Where to buy genuine Hoodia Gordonii

How To Guarantee You Buy Genuine Hoodia

By Matthew Constantin, PhD (biochemist)

With more than 300 million adults worldwide suffering from obesity, the disease can be said to have reached epidemic proportions.

In the United States, the disease afflicts one third of the adult population, according to statistics put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

Obesity is the precursor to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer and strokes. In addition, a 2009 CDC study determined that the cost of obesity in the U.S. is a staggering $147 billion per year.

Pure Hoodia Is An Effective Remedy

Hoodia gordonii is a natural appetite suppressant that has sparked tremendous interest in both the general population and in companies hoping to market it.

Globally, more than 20 patent applications for Hoodia gordonii products have been registered, and many such products have already made it to the marketplace.

Where Did Hoodia Originate?

Hoodia is a succulent that is indigenous to some regions of Africa, including Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Angola. For centuries, Bushmen used the plant as an appetite suppressant when they undertook arduous hunting expeditions to the Kalahari desert.

What Makes Hoodia Effective At Suppressing Appetite?

Research has revealed the only active ingredient in Hoodia gordonii to be P57, an oxypregane glucoside. The prevailing theory is that the P57 molecule affects the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls appetite. Experiments in rats seem to have confirmed the theory. The rats were administered P57 via intra-cerebro-ventricular injections (directly to the brain,) and subsequently exhibited anorectic activity, consuming less food.

No harmful side effects have been found in animal test subjects. Phytofarm is an independent laboratory that conducted short-term studies that proved Hoodia extract to be well-tolerated by human subjects. There have been few, if any, consumer reports regarding safety issues and side effects related to the consumption of pure Hoodia. Most tellingly, the centuries-long use of the plant by the Kalahari Bushmen speaks to the benign nature of Hoodia gordonii.

An Anticipated Outcome: The Marketing Of Adulterated Hoodia Products

where-to-buy-genuine-hoodia-gordonii-img6 Hoodia takes at least 5 years to completely mature, at which point the critical P57 molecules are found in sufficient concentration to be commercially viable. In the past, mature plants were over-harvested to the extent that the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) had to become involved.

To prevent extinction of the succulent, CITES and the South African government strictly control its export. Furthermore, in order to ensure sustainability over the long-term, regulations now make it mandatory that the plants only be harvested every second or third year.

Regardless of this constriction in the supply chain, demand for products made from Hoodia gordonii continues to rise. There are currently more than one hundred Hoodia gordonii products marketed in the U.S.

These products take a multitude of forms, including: Hoodia tablets, liquid gels, capsules, tinctures, powders, lollipops, snack or fruit bars, protein shakes, juice, tea and coffee. Just when worldwide interest has hit a peak, Hoodia gordonii has become a precious commodity that is in short supply.

The obvious outcome of this shortage is the corruption of products by the addition of inactive, ineffective or less effective species of plants. In 2008, the University of Mississippi conducted a peer-reviewed study that proved this to be the case. Out of 35 dietary supplements that allegedly contained H. gordonii, chemical analysis showed that only 9 contained the active ingredient P57 in detectable amounts, representing an adulteration rate of 75%.

Based upon that figure, the fake Hoodia market represents one of the most deceitful markets to be found in the natural health industry. Yet within that market, there are honest companies that use authentic Hoodia to create genuine products. These companies work with integrity to create nutritional supplements that contain the rare Hoodia extract. It is important to understand how to differentiate the legitimate companies from the fraudulent ones.

Verification of Authenticity: Permits and Laboratory Tests

Government permits and independent laboratory tests are the consumer’s only guarantee that Hoodia products have legitimacy. Most lab tests on Hoodia products are conducted by Alkemist Pharmaceuticals. This company uses an effective analytical approach, combining three distinct testing protocols. These protocols adhere to the guidelines established by the American Herbal Product Association for verifying the purity of Hoodia gordonii powdered raw materials.

Legitimate Hoodia products are always accompanied by the following certifications:

CITES certificate
Microscopic analysis certificate
TLC certificate
HPLC certificate

Proof #1 – CITES Certificate

This is a document that proves that the manufacturing company holds a permit to export the indigenous plant and is operating legally. Without this certificate, authentic Hoodia cannot be exported from South Africa.

Proof #2 - Microscopic Analysis Certificate

where-to-buy-genuine-hoodia-gordonii-img1 This certificate will state that the test sample is consistent with aerial parts of H. gordonii. Hoodia’s anti-obesity ingredient is located in the aerial, or above-ground, portion of the plant.

A trained microscopist can identify the presence of other species. Opuntia, a type of cactus, is a common substitute. Maltodextrin, a food additive, is another. The limits of microscopy are that while it can identify completely different species, it cannot differentiate between species that are structurally similar.

Caralluma fimbriata is one such succulent from India that also has appetite suppressing properties. However, it is not as potent and should not be passed off as Hoodia. To determine whether there is adulteration by similar species, TLS and HPLC tests must be performed.

Proof #3 – TLC Certificate

This certificate will state that TLC studies match the voucher specimen. TLC or Thin Layer Chromatography is used to compare the chemical compounds of the test material to a sample of Hoodia, known as a voucher specimen. Every plant, whether it is Hoodia, Caralluma or any other type of species, is composed of a unique collection of compounds known as a “chemical fingerprint.” For the test material to be declared authentic, its fingerprint must match the sample of Hoodia on file with the laboratory.

Proof #4 – HPLC Certificate

This certificate complements the TLC certificate. It guarantees that “analyte P57 has been detected” in the test material. The HPLC test is necessary because products made of pure Hoodia may pass the TLC test without containing the P57 molecule, which is responsible for its weight loss effects.

This could be due to harvesting plants that are not yet mature. HPLC, or High Performance Liquid Chromatography, is used to confirm the presence of P57.

Chemical substances are extracted from the test material and inserted into a tube called a chromatographic column. High pressure is then applied to one end of the tube.

Each compound moves through the tube at a specified rate and exits the tube at a specified time, according to its chemical composition. P57 has its own “exit time.” If P57 is absent from the test material, then no compound will leave the tube at P57’s designated exit time.

In Summary

Hoodia is ranked as one of the best-rated weight loss diets. Demand for this product is much higher than demand for Nutrisystem diet promotional discounts and Medifast diet coupons. However, when self-administering Hoodia (or any weight loss pill), it’s important to remember the wise words from Dr. F. Phillips, the spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association: “An appetite suppressant is not a magic bullet. It should not be seen as an alternative to adopting a healthy lifestyle.”

Through independent laboratory tests and from real life experience, Hoodia gordonii has been shown to be a natural supplement that is safe and that induces anorectic effects. Whether through malice or ignorance, three-fourths of the Hoodia products on the marketplace are imposters. In order to ensure that Hoodia products contain the genuine active ingredient that accelerates weight loss, it is important to look for the certificates of authenticity.