Namibia to see off hoodia plant poachers

Tabby Moyo February 24 2007 at 02:09PM

The Namibian government wants to restrict trade in the appetite-suppressing hoodia plant so that Namibia and countries in the region where the plant naturally grows can reap its economic benefits.

Hoodia gordonii is an indigenous plant found in arid parts of southern Africa mostly in the Namib Desert, from Central Namibia to southern Angola. The cactus-like plant contains an appetite suppressant and so the San (Bushmen) people have eaten it for hundreds of years to fight hunger and thirst in their arid environment.

Recently pharmaceutical companies discovered it and began exploiting it as a weight-loss drug.

International demand has soared so much that there are now fears it might become extinct within two years.

Namibian environment minister Willem Konjore said: "Because of the enormity of the international market demands, hoodia has the potential to contribute to Namibian economic development in general and rural development in particular."

Namibia is trying to draw up guidelines to develop a sustainable hoodia industry.

Konjore said the skyrocketing demand for hoodia was causing illegal harvesting and export of hoodia to European markets. "We need to find a way to address the root causes of hoodia's decline before the situation becomes dire," he said.

Hoodia has been classified as a protected species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

All exports of hoodia from Namibia are now illegal but illegal trade is rife.

Seeds and shoots are being smuggled out of the country. - Independent Foreign Service

Source IOL.Co.za

Namibia: Hoodia Needs to Be Jealously Guarded

The Namibian (Windhoek)
February 23, 2007

Luqman Cloete
Keetmanshoop

THE Hoodia gordonni, an indigenous plant found in certain areas of southern Africa, has the potential to boost Namibia's socio-economic growth, says Environment Minister Willem Konjore.

"Because of the enormity of the international market demands, Hoodia has the potential to contribute to the Namibian economic development in general and rural development in particular," Konjore said.


He made these remarks at the opening of a two-day workshop for Hoodia growers at Keetmanshoop yesterday.

The workshop's aim is to develop guidelines for the development of a sustainable Hoodia industry.

However, Konjore was quick to warn Hoodia growers that the skyrocketing demand poses negative consequences for the survival of the species in its natural range.

"Populations of this rare natural resource are being negatively impacted by the high demand," he said.

According to Konjore, the growing demand resulted in numerous incidents of illegal harvesting and attempts to illegally export large amounts of Hoodia material to European markets.

"We need to find a way to address the root causes of Hoodia's decline before the situation becomes dire," he said.

The cactus-like plant, known as !Khowab to the Nama community, is sought after across Europe and America for its appetite-suppressant qualities.

Pharmaceutical companies are currently processing these plants into a powder form which can be added directly to liquids or taken as a capsule.

The bitter-tasting, prickly plant has been classified as a protected species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), to prevent its exploitation through wild harvesting and over-utilisation.

Currently, no export of Hoodia material is authorised in Namibia but illegal trade is rife, with seeds and plant shoots being smuggled out of the country for cultivation and production purposes.
Source AllAfrica

New Hoodia Bar

Good news for the Hoodia industry!

In all industries, there are good and bad times. Particularly, there are good news for the hoodia industry because a competitor have launched a new product.

More hoodia products means more hoodia options for the hoodia consumers. Tha is good news for all of us.

Millennium Health Supplements from Canada announced the introduction of a new protein bar that contains 400mg of 100% pure Hoodia Gordonii. The news release and the product launch was done at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, held in the second week of march, 2007.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with our Hoodia Hoodia™ Protein Bar," said Mark Doyle, General Manager of Millennium Health Supplements. "This product reflects an increased level of interest in meal replacement bars that are nutritional, satisfying and great-tasting. It is ideal for our on-the-go lifestyle and has the added benefit of containing a natural appetite suppressant--that's a wonderful combination! The bar also fits in perfectly with our line diversification strategy." The 50g chocolate fudge bar has high protein, low glycemic factor, low fat, and superior fibre. It will be promoted through multiple retail marketing channels and is available with the reputable Hoodia Hoodia™ brand or white label.

Mark Doyle confirms that "all products are scientifically formulated to ensure optimal quality and overall health. The Hoodia Bar is also packed with great flavour."

Millennium Health Supplements is a leading nutraceutical business that specializes in using only pure, raw materials including Hoodia which is 100% CITES certified. The Company significantly expanded its operations last year to handle rapid growth and is well positioned to market the Hoodia Hoodia™ Protein Bar internationally.

Natural diet supplement Hoodia put to test in weight loss challenge

Feb 21, 2007 08:00 PM
By Carrie Weil

(LOUISVILLE) -- America's growing waistline, is no small problem. Fat is to blame for ballooning health care costs, plummeting self esteem, and a long list of other problems. But Africa could hold the answer to this weighty issue. WAVE 3's Carrie Weil takes a look at the plant, and now diet supplement, called Hoodia.

It's a phrase Mary Clark has been hearing a lot from customers concerning the benefits of Hoodia after they see a story about it on TV. "I saw this on 60 minutes, I saw this on Oprah, I saw this on WAVE 3."

Clark manages the southern Indiana location of Rainbow Blossom, a natural foods market. She says the marketing buzz is in such overdrive concerning Hoodia, that Rainbow Blossom has a hard time keeping it in stock. As popular as the product is here, it's old news in Africa. The Bushmen have been using the plant for thousands of years.

"When you use the plant itself -- what they find is it actually suppresses the appetite," explained Clark. "So the Bushmen go out, do all of their running, all of their hunting, and not get hungry."

Hoodia is different than other diet aids because it's natural. So far there, have been no scary side effects reported like with Ephedra or Phenfen. Those products are now banned.

One study found people who took Hoodia ate, on average, 1,000 calories less per day. Those are impressive results, but Clark says there are other things to consider.

"Well, what happens when you don't eat sometimes they body says 'hmmmm, she's not feeding me we better turn this to fat so we'll have it for later.' Our bodies require nutrients, they require the lipids, the carbs, they require the sugars, they require air, water. So we need all of those to make the body work."

With all that in mind, three people have agreed to put Hoodia to the test and let us follow their progress. Our "Hoodia Hopefuls" come from three walks of life, but have one desire: shed the extra pounds.

WAVE TV Assignment Manager Aaron Ellis spends his nights juggling calls, press releases, scanner traffic and news crews. Last on the list lately: his health. His downfall is no exercise and as he puts it "not eating smart."

On the day we checked in he did not eat breakfast, which is typical. For lunch, he went through the Wendy's drive thru for a "spicy chicken sandwich and fries." And for dinner, Ellis packed Hamburger Helper. "Because it's what I had in the house."

When Aaron ends his day between midnight and 2 a.m. he says the only thing leftover is a bad feeling. "You get tired. At the end of the day I'm worn out"

Kristian Watkins is a nail technician, wife and mother of two. She spends her days caring for her family and making others look better. Now, she says, she needs some help of her own. In the last 10 years, she's put on 100 pounds. A prescription diet aid even led to heart problems.

"I've done Weight Watchers, you name it, I've done it," Watkins said. "I've struggled with my weight my whole life unfortunately," explained Kristian.

She says her worst eating comes late at night, after long hours on the job. "I'm hoping it (Hoodia) will just help curb that, so I don't want to snack."

Even though she's tried to lose weight before, she says, this time her motivation is different. Her two young daughters are on her mind. "I feel like I'm not being a good example to them, so I'm not real pleased with how I've let myself go."

Our last "Hoodia Hopeful" could be described as everybody's mom. Elementary Principal Fredericka Hargis is "mom" to three grown kids and 500 school children. After long hours on the job, her outlet is cooking. "I cook old fashioned style, everything from scratch."

Most of the time she keeps it healthy using fresh herbs and baking the food instead of frying. She even walks a mile on most nights. Fredericka says she feels "healthy." Her weight nemesis is not just the number on the scale, but another one, her age. She's in her 50's.

"I'm trying to be as healthy as I can but the weight goes on your metabolism slows. I asked my doctor and he says you're older! He says, 'you're never going to be high school size again.' And that's okay, I just want to fit in the closet of clothes that I have," said Fredericka.

So will Hoodia be the answer for Fredericka, Kristian and Aaron? They each have their goals:

Fredericka says "I would be happy if I lost 20 pounds."

Kristian "would love it if Hoodia was able to get me to where I was feeling better and more confident about who I am as a woman."

"I would love it if I felt better," Aaron said. "I'd like to lose 25 to 30 pounds."

We'll be following our Hoodia Hopefuls through May. If you're interested in using Hoodia, make sure you're buying the real deal. Look for a permit from the Department of Agriculture in South Africa or Hoodia labeled "Dexl-10."

Good luck and stay tuned for our Hoodia updates.

Online Reporter: Carrie Weil

Online Producer: Michael Dever
Source WAVE3

Hoodia users report results after three weeks

March 19, 2007 10:19 AM
By Carrie Weil

(LOUISVILLE) -- It's been three weeks since our "Hoodia Hopefuls" first put the product to the test. Many people have asked about their early results, so WAVE 3's Carrie Weil has an update.

Kristian Watkins, a local nail technician, told me she gained 100 pounds over the last ten years and wants to lose weight to set a healthier example for her two daughters.

She wrote me saying, "I love it! I can really tell a difference in my appetite. I have already lost 12 pounds. I have also had the desire to drink more water. This may be bad for some, but for me it is good.

"My sweet tooth has also been curbed. I am really pleased with Hoodia. I already am starting to feel better. When I don't take it, I can tell a difference, so I know this pill is working."

WAVE 3 Assignment Editor Aaron Ellis has seen some results mainly in his eating habits. He is hoping to lose 25 to 30 pounds and gain more energy.

"I have only lost a couple of pounds," Ellis said. "Nothing stellar yet, but it has helped me change how I eat and how much I eat. I am still eating two meals, but when I eat what I have, I am full. I do not go back for seconds and I'm not eating the heaping helpings that I used to."

Our third "hopeful" is Fredericka Hargis, a local elementary school principal. She's in her 50s, and even with eating healthfully and moderate exercise, she has put on 20 pounds in the last five years.

After three weeks of using Hoodia, she likes the results. "I am doing great. I have lost six pounds in three weeks. I have had no ill effects. I am less hungry and less likely to snack at all. I think the best thing is that it has caused less hunger and therefore smaller portions are easy."

Stay tuned to WAVE 3 and wave3.com for another Hoodia Hopeful update at the end of March.

Source WAVE3

Overweight teens die young

A new study conducted by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health suggest that Women who are overweight or obese at age 18 are at a greater risk of dying in middle age than women who maintain a healthy weight in their teens, according to a press release from Foregood.

The Nurses’ Health study records and examines the health habits and medical records of more than 100 000 women as part of an ongoing federally financed study of women’s health problems. The study stretches from 1989 and includes participants aged between 24 and 44. Over the last 12 years 710 of the monitored women have died and the accompanying evaluation showed that those women who were overweight or obese at 18 were most likely to die.

Harvard’s Frank Hu explains that those who weighed too much at 18 were more likely to be overweight at 34. “Our results suggest that childhood obesity itself has adverse health effects over and above obesity during adulthood,” says Hu adding that childhood obesity needs urgent attention as it can now be linked to adult obesity and heart disease in later life.
The US now boasts a horrifying 25 million children that are medically classified as either overweight or on the brink of becoming so, according to a government survey. “Obesity is most clearly detrimental to health and shortens longevity,” explains Michael Thun of the American Cancer Society.

As far as South Africa goes the medical fraternity has noticed a marked increase in the number of patients who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight.

“We need to start paying urgent attention to the eating and exercising habits of our children now. Maintaining a healthy weight in childhood is essential as it prevents complications such as disturbed effects on growth, psychosocial difficulties, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, and abnormal glucose metabolism, as well as persistence into adulthood, leading to a myriad of further complications," says Mandy Marcus of the South African Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology. – (Foregood)

Source: Health 24

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Scientists "substantiate" safety of noni fruit juice

Scientists have reviewed the safety data and case reports of supposed adverse reactions for noni fruit juice, and reached the same conclusions as the EU that the fruit poses no safety risk to consumers.

"The increasing popularity of the juice today has necessitated this review," said the authors.
Noni juice, from the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia L. plant was authorised for sale in the European Union under novel foods legislation, but case reports have continued to surface claiming adverse events after consumption of the juice.

The authors, from Tahitian Noni International in collaboration with the University Medical School of Hamburgs Department of Toxicology, reviewed data from animal studies on toxicology, allergenicity and genotoxicity, and human clinical safety studies. Case reports of adverse events were also analysed.

"This review has drawn together, for the first time, documented food usages and formal safety studies. It appears that noni juice is as safe as other common fruit juices," wrote lead author Brett West in the Institute of Food Technologists' Journal of Food Science (Vol. 71, pp. R100-R105).

The animal data on toxicology found no pathological changes at high doses in any of the 55 animal organs studies, and led the reviewers to determine the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) as more than 80 millilitres of juice per kilogram of body weight.

The allergenicity studies, using both rats and guinea pigs, showed that "no positive allergic reactions were noted in any of the animals," said West.

A review of the genotoxicity data also reported a negligible risk for the juice.

Human clinical trials used double-blind, placebo-controlled designs, one of which used Tahitian Noni Juice and the other a noni fruit extract. The first study, said the authors indicated that "drinking up to 750ml of Tahitian Noni Juice per day is safe."

Case reports of potential adverse effects of the juice were described as "disparate" by the reviewers, and, due to confounding factors such as other ingredients in the juice, and people also taking Chinese herbs or prescription drugs, could not establish a direct link between noni juice consumption and potential harm.

"This review article will compensate for the lack of information and context in the published literature, and will thus assist health professionals and scientists in assessing the wholesomeness of noni fruit juice," said the authors.

Noni juice comes from the fruit commonly known as 'noni'. But it is also known as 'Indian Mulberry' and 'nonu'. It is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and to have been distributed subsequently by ancient voyagers or other means into the Pacific islands, including Tahiti and Hawaii.

Today, it is one of a number of antioxidant fruits, including pomegranate, guarana, mangosteen, goji berries and blueberries, which are increasingly seen by food and beverage makers as up and coming ingredients.

Leatherhead Foods predicts that sales of such heart health foods will rise nearly 60 per cent over the 2004-2009 period to reach nearly $5.7bn by 2009. Although it said in its recent "Heart Benefit Foods" report that, until now, juice drinks have tended to have a general health positioning due to their antioxidant content, there are signs that this may be about to change.

Source: Food Navigator

Buy Hoodia Gordonii Diet Pills, Noni Juices and Aloe products at
http://www.hoodialatina.com

Buy aloe raw materials and finished products at
http://www.aloetrade.com.ar

Buy Aloe Products in Spain, Italy and Portugal at
http://www.dietahoodia.com