Hoodia

Hoodia is an herbal medication commonly used as a diet pill or appetite suppressant. It is derived from a succulent plant called hoodia gordonii, which is grown in South Africa. Tribal people in South Africa have used the plant for thousands of years as a natural appetite suppressant. It is believed to work by tricking the user's brain into thinking he or she is full. Hoodia patches are available, as are Hoodia capsules, and in a newer form called Hoodia Dex L10.

Hoodia has become the latest craze for weight loss. Advertisements, featuring testimonials from satisfied users, can be found in nearly every health and beauty magazine, and are often shown on television. But experts are deeply divided on whether Hoodia really works. Some doctors believe it doesn't work at all, while others simply feel it hasn't been studied enough to recommend it to their patients. Even those who agree that Hoodia may have some weight loss benefits are often at odds about the method of delivery-patch vs. pill. There are many online sites with Hoodia reviews written by users, for more information.

Hoodia side effects, like many other aspects of Hoodia, have not been fully studied. So far, it seems Hoodia does not have any side effects. This would make Hoodia ideal for thyroid patients, who often struggle with weight problems caused by the thyroid, and who have to be very careful about taking other diet medications to avoid dangerous drug interactions. Hoodia should not be taken by pregnant women, as pregnant women should not attempt to lose weight, to ensure the health of their unborn babies. Nursing women should also avoid Hoodia, because of the lack of safety studies, and because the effect on milk supply is unknown.

You should only buy Hoodia supplements from a reputable source. Read the ingredients carefully to ensure your supplement actually contains natural Hoodia extract, as many pills advertised as containing Hoodia may have very little or no Hoodia content at all. Alternately, a supplement may contain a form of Hoodia other than hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii is the only variety of the Hoodia plant that causes appetite suppression. Hoodia is currently only available in supplement form, not prescription. It is unlikely Hoodia will be available as a prescription drug for several years, as it still needs to undergo more studies and tests before being an FDA approved prescription drug. Hoodia use should be discussed with your doctor, as he or she can give you the most accurate and up to date information on Hoodia.