There are dozens of hoodia weight loss pills on the market – far more than we can actually review. We want to provide you with some guidelines you can use for evaluating any type of hoodia weight loss pills you might run across so you can be an educated shopper.
Here are the things to watch for and watch out for.
1. Standardized extract
If your hoodia weight loss pill is an extract, make sure that it's standardized. That means that there's an equal amount of the active ingredient in each tablet and each batch of pills.
Non-standardized extract pills can contain varying amounts of active ingredient and can be either more or less effective – but there's no way to know how much actual hoodia you're getting in each pill. So go with a standardized formula.
2. What part of the hoodia?
"Aerial stem" is the part of the hoodia used by the San peoples for appetite suppression. But this is also the most expensive part of the plant. Some companies use roots and other less potent parts of the hoodia plant to bulk up the volume of their hoodia weight loss pills.
Check the label to see if the hoodia component is specifically aerial stem.
3. USP capsules for best absorption
Capsules are the transparent gelatin containers that contain the pill ingredients. If your hoodia weight loss pill is in capsule form, check to see if the capsule meets USP guidelines for being broken down and absorbed by the body.
4. The right hoodia?
Remember that there are 20 species in the hoodia family, and only one of them, hoodia gordonii, has been scientifically tested and proven to suppress appetite. If the hoodia weight loss pill you're considering doesn't contain hoodia gordonii, we recommend you choose another.
5. Other ingredients
Many hoodia weight loss pills contain supplemental ingredients that you may or may not want to take. Many formulas include caffeine-containing ingredients such as guarana or green tea extract – so those sensitive to caffeine should steer clear.
Examine the label and make certain the hoodia formula doesn't contain any ingredients you're allergic to, sensitive to or just want to avoid.
6. cGMP certified manufacturer
Supplements are manufactured by production facilities that have varying degrees of accreditation. In the United States, the most stringent qualification is known as cGMP, for "Certified Good Manufacturing Practices." Awarded by the FDA, this accreditation governs all aspects of the manufacturing process, from the ingredients to tracking the finished product.
Check your hoodia weight loss pill label to verify whether or not it is cGMP certified by the manufacturer. If it isn't, this is not a cause for concern because the majority of supplements manufactured in the US are not. So expect to pay a premium for cGMP certified products.
For more information, read our hoodia reviews page and hoodia extracts page.
