Recent scientific studies have shown that Hoodia's appetite - suppressing active ingredient, named P57, is estimated to be up to 10.000 times as potent as glucose in sending a signal to the brain that the body is in a state of satiety.

Hoodia works in a similar way as sugars to stem hunger. In Hoodia Ranch we don't agree with the term "full" used by the spam scam.

The active ingredents, the so called P57, probably with the synergic performance of any other elements or more complex molecules, works fooling the brain into believing that the body has all or most of its energetic necesities covered.

Synthetic, and patented, "P57" probably don't works the same than natural and their production costs are prohibitive.

In clinical trials on humans and animals hoodia has been proven to reduce calorific intake, sometimes to a high 40 %.

The nutritional content of Hoodia plants based on atomic absorption analysis was found to be:

C, N, and H content of the dehydrated preparations averaged 38, 0.9; and 4.9% (W/W) respectively, consistent with a high carbohydrate, low fat content with a mean protein content of 5.9%.

Mineral analysis of the material was found to average 6.5% Ca, 5.1% K, 0.3% P, 1% Mg, 1.9% Na, and 0.7% S, and smaller amounts of micro and trace minerals Fe, Bo, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, As, and Se in addition to other trace minerals.

The dehydrated material contained significant proportions of the recommended or safe daily intakes of several important micronutrients per serving.

250g portion of the whole fresh plant (or around 25 gr if dried) could provide 100% of the RDA for Ca (2.3g), 95% of the RDA for Mg (335 mg), 115% of the RDA for Na (670 mg), 65% of the recommended intake for K (1.8g), 43% of the RDA for Fe (6.5mg), and 60% of the RDA for Cr, plus significant proportions of other ultratrace elements.

Concentrations of Pb, Se, and As were below the measurable limits of the assay (<5ppm to <0.01 ppm), and Cd content averaged 1.4 ppm.

Thus, Hoodia species may provide a safe and important source of numerous essential minerals and energy, and may make important contributions to the micronutrient intakes of users.

The active ingredient dubbed as P57 is described in a patent as a compound of the formula wherein: ..R=an alkyl group containing from one to four carbon atoms; RIL>(sub)1(end sub)=H, an alkyl group containing from one to four carbon atoms, or an organic ester group; ..RIL>(sub)2(end sub)=H, or one or more 6-deoxy carbohydrates, or one or more 2,6-dideoxy carbohydrates, or glucose, or a combination thereof; ..and in which the dashed bonds indicate the optional presence of a double bond at the C4-C5 position or the C5-C6 position. 

Habeck M. 2002. A succulent cure to end obesity. Drug Discov Today. 2002 Mar; 7(5): 280-1.

Tulp, Orien Lee; Harbi, Nevin A. 2002. Hoodia species as a source of essential micronutrients.  FASEB Journal VOL. 16 NO. 4 March 20, 2002 PP. A654. 

Tulp, Orien Lee; Harbi, Nevin A.; DerMarderosian, Ara 2002. Effect of Hoodia plant on weight loss in congenic obese LA/Ntul//-cp rats. FASEB Journal VOL. 16 NO. 4 March 20, 2002 PP. A648