The supplement hoodia gordonii is a relatively new weapon in the battle against the bulge.  This natural appetite suppressant first emerged on the U.S. market in the beginning of the year 2004.  It has gained a great deal of attention since it first appeared in the marketplace, yet questions remain about its long-term effectiveness.

Hoodia gordonii has the appearance of a cactus, but it is really a succulent from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa.  African Bushmen have reportedly used hoodia for centuries to prevent pangs of hunger when they take extensive journeys into the desert.  Hoodia gordonii itself is not a drug—it is entirely natural.  It should be noted that only the gordonii type of hoodia works as an appetite suppressant.  The substance makes you feel as if you are full by tricking the mind into thinking that you have already eaten. 
 
There appears to be a difference of opinion as far as how long it takes for hoodia gordonii to yield discernible effects.  While some report that they see the effects right away, others say that several weeks had to elapse before they noticed an impact.   The major effects of hoodia include a lessened interest in food, a delay in feelings of hunger, a more enhanced feeling of satisfaction after eating, and an overall sense of well-being.   It is important to note that hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant and its long-term side-effects remain unknown. 

One of the problems with hoodia is that there has been limited scientific research into the substance.  Additional studies need to be conducted in order to determine whether hoodia should be used for appetite control across a wide population.  There have been no widespread clinical trials investigating the safety of hoodia as a nutritional supplement.        

Some people who have used hoodia report that, in order to truly suppress your appetite, you must take far greater amounts of the supplement than its promoters claim.   As a result, using hoodia can be expensive, since you will have to use a great deal of it in order to achieve measurable results.   Also, hoodia does not counteract blood sugar level declines that typically happen after you consume refined carbohydrates such as cookies, white bread, white rice, and soft drinks.  Some people who have used hoodia say that it didn’t suppress their appetite on days when they ate carbs.  As a result, hoodia only appears to work in connection with a diet that involves controlled carb intake.   Hoodia also appears to have little impact on appetite after an intense workout.  In other words, after taking hoodia, if you exercise, you’ll feel just as hungry as you normally would.

Generally speaking, the most effective form of hoodia appears to be the tincture.  This is because the tincture appears to suppress appetite far more rapidly than the powder.   The powder appears to require slow digestion to extract the chemical compounds.  In addition, the tincture appears to work in comparatively small doses.   

Certainly, there has been a great deal of media interest in hoodia.  But it will take time—and a great deal of research—before an accurate picture of this diet supplement can appear in focus.