Hoodia Controversy

Hoodia works its wonder by acting as an appetite suppressant. But it's unlike other appetite suppressants because it is not a stimulant. Remarkably, there seem to be no bothersome side-effects. Hoodia suppresses appetite because it contains a molecule which has a remarkable effect on your brain. Each distinct parts of your brain has a job to do. The hypothalamus sends out hunger signals. It also has nerve cell receptors that monitor your blood sugar level.

Consider what happens when you eat something. Shortly after you eat, your blood sugar level rises. Signals are then sent to the hypothalamus. In the hypothalamus, nerve cells trigger by these incoming signals. Consequently, your hypothalamus tells your brain and body that you are full. If we think about this sequence of events, we can see why it's best to eat slowly. You need to allow enough time for your blood sugar level to rise high enough to signal the hypothalamus. If you eat too fast, you decrease your odds of losing weight. Slow eating helps ensure you only consume what you actually need to be full.

So, what does Hoodia do? The active ingredient in Hoodia causes signals to be sent to the hypothalamus. These signals trigger the hypothalamus, and the hypothalamus then tells your brain and body that you are full when, in fact, you may not have even eaten at all! This effect can last for some time and will depend on the amount of Hoodia you have consumed.

Research at this time indicates that Hoodia seems to work best in its natural form. While pharmaceutical companies are developing synthetic versions, none have yet been successful. You can find natural Hoodia in pill form, but be sure to check where the Hoodia is coming from. Only South African Hoodia is legitimate.

The active ingredient found in Hoodia pills is at a lower dosage rate than found in the plant itself. It will work to suppress appetite, but for a shorter period of time than. For some people their appetite is not suppressed as well because their body still needs enough calories to function. The brain may think that you are full, but the body still needs calories to work or exercise. If you intend to use Hoodia to help you lose weight, it works best when combined with a proper diet and some light exercise. Exercise will speed up your calorie loss while the Hoodia suppresses your desire to eat more.

For example some people have reported success when they consumed Hoodia while maintaining their Atkins diet. The message coming out of these reports seems to be that combining reduced portions of healthy food, exercise, and an appetite suppressant may be the most effective way to lose weight.