Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Indigenous hunters have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss.
Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. The San Bushmen of that region have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss.
Hoodia works by releasing a chemical compound that tricks the brain into believing that food has been consumed. Clinical trials conducted on obese subjects showed that caloric intake was reduced by about 1,000 calories a day. This is a substantial decrease considering the average caloric intake is about 2,600 calories for men and 1,900 for woman.