You may have heard of hoodia, a hot new weight-loss product that is receiving a great deal of attention and acclaim. It is claimed that hoodia helps you lose weight by getting the message to your brain that you're not hungry.

Found in the Kalahari desert in South America, hoodia is a plant known as a succulent that resembles a cactus in appearance. It is a fairly thin, prickly plant that often features large blossoms that are peachy-pink in color. There are different species of hoodia, and the one that offers weight loss potential is hoodia gordonii.

There are no documented hoodia side effects such as racing pulse, nausea or shakiness found in other diet pills on the market. This may be because hoodia is a naturally occuring plant, not a pharmaceutical drug. Since there are no hoodia side effects, it is a popular choice for appetite suppression and weight loss.

Consumers should know that the only authentic hoodia available comes from the western cape of Africa. Although drug companies are currently studying ways to create a synthetic version of hoodia, no such version exists at this time.

There are numerous products out there claiming to contain hoodia. If you choose one of these products, be advised that since hoodia is only one of the ingredients, you may experience side effects caused by other ingredients in the supplement.

The best choice, even though it is the most expensive one, is to purchase pure hoodia. Scientists say that hoodia can be up to 100,000 times more effective than glucose in controlling the hunger signal in the brain.

Phytopharm is the corporation that holds the patent for P57, the component of hoodia that accounts for it's remarkable appetite suppressant qualities.

So if you're seeking weight loss with no harmful side effects, hoodia just might be for you!