How can I tell if I am buying Pure Hoodia?

Hoodia Gordonii has gained popularity over the past few years as the newest and greatest weight loss aid. There are also many claims that about eighty percent of the products for sell claiming to contain Hoodia are counterfeit or contaminated. The only way to tell if a product actually contains pure Hoodia and the active ingredients is to have it tested at an independent lab. You should be very cautious when you look at any ratings, comparisons or guides making claims regarding Hoodia. The companies that are selling Hoodia have created many of these companies.

Side effects are another concern in taking Hoodia. Many marketers make the statement that Hoodia has no side effects. They base this on the fact that the San Bushmen have used Hoodia for thousands of years. They fail to mention that these hunters only use Hoodia for a limited period of time of the year. The simple truth is that there is not enough known information that has truly tested Hoodia’s potental drug interactions, potential side effects and safety concerns.

Pfizer returned the rights to develop Hoodia as they found that there were potetial indications of unwanted effects on the liver from other components of the plant that coule not easily be removed during processing. They purchased these rights for twenty-one million dollars and they return them! They stated that Hoodia is a very long way away from obtaining approval from the FDA. If it is true that Hoodia affects the livers function it may also interact with other medicines that you may be taking. One can argue that the San Bushmen don’t take many pills for cholesterol, depression, blood pressure or oher diseases so what may be safe for them may not be safe for others.

As Hoodia is thought to affect how the brain interacts with your blood sugar, persons with diabetes should be very cautions about using Hoodia. If you have diabetes it is possible that your blood sugar level could drop dangerously low if you take Hoodia. With the appetite suppressant effects of Hoodia you may not experience the normal warning signs and not realize you need to eat until it is to late!

Hoodia does not only suppress appetite it suppresses thirst. There have been reports that African shepherds have died of dehydration because they did not feel thirsty. If you do take Hoodia be sure to drink fluids throughout the day even if you are not thirsty.

People who are warned to avoid taking Hoodia include women pregnant or nursing, children, and individuals with kidney or liver disease.

So, there is no real way for you to tell if any product you purchase actually contains Hoodia. The effects and safety of Hoodia has not been clinically proven. Hoodia could lead to dangerous outcomes if you have blood sugar issues or don’t keep hydrated. If you are considering taking Hoodia or any other diet aid it is recommended that you talk with your physician first. Your Doctor is your best source of information as to what is the best method for you to try to lose any excess weight. She will also be able to determine if you have any underlying health issues that may prevent you from losing weight effectively.