The Hoodia Cactus Diet
If you’re like me, you’re wary of taking any supplement that hasn’t been verified by independent research to be safe and effective. But the urge to take pills becomes much stronger when you see commercials on TV and in other media showing people who have lost so much weight by taking herbal supplements or diet pills. You’ve probably seen commercials recently selling hoodia pills or Cactus diet supplements. Before you start taking them, you should have all the information.
Hoodia Gordonii, also know as Hoodia cactus diet supplements, is a cactus found in South Africa. Tribal Bushmen in the area have been using this cactus for many generations to ward off hunger and thirst. Only recently has this product been commercialized and brought to other countries. Now you can get Hoodia in pill, liquid, tea or Hoodia diet patch form.
So how does it work exactly? Hoodia contains a chemical called p57. This chemical affects the way your brain interprets your blood sugar levels. Even though your blood sugar is dropping due to lack of food, your brain doesn’t feel this; so you don’t feel hungry. While they don’t really know why, Hoodia also works well to suppress thirst; you should remember to drink plenty of water when using this supplement.
While the Hoodia cactus diet is often toted as having no side effects, this may just be because it hasn’t been adequately tested. Some people believe it can cause liver damage. This is why you shouldn’t use it if you have liver or kidney problems. Also, because it makes you think your blood sugar is normal when it is actually low, you shouldn’t take Hoodia if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic. To be safe, consult with your doctor.
Many people may tell you that they tried Hoodia and it did nothing to suppress their appetite. The reason? It is estimated that 80% of products on the market do not actually contain pure Hoodia. Before you try a product, look around for independent testing of its contents. Official reports are best. Many “recommendation sites” on the internet have been created by specific companies trying to get you to use their brand. It doesn’t mean a particular brand may be the best to use.
Hopefully this information has helped you make a decision about whether or not the Hoodia cactus diet is for you.