Quick shipping, product works as described
Written: Jul 30 '06 (Updated Feb 24 '07)
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I would like to begin this review by stating that there is a great deal of controversy surrounding Hoodia Gordonii. In my research on the Internet, I discovered that an alarming percentage of products on the market are counterfeit. One company sells the product under three different trade names with three different corporation names. Research shows that all three companies are owned and operated by the same person.
It has gotten to the point that the FDA and the FTC are ready to step in to protect the consumer from the scammers. The company's product that I am reviewing was mentioned by the BBC World news as one of the few reputable companies. The company also prints a serial number on each bottle which enables the customer to check on the internet for purity test results and valid import documents. So, I begin this entire review with a CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware).
If you are interested in trying Hoodia Gordonii, it is in your best interest as a consumer, to thoroughly research everything related to the product including who is selling it, and if it is combined with any other herbs or chemicals. We all need to be responsible consumers and be aware of the choices that we make.
With all of this said, here is my experience with Hoodia:
I know that there is no magic "pill" for true, lifelong weight loss. I am joining Weight Watchers realizing that it is NOT a diet, but a lifestyle change of eating habits.
The reason that Hoodia intrigued me so much was that I do struggle with feeling hungry most of the time. And though I don't eat massive amounts of food, I tend to eat the wrong things and gobble food quickly before my brain has had a chance to give me the feeling of fullness.
Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent which grows in the desert regions of South Africa. The native bushmen have eaten this plant for hundreds of years in order to stop the feeling of hunger - especially when on hunting trips. It has enjoyed a flurry of media attention from BBC World News to 60 Minutes, to the Oprah Winfrey Show.
It is NOT a stimulant-type product. Hoodia contains a specific enzyme that works on the pituitary gland in such a way that you do NOT feel hungry. However, if you try to skip meals and not eat at all, you WILL feel hunger.
Ordering the product online was a snap. They are offering a free trial (you just pay the shipping fee). If you choose to continue, you are automatically shipped and billed each month. The site has SSL protection. The product was shipped out the following day. If you choose to register as a customer, you are able to login with username and password and get order information. I had a problem with the site recognizing my password which was a little frustrating. However, a quick message to customer service was met with a response the same day. The representative apologized and reset my password. In addition to that, she provided me with the tracking number and shipping date of my product.
I received my order 5 days ago. I was very skeptical wondering just how much is placebo affect. What I tried to do was to take it with all of my regular medications in the morning and night so that it simply became part of my routine. I felt that if it were taken by itself, I could set myself up for possible placebo reactions.
The first day I noticed nothing different. My eating habits were the same. By the third day, I suddenly noticed that I wasn't thinking of food between meals. And, even though it was the normal time to eat a meal, I didn't have the feeling that I was "starving". Since Hoodia is not a stimulant type of product, there was no jittery feeling, headaches, or any of the other side effects experienced with traditional appetite suppressants.
Yesterday, I also noticed that about halfway through a meal I truly felt full. I really didn't want to clean the plate and I actually threw some of the portion away.
So in the end, is this a miraculous cure-all for weight loss? Not by any stretch of the imagination. However, I feel that it is one of the many useful tools that can help along the way. I am still responsible for making sound decisions as to what and how much I consume. I don't expect the pounds to simply drop off and become one of those phenomenal before and after stories. What I think I can expect is less of a temptation to overeat or to pick in-between meals.
Combine this with a sensible weight loss program such as Weight Watchers, I feel that this will be a positive experience.
ADDENDUM
In response to the comment requesting for more info on the website itself, I wish to add the following:
The website is chock full of information about Hoodia including clips from BBC World News and 60 minutes. It also includes background information about Dr. Dave E. David, Medical Director of the company.
I was even impressed by the success stories. They weren't the ridiculous claims that we so often see with other products. They are real people with realistic (about 10 pounds per month) weight loss.
The product sells for about $30/bottle. However, there is a free trial offer as I stated before for the cost of shipping. Other options are available to lower the price by purchasing larger quantities.
I hope that this has provided enough additional information about the website.
ADDENDUM 02/07
In order to be fair, I must disclose that I have had to stop taking the product (not because of the product itself). I was recently hospitalized with a disorder that requires me to now take certain medications for life that have a plethora of interactions with other prescription and OTC (over the counter) medications and supplements.
Though Hoodia is NOT mentioned on the list of herb/supplements, I felt it prudent to not take any chances with interactions.
Therefore, I had to stop taking the product after only a short time. Though I had a positive experience with this particular Hoodia, I cannot continue to comment on its long-term effectiveness.
Again, I must stress that I believe that there is truly no magic pill for weight loss - if there were, everyone would be using it. Hoodia, Weight Watchers, exercise and such are all tools which can be used together to create a positive weight loss program. To me, DIET is a 4 letter word and the minute I decide to go on a DIET, I have doomed myself for failure.
Hence, I will now have to regroup and combine a change of eating habits and exercise.
Recommended:
Yes
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sophiesdad
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Location: Florida
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Public school Media Specialist, Musician, Technogeek
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