Hoodia Gordonii, also known as hoodia, Ghaap, xhooba, khoba, hoodia cactus, and South African desert cactus hoodia is a cactus-like plant that is currently causing a stir in the US and Canada for its potential to suppress appetite and promote weight loss.
Some people report that hoodia works for them right away, suppressing appetite within 20 to 30 minutes after taking the capsules. Generally, though, people typically need up to two weeks of regular hoodia intake before they begin to notice the effects of hoodia, which include a reduced interest in food, a delay in the time after eating before hunger sets in again, a feeling of fullness and a general feeling of well-being.

It is good noting that Hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant, and has no known negative side effects. However, there would always be someone who has a reaction to even the safest supplement, so it usually differs on each person’s personal experiences. It would be best to get the advice and guidance of a licensed medical practitioner, should one be unsure of the possible effects.

Natural hoodia supplements are currently available in the market, but one should be particularly careful that he/she takes a hoodia pill that contains the actual plant, since there are some brands out there who claim to contain hoodia, and have been tested to show that they do not have an ounce of hoodia whatsoever. Among the popular hoodia supplements in the market are Hoodia Slim from Paradise Herbs, and the Canadian-based MHSCI Hoodia.

Some individuals start by taking 1-2 capsules of Hoodia an hour before lunch and 1-2 capsules an hour before dinner daily for the first two weeks. As the appetite suppressant effect seeps in, some people drop back to 1 or 2 capsules per day. It is advised to follow the directions of your qualified healthcare professional.

Other weight loss supplements in the market have been found to have little or no effect on weight loss. Among these supplements are Chitosan, Garcinia cambogia and Pyruvate. Chitosan, a marine-derived starch found in the skeletons of shrimp, crab, and other shellfish, is often used in products promising to keep dietary fats from being absorbed by the body.

However, researchers have concluded that “the evidence available in the literature indicates that there is considerable doubt that chitosan is effective for reducing body weight.” Garcinia cambogia is one of the main components in one of the best-selling supplemental weight loss products, Hydroxycut., and researchers have concluded that “the evidence for G. cambogia is not compelling.”

Pyruvate, which is formed by the body during the breakdown of carbohydrates, is often touted as a booster of metabolism and an appetite suppressant, but analysts reported that “the case of pyruvate as an aid to body-composition changes and weight loss is weak.”

According to weight loss analysts and researchers, clinical evidence was also inadequate for the other supplements being sold as weight-loss aids, including the evergreen tree-derived herbal pill Yerba mate, Yohimbe and the fiber psyllium, but the analysts concluded that “none of the reviewed dietary supplements noted can be recommended for over-the-counter use.”