Could Hoodia Still be Popular?
The weight loss industry has its share of overly hyped supplements, but some remain in the spotlight for many years. Ephedra was once widely used in weight loss pills, but now it is banned in the United States after the deaths of some young women were linked with its regular use. Other less harmful herbal weight loss aids were popular until those trying to lose weight deemed them too mild. How is it that hoodia remains in the weight loss game?
Used for centuries by native hunters in South Africa, hoodia is a cactus. The hunters chewed on the stems of this cactus while out on lengthy hunts in sparse vegetation. Hoodia seemed to stave off their hunger, which lead researchers to explore the use of hoodia as an appetite suppressant.
It was found that hoodia contains a component called p57, which resembles glucose in the body. You feel hungry when blood glucose is low and a signal is sent by the brain to the hypothalamus to trigger hunger. Of course, this is partially what makes dieting difficult; ignoring the hunger.
Because our hunger is triggered by low blood glucose levels, p57 is capable of tricking the brain into thinking the blood glucose levels are fine and therefore, hunger is suppressed. For this reason, diabetics should not use hoodia as an appetite suppressant. However, hoodia seems to be a very popular appetite suppressant for those who have been consuming a typical Western diet. Why?
The popularity behind hoodia may have a lot to do with our typical Western diets. We eat diets loaded in sugar. Refined carbohydrates and canned products can contain high amounts of sugar in one shape or form. As a population, we have seen obesity rates spike over the past 20 years or more. There is suggestion that this could be large in part due to our consumption of these types of food.
Despite the abuse we place on our bodies, our bodies try to adapt. When you consume a diet high in sugar, your body begins to adapt to a higher than normal level of blood sugar. The hunger response is triggered more quickly. You begin to crave sugar. For this reason, hoodia may help you kick your sugar habit and help you lose weight more quickly.
Products high in sugar are often empty calories. We consume them and soon after, we experience hunger. They have little staying power, yet they are converted to fat quite easily. By using hoodia to control your appetite and stave off sugar cravings, you may lose weight.
Hoodia is still popular because it is a relatively harmless weight loss product, yet it tackles one of our biggest Western pitfalls in the path towards healthy weight loss. Make sure you purchase 100% pure hoodia supplements.