Many people start a diet and exercise program without talking to their doctor first, no matter how many warnings they read, but it is still the best advice that anyone can give. Consult your doctor before you buy hoodia products. Hoodia gordonii is believed to be safe and has no known side effects, but one should be in reasonably good health before using it or any other appetite suppressant.

Once the doctor gives the green light, look for hoodia products that display CITES permits and/or analytical reports. There have been reports that some of the products on the market are not genuine hoodia gordonii. To avoid these products, buy hoodia that displays their certifications on their websites. One company required that the customer make a purchase before providing this information, might be wise to avoid that hoodia product.

There are many companies selling genuine products. Choosing among them may be a matter of trial and error. Customers report that some hoodia products work better than others and some say that certain ones did not work at all for them. There is no standard dosage for hoodia products, but dieters seem to be more successful when they buy hoodia with higher, rather than lower dosages. For example, Hoodia XR 1000mg and Desert Burn 750mg contain more hoodia per capsule than most hoodia products and they receive high ratings at websites devoted to hoodia reviews. These are both 100% hoodia gordonii.

There are some hoodia products which contain other natural appetite suppressants and these might work better for some people. Most of them contain natural stimulants, like green tea, cocoa or caffeine. Check the labels before you buy hoodia. Look at the ingredients. If you are sensitive to stimulants, you may experience unwanted side effects from these products, including increased heart rate, shaky hands, dry mouth, etc.

Price is a big consideration for many people. In general, hoodia products are more expensive than other appetite suppressants. Companies report that they expect prices to go up because supplies are limited. Wild hoodia gordonii is protected from harvesting by the governments of southern Africa, which is the only place that it grows. One can not buy hoodia gordonii in most places without a permit. It can not be exported without a CITES (Council on International Trade of Endangered Species) permit. African farmers must have a permit to grow hoodia gordonii and one will only be issued if there is no chance of damaging wild stands. The best advice for dieters looking to buy hoodia is to take advantage of multi-bottle discounts offered by companies with a satisfaction guarantee. Most people know within a couple of weeks whether or not the hoodia products are suppressing their appetites, but remember that thirty days is generally from the date of purchase and not the date of delivery.

For more information about hoodia products, visit the Hoodia Info Blog.