| Hoodia gordonii, "Whoo De AH", is the botanical name for a leafless, spiky succulent plant that grows throughout the semi-arid areas of Southern Africa primarily the Kalahari desert. The San (local inhabitants) have rationally used Hoodia stems to stave off hunger and thirst when on long journeys, as it acts as an appetite suppressant.
Scientists have isolated several compounds responsible for dramatic weight loss. The most important is P57, which is responsible for 'tricking' your brain into thinking it has just eaten. P57 contains no stimulates that could contribute to the jittery feeling associated with weight loss products of the last decade.
Hoodia is registered as a protected species to prevent Bio-Piracy but is allowed to be grown on a handful of commercial farms in South Africa owned by private farmers. Hoodia takes 5-6 years to mature in the wild. It is now being cultivated in as little as 2 years commercially in sustainable quantities and has become widely known for its effects as an appetite suppressant. |
