Researchers at Brown University in Rhode Island recently found that the steroidal glycosides in Hoodia affects nerve cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood glucose. Simply put, the brain is tricked into thinking there is enough energy (blood sugar) and doesn't need to eat, so it shuts down the hunger mechanism.

Prior that, the Brittish company Phytopharm conducted the first human clinical trial in which a group of morbidly obese men and women was chosen from Leicester, England, and placed in a "phase 1 unit", a place as close to prison as it gets. All the volunteers could do was read, watch television -- and eat. Half the group were given Hoodia and half were given a placebo. At the end of 15 days, the group on Hoodia had reduced their food intake by 1000 calories a day. Given the average daily diet is around 2200 calories, this was a stunning success.

Be careful where you get your information from
Most Hoodia information on the Internet is unreliable. After looking at Hoodia buyer's guides, Hoodia ratings, and Hoodia comparisons on the Internet, our advice is that you should be very cautious. These so-called Hoodia comparison sites have been secretly created by companies trying to sell you hoodia. They explain why the Hoodia in other products is inferior, even though there are no published reports showing that their top picks are more effective that the others.

Hoodia is NOT cheap
There has always been a demand for quick-fix, no-pain weight loss pills. After the ban on ephedra, the market was particularly ripe for the next new weight loss solution, preferably one that didn't have the same stimulating side effects as ephedra. The demand for Hoodia is great, but the supply is not. Until recently, Hoodia was only found in the wild in South Africa. Hoodia is difficult to grow. It requires 4-5 years to mature and temperatures in the range of 122F. The supply is scarce, which keeps costs high.

How should Hoodia be used?
Hoodia is best used an hour before meals with a glass of water. It's important to ensure adequate water intake, because Hoodia will also shut off your thirst mechanism. While many people notice the appetite suppressing effects within 1/2 hour of taking Hoodia, the consensus is that Hoodia can take up to 1 to 2 weeks to kick in for others. Some companies put a standard recommended dose on the bottle, but people often need far less or more than that amount. Some people who've used Hoodia say they need at least 1,200 milligrams per day to notice a difference. But it depends on a person's weight, diet, metabolism and lifestyle.

What about side effects?
Hoodia has no known side effects.

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The next scheduled update for this site is September 1st, 2007.