The Hoodia weight loss pills are quite popular nowadays. Hoodia is extracted from hoodia gorondii, a leafless, succulent plant that grows in South Africa and Nambia only. African huntsmen used this plant for the treatment of indigestion and infections. It also suppressed their appetite when they had gone to a long hunting trip. And it is for the latter reason that has gained interest in the medical science. Before you look for where to buy hoodia, let’s take a look at it’s history.

The active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii is known as P57. It was extracted in 1977 and a license was granted to two pharmaceutical companies: Phytopharma and Pfizer. They had been conducting research and experiment to create an appetite suppressant until in 1977 when Pfizer announced its rights to this primary ingredient. Later however, Pfizer aborted further tests because of the difficulty in synthesizing the active ingredient. There were also findings that it could affect the liver because of the components that could not be easily eliminated.

There are unclear evidences that Hoodia really works on suppressing human appetite. Even experiments have been conducted on animals and the result is quite the same. Laboratory tests confirmed that the active ingredient consumed is not enough to have any effect at all.

Moreover, Hoodia Gordonii is a species threatened with extinction if international trade is not being strictly monitored. It is now illegal to import this plant from Africa without the appropriate CITES certification. In fact, in January 2008, BBC reported on its danger of extinction.

Hoodia weight loss products come in pills, infusions or patches. However, it has been uncovered that most of these products don’t contain the active ingredient that supposedly suppresses appetite.

Hoodia weight loss products are yet to be concluded. There is no evidence yet that it could really suppress appetite and considering its detrimental effect on the environment, it should be taken seriously. For these reasons, I believe it’s much safer and wiser if we avoid this product until proven effective.