Dieta Hoodia

Saturday, November 25 2006 @ 01:58 PM Central Standard Time

Originally used for treating indigestion and small infections, Hoodia has long been familiar to the indigenous people of Southern Africa, who seldom use the plant species for said medication. Hoodia is genus of thirteen species in Apocynaceae flowering plants family that are grown and nurtured in a garden. One of the species is the popular Hoodia gordonii which was found to be an effective appetite suppressant.

The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1977 extracted the molecule ingredient in hoodia known now as P57, which is an element responsible for suppressing appetite. The CSIR patented this discovery and subsequently granted the United Kingdom-based Phytopharm a legal right to make use of it. They work together with the pharmaceutical firm, Pfizer to segregate active ingredients from the extracts and to synthesize the latter for use as an appetite suppressant supplement. As Pfizer took out the rights to P57 in 2002, the CSIR in the same period, officially acknowledged the right of some South African tribes over the use of Hoodia, giving them proportional share from the profits and any development related to Hoodia’s market.

The market for the appetite suppressant herbs reached the United States; but unfortunately some products were held as imitations. One identified reproduction of the original is the H57’s product displayed at some stores that, after due laboratory testing was made, was found not originating Hoodia Gordonii.

An independent testing lab, Alkemists Pharmaceuticals situated in Costa Mesa, California, conducted the testing of Hoodia Gordinii by using three particularized testing protocols that show the way to examining samples microscopically and chemically. In view of the deceitful findings, people were cautioned to carefully and properly read the labels including the ingredients on any product that is branded as Hoodia Gordonii. Several products are accordingly containing preservatives and stimulants which can cause increase heart bit rate. There were so may companies and establishments selling the products and claiming they are authentic; while only a few were given privilege to sell the herbal appetite suppressant.

Almost half of the products in the market now containing an ingredient of Hoodia Gordonii do not actually and truthfully have the said component. These companies are just wanting to profit and enrich themselves at the expense of the customers who get nothing out of the fake or imitated product. In view of this, consumers need be on guard to prevent deceit and eventually any harm that these imitations might have caused their bodies. What, instead of loosing weight, you gain more and become obese because of the incorrect prescription?

Furthermore, the United Nation’s Watchdog organization has already placed in its control the harvest and exportation of Hoodia Gordonii not primarily because of the imitation issues, but for the protection of the endangered species of plants and animals, making all shipment undergo strict process of documentation and inspection. The documentation showing the legality of the transaction is made an integral part of the procedure before any shipment or exportation from South Africa can be made. Included in the exacting and probing documentation procedure is the necessity of showing the legitimacy, validity, and the authenticity of the herbs and the farms where they originated.

Buyers particularly dieters must take extra caution before buying some supplements claiming to be Hoodia Gordonii, otherwise it might not be the weight the person would loose, but his money and good health for acquiring a fake Hoodia.

Herbal medicine indeed has a lot to offer; just make sure you are getting the genuine.

Jade Amethyst
www.primeherbal.com