VitaBlog The Vitacost Blog: Views and News on Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs

L-Carnitine for Weight Management

A form of carnitine, L-carnitine is an amino-acid-like substance found in the brain, neural tissue, muscle and heart. This naturally-occurring nutrient has been the center of much attention lately for its potential in burning fat and building lean muscle, as carnitine appears to transport fat to the part of the cell which burns fat rather than storing it.

Because carnitine acts on fat the way it does, increasing carnitine levels in the body with L-carnitine supplements may boost metabolism, increase energy levels and help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar - all things that aid weight management.

You'll hear a lot good things about carnitine from bodybuilders and athletes. They use it primarily as an endurance-enhancing supplement and to more efficiently burn fat during workouts. In fact, scientists have found that body fat cannot be burned without carnitine, and since the heart derives roughly 70 percent of its energy from fat, nutritionists believe that an L-carnitine supplement taken daily may be good for both active and inactive lifestyles.

Hoodia May Benefit Weight Loss

Appearing on store shelves and offered by Internet retailers around the globe, hoodia supplements are derived from the succulent hoodia plant found mainly in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The herbs reputed reputation is one for staving off hunger and quenching thirst during long journeys across the sand basin, as this powerful herb is said to possess appetite suppressing qualities.

Acting as a weight loss supplement, hoodia works by reducing the frequency of your cravings, cutting back on your fat and carbohydrate intake and giving your body more time between meals to access fat stores and burn excess body fat. It may even do this for you. A molecule dubbed P57 in hoodia is presumed to act on the hypothalamus, the portion of your brain that triggers cravings and determines satiety. In essence, P57 tricks the brain into thinking the stomach is full.

Are there any harmful side effects to this miracle weight loss herb? Yes, the worse side effect of all - hoodia may do nothing for you. Researchers have determined that, although hoodia supplements may promote effective weight loss in some people, they may do nothing for others, rendering it almost useless as a dietary supplement.

Glucomannan for Weight Loss

Americans don't eat enough fiber. The end result is high cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation and ultimately weight gain. Although most fiber contains few nutrients or calories for energy, it naturally cleanses the body system and eliminates toxins.

Glucomannan, a soluble fiber derived from the Japanese konjac plant, is a healthy fiber source shown to possess weight loss benefits. Similar to pectin, glucomannan absorbs up to 50 times its weight in liquid, creating the effect of feeling full in the stomach and helping to suppress appetite and curb cravings.

The price of glucomannan supplements has come down significantly in recent years and is now within reach of most everyone's budget. Aside from its weight loss potential, glucomannan is an excellent alternative to keeping cholesterol and blood sugar in check and is a powerful laxative in particular doses. 

Garden of Life FucoTHIN Burns Belly Fat Safely

Garden of Life FucoTHIN almost seemed too good to be true. A thermogenic fat-burning supplement that increases metabolism without stimulates is enough to make anyone skeptical.

FucoTHIN's main ingredient, fucoxanthin is a compound found in different types of seaweed. Characteristically, fucoxanthin is a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant properties to protect cells, but as scientists looked more closely, the substance revealed unique, fat burning qualities. Low and behold, fucoxanthin creates a thermogenic effect in the body without stimulating the central nervous system.

Thermogenesis is the process through which the body generates heat by increasing metabolism beyond normal levels. While it's a widely accepted method among fat burning enthusiasts and athletes, the use of stimulates to impact the central nervous system can be dangerous and sometimes deadly. Fucoxanthin specifically targets the fat in the white adipose tissue around the belly, making Garden of Life FucoTHIN a safe and effective weight loss solution.

Atkins Breakfast Bars Big Bang for the Buck

Whether you're new to the breakfast bar scene or a veteran of the crunchy, chewy arts, Atkins breakfast bars will surely satiate your appetite.  Available in a variety of flavors, Atkins breakfast bars are nutritious, moderately low in calories and make for ideal meal replacements. In fact, you'll find it difficult to find a breakfast bar with as many vitamins and minerals and one with as much protein and fiber.

In terms of value, and depending on from whom your purchase, Atkins breakfast bars cost less than a $1 each, literally making a mockery of the dollar menu at McDonald's and the culinary catastrophes of other fast food restaurants perpetrating poor nutrition in the name of the almighty buck.

Do you have to be on the Atkins diet to enjoy Atkins breakfast bars? No, the only prerequisite is a desire to pursue a balanced diet, improve nutritional intake and stop eating foods heavy on the belly, which may result in long-term energy loss and depressing weight gain.

A Little CLA Goes a Long Way

A fatty acid found in meat and dairy products, better known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may help build lean muscle and manage a healthy weight. Although the benefits of CLA can be realized by consuming moderate amounts of beef, milk and cheese, randomized studies indicate that CLA supplementation may improve metabolic performance and shrink fat cells.

Don't put all your money in one basket, though. CLA research is nascent and there hundreds of CLA supplements on the market claiming to reduce abdominal fat, balance cholesterol and fight free radicals. How do you distinguish one CLA supplement from another?

Many say Tonalin® CLA is the highest quality CLA available and, when used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise, may help you better manage weight and preserve lean muscle tissue. Realize that CLA is neither a diet pill nor a stimulant of any type. Tonalin® CLA is derived from natural safflower oil and blocks the healthy enzyme that breaks down fat in the digestion system; in essence, passing the fat from foods onto excretion before it is deposited and store in the body.

FucoTHIN: The All-Natural Way to Weight Loss

Did you know that those extra pounds you're carrying around can not only compromise your good health, but put your body at risk for a number of serious diseases? Losing weight is never easy, but an effective all-natural supplement could be the answer. Metabolic support may be what you need to help you safely reach your healthy weight-loss goals, without further health risk.

FucoTHIN is an all-natural, patent-pending formula that supports fat metabolism without the use of dangerous stimulants. FucoTHIN is a whole food-based formula made from marine algae. FucoTHIN contains fucoxanthin, a carotenoid that is found in brown seaweed. But the fucoxanthin levels contained in FucoTHIN are estimated to be 250 to 500% higher than those found in wild seaweed. FucoTHIN also contains pomegranate seed oil. The unique fatty acid composition of the pomegranate seed oil works together with fucoxanthin to create a thermogenic effect that supports fat-burning metabolism. FucoTHIN is the first and only product of its kind with human clinical research to confirm its thermogenic effect. And FucoTHIN won't cause jitteriness or loss of sleep because its safe, all-natural formula is stimulant free.

CitriMax for Healthy Weight Control

If you need help to keep your weight under control, CitriMax may help. It works to help safely control appetite, inhibit fat synthesis and promote healthy weight management. When the carbohydrates we eat are not used for energy, they are converted into fat and stored in the body. That's where our weight issues may begin. But CitriMax inhibits the conversion of carbohydrates into fat while it promotes an increase in the formation of stored energy as glycogen, signaling the brain to turn off hunger signals.

CitriMax increases the body's fat-burning ability. CitriMax also increases serotonin levels in the brain to help control appetite, binge eating, depression and other emotional issues associated with overeating. Extracted from the South Asian fruit Garcinia cambogia, CitriMax works naturally without stimulating the central nervous system. CitriMax is non-habit forming and will not cause sleeplessness, nervousness or rapid heart rate associated with diet stimulants. CitriMax could be the natural edge you need to get your weight issues under control.

NVE Pharmaceuticals Can Help You Burn Fat Faster

NVE Pharmaceuticals is a brand of supplements designed to help you loose those extra pounds so you can get into shape more quickly. Stacker 2 XPLC™ boosts metabolism by igniting a thermogenic response in your body. Thermogenesis is the process by which the body generates heat or energy by raising its metabolic rate above normal. This process lets your body burn fat faster. An additional benefit of Stacker 2 XPLC™ is that it helps create a lasting supply of energy.

Stacker 3 XPLC™ is another thermogenic formula that can help you burn off excess stored fat more quickly by way of Lipid Mobilization. A simplified explanation of this process is that it releases fat into the bloodstream so it can be burned as energy. Stacker 3 XPLC™ is advantageous because it also gives you that extra boost of energy!

Stacker 2 Ephedra Free™ not only promotes the same fat burning benefits of the other Stacker products, it also helps curb your appetite, diminishing your cravings for those foods that may undermine your weight loss goals. As its name says, Stacker 2 is Ephedra free - so you can take it without worrying about the risks associated with the herb.

When used as directed, these products by NVE Pharmaceuticals can help you reach your weight objective safely and effectively. With summer just around the corner - what are you waiting for?

PowerBar® Brand Helps Provide the Energy You Need

Has your get up and go gone up and went due to strenuous workouts? Well then, how about a nutritious kick start before going out there again? PowerBar® Brand is a line of delicious nutrition bars that can help you on your way.

Each PowerBar Energy Bar contains 45g of carbohydrates, supplying fuel to your muscles so you can stay on track with your workout goals. These bars are packed with vitamins A, C and E, as well as vitamins B6 and B12, which your body uses to readily convert food into energy. PowerBar Energy Bars also have milk protein, rich in essential amino acids that help your body build and repair muscle tissue after exertion. What is most important, however, is that PowerBar Energy Bars come in the following crave-worthy flavors: chocolate, peanut butter, cookies and cream, chocolate peanut butter and oatmeal raisin.

PowerBar PROTEINPlus Bars also help build, maintain and repair your muscles. Providing a knockout combination of high quality proteins and carbohydrates, each bar can be readily consumed right after exercise to help maximize recovery. They are also filled with nutrients, including the B-complex vitamins, vitamins C and E, amino acids, glutamine calcium, iron and magnesium.  Not only nutritious, PowerBar PROTEINPlus Bars are delicious, too! You can get them in these tempting–but still nutritious–varieties: chocolate peanut butter, vanilla yogurt, cookies and cream, chocolate crisp and whole grain cherry crunch.

They say wherever you go, there you are. PowerBar® Brand provides you with the fuel you need to help keep you there!

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 Helps Curb Appetite

You are trying to watch your weight, but you seem to be hungry all of the time. You do not want to take an appetite suppressant because you have heard that they are full of harsh, synthetic ingredients that may have harmful side effects. So what do you do? Why not try a supplement with a gentle, natural formulation that also provides other healthful benefits?

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 contains active ingredients derived from pine nut oil. There are certain fatty acids in pine nuts believed to help curb appetite. The pinolenic acid contained in pine nut oil can help curb appetite by stimulating the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone that functions as an appetite suppressant. Research has shown that in addition to suppressing appetite, pine nut oil can also promote healthy cholesterol levels. Pine nut oil also contains a high concentration of free radical scavengers, which help reduce oxidative damage in the body. PinnoThin™ contains pine nut oil triglycerides that provide linoleic acid (184 mg), oleic acid (100 mg) and pinolenic (64 mg).

NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 also provides the beneficial properties found in green tea. There has been a lot in the news about the numerous healthful benefits of green tea, including that is supports healthy cholesterol levels, promotes good dental health, and helps boost your metabolism.

What makes green tea so special? Well, it is rich in catechin polyphenols, in particular epigallocatechin gallate (ECCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that is seen to be twice as powerful as resveratrol. What sets green tea apart from other teas is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized.

The green tea extract found in NSI® ActiSlim with PinnoThin™ Version 2 is standardized to 90% polyphenols, 75% catechins and 45% EGCG.

Don't Give Up! Get Your Diet Back on Track with Help from Vitacost

It's been well over a month since you made that New Year's resolution to finally lose weight. While you probably started off strong, by this time, it may be getting tricky to stick with your original diet plan. Consider the following tips to get your diet back on track:

• Focus on the Positive. Instead of dwelling on what you haven't accomplished, consider all the positive steps you've taken to lose weight over the past few weeks.
• Try Something New. Add a fun, new physical activity, such as a nightly after-dinner walk or dance class, to your schedule.
• Buddy Up. Share your plan with a friend. Talk about any obstacles you're facing – he or she may have helpful suggestions. Having a friend who's also on a diet can also be a great source of motivation.
• Write It Down. If you're not doing so already, start keeping a food journal. It may help you discover weaknesses or slip-up patterns. Plus, reviewing "good days" of healthful eating may inspire you to achieve more.
• Try a Natural Supplement. From appetite suppressants to fat burners to metabolism boosters, you'll find name-brand products at the best-possible prices at Vitacost.com to help you get your diet back on track.

Did You Eat Too Much This Thanksgiving?

After feasting on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and other favorites this Thanksgiving (and the few days following!), you may find your pants are a little more snug than usual.

Putting on a few extra pounds during the holidays is common. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid weight gain while still enjoying the festivities.

• Choose healthier options. Instead of veggies smothered in butter, cheese or cream sauce, pile your plate with salad and fixings.
• Don't starve yourself. Cutting back a few days before the holidays (when you know a feast is ahead) encourages overeating. Keep your diet as consistent as possible.
• Stay active. Take a walk around the neighborhood with family or friends after your holiday meal.
• Try supplements like hoodia gordonii or green tea to curb your appetite. Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® has a great selection of all-natural diet products that may help you maintain a healthy weight, even during the holidays. Click here to learn more.

Three Steps to a Thinner, Healthier You: The South Beach Diet

Tried the popular low-carb diet, and didn't have any luck? The South Beach Diet™ may be a better choice for your weight loss needs.

Developed by a Miami-area cardiologist, Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet™ emphasizes consumption of "good carbs," "good fats" and foods with a low glycemic index. Rather than completely swearing off pasta, bread and other favorite carbs, you'll learn a healthier way to include them in your diet while shedding pounds and keeping weight off permanently.

The South Beach Diet™ involves three phases. During phase one, which lasts two weeks, you'll avoid high-glycemic carbs such as sugar, bread, potatoes, fruit, cereal and grains. Your body should lose insulin resistance and begin burning excess fat for energy. Bad fats, including saturated and trans fats, are discouraged from this point on.

During phase two, good carbs, like fruits and whole grains, are slowly reintroduced into your diet. When your ideal weight is achieved, phase three begins. You'll be able to eat three servings of whole grains and fruits a day, and the diet will feel less like a "diet" and more like a "lifestyle."

For more information on the South Beach Diet™, visit www.southbeachdiet.com.

Slow Metabolism Causing Your Weight Gain? Probably Not.

Metabolism, or the process by which your body converts food into energy, is commonly associated with body weight. Those who are thin are believed to have a "high metabolism," while those who are overweight are believed to have a low metabolism.

The fact is, weight is affected by the amount of calories you take in, versus the amount of calories you burn. If you take in more calories than you burn, you gain weight. It's uncommon for excess weight to be related to a low metabolism.

Basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is a measure of the rate at which a person's body burns energy, in the form of calories, while at rest. People with more muscle and less fat tend to have higher BMRs, which means they burn more calories while "not moving." Those with low BMRs, on the other hand, burn fewer calories and may gain more pounds of body fat over time.

To improve your BMR, increase daily exercise in order to burn calories and build muscle mass. Some supplements, such as green tea, may also help boost metabolism. But beware of products that claim to dramatically increase metabolism to produce weight loss. Chances are, they are not safe or effective.

Feeling Sluggish? Try an Energy Bar to Get You Going

Instead of reaching for another sugary soft drink or high-calorie candy bar next time you need a pick-me-up, try a nutritious, satisfying energy bar instead. No longer just for athletes, energy bars are available in a wide variety of flavors and geared toward many different needs (such as women's, low-carb dieters and more).

Although they're not a "magic" solution for fatigue, energy bars are often fortified with vitamins, minerals, protein and other nutrients that deliver a healthy boost to your body at a time when it needs it most. They're also convenient and inexpensive, especially when you buy them by the box.

Be sure to look for all-natural energy bars without artificial ingredients and additives. Vitacost has a great selection of bars and snacks at incredibly low prices, including Greens + Energy Bars with organically-grown soy, herbal extracts and more! We also carry popular brand names like Atkins, PowerBar and Clif.

Low-Cal, Low-Carb Stevia: Sweeter than Sugar, Safe for Diabetics!

Up to 30 times sweeter than sugar, stevia is an all-natural way to sweeten coffee, iced tea desserts or any food or beverage you like. Derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, this all-natural extract is available in powder or liquid form and is used exactly like sugar, only it's lower in calories and carbohydrates, and it's safe for diabetics.

Although fairly new as a healthy-sugar substitute in the U.S. market, stevia has been widely used as a sweetener in South America and other countries for hundreds of years. It's believed to provide a variety of health benefits, from helping to maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels to weight loss.

In addition to its sweet components, stevia also contains protein, fiber, carbohydrates, phosphorous, iron, calcium, postassium, zinc and vitamins A and C.  NSI® offers a unique stevia product, fortified with fiber, for added nutritive value: Stevia + with FrutaFit® Inulin Fiber.

A Slimmer, Summer You: It is Still Possible!

Summer is a just a few short weeks away—which means soon you'll be wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts and swimsuits again! If you've put on a few extra pounds, there's still time to lose that weight and feel great no matter what you're wearing.

Vitacost.com carries several helpful weight loss supplements to help you reach your goals, safely. NSI® products, such as Hoodia Gordonii, Green Tea Extract and Carb Blocker with Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer, are all-natural and free of dangerous stimulants. We also offer an amazing selection of brand-name weight loss products, like Atkins, TrimSpa and more, at unbeatably low prices.

Of course, be sure to eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of water and exercise as much as possible to stay healthy while you shed pounds for summer. For more information on weight loss and which supplements are right for you, click here.

Gluten-Free Products Make Eating "Wheat Free" Easier

Going "gluten free" requires cutting all wheat, oats, barley and rye from your diet. Gluten is the insoluble component of these grains and is not tolerated by some individuals, particularly those with celiac disease—a digestive disorder in which nutrients in food are not properly absorbed by the intestines.

Not being able to eat common foods, like cereals, pasta and bread on a gluten-free diet can be difficult. Ingredient labels on all processed foods need to be carefully examined, as gluten may be present in other forms, such as vegetable proteins and starch, maltodextrin and glucose syrup.

Luckily, gluten-free specialty products are becoming more widely available as the diet becomes more popular. Studies show that the gluten-free diet may also be beneficial for dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV and schizophrenia.

Check out Vitacost.com's selection of gluten-free products here.

Don't Dismiss the Atkins Diet! Lose Weight & Achieve Heart Health

The Atkins, or low-carb, diet may have dwindled in popularity over the past few months, but that doesn't mean you should dismiss it for weight loss goals. According to Dr. John Walker, Scientific Advisory Board member for Nutraceutical Sciences Institute, a low-carb diet, like the Atkins diet, or his own Walker Diet, is actually a great way to burn fat and to maintain cardiovascular health.

Walker explained in a recent Vitacost.com newsletter that a diet rich in low-glycemic foods, like those in the Atkins diet, is more beneficial to health than one with refined carbohydrates and sugars. In addition, modifying carbohydrate intake can keep blood glucose levels low, which is important for cardiovascular health.

The Atkins diet is also effective for weight loss. Without an abundance of carbohydrates to supply energy, the body is forced to use built-up fat. A variety of low-carb products, including Atkins Advantage bars, brownies and other treats, and Walker Diet shakes, are available Vitacost.com to help you achieve your ideal weight and keep your heart healthy.

The Low-Down on Low-Carb Dieting

No bread. No pasta. No cookies. No soda. If you’re on a low-carb diet, these are some of the foods off-limits to you. Unless, of course, they’re part of a special low-carb line of food products, like Atkins®, Fantastic Foods, Worldwide Sports Nutrition, or our very own Walker Diet™.

The way the low-carb diet works is simple. When you consume carbohydrates (which is common with the “standard American diet”), they’re broken down into simple sugar molecules and used for “fuel.” With a steady stream of carbs coming in, your body has no reason to burn fat for energy. So, it stays put. And you have trouble losing weight.

On a low-carb diet, your body is forced to use fat for energy. Insulin levels stabilize and levels of glucagons (hormones that cause fat to be burned and cholesterol to be removed from the arteries) increase. Pounds are shed, and cravings for the high-carb foods that made you gain weight in the first place fade over time.

If you’re ready to give the low-carb diet a try, be sure to check with your physician first, then try some of the fabulous low-carb products carried by Vitcost.com. Simply click here.

Do Not Read This Post!

If you read this post in December, you would have been eligible to receive an extra 5% off your total order.

This offer has ended.

Thank you for reading VitaBlog, Happy New Year!

Add Tonalin To Your Post-Holidays Diet

December is probably brutal on your diet, with all that ham, egg nog and figgy pudding, so get ready to whip yourself into shape starting the first of January. Okay, the second of January—but New Year's is your final pig-out day.

Studies indicate that Tonalin (a patented CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid) may actually change your body composition by preserving or increasing lean muscle mass and reducing body fat. Plus it contains no harmful stimulants. Taking Tonalin helps increase lean muscle, which burns more fat calories. Studies show that it inhibits lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat from our diet. By suppressing this enzyme, Tonalin helps reduce the amount of fat stored in the body.

You'll probably want to hit the treadmill or pavement to maximize your results, but taking Tonalin is a great supplement for getting into shape.

Pack a Powerful Punch to Your Workout & Weight Goals With DHEA

DHEA is a very important hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is usually referred to as the "mother of all hormones." DHEA is a precursor hormone, meaning it produces either androgen (testosterone) or estrogen.

In a study published in the November 2004 Journal of American Medical Association, 50 mg of DHEA daily appeared to decrease abdominal fat. Fifty-six elderly individuals participated in the study, taking the DHEA or a placebo for six months. At the end of the study, those in the treatment lost an average of 6% of abdominal fat, which amounted to about 2.2 pounds of weight loss per individual. You need to keep in mind, though, that the authors cautioned against DHEA supplementation for people with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer.

DHEA also offers cardiovascular protection; and a healthier heart means healthier workouts: DHEA appears to decrease platelet aggregation and inhibits differentiation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis (August 2005) published results from a study involving 206 men between 36 and 94 with type II diabetes mellitus. Men with diabetes mellitus tend to have lower plasma concentrations of DHEA than non-diabetic men; low concentrations of DHEA are also associated with the development of central obesity. It was found that those individuals with the lowest levels of the serum DHEA-S concentration had the highest extent of carotid atherosclerosis.

Try Green Tea Extract For Weight Loss & Powerful Antioxidant Support

Green tea has been used for hundreds of years as both a delicious and medicinal beverage, and it has been part of many weight-management regimens in this country. Not only does it give your metabolism a boost, your immunity and cholesterol levels may also get healthy support.

Green tea contains compounds known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). ECGC is clearly a powerful antioxidant. There were two laboratory studies just published in the journals Clinical Cancer Research and Frontiers of Bio-Science in April and May 2005. In one study, it was found that green tea EGCGs appeared to have a synergistic effect on inhibiting the growth of cancer cells by inducing premature death of the cells—known as apoptosis.

And, green tea extract has an astounding effect on weight loss: A study1 tested the effects of green tea extract given to moderately-obese patients. After 3 months, body weight was decreased by 4.6%; waist circumference decreased by 4.48%.

1. Chantre P, Lairon D. Recent findings of green tea extract AR25 (Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity. Phytomedicine 2002;9:3–8.

Hoodia Gordonii: Funny-Sounding Weight Loss Supplement With Amazing Results

You’ve more than likely heard about the amazing appetite-suppressing benefits of Hoodia Gordonii, a plant native to South Africa. It’s been used for centuries by the San people of the Kalahari Desert for a variety of medicinal purposes. For many years, the plant has been a dietary mainstay for hunters on long trips. It helps them ward off pain, hunger and thirst.

Hoodia apparently first came to attention of "outsiders" through a Dutch anthropologist who was studying the San Bushmen, but it wasn't until the 1960s when scientific interest in Hoodia began. Since then, testing has revealed a substance called P 57 in Hoodia that seems to be the active chemical in appetite suppression. The P 57 molecule is estimated to be up to 10,000 times as potent as glucose in sending a signal to your brain that the body is in a state of satiety, or in common terms, not hungry.

In both animal and human trials, Hoodia was able to substantially decrease the amount of calories ingested, thus leading to weight loss. In fact, in 2001, Phytopharma (a pharmaceutical company) completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers using Hoodia Gordonii. The larger doses of Hoodia caused a statistically significant reduction in the average daily calorie intake. A statistically significant reduction in body fat content was also observed compared to the placebo group after two weeks.

The great news is that Hoodia is not a stimulant, so it has not been reported to make people jittery or anxious. In fact, there have been very few side effects reported with Hoodia use.