What is Hoodia Gordonii Cactus?
Hoodia Gordonii cactus has proven to be the weight loss miracle so many were waiting for. Without harming your energy levels or your metabolism, the extract from this plant suppresses your appetite allowing you to lose weight faster. This is because of the simple principle: eat less than your body needs and you will lose weight.
A natural extract taking from the Hoodia Gordonii plant, a cactus found in the Kalahari Desert, is the key to reducing appetite. It was originally used by Bushmen setting out for long hunts where they couldn’t guarantee availability of food or water for days.
The company Phytopharm has gotten the patent for the extract, and is growing the plant at a commercial level to allow them to meet demands. They are marketing juices, pills and other products for the public.
The amount to be taken every day is 1200 mg. This is perfect for suppressing appetite for one day. The plant works by increasing blood sugar, so your body feels sated for longer. It also sends a signal to your brain to reduce hunger.
For people who are suffering from obesity, this plant is the answer to reducing weight without harming their body in the long term.
Weight loss took a new turn when hoodia was introduced as an appetite suppressant. It has been used for centuries as a hunger suppressant by Bushmen in Southern Africa. In 1977, the CSIR South Africa analyzed the hoodia plant after realizing the uses it had for the Bushmen. The molecule P57 was discovered to suppress hunger and help animals lose weight. This discovery led to the harvesting of hoodia for weight loss products.
Although hoodia is proven to help in weight loss, other products in the name hoodia do not. One reason for this can be attributed to the marketing tactics hoodia manufacturers use. Unfortunately, ambiguous terms are used.
The hoodia plants have similar appearance to the cactus in terms of shape and spikes. This has led to many people referring to it as hoodia gordonii cactus. This reference could lead to the use of cactus species in production of hoodia which does not have the P57 molecule.
Hoodia gordonii is a species of the hoodia genus. There are 13 species under hoodia. These are succulent plants. Succulents are known to have swollen parts due to their ability to absorb and store water. An example of succulent is the aloe vera.
Hoodia gordonii has some similarities with members of the cactus family. Such similarities include spikes and a swollen trunk. These are adaptation features as both plants are indigenous to arid areas. The spikes are indeed leaves and the trunk acts as a water reservoir. These adaptations came as a way for the plants to survive the harsh conditions of the desert. They are mostly targeted at absorbing as much water from the ground and releasing very little into the atmosphere.
However, there are a number of differences between hoodia and their cactus lookalikes. The first is the number of species. Hoodia comes in 13 species. Cactus in the other hand has between 1500 and 1800 species. This makes, hoodia very easy to identify. Cactus on the other hand can be quite difficult to distinguish. Their similarities to hoodia can make any cactus pass as a member of the hoodia species.
Second, the two species have different native continents. Hoodia gordonii in particular is native to Southern Africa. Cactus on the other hand is native to the Americas, tropical Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. No cactus species is native to the Southern Africa deserts.
Third, all hoodia species are endangered. 141 cactus species are endangered.
Fourth and the most important is the hoodia gordonii has the P57 molecule. This is absent in all cactus species. The P57 molecule is responsible for the appetite suppression ability in hoodia gordonii.
Finally, the uses of the plants is also a difference. Hoodia gordonii in particular is used in the manufacture of weight loss products. Cactus has a variety of uses like fencing and as a potted plant.
From the above similarities and differences it is evident that referring hoodia gordonii as hoodia gordonii cactus can be misleading. The name can be used as a means of companies misleading consumers into buying non genuine hoodia products.
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