Hoodia weight loss pills are some of the most popular diet pills sold today, but do hoodia and weight loss go hand-in-hand? Despite the marketing hype and the promise by so many supplement companies that you’re guaranteed results, hoodia diet pills may not work as advertised.

First, let’s have a quick primer on what is hoodia and then we’ll discuss its role with weight loss. While commonly referred to as the hoodia cactus, it is technically a succulent. There are 13 varieties of the hoodia plant but only the hoodia gordonii variety has appetite suppressant qualities.

The hoodia gordonii plant is found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The San tribe, or also known as the Bushmen, have been eating the hoodia plant for centuries to stave off hunger during long hunting trips. They cut off a small piece of the plant, peel it, and then eat it raw. A small piece will suppress their appetite for hours.

Seeing the opportunity to capitalize on the obesity epidemic, companies began making hoodia diet pills and products that contain hoodia gordonii. The idea behind these products is obvious. By taking hoodia weight loss pills your appetite will be suppressed so you’ll eat less. The end result is that you’ll lose weight.

In theory that sounds wonderful, but it doesn’t always work that way. That is why hoodia and weight loss isn’t necessarily synonymous. For starters, not all hoodia weight loss pills are created equal. While there are a few honest companies who are producing and selling authentic hoodia gordonii diet pills, the majority are selling products with very little of it – if any at all. Without authentic hoodia gordonii, these products are worthless. You might as well flush your money down the toilet.

The reason there are so many scams out there is because hoodia gordonii is very scarce. It is only grown in South Africa and there are tight restrictions on the exportation of the plant. On the other hand, the demand for it is very high. This has led to a rapid increase in the price of hoodia gordonii. Not too long ago, a kilo was under $20. Today, a kilo sells for over $250. In an effort to maximize their profits, some unscrupulous companies knowingly dilute their products with other ingredients and fillers, or use a different variety of hoodia all together.

Other companies may not even know they’re selling fakes. Brokers are getting in on the action as well. They’ll dilute their own stock of hoodia gordonii or use a different variety of hoodia and then trick companies into believing they are buying the real thing for use in their supplements and products. Since hoodia supplements are unregulated, companies and consumers alike need to be aware of what they’re buying. So if you’ve tried hoodia weight loss pills in the past and they didn’t work, there is a good chance you weren’t getting authentic hoodia gordonii.

The other reason hoodia and weight loss don’t always go hand-in-hand is because some people aren’t getting enough hoodia gordonii to produce the appetite suppressing effects. Experts say that it could take as much as 3 grams or more per day of it to suppress appetite. The largest pill available that contains 100% authentic hoodia gordonii is only 750mg. You’d have to take 4 or more pills per day to reach that amount. If you were to take pills with less than that (which most do), then you could be looking at taking 8 or more pills per day!

Another reason hoodia and weight loss may not be synonymous is because dieters have unrealistic expectations of what hoodia weight loss pills can do. They make the mistake of believing that all they have to do is pop some pills and the weight will disappear. If that were true, we wouldn’t be facing an obesity epidemic today. The reality is, hoodia diet pills only addresses one small piece of the weight loss puzzle – your appetite.

Hoodia supplements don’t change a bad diet, nor do they stop you from overeating. If you’re eating Big Macs and french fries all the time, or if you find yourself eating even when you’re not hungry, hoodia weight loss pills will do absolutely nothing for you. If this describes you, then save your money and instead invest it on a more comprehensive weight loss program that can address your diet and eating issues.

If you generally have a good diet and aren’t prone to overeating, then hoodia diet pills can play an effective role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Just don’t fall into the trap that a pill is the sole answer to weight loss. You still need to put in some effort. Also keep in mind that controlling your appetite and maintaining a healthy diet can only achieve so much. If you want optimum weight loss results, you really need to exercise on a regular basis as well.

For many years dieters have been looking for a weight loss supplement to help them lose weight. Unfortunately, most have failed to live up to their high expectations – until now. Hoodia diet pills are some of the most popular diet supplements on the market today.

Like all supplements, however, hoodia diet pills are not regulated. Companies can make virtually any claims about their products so it is very important to be informed and to know what to look for when you are ready to buy hoodia.

Not all hoodia supplements are the same. In order for them to be an effective appetite suppressant, you need to buy hoodia diet pills that contain authentic hoodia gordonii. There are a lot of scams on the Internet with most of the products containing very little hoodia gordonii – if any at all. Here are ten things to look for so that you don’t get scammed.

Independent Lab Testing

Reputable companies will allow for ongoing random and anonymous testing of their supplements by an independent lab. They will also provide documentation of their lab test results on their websites. If you can’t find any evidence of lab testing, then that’s a red flag. You should research the company further before making a purchase of their products.

Contain Only Hoodia Gordonii

Look for hoodia diet pills that contain 100% authentic hoodia gordonii. Read the labels carefully and avoid products that have unnecessary fillers, additives, or stimulants.

Look For the Word None

When you are looking to buy hoodia supplements, none, is an important word. Look carefully at the label when comparing hoodia products and pay close attention to the “other ingredients.” The best hoodia weight loss diet pills will have no other ingredients listed. You should only see the word, none.

Origin of the Hoodia

Hoodia gordonii has grown wild in the Kalahari Desert for centuries and it is the most potent hoodia harvested. If it comes from any other place, chances are you are not getting authentic hoodia gordonii.

Know Your Hoodia Varieties

Hoodia is a cactus-like plant, known technically as a succulent, and there are 13 varieties. Only the hoodia gordonii variety has the appetite suppressant qualities. None of the other varieties have an effect on appetite. Do not buy hoodia supplements with any other variety.

How the Hoodia is Processed

Only the peeled stem of the hoodia plant contains the active ingredient, P57, responsible for suppressing appetite. The best diet pills will contain only the biologically active part of the plant, with no fillers or the inactive stems, flowers, and roots. Look for companies whose products only use the peeled stem.

Potency of the Hoodia Used

In order to reach maximum potency, this treasured succulent must be carefully cultivated for at least 3 1/2 years. Immature plants will not be as potent. Try to find out how long the plant is cultivated before it is harvested and processed. Only the best companies will provide details on how their hoodia is cultivated and processed.

Avoid Cheap Hoodia Diet Pills

Authentic hoodia gordonii is scarce because there is a limited supply and a very high demand for it. A kilo of the hoodia plant costs well over $250 compared to just $18 a kilo just a few years ago. It is very expensive and continues to go up in price.

Genuine hoodia gordonii diet pills average around $60 per bottle so if the deal sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. It goes without saying to avoid any company that offers free trials. It is just too expensive to give away for free.

Look for CITES Certificates

A valid CITES certificate is legally required for companies who wish to export hoodia gordonii from South Africa. Only a handful of companies have these certificates. Those that do will display them on their websites. If you can’t find a certificate or if you can’t clearly read the certificate online (fakes are easy to spot as they are usually blurred), then they don’t use authentic hoodia gordonii in their products.

Be Cautious of Consumer Advocate Websites

When you buy hoodia online you’ll see numerous websites that proclaim to be “independent hoodia researchers” or “hoodia experts.” Most of these sites are often set up with the sole purpose of selling their own products. They’ll provide detailed reviews and “research” on all the various hoodia diet pills on the market and then will conveniently recommend their own products.

By following these ten simple tips, you’ll be assured to find a hoodia diet pill that works!