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- Should You Be Buddies with Hoodia for Weight Loss? Here's the Skinny!
Should You Be Buddies with Hoodia for Weight Loss? Here's the Skinny!
Should You Be Buddies with Hoodia for Weight Loss? Here's the Skinny! 🌿
Hey Supermoms! 🦸♀️
Ever heard of Hoodia gordonii? No, it's not the latest character from Star Wars, but it might as well be, given its exotic origins and the mystery surrounding its powers. This succulent plant hails from the sun-drenched lands of southern Africa and has been the San people's not-so-secret weapon against hunger pangs for centuries. Fast forward to today, and it's the new kid on the block in the weight loss supplement neighborhood, promising to zap your appetite faster than you can say "Where's the nearest taco truck?" 🌵🥗
What's the Deal with Hoodia?

So, Hoodia gordonii, or hoodia for the cool kids, looks a bit like a cactus but acts like your diet-conscious friend who slaps the doughnut out of your hand. The San tribespeople didn't have doughnuts, but they did have hoodia, which they used to beat hunger, thirst, and a laundry list of ailments - from abdominal cramps to hypertension. Talk about a plant of all trades!
In the late '90s, big pharma got wind of hoodia and thought, "Aha! The next diet sensation!" They zeroed in on a compound called P57, which they believed was the magic bullet for shrinking waistlines. And just like that, hoodia became the belle of the ball in diet supplement form - pills, powders, patches, you name it.
The Hyped Benefits of Hoodia 🌟
The buzz around hoodia is that it's supposed to make you forget about food. Imagine walking past a bakery and not being tempted by the smell of freshly baked bread. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that's the dream hoodia sellers are selling. They base this on a few things:
Some sciencey stuff about increasing brain ATP levels by 50-to-150%, which might make you less hungry.
More sciencey stuff about increasing gut hormones that tell your brain you're full.
The San people's centuries-old use of hoodia as a hunger blocker.
But before you rush off to declare your undying love for hoodia, let's pump the brakes and talk science - real science.
Why You Might Want to Swipe Left on Hoodia ❌
First off, just because something's been used for centuries doesn't make it a slam dunk. History's littered with "remedies" that did more harm than good (hello, mercury for syphilis!).
Then there's the research. One study involved shooting P57 directly into rat brains. Not exactly practical unless you're into that sort of thing. Plus, other studies suggest that when you take hoodia the old-fashioned way (you know, by mouth), it doesn't stick around long enough to wave hello to your brain.
Even the pharmaceutical bigwigs who initially jumped on the hoodia bandwagon started to backpedal when they couldn't ignore the elephant in the room: the lack of solid evidence supporting hoodia's weight loss claims.
The Only Human Study on Hoodia: A Plot Twist 🔄
The plot thickens with the revelation that the only human study on hoodia didn't exactly give it two thumbs up. Participants didn't lose more weight than those popping a placebo, but they did get some bonus side effects like higher blood pressure and heart rate. Surprise!
Hoodia's Side Effects: The Unwanted Guests 😬
Speaking of side effects, hoodia doesn't come without its party poopers: increased blood pressure, pulse, nausea, dizziness, and a bunch of other not-so-fun reactions. It's like hoodia's way of saying, "You might not lose weight, but you'll definitely feel something!"
Some studies even hinted that hoodia could throw your body composition out of whack, turning you into a lean, mean, muscle-losing machine. Not exactly the goal for most of us.
So, Should You Date Hoodia for Weight Loss? 🤔
Let's just say hoodia's profile might look tempting, but it's probably not the one you want to bring home to meet your metabolism. The evidence just isn't there to swipe right on this supposed appetite suppressant, and the side effects might make you wish you'd stayed friends.
Looking for legit weight loss buddies? Consider caffeine for a metabolism boost and yohimbine for tackling stubborn fat. They're not as exotic as hoodia, but they're the kind of friends who won't leave you with weird side effects or empty promises. ☕💪
Wrapping it up 🎯
In the quest for weight loss, it's easy to get seduced by the allure of exotic solutions like hoodia.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
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TODAY’S GIGGLE FUEL:
The Mom Approved Meme-Break! 😄

MYTH VS FACT
🤔The longer you hold a plank, the better.
🙈
.
🙉
.
🙊
🔥MYTH 🔥
Being able to hold a plank for a good amount of time (1-2+ minutes) is a great sign your core muscles ARE strong and have a lot of endurance.
In fact, if you get my emails you might have seen the “plank test” for core strength!
But for most people, it’s not necessary to hold your planks for more than 1 or 2 minutes during your everyday workouts.
Instead, you can mix up your exercises and include more challenging plank variations. There’s an almost endless list of options to make it “fun” (depending on your definition of fun. 😜)
There are one-armed and one-legged planks, walking planks, spiderman planks, side planks, rotating planks, and the list goes on and on!
What do you think of planks – love ‘em, like ‘em, or leave ‘em?
FOODS OF THE WEEK:
Eggs
🥚When you think of “EGGS” … chances are you think “protein.” And yes, they’re a great choice for that …
But they also have compounds that support the health of your brain and eyes.
PLUS: even though they contain cholesterol, research shows they don’t appear to play a role in high cholesterol levels.
One of the best things about them? They take just a few minutes to cook! You can make a batch of hard-boiled eggs ahead of time for a quick grab-and-go snack.
✅TIP: Sorting through all the different types of eggs at the grocery store can be confusing!
Look for pastured eggs — which means hens are allowed open access to the outdoors, and they eat a more natural diet. That means more nutrition for you.
If those aren’t possible, try omega-3 eggs, followed by free-range, cage-free, or organic.
FAST FOODS
Spicy Avocado & Egg Toast

🥑This recipe will remind you why avocado toast became so popular a few years ago!
This recipe makes for a great breakfast – or if you’re hungry, a delicious snack.
Spicy Avocado & Egg Toast
(serves 1)
1 slice sprouted grain bread
1 egg
¼ avocado, mashed
2 slices of tomato
Salt & pepper to taste
Dash of hot sauce
Toast the bread and cook the egg in a nonstick pan. Place the toast on a plate and spread the mashed avocado over it. Cover with the tomato slices, and add salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Top with the egg. Enjoy!
QUICK QUESTION
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And that’s a wrap, SuperMoms🌟
As we close this edition of our newsletter, I want to remind you that the journey to health and fitness is as unique as you are. While the allure of quick fixes and magic solutions like Hoodia can be tempting, the true path to wellbeing lies in making informed, healthy choices that suit your individual needs and lifestyle. Remember, the best allies in your fitness journey are those that come with proven benefits and align with your goals and values.
So, as you navigate through the vast sea of information and options, take a moment to listen to your body, do your research, and choose what truly feels right for you. Whether it's incorporating more whole foods into your diet, finding joy in movement, or simply taking a moment to breathe and be present, every small step counts.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of health and wellness. Here's to making choices that empower us, nourish our bodies, and bring us joy. Until next time, keep shining, keep striving, and remember—you've got this!
-SuperMom Transformation
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