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  Hoodia Cactus

This cactus has an incredible virtue: A molecule "miracle" which is highly active and acts directly on the part of the brain controlling satiety, like glucose does it. This molecule which acts directly with an aim of creating or of inhibiting the feeling of "hunger". Very many tests of laboratory show the capacity of Hoodia Gordonii to reduce caloric intake from 30 to 40% and deprived of side effects. Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant from South Africa; it is part of the succulent family Asclepiadaceae. Hoodia species grow in very arid regions where it has adapted to survive extended periods of drought by storing nutrients and water in its fleshy stems. Common names include “Xhoba”, pronounced ghoba, Queen of the Namib and Bushmen’s Hats. Hoodia species can be found growing from central Namibia to southern Angola and southwards into northern South Africa. The Hoodia cactus is usually found in plains and rocky areas throughout its distribution area. Before any Hoodia species was classified it was used by the San People of the Kalahari, a local tribe in South Africa, as a food supplement. The San used Hoodia gordonii as a food and water replacement when they went hunting in the Kalahari Desert. The plant had added benefits; it acted as a hunger and thirst suppressant. Although Hoodia may look like a cactus due to the numerous spikes that are present on its stems it is a succulent. The stems which can vary in height of up to 1 meter are covered in spines that are actually modified leaves that have evolved to protect the plants fleshy stems from a multitude of predators. Hoodia species are pollinated by flies that are attracted to the saucer shaped flowers that emit a scent similar to that of rotting carrion. There is approximately 16 species in the genus Hoodia of which only Hoodia gordonii has the active ingredient, P57 that is responsible for weight loss. Biotech firms, such as Phytopharm are interested in developing a synthetic weight loss product that is based on the P57 molecule. Unfortunately this process is proving a little more difficult than anticipated, which is why many companies and farmers have started growing Hoodia gordonii commercially for the various distributers of Hoodia Diet Pills.