Hoodia May Help Diabetics Lose Weight
Hoodia is a succulent plant native to South Africa which is known for it’s slimming and healthy properties.
In recent years, Americans have been importing hoodia from Africa to solve various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Hoodia in itself is not a cure, but in combination with a healthy diet and regular insulin injections, it can enhance weight loss and improve the body’s response to diabetes medications.
Guidelines for Adding Hoodia to Your Diet
Hoodia is a natural appetite-suppressant. Many diabetics are instructed by their physicians to lose weight or maintain a slim figure, and hoodia can help reduce the urge to overeat.
Hoodia is sold in capsules or tablets in most health food stores. It is fairly inexpensive, costing an average of $1 per day. Often, it is available in the form of a milk drink or chew.
While there has been little research confirming the health benefits of hoodia, most scientists agree that its benefits are worth exploring. As a plant-derived substance, it is completely natural and unlikely to harm the user unless he or she has a rare allergy. The few existing studies have shown that hoodia tricks your brain into believing you’re full, at least in the short term.
As with any supplement, it is essential to maintain a schedule. If you add hoodia to your diet, you may become accustomed to the reduction in appetite, and the amount of food you eat could increase drastically if you stop taking the pills. Keep a journal of your weight fluctuations before an after hoodia, and if it seems to have no effect, discontinue use.
Look for capsules with higher concentrations of P57, the active ingredient in hoodia. It is higher in formulas ground from the stem of the plant than extracted.
Maintain your regular diabetes treatments. If your doctor advises that you administer insulin injects, do not discontinue this practice. Hoodia is not a replacement for regular diabetes medicine.