Hoodia gordonii is a South African desert cactus that is making quite a bit of news these days for its ability to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. Hoodia is sold in capsule, liquid, or tea form in health food stores and on the Internet. Read on to learn more about hoodia and its effectiveness as a weight loss aid.

The History of Hoodia Gordonii

Pronounced HOO-dee-ah, this plant is also known as hoodia, xhooba, khoba, Ghaap, and hoodia cactus. It can be found in the semi-arid regions of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Hoodia is actually not a cactus at all. The plant grows in clumps of green upright stems, flowering with pale purple flowers after about five years of growth. There are roughly twenty types of hoodia plant worldwide; however, only the hoodia gordonii variety is believed to act as a natural appetite suppressant.

Although hoodia has been in the news quite a bit recently, local African people have known of its powers for years. The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have been eating hoodia for a very long time to stave off hunger and thirst during times of drought and migration. Hoodia has also been used to heal abdominal cramps, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, indigestion, and diabetes.

As early as 1937, a Dutch anthropologist who was studying the San Bushmen noted that they used hoodia to suppress appetite. In 1963, scientists at South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), began studying the plant.

Working with a British pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm, South African scientists were able to identify the active ingredient in hoodia, a steroidal glycoside, which they named p57. They then obtained a patent for p57 and spent more than $20 million on hoodia research.

Hoodia Gordonii and Weight Loss

So is all the hype about hoodia and weight loss true? Unfortunately, there is not that much research published to date on hoodia and its effects on the body. In animal studies, hoodia is believed to reduce caloric intake by 30 to 50 percent. Clinical research at Brown University in Rhode Island recently found that the steroidal glycosides in hoodia might trigger weight loss by affecting the nerve cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood glucose.

When you eat, the food causes your blood sugar to increase. This causes the nerve cells in the hypothalamus to fire, signaling your brain that you are full. Nevertheless, the active ingredient in hoodia may actually be able to enter the mid-brain and make your nerve cells fire as if you were full, even before you have eaten.
Hoodia Weight Loss Pills

There are numerous sites on the Internet that offer information and comparisons about various hoodia weight loss pills. Nevertheless, it’s important to use caution when choosing a weight loss product. Hoodia is difficult to grow, taking years to fully mature until it can be harvested. This keeps the supply limited and the costs high. Therefore, many of the “hoodia” weight loss pills on the market don’t actually contain this expensive ingredient.

The Side Effects of Hoodia Weight Loss Pills

As mentioned earlier, the research on hoodia weight loss pills is scarce. There are no published long-term studies on the safety of hoodia. In addition, even though the San Bushmen have used it for thousands of years, this doesn’t mean that it’s safe. It may take at least another decade before hoodia has undergone enough testing for us to understand its side effects, drug interactions, and safety concerns.

In particular, people with diabetes should be particularly cautious when considering hoodia pills for weight loss because it’s possible for your blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels when using this supplement.

Hoodia weight loss pills may be able to help you lose weight but the jury is still out on their effectiveness and overall safety. Unfortunately, there simply is not enough research on these pills to justify their usage. If you are interested in losing weight quickly and safely, you are better off trying Slimirex™. This supplement is a well-researched weight loss supplement has nine powerful ingredients that work together to gently and safely give you the weight loss support you need.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.

The 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 30 overweight and obese men revealed a 3.98 kg (8.77 lbs) total increase in lean body mass, including a statistically significant increase in bone mass of 0.27 kg (0.60 lbs) or 8.63 percent in the ForsLean receiving group. Results also showed a decrease in body fat by 4.52 kg (9.96 lbs) or 11.23 percent as compared to the baseline. The placebo group showed no statistically significant changes in lean body mass (1.77 kg/3.90 lbs), bone mass (0.20 kg/0.44 lbs) or body fat (0.51 kg/1.12 lbs).

“These findings are significant because they further validate the fact that ForsLean can promote whole body increases in lean body mass, a key component in ensuring overall good health, as well as reductions in body fat,” stated Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, vice president of scientific and medical affairs, Sabinsa Corporation. “Additionally, researchers noted that ForsLean’s unique mechanism of action allows for the possibility of long-term use without potentially harmful side effects.”

Study participants were given either 250 mg of 10 percent forskolin extract twice daily (as ForsLean from Sabinsa Corporation) or a placebo for 12 weeks and maintained their usual levels of physical activity and normal diet patterns throughout the course of the study. No statistically significant changes were reported in blood pressure or other blood chemistries.

ForsLean is an extract derived from Coleus forskohlii roots, and the only known plant source of forskolin, a natural compound that has been shown to increase lean body mass and help optimize body composition through cAMP activation. Sabinsa holds U.S. Patent #5,804,596 and European Patent #98 907 537 9 for the use of forskolin as a weight management ingredient and manufactures and supplies various extract strengths for use in a variety of supplements and products. Other international patents are pending. For more information visit www.forslean.com.

Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988, is a manufacturer and supplier of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals. Sabinsa’s mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being. Over the past nine years, Sabinsa has brought to market more than thirty standardized botanical extracts and privately funded several clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious institutions in support of these products. With more than 100 scientists working full time conducting ongoing research both in India and the United States, Sabinsa continues to develop and patent phytonutrients for the world market. All products intended for human consumption are certified Kosher. For more information visit www.sabinsa.com.

For more information contact Courtney Jacobs at 801-538-0777 ext. 102 or courtneyj@imgbranding.com.

Drugs stores and health food shops have shelves overflowing with weight loss supplements that claim to burn body fat, block fat absorption, inhibit carbohydrate metabolism, boost energy, suppress the appetite, flush out excess water weight, and control dietary cravings. But do these products really work as they promise? And is there any danger to giving them a try? Read on to learn more about weight loss supplements.

According to a recent survey reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 7% of Americans use over the counter weight loss supplements. And of those who do use these products, nearly 30% of them are young, overweight women.

The Risks

Some weight loss supplements help to control the appetite, but they may have serious side effects. Other can become habit forming, and still others do nothing at all. Here’s a look at the risks associated with common weight loss supplements.

• Stomach Fillers: Weight loss supplements which contain bulking agents, such as fiber derivatives, are known as stomach fillers. These products absorb liquid and swell in the stomach, reducing the appetite. Guar gum is a commonly used ingredient in stomach fillers, however this ingredient can cause obstructions in the intestines, the stomach, or the esophagus. Avoid any dietary supplement which contains guar gum.
• Appetite Suppressants: Some weight loss supplements are appetite suppressants, and they may contain amphetamine derivatives that are highly addictive. They also lose efficacy when used over long periods, so dieters are forced to take more and more pills to achieve the same results. Appetite suppressants that contain amphetmine derivatives are a high-risk method of weight loss.
• Ephedra: Also known as ma huang, is another popular appetite suppressant ingredient found in many weight loss supplements. However, in some cases ephedra can cause heart palpitations, heart attacks, and stroke. The Food and drug Administration urges caution for anyone who is considering a weight loss supplement that contains ephedra. People who have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart trouble, neurological disorders, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism should not use ephedra. And completely avoid any product that contains both ephedra and caffeine. The Food and Drug Administration considers these two ingredients to be a “deadly combination.”

Federal Regulations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has had some success in suing the marketers of weight loss supplements that claim to burn or absorb fat. Several state attorney generals have also been involved in legal action against weight loss supplement manufacturers. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned over one hundred ingredients that were once commonly found in over the counter weight loss supplements.

These banned ingredients include alcohol, caffeine, dextrose, and guar gum. But many federal and state regulations can do little more than work to prevent the really dangerous weight loss supplements off of the market. Unfortunately, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, manufacturers of dietary supplements are not required to provide evidence that their products are effective or even safe. The burden rests on the FDA to prove that a product is either unsafe or ineffective.

Should You Try Them?

If you decide incorporate a weight loss supplement into your weight loss program, be sure to read all of the literature associated with the product. Carefully assess the claims and risks and understand the directions for use. And use common sense.

Some weight loss supplements require that you follow a very restricted low-calorie diet and exercise several times a week for full effectiveness. But these steps are likely to guarantee weight loss on their own, without the need of a weight loss supplement.

Still, there are some medical professionals who see no harm in taking weight loss supplements, such as Slimirex™, that are made of safe, all-natural ingredients. Natural fiber supplements may be another good choice. These products may or may not leave you feeling fuller longer. But they will be effective at stimulating the digestive system, keeping waste and nutrients moving through the system with improved regularity.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.

Humanetics Corporation has developed a natural approach to help you lose weight. Our scientists and researchers have discovered that a natural substance in your body known as 7 Keto Dhea is linked to your metabolism. As we age or diet, our metabolism declines. Supplementing with 7 Keto Dhea creates a more youthful metabolism and when used with a healthy diet and exercise program, can greatly accelerate your weight loss results.

Reason for Weight Gain

As we age, our body’s production of DHEA (known as the “fountain of youth” hormone) decreases. DHEA levels peak at about age 20 and by age 40 we produce half the DHEA that we did at age 20; by 65, our bodies are producing about 15% of the DHEA we produced at age 20. This decline has been linked to many common negative effects of aging such as a slowed immune system, loss of memory and a general lack of energy. For more information on DHEA, click here.

The Non-Stimulant Weight Loss Ingredient

Many weight loss ingredients have come and gone over the past 10 years, fading in popularity due lack of results, Federal Trade Commission crackdowns on false claims and concerns over safety and liability. During this time, 7 Keto Dhea has steadily and quietly risen to the top as a weight loss ingredient. Why? Because it continues to stand up to the more rigorous scrutiny of today’s nutraceutical manufacturers and can back up its claims for safe and effective weight loss, which are critical for the longevity of any dietary ingredient.

Introducing 7 Keto Dhea, a better DHEA.

Investing significant time and money into a methodical research program that has spanned the past 14 years, Humanetics conducted rigorous toxicology, pharmacokinetic and human safety trials to ensure that 7 Keto Dhea:

• is non-toxic,
• cannot accumulate in the body over time,
• does not affect any hormone levels,
• is free of any serious side effects.

OptiMSM is non-toxic and non-allergenic. However, taking amounts greater than your body’s ability to absorb it may result in loose stools. OptiMSM is non-allergenic. In the many years MSM has been researched, no significant allergic reactions have been reported. We recommend informing your doctor you are supplementing with MSM. MSM has no known side effects or contraindications with pharmaceutical drugs or over-the-counter medications. However, it is recommended that it not be used by pregnant or lactating mothers, or by children under the age of two. Also, persons that are taking blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin) consult their doctor before using MSM.

All MSM in supplements must be manufactured, making purification an essential step in the production of MSM. This minimizes the risk of MSM side effects. There are two methods by which MSM is purified-crystallization or distillation.

Cardinal Nutrition’s MSM has always been distilled for purity. Distillation is a process of purifying MSM that uses heat to separate pure MSM from impurities and by-products of manufacturing through unique boiling points. MSM’s 460? F (238? C) boiling point allows pure MSM to be isolated from solution, producing the purest MSM available. In crystallization, the purity of MSM is highly dependent on the quality of the raw materials and on the procedures used during manufacturing.1

While some manufacturers of MSM chose crystallization because it is a cheaper process, Cardinal Nutrition made the decision in 1989 to distill its MSM to assure the unsurpassed purity of its finished product. Industry research favors distillation as the preferred purification method, “In fact, a sound approach to the selection of appropriate separation processes is to begin by asking: Why not distillation?” Hence, with this purifying process, side effects of this product is kept to a minimum.

MSM is an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, a naturally-occurring compound in the environment and in the human body. Sulfur is necessary for the structure of every cell in the body. Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilizes and expends it on a daily basis, sulfur must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health. This is the main MSM benefit.

Where Does MSM Come From?

MSM originates in the oceans where microscopic plankton release sulfur compounds into seawater, which is quickly converted to DMS, a volatile sulfur compound that escapes into the atmosphere. In this suspended, gaseous state, the DMS reacts with ozone and ultraviolet sunlight to create DMSO and DMSO2, known as MSM. MSM then falls to the earth with the rain, where it is collected and concentrated in plants. Although MSM is abundant in nature, even the richest natural sources only provide MSM in the level of several parts per million. Commercial extraction of MSM from trees is not possible. The benefits of MSM is produced by oxidizing DMSO. This process parallels the natural oxidation of DMSO to MSM that occurs in the marine atmosphere and produces MSM that is chemically identical to that found in nature.

What is OptiMSM?

The premiere branded MSM ingredient produced by Cardinal Nutrition and available at retail through various quality manufacturers. OptiMSM is held to strict product specifications, making it the highest quality of MSM benefit on the market. The benefits of MSM is the organic sulfur that appears as a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder that is available in a variety of topical applications and internal dosage types. It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and always 99.9% pure. Cardinal Nutrition, the sole maker of OptiMSM, is the original United States producer licensed under the R. J. Herschler domestic and foreign patents.

Side Benefits of The Maca Root

Enhances Sexual Desire and Fertility
Maca has been proven in clinical studies to enhance fertility, boost male sperm production, improve sexual performance, and relieve male impotence. The high concentration of proteins and nutrients found in maca is often cited for its beneficial side effects on sexual function. The amino acids found in this herb aid in the process of sexual arousal and sexual performance. Maca also contains the amino acids arginine and histidine, that have been clinically proven to play a major role in male fertility, erectile function, and sperm count.

Improves Immune System Functions
The high nutrient content found in maca also helps to stimulate energy levels and boost the functioning of the immune system. It provides the nutrient necessary to keep the body healthy.

Aids in Weight Loss
Maca contains the essential nutrients necessary to boost thyroid function and stimulate weight loss. It also helps to balance the components of the endocrine system, namely the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands. Maca’s side effects include boosting the blood sugar energy reserves and promotes the use of glucose in the bloodstream for energy rather than being processed into fat storage.

Enhances Mood
Maca has also been found to reduce anxiety and depression and promote an overall sense of well being. The amino acids in maca create neurotransmitters that are helpful in regulating mood and controlling stress, anxiety, and depression.

Where Can I Find Maca Root?

Maca root is increasing in popularity, and it can now be found in supplemental form throughout the world. It is dried and made into a powder for supplemental capsules. There are no known side effects or drug interactions associated with maca root. However, you should always consult your health care professional before adding any new weight loss supplement to your diet.

Maca herb is a Peruvian perennial plant that is found predominantly at high elevations on the Andes Mountains . It is well adapted to the extreme weather conditions such as intense sunlight, freezing temperatures, and violent winds that are found at these locations. It is a low growing plant with scalloped leaves that can often go unnoticed in a field. The Maca herb root has been used for about two thousand years (since the time of the Incas) for its nutritional and medicinal properties.

How Is Maca herb Used?

Maca herb is an important nutrient in the diet of native Peruvian people, as it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. This plant is rich in sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients, like iodine and iron. It is comprised of about seventy five percent carbohydrates, ten to fifteen percent protein, nine percent fiber, and two percent lipids. The Maca herb root is consumed either fresh or dried to increase energy levels, enhance fertility, and aide in weight control.

Maca herb is now used throughout the world as an immuno-stimulant. It helps to boost the immune system to prevent anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, sexual disorders, and memory dysfunction.

How Does Maca herb Work?

Dried Maca herb root is like a super multivitamin supplement. In addition to vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, it also contains a high concentration of protein that is derived mostly from amino acids. Amino acids in turn play a major role in many cellular functions in the body. Amino acids manufacture neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline that regulate mood and arousal. They also regulate and balance the endocrine system and promote weight control as well as boosting energy levels. Here’s a closer look at the many medicinal and nutritive benefits of the Maca herb root.

What Is Theobromine?

Theobromine is an organic, nitrogen containing substance that is found naturally in a number of dietary sources. It is a major component of cocoa and a minor component in both coffee and tea. Theobromine is similar in structure to caffeine, and like caffeine, it belongs to a class of alkaloid molecules known as methylxanthines. Methylxanthines occur naturally in as many as sixty different plant species found throughout the world. Theobromine has an effect that is similar to that of caffeine, but on a slightly milder scale.

How is Theobromine Used?

Theobromine has a number of beneficial effects on the human body, and it is commonly used in both traditional and herbal preparations to treat and prevent a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Theobromine can treat high blood pressure and coughing spells. It can be used to regulate pregnancy hormones in expectant moms. It acts also as a stimulant and a weight loss aide.

Cough Suppressant
A new study from the Imperial College of London shows that theobromine, is nearly a third more effective than codeine at controlling coughs. The researchers found that theobromine worked by suppressing activity of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for causing coughing. Unlike other cough treatments, theobromine does not cause drowsiness.

Regulates Pregnancy Hormones
New research suggests that theobromine, especially when found within chocolate, may be able to help keep an expectant mother’s hormonal changes in check. Scientists are still trying to determine the exact link between theobromine and pregnancy, but for now, this is very good news for moms-to-be!

Weight Loss Aide
Theobromine can also be used as a stimulant and weight loss aid. It has diuretic properties similar to caffeine and has also been shown in clinical studies to reduce food intake. Theobromine has a powerful appetite-suppressing effect. It can act on the central nervous system to help decrease appetite and make a person feel full. Theobromine is also the “feel-good” ingredient in chocolate, and it can therefore counter act the emotional weight loss drawbacks.

Dilates Blood Vessels
All methylxanthines have been shown to relax the smooth muscle of the bronchi in the lungs, but it is unlikely that this effect is noticeable when they are consumed as part of food or drink. Theobromine has been used for its diuretic effect, especially in cases when excess body fluid has led to cardiac failure. It has been administered with digitalis in order to relieve dilatation. Due to its ability to dilate blood vessels, theobromine has been used in recent medical applications to treat high blood pressure.

Where is Theobromine Found?

Theobromine can be found from sources like chocolate, coffee and tea. The amount of theobromine that is found in each food source varies. Cocoa beans naturally contain approximately three hundred to twelve hundred milligrams of theobromine per ounce. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, dark chocolate contains the highest levels of theobromine at about ten grams per kilogram. Milk chocolates contain approximately one to five grams per kilogram.

How does Piper Nigrum work?

The metabolic process that generates energy at the cellular level in the human body is called thermogenesis. Though thermogenesis has been identified as a key factor in maintaining weight loss, it has also been identified as playing an integral role in utilizing the daily food and nutrients that the human body consumes. Piperine, in the patented form of Bioperine? enhances the body’s natural thermogenic activity – hence the term Thermonutrient?.

The Advantages of Piper Nigrum

Piper Nigrum is the only product sourced out of piperine to increase the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. Secondly, it is the only source from piperine to have undergone clinical studies in the U.S. to substantiate its safety and efficacy for nutritional use.

Studies and Research

The subtle, yet potent properties of Piper Nigrum have been measured in several clinical studies with healthy volunteers in the U.S. These studies measured the absorption of three distinct categories of products. The categories evaluated with and without Piper Nigrum were fat- soluble (beta-carotene), water-soluble (vitamin B 6 ) and a mineral (selenium, in the form of selenomethionine). Gastrointestinal absorption of all the studied nutrients, as measured by amounts present in the blood, increased dramatically when administered with Piper Nigrum as compared to the control group receiving the nutrient alone. All studies used Piper Nigrum in the amount of 5 mg per dose.

Truth in ancient wisdom

Piper Nigrum has been used throughout the 6000-year-old practice of Ayurveda ,aiding in the proper functioning of the digestive tract, specifically the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Nearly two-thirds of all traditional Ayurvedic formulas contain a special blend of ingredients, which includes black pepper, for this purpose.