Hoodia weight loss pills are some of the most popular diet pills sold today, but do hoodia and weight loss go hand-in-hand? Despite the marketing hype and the promise by so many supplement companies that you're guaranteed results, hoodia diet pills may not work as advertised.

First, let's have a quick primer on what is hoodia and then we'll discuss its role with weight loss. While commonly referred to as the hoodia cactus, it is technically a succulent. There are 13 varieties of the hoodia plant but only the hoodia gordonii variety has appetite suppressant qualities.

The hoodia gordonii plant is found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The San tribe, or also known as the Bushmen, have been eating the hoodia plant for centuries to stave off hunger during long hunting trips. They cut off a small piece of the plant, peel it, and then eat it raw. A small piece will suppress their appetite for hours.

Seeing the opportunity to capitalize on the obesity epidemic, companies began making hoodia diet pills and products that contain hoodia gordonii. The idea behind these products is obvious. By taking hoodia weight loss pills your appetite will be suppressed so you'll eat less. The end result is that you'll lose weight.

In theory that sounds wonderful, but it doesn't always work that way. That is why hoodia and weight loss isn't necessarily synonymous. For starters, not all hoodia weight loss pills are created equal. While there are a few honest companies who are producing and selling authentic hoodia gordonii diet pills, the majority are selling products with very little of it - if any at all. Without authentic hoodia gordonii, these products are worthless. You might as well flush your money down the toilet.

The reason there are so many scams out there is because hoodia gordonii is very scarce. It is only grown in South Africa and there are tight restrictions on the exportation of the plant. On the other hand, the demand for it is very high. This has led to a rapid increase in the price of hoodia gordonii. Not too long ago, a kilo was under $20. Today, a kilo sells for over $250. In an effort to maximize their profits, some unscrupulous companies knowingly dilute their products with other ingredients and fillers, or use a different variety of hoodia all together.

Other companies may not even know they're selling fakes. Brokers are getting in on the action as well. They'll dilute their own stock of hoodia gordonii or use a different variety of hoodia and then trick companies into believing they are buying the real thing for use in their supplements and products. Since hoodia supplements are unregulated, companies and consumers alike need to be aware of what they're buying. So if you've tried hoodia weight loss pills in the past and they didn't work, there is a good chance you weren't getting authentic hoodia gordonii.

The other reason hoodia and weight loss don't always go hand-in-hand is because some people aren't getting enough hoodia gordonii to produce the appetite suppressing effects. Experts say that it could take as much as 3 grams or more per day of it to suppress appetite. The largest pill available that contains 100% authentic hoodia gordonii is only 750mg. You'd have to take 4 or more pills per day to reach that amount. If you were to take pills with less than that (which most do), then you could be looking at taking 8 or more pills per day!

Another reason hoodia and weight loss may not be synonymous is because dieters have unrealistic expectations of what hoodia weight loss pills can do. They make the mistake of believing that all they have to do is pop some pills and the weight will disappear. If that were true, we wouldn't be facing an obesity epidemic today. The reality is, hoodia diet pills only addresses one small piece of the weight loss puzzle - your appetite.

Hoodia supplements don't change a bad diet, nor do they stop you from overeating. If you're eating Big Macs and french fries all the time, or if you find yourself eating even when you're not hungry, hoodia weight loss pills will do absolutely nothing for you. If this describes you, then save your money and instead invest it on a more comprehensive weight loss program that can address your diet and eating issues.

If you generally have a good diet and aren't prone to overeating, then hoodia diet pills can play an effective role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Just don't fall into the trap that a pill is the sole answer to weight loss. You still need to put in some effort. Also keep in mind that controlling your appetite and maintaining a healthy diet can only achieve so much. If you want optimum weight loss results, you really need to exercise on a regular basis as well.