In 1796 the Botanist Francis Masson wrote about Hoodia;

‘This is the real ghaap of the natives, who use it as a substitute for food and water. The sweet sap reminds one of licorice and, when on one occasion thirst compelled me to follow the example of my Hottentot guide, it saved further suffering and removed the pangs of hunger so efficiently that I could not eat anything for a day after having reached the camp’.

Marloth (1855-1931)

The word Ghaap; that Francis Masson refers to in the above excerpt; is what the Native Africans call all thirteen species of Hoodia.  Nearly all of these species are found in the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa where, for thousands of years, the San Bushmen have eaten them to stave off thirst and hunger whilst out on long hunting treks¹.  (more…)

 

Many people believe that Human Growth Hormone can only be replaced via very costly and very painful injections, and surprisingly, they would be right. Actual synthetic Human Growth Hormone can only be administered by injection, and rightly only by a Medical Practitioner. This form of Human Growth Hormone is only given to people who have a growth hormone deficiency or those who are willing to pay for expensive and painful treatment. However, this is not the only solution for those of us who are seeking an alternative treatment, as evidence is now available which maintains that as we get older our Pituitary Gland does not stop producing Growth Hormone, only the rate in which it releases it. Therefore, there are now many oral Growth Hormone Releasers, known as Growth Secretagogues¹, readily available on the market. (more…)

Within our central nervous system Serotonin plays a critical part in in the regulation of Depression, Anxiety, Sleep, Aggression, Temperature, Appetite, Sexual Behaviour and the Sensation of Pain.  Cells in other parts of the body also use and make Serotonin, but all Serotonin used by our Brain Cells has to be made within the Neurons, as Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.  Serotonin is produced by an Amino Acid called Tryptohan.

5-Hydroxytryptophan, (5-HTP), is also an Amino Acid naturally produced by the body from the essential Amino Acid Tryptohan through a process called Enzyme Tryptophan Hydroxylase.   The action of Tryptophan Hydroylase can be inhibited by many different influences, some of these include, Stress, Vitamin B6 deficiency, and Insulin Resistance, thus making the Tryptophan unavailable for Serotonin production.  As mentioned earlier, if not enough Serotonin is produced then the regualtion of  Depression, Anxiety, Sleep, Aggression, Temperature, Appetite, Sexual Behaviour and the Sensation of Pain, may be effected.

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Only four months ago the Weight Loss Pill, Acomplia, was given the go ahead for use in the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.  The tablet was to be used as a ‘last chance’ treatment for overweight patients that also suffered from Cholesterol problems and Type 2 Diabetes. However, the European Medicines Agency has now suspended Acomplia’s licence stating ‘the benefits no longer out weigh the risks’.  (more…)

There are two types of Chromium; the first type is what we can visually see all around us every day in buildings, furniture, jewellery etc, this Chromium is mainly sourced from Chrome Ore, and is used commercially.  The second type of Chromium is found within the Earth’s crust.  This Chromium is commonly known as Chromium Glucose Tolerance Factor, or Chromium GTF.

Under normal circumstances we would be able to source enough Chromium from our diets, but over the years the Chromium levels in our soil has depleted and fewer foods now contain high levels of Chromium.  Because of this a supplement of Chromium may be beneficial to our daily routine. (more…)