Hoodia Diet

Since it was featured on "60 Minutes" and "The Today Show," the Hoodia Diet has become a popular and well-known diet program. Known for its ability to suppress the appetite, consistent use of Hoodia diet pills, along with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, are said to result in significant weight loss.

Understand

• Before you begin the Hoodia diet, it is essential to do your research and understand what it is and how it works. Hoodia diet pills are derived from the Hoodia gordonii, a plant found in the dry regions of Southwest Africa. The P57 molecule found inside the Hoodia gordonii plant works as a powerful appetite suppressant. Once ingested, the Hoodia diet pills release a chemical compound that tricks the brain into thinking it has already consumed enough food. When the brain receives these signals it suppresses the appetite. The Hoodia diet works under the assumption that if the appetite remains suppressed, less calories will be consumed, ultimately resulting in weight loss.

Hoodia

• The entire reason for taking Hoodia diet pills is to eat less at each meal. For this reason, it is important to take a dose of Hoodia before each meal. To allow proper time for your body to break down the capsule and release the chemicals, take the Hoodia pill at least 45 to 60 minutes prior to each meal. The Hoodia product is available in both pill and liquid form. Choose which product best suits you, but understand that results vary with each product. People who take either the 100 percent pure Hoodia gordonii or the High-Potency Hoodia Liquid three to four times per day typically lose about 3 pounds per week. People taking the Hoodia Combo-Pack three to four times per day lose an average of 4 or 5 pounds per week.

Diet

• Hoodia diet pills are not a complete solution for weight loss. The Hoodia pills only suppress appetite. So, if you pay attention to your appetite and stop eating when you feel full, your caloric intake should drop dramatically. After some time, this decrease in calories will result in weight loss. However, if you continue to eat as much or more than usual, you will not see weight loss results. It is important to maintain a healthy and portion-controlled diet in addition to taking Hoodia diet pills; this is the only way to ensure success with the diet program. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables while on the Hoodia diet. As with any diet, avoid foods high in saturated fats, sugar and empty carbohydrates. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day to help detoxify and cleanse your system.

Exercise

• As with any diet, it is extremely important to add a regular exercise routine to your weekly schedule. Aim for at least four or five days of cardiovascular exercise per week, along with three to four days of strength training exercises. Speak with your physician before beginning any exercise regimen.

Considerations

• Hoodia is not known to have any negative side effects, and there are no known restrictions on activity, medications, food or beverages while taking Hoodia diet pills. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated Hoodia for safety, purity or effectiveness. Additionally, there are no regulations regarding the manufacture of herbal supplements. For this reason, it is important to speak with your physician before taking Hoodia diet pills. Drugs.com notes specifically that you should not take Hoodia without first speaking to your physician if you have any of the following conditions: diabetes, heart problems, bleeding disorder, blood clotting disorder, allergies, anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder. Additionally, you should speak with your doctor before taking Hoodia if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding.