There have been extensive coverage of hoodia cactus extract by the media for the last few years. It has been hailed as America’s No 1 diet product. Not surprising considering many shows such as 60 minutes and the Oprah Winfrey Show have openly support and endorse hoodia cactus extract products.

Where does hoodia cactus extract come from?

Hoodia cactus extract comes from a plant called hoodia. It’s found in the areas surrounding Kalahari Desert in southern africa. The african bushmen in that area have been using hoodia cactus extract to suppress their appetite for centuries particularly when african bushmen hunters often goes away for days to hunt for food.

What does cactus hoodia extract do?

The hoodia cactus extract contains an appetite suppressing element known as P57. P57 is only found in one type of hoodia cactus plant known as hoodia gordonii. In fact, hoodia gordonii extract is the only known natural substance that can suppress the appetite of us as well as animals.

Needless to say, new hoodia diet pills, capsules, drinks and other products were released and consumers were buying them up like crazy.

Does hoodia cactus extract really work?

Lab results have shown that it does work but the results may vary from person to person. In general, people that have consumed hoodia cactus extract can reduce their calorie intake by as much as 1000 calories each day.

That can help obese people struggling to lose weight as well as people who have naturally low metabolism.

How did the CSIR's research into Hoodia gordonii commence?

Due to the tradition of food use of Hoodia plants, certain species were included in a scientific research project established by the South African statutory council known as CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) to screen a large number of bush foods. As part of the screening process, extracts of plants were made and tested for toxic effects. Surprisingly, it was observed that the Hoodia extracts caused a decrease in appetite and body weight in animals that did not appear to be due to a direct toxic effect of the extract.

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