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Dieters all over the world are talking about the incredible effectiveness of Hoodia Gordonii supplements to help with weight loss naturally. Dieters everywhere are wondering about this awesome discovery, and are doing research to see if the new diet discovery may work for them. The following paragraphs will discuss Hoodia Gordonii, as well as the active ingredient found in the plant - P-57.

Often mistaken as a member of the cactus family, Hoodia Gordonii grows and thrives in the most arid parts of the South African desert. It is mistaken for a cactus because of the spikes that commonly cover the plant. Hoodia Gordonii also has large, colorful flowers that bloom on it, and give off a strong odor. When mature, the plant can grow to be over 6 feet tall.

For thousands of years now, the San people, as well as the San Bushmen, have been using Hoodia Gordonii to naturally suppress their appetites. During times of famine, the Hoodia Gordonii plant is used as a regular staple in their diets. In addition, Hoodia Gordonii was often used by the San Bushmen in order to ward of thirst and hunger during many long hunting expeditions across the hot, humid desert.

In more recent studies of the Hoodia Gordonii plant, the active ingredient was isolated and named P-57. This molecule works the same way glucose does to trick the brain. P-57 tricks our brain into thinking we are full, when actually we have had nothing to eat. Since it is all natural, the effects are achieved without any bothersome or dangerous side-effects.

P-57 was then patented by a pharmaceutical company in Britain named Phytopharm. Phytopharm spent over $20 million dollars on research associated with Hoodia Gordonii, as well as on attempting to synthesize the active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii, P-57. All their research studies concluded that the use of Hoodia Gordonii could actually reduce a person's calorie intake by up to 1,000 calories.

While still in the midst of researching, Phytopharm partnered with Pfizer to try and conduct more studies and help get Hoodia Gordonii supplements approved by the FDA as a weight loss drug. However, after several additional research studies, as well as additional attempts to synthesize P-57, Pfizer withdrew from the program, giving the reason their inability to effectively synthesize P-57. Today, Phytopharm continues to research the P-57 molecule, and ways to synthesize it.

With weight statistics rising at alarming rates worldwide, Phytopharm has current plans to release meal-replacement products sometime during the year 2008. Research is still being done on the active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii, and attempts to synthesize it are almost perfected. With people now spending an estimated $40 billion dollars a year on weight loss products, Phytopharm not only stands to make a great profit, but they could also make a huge difference to the growing problem of obesity and being over-weight. With Hoodia Gordonii products, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, loosing weight can be a more achievable goal.