Does it really work as well as claimed. Are there any specific ingredients to look for when purchasing. Any adverse side effects? Thanks to anyone who may respond!
134567
(quick answer at the bottom, science answer below)\n\nI did a search of Pubmed, which contains research on peer-reviewed scientific journals. I found one review done on rats in 2004 where they injected the compound from Hoodia into mice. Their main observation is that the plant increased ATP (ie. energy) in the hypothalamus. In studies on rats, low ATP meant "hungry" and high ATP meant "full", so in theory if you could increase the ATP in the hypothalamus then in theory it could make you feel full. However, the study showed the hoodia did not change the amount of food the rats actually ate. There may be other research on this, but it may be from less-reputable sources. I would not be surprised if all the hype on hoodia is related to this one study (the same thing happened with chromium picolinate - one study and the results were never duplicated).\n\nI did see the website below which notes that most of the pills have nothing in them. I have heard the plant is expensive so a lot are counterfeit. Of course, if I was selling you a product I would tell you that most of the other vendors are crap and that through "innovative cultivating and scientific breakthroughs" I was able to "purify and concentrate only the purest form of hoodia, as verified by independant analysis, which justifies why my product is more expensive than others on the market."\n\nPersonally, I wouldn't take it. Whenever you deal with the supplement industry your motto should always be "Caveat Emptor" (Let the buyer beware). \n\nJohn
552278
I've tried a few of the diet pills out there, and I've gotta say none of them worked for me. Although a friend of mine has tried the very same pills and it worked for her. We have the same activity level, we walk daily and lift light weights. So I really think it depends on the person taking them, every one has a different chemical make up so the reaction will be different. \nIf you want to try one, I'd suggest SlimQuick, that's the one that works best for my friend.
601457
Yes, I take Hoodia, and I LOVE IT!!  It absolutely works- and I was a total skeptic.  The product I use is called Hoodia Supreme, and you can find it at GNC, or other vitamin stores.  Each capsule contains 400mg of Hoodia Gordonii.  I workout at 8am, have a smoothie for breakfast at 9am, take 2  Hoodia around 11am, lunch at 12 or 12:30, another fruit and yogurt smoothie or 10 almonds at 3pm, and 2 more Hoodia at 5 or 5:30, then dinner at around 6 or 6:30.  I am absolutely NEVER hungry.  I couldn't believe that I didn't get any hunger pangs, considering that I am only taking in about 1000-1200 calories per day, and doing a vigorous workout (The Firm) in the morning.  I take 1600 grams of Hoodia per day, and it is totally safe, no side effects at all, and I am never hungry.  It has really helped me stick to my eating plan, because it makes you feel full.  It is very easy to stay on a diet with Hoodia.  I am always sure to drink at least 1 gallon of water per day- this helps as well.  Hoodia Supreme is 100% Hoodia- don't buy anything that is not 100%, because most of it is filler.  1 bottle of Hoodia Supreme is about $35 for 60 capsules at GNC where I live, and I go through one bottle every 2 weeks- but believe me, I don't mind, because it is totally worth it.  They have a website:  www.hoodiasupreme.com.  By the way, Hoodia is not a "diet pill".  It does not help you burn fat, it just  does an awesome job at suppressing your appetite- and that is more than half the battle!  Good luck!
328783
No side effects at all. It's made from a plant and there are no chemicals in it. My husband took it for years. My Pastor recommended it to me.
366647
Didn't work well for me. Side effects - didn't really notice any. I was nauseated quite a bit though. Pro's vs Con's - most diet pills can work but only temporarily and they are not healthy for long term use. I had to make a change as I had to loose weight. I discovered that a natural and healthy approach is much better as I have tried all kinds of plans, diets, pills, etc (I'm 45). I just started a natural and healthy "No Diet Weight Loss" plan along with a healthy and natural high energy drink and I have lost 24 pounds and 2 3/4" in my waist in 31 days (Today being my 31st day on the plan) with 0 side effects - However, the choice is totally up to you and no one else
152494
I actually have my son on it right now.  Yes, I think it's working.  It's NOT going to replace an anti-depressant but if you need a little help dealing with stress it can do wonders.  I didn't tell him what it was but he noticed a difference in just a couple of weeks.  \n\nI started taking it and noticed a difference in less time  than that.  I started taking it to deal with some added stress that left me with symptoms of chronic fatigue and find that while I didn't actually notice it so much while taking it, I noticed a real drop in my overall mood after about a week of not taking it.  By constast, St. John's Wort didn't work for me AT ALL.\n\nIt's not a miracle by any means, but I'd recommend it.
641424
I take it as well on a need basis. I have not had those side effects. Go to this site, www.web.md and type it in and you will get a detailed list of side effects. If it makes you feel that way you need to tell your doctor. Call him. There are other options.
567233
eh.....not as effective as the real stuff. there actaully is ephedra(or a derivative of it) available OTC. \n\nfor working out, i take a combination of mega-T green tea pills, and bronk-aid. bronk-aid contains ephedrine sulfate, the active form of ephedra. the only difference is that it is in a more controlled dose. So up to two bronk-aids right 30 min before work-out and 2 green teas a day (one same time as bronk-aid before workout, one later after workout) and you should see results. I used it and lost 10 pounds last summer. just started on that combo again. Hopefully it works ;) Good luck!
482328
I tried it. Really made it hard. (hard, not difficult) Don't follow the directions. Take one in the morning and one in the evening. 5 days of this should show results. Don't ever buy it at GNC again. Ebay has it much cheaper.
453009
I have been taking it..For me, it's working very slowly. I've been taking them for about a month and i've only lost 3 pounds. They do work but the weight comes off slowly..If you've been taking them, i'm sure you've witnessed them working...The side effects are'nt too nice...
666363
I tried it, didn't find that it worked one bit.  I ended up returning it for a refund.  Even though it tasted great, it made me sick to my stomach, and I didn't lose any weight at all.  In my opinion it's a scam.
317947
It's effective for most people, but may not seem to work on some people.  You may ask your distributor for "enhancers", which you include with your program to assist in your weight loss than just the shakes alone.  If you're looking for a FAQ, check out herbaldietshop.com .  They seem to have alot of information there.  Good luck!
281750
Phentermine!!!   it works great
568396
Yes,actually it does work -you just have to continue to use the product and it works just fine for my skin.
245895
I don't see why you should trust "miracle products" advertised online. Please, don't put your health in the hands of an amateur forum. Respect your mind and body. You must consult your doctor. (I am a physician myself and this is the best advice I can possibly give you.)
638182
I have freinds that when their cancer was in remission, they started an all natural whole food supplement that has no side effects to help keep them that way.\n\nThis products gets the body's ph alkaline!!!\n\nMy wife and I have been on it for 1yr. her severe migranes are gone, also her severe allergies and my cholesterol is way down.\n\nMy sleepless nights are gone and our energy levels have soared way up, so now there is no need for caffine throughout the day!!!\n\nAll I know is it works great, taste great, no side effects and everyone who's gotten on it has gotten great results!!!\n\ncharlesmurphy.myviaoffice.com (go to yahoo first)  choose oppurtunity and choose customer A and then secure your auto-ship.\n\nStay with it for at least 12 weeks for optimum results.\n\nKeep in touch
76854
Nothing over the counter works. Nothing sold on TV works. If the bottle, ad, website or commercial says "this product/these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA" it's bogus.  See article, below.\n\nYou want something prescribed by YOUR doctor (not some internet doctor). I take phentermine.