Hoodia Gordonii Weight Loss Pill
Hoodia is a cactus that's causing a stir for its ability
to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. 60 Minutes, ABC, and the
BBC have all done stories on the hoodia
gordonii weight loss pill. Hoodia is sold in capsule, liquid,
or tea form in health food stores and on the Internet.
There isn't much published research on hoodia. Researchers at Brown
University in Rhode Island recently found that the steroidal glycosides
in hoodia affects nerve cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood
glucose. Simply put, the brain is tricked into thinking there is enough
energy (blood sugar) and doesn't need to eat, so it shuts down the
hunger mechanism.
In animal studies, hoodia is believed to reduce caloric intake by 30 to
50 percent. There is one human study showing a reduced intake of about
1000 calories per day. However, I haven't been able to find either
study to actually read for myself and am going on secondhand reports.