A natural appetite suppressant that looks like a cactus, Hoodia gordonii has been used by African tribesmen to fight off hunger on long trips for centuries. It has also been touted by the Bushmen as a treatment for abdominal cramping, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion and diabetes. The authentic Hoodia is culled from the Kalahari Desert region in South Africa.

What most people do not know is that there are actually 20 different varieties of hoodia, but they are not all created equal. It is the hoodia gordonii that has earned a reputation for its appetite-supressing properties.

Hoodia contains a molecule called P57 which actually prevents hunger pangs by making the brain think you have already eaten. Individuals who eat the Hoodia do not think about hunger, feel fuller longer and maintain an overall feeling of well being.