The problem of obesity has reached enormous proportions in the developed world and now the developing world, leading to ailments like hypertension, diabetes, pre-mature heart trouble and early mortality. The present life style of the world in general promotes a sedentary lifestyle with minimum exercise and excessive food (read junk food) intake.
The whole world is oriented towards curbing this silent killer but has met with little success.
Hoodia, a rare cactus found in Kalahari Desert is a miracle cure to curb the craving for excessive food intake. It thrives in extremely high temperatures and takes years to mature. It contains a naturally occurring appetite suppressing compound which has now been identified and is being tested by the major international pharmaceutical companies to be developed as safe diet pills with the minimum side effects.
For generations, the San Bushmen of southern Africa have used hoodia to suppress hunger when food is scarce or while hunting. In a report published in the Sept. 10, 2004, an issue of Brain Research reported that a molecule in hoodia, called P57, has an effect on the brain's hypothalamus, which helps regulate and reduce appetite. The study was done in animals. Pharmacological agents like dextro-amphetamine and fenfluramine were previously available as dietary suppressant and respiratory stimulant drugs, but they have serious cardio vascular side effects sometimes even leads to death.
Hoodia diet pills are now being extensively being marketed on the internet. Different companies make exaggerated claims about the 'hoodia extract pills' as the most genuine and original product. Some claim that they get the extract from certain plant stems that contain the maximum amount of the active P57 compound while others claim that their capsules don't contain any filler compounds but 100% of the active ingredient.
After initial testing by an American media company, BBC sent two correspondents to the Kalahari Desert to investigate the claims and they have reported stunning success at the clinical trials undertaken with the active ingredient P57.
Hoodia extracts have undergone a traditionally natural trial as far as its safety is concerned. It is a time tested natural herb which is likely to have lesser side effects as compared to drugs. However in order to be declared completely free from side effects, it has to undergo certain clinical trials which is an expensive and time consuming process and is undertaken by pharmaceutical companies in collaboration with regulatory health authorities of the world.
However, whatever studies and trials that have been conducted till now indicate that it has minimal side effects and has no cumulative effect at all. In addition to diet suppression induced by hoodia it is also claimed to impart a 'feel good' factor in a person being a non addictive drug. It is claimed to completely inhibit the craving for food. As a result people have reported losing weight and regaining their physique with this plant extract.