Health Articles > Health-supplements-and-vitamins > The Facts About Hoodia - Does It Really Work?

Hoodia is a plant that is grown in the Southern part of Africa and is commonly taken a weight loss supplement as hoodia is thought to have the properties of a natural appetite suppressant. One of the biggest problems relating to hoodia as a weight loss supplement is the fact that it is easy to get ripped-off when buying hoodia as a weight loss supplement. There are now many websites selling what claims to be hoodia when in fact the product actually contains very little genuine hoodia and more other products. One of the ways to determine the quality of the product and if it is in fact 100% hoodia is the price, if the product is all natural hoodia then this will reflect in the amount you are asked to pay for the product. Products which contain 100% hoodia are very expensive. If the website is offering the product for a very low cost and are claiming that it can work miracles then you are more than likely getting ripped off. On average the cost of 1 ounce of hoodia is $40. Does it work? Considering that hoodia is expensive, how effective is it actually as a diet aid? Does it work? Research has shown that around 65% of the people who have tried hoodia as a weight loss supplement have reported that it does work. It is thought that those who have reported bad results from taking the product have in fact bought a low quality product that contains very little hoodia. Side effects from taking the product have been in question, but hoodia is thought to be as safe as any other appetite suppressant currently on the market. The most common symptoms and side effects to taking any appetite depressant are low blood pressure; a faster beating heart rate and it can cause a raise in the blood pressure. Hoodia should never be taken by anyone under the age of 18 and by pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding; hoodia is available in capsule form and is also available in liquid form for those who have problems with taking pills. In most cases where there have been reports of side effects it is thought that the side effects have been caused by purchasing low quality products that contain other filler products or less desirable appetite suppressants and it these other herbs and ingredients that have an adverse reaction not the hoodia. The amount of hoodia that you should take varies and as such there is no set dose. Some say that 1500mg controls their appetite successfully while others have to take as much as 3000mg in order to successfully control their appetite. Manufacturers of the product will give their recommended dosage on the product and this will be clearly labelled, some say two capsules three times a day, while others say while others say that only one or two capsules are needed, this of course will depend on the strength of the hoodia contained within the product. As with any form of herbal remedy if you are thinking of taking any herbal product then always ask your doctor first.