia is important to dieters
		How To Make Sure You Are Buying Weight Loss Effective Hoodia By Matt Denos, PhD, is a biochemistry scientist who enjoys writing diet and health articles that offer insight into typically confusing topics. Everyday millions of people across the world wake up to fight the battle of the bulge. Obesity is a disease that affects a person in myriad ways, physically, mentally and emotionally. It is estimated that there are 1 billion overweight people in the world. Of this 300 million are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for a plethora of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stroke. In addition, some types of cancer are related to obesity. Hoodia Does Work For Many According to a 2009 study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, obesity costs Americans $147 billion every year. It is thus not surprising that people look for appetite suppressants that could help reduce their eating and avoid becoming obese. Hoodia gordonii is a natural appetite suppressant, and according to tests conducted, it is safe for consumption. The fact that Hoodia can help people stay healthy and fit, has aroused the interest of individuals as well as businesses that deal with health care and weight loss products. In fact many Hoodia products are available in the market and more than a dozen patent applications have already been registered. Native to South Africa and Namibia, Hoodia is a succulent medical plant. It is used traditionally to treat infections and as an appetite suppressant by the Bushmen on long hunting trips. Research has been conducted on Hoodia and specifically on its ability to enhance satiety. It was found that an oxypregane glucoside, also referred to as P57, acts on the hypothalamus providing a feeling of satiety and therefore suppressing appetite. This has been substantiated with experiments on rats. The hypothalamus is an integral part of the central nervous system and plays a key role in the control of hunger. As it has been suggested, P57 influences the hypothalamus and helps control hunger and therefore eating. In research conducted with animals, P57 showed no side effects. Furthermore, Phytofarm, which conducted studies in humans, found that P57 was well tolerated. Consumer studies of Hoodia users confirm this conclusion. Of course the most important evidence comes from the Bushmen who have been using Hoodia for centuries now without any threat to their health. Hoodia Adulteration Problem - Hoodia grows naturally in a limited part of the world; this includes Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Its export is restricted in South Africa by the government and by Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It takes the plant over five years to grow fully and adequately for commercial use of the P57. Moreover, to ensure the sustained growth of the plant, it can be harvested only every second or third year. This essentially means that the Hoodia plant is difficult to be harvested and exported in quantities that are large enough to fully cover the enormously high demand. In contrast the need for Hoodia based products is high and constantly rising. Hoodia can be found in the form of liquid, powder, capsule, snack bar, or as a beverage. In 2008, Dr. Avula, in the University of Missouri, conducted a study with 35 products that claimed to use pure Hoodia. It was revealed that only 9 contained the active Hoodia ingredient, P57. This indicates a shocking 75% of adulteration. While this is a cause for dismay, it is also important to understand that there are legitimate companies that are working hard to ensure that their consumers receive pure Hoodia. The relevant question that arises is how one can ensure that a given product contains authenitic Hoodia. The Solution - It is important for consumers to look for the CITES certificate on the product details. This indicates that the product has been imported legally from South Africa and it comes from indigenous plants. In addition, one can look for independent studies and tests conducted on Hoodia products. Several companies offer phytochemical analysis of Hoodia products. Alkemist Pharmaceuticals is a reputable and reliable company that offers independent Hoodia tests to a number of companies that sell Hoodia products. The company offers three different testing methods and follows the specifications as laid down by the American Herbal Products Association in order to identify and determine the purity of the Hoodia gordonii products. Test Method 1- Microscopic Analysis The aerial parts of plants (those that are above ground) are the ones that are used to make Hoodia products. Hoodia plant roots are a common form of adulteration. A trained microscopist can study a product and identify cellular components that are not from Hoodia aerial parts. In addition, other species such as Opuntia, that are often used for adulteration can be identified with this technique. However, microcopic observation cannot successfully discriminate between species that are very similar to Hoodia gordonii. This is because microscopic features indicative only of Hoodia gordoonii stem have not yet been found. Therefore a microscopist cannot detect adulteration of Hoodia gordonii with related Hoodia species, such as Caralluma fimbriata. Hoodia products that have passed the microscopic analysis test are accompanied with a certificate that says "the microscopic features of the tested sample are characteristic of Hoodia gordonii aerial part". Test Method 2- Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) The TLC certification of a Hoodia product indicates that it contains the 'chemical fingerprint' of pure Hoodia. Every plant has its own specific chemical composition that gives it a distinct 'chemical fingerprint'. The TLC is able to compare the chemical fingerprint of a questionable product with that of a pure Hoodia sample used as a reference. Thus, when you are buying a Hoodia product you must make sure the TLC certification reads something similar to "The TLC profile of the test sample is consistent with the reference sample." Test Method 3- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) The P57 is the ingredient that is believed to be the appetite suppressant chemical in Hoodia. Without this a Hoodia product will not promote weight loss. The HPLC is a chromatographic technique used to investigate the presence of P57 in Hoodia products. This technique uses a chromatographic column, where high pressure is induced at one end while chemicals move at different speeds along the tube, according to their chemical properties. The P57 exits at a specific time. If no chemical exits at the specific "p57 exit time" the product doesn't contain P57. If this test has been performed, then the product's HPLC certificate will display the detection of P57 in the chromatogram. Conclusion The use of Hoodia, by people across the world, has shown its success as an appetite suppressant. Some amount of scientific research has also been able to substantiate this. While Hoodia is now widely used as an appetite suppressant and its popularity has exceeded that of savings coupons for Medifast, coupons for Nutrisystem discount and BistroMD coupon, it is still important to choose products that have been tested and found to contain P57 and pure Hoodia gordonii. It is a good idea to consider independent testers who validate products. Contact Hoodia Gordonii Guide Home Copyright © 2004-2009 Hoodia Gordonii Guide
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Statements contained on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, mitigate or cure any disease. Read our FULL FDA and FTC Disclosure Statement.