There are various species of Hoodia, but the Gordonii variation is the only one that exhibits a powerful-natural appetite suppressant effect. This effect is due to a specific molecule that has been identified in the Hoodia Gordini succulent that can influence the appetite centers of the brain, simply tricking the brain into the sensation of fullness. Results of human clinical trials in Britain suggest that Hoodia has the potential of reducing the appetite by hundreds of calories a day or more. In a BBC interview, Phytopharm's Dr. Richard Dixey explained:  "There is a part of your brain, the hypothalamus. Within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten. Nor do you want to."

Because synephrine is a mild stimulant, similar to caffeine and ephedrine, it is thought to have similar effects in terms of providing an energy boost, suppressing appetite and increasing metabolic rate and caloric expenditure. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), zhi shi is used to help stimulate the Qi  (pronounced chee, and defined as the body's vital energy or life force). In order to maximize the metabolic benefits of these extracts, total synephrine intake should probably be kept to a range of 2-10 mg/day.  Although synephrine and several other compounds found in zhi shi are structurally similar to ephedrine and are known to act as stimulants (via adrenergic activity), zhi shi does not appear to have the same negative central nervous effects of ma huang (ephedra). Through its stimulation of specific adrenergic receptors (beta-3, but not beta-1, beta-2 or alpha-1), zhi shi is theorized to stimulate fat metabolism without the negative cardiovascular side effects experienced by some people with Ma Huang (which stimulates all beta-adrenergic receptors).

Magnolia bark is rich in two biphenol compounds, (magnolol and honokiol), which are thought to contribute to the primary anti-stress and cortisol-lowering effects of the plant. The magnolol content of magnolia bark is generally in the range of 2-10 percent, while honokiol tends to occur naturally at 1-5 percent in dried magnolia bark. Magnolia bark also contains a bit less than 1 percent of an essential oil known as eudesmol, which is classified as a triterpene compound, and may provide some additional benefits as an antioxidant.

Because the active compounds, the catechins, found in green tea are known to possess potent antioxidant activity, they may provide beneficial health effects by protecting the body from the damaging effects of oxidative damage from free radicals. A number of chronic disease states have been associated with free radical induced oxidative damage, including cancer, heart disease, suppressed immune function and accelerated aging.

Chromium deficiency is known to lead to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance - symptoms commonly encountered in people with diabetes. Since chromium helps regulate the actions of insulin (as a constituent of glucose tolerance factor), chromium supplements may help support the many functions of insulin in the body, such as maintaining blood sugar and cholesterol levels and controlling appetite (particularly sweet cravings). Chromium is notorious for its poor absorption by the body, so many supplements are typically combined with another, more efficiently absorbed compound such as a vitamin (like niacin in polynicotinate versions) or an amino acid derivative (like picolinic acid, a derivative of tryptophan, in picolinate versions).

Vanadium or the most common supplemental form -vanadyl sulfate - is thought to mimic the physiological effects of insulin by a mechanism which remains unclear. Through this insulin-mimetic effect, vanadium is thought to promote glycogen synthesis, maintain blood glucose levels and stimulate muscle anabolism.

Magnesium stearate is a neutral magnesium soap with special hydrophobic specification. Its is a compound of magnesium with variable proportions of stearic and palmitic acids.

Note: The following ingredients may or may not be part of your Hoodia XPF formulation. Nutracore.com reserves the right to modify Hoodia XPF. Your feedback is an important factor in our continued efforts to provide you with an effective product to assist you in your weight loss goals. Please check th ingredients list on your bottle for more specific information.

Pyruvate is generally known as a biological fuel source as it is involved in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways. Certain fruits and vegetables are rich in pyruvate as are dark beer and red wine. An average sized red apple contains about 450 milligrams of pyruvate. Pyruvate may help some overweight individuals lose weight and may additionally have a beneficial effect on lipid profiles and lowering blood pressure. Several other benefits are attributed to pyruvate but the most prominent attributes ot this biological fuel source are its antioxidant activity and its potential to increase metabolism and fat utilization.

Chá de bugre is indigenous to Brazil and in the tropical forest areas of Argentina and Paraguay. It is used as a natural appetite suppressant - but rather than suppressing appetite completely (then causing intense rebound hunger), it gives a sensation of being full and satiated after eating only a few bites of food. This seems to promote eating smaller more frequent meals, a strategy that many dieticians and medical practitioners believe is better for both sustained weight loss and boosting and sustaining a person’s resting metabolism. Chá de Bugre is known to contain potassium, allantoin and allantoic acid. The red fruits or berries of chá de bugre contain caffeine. The presence of allantoin and allantoic acid may explain the traditional use of the plant for wound healing and treating fever.

Caffeine can serve as a stimulant in a number of ways. As a general central nervous system stimulant, caffeine increases mental arousal and stimulates the release of epinephrine (adrenaline). Caffeine also is known to stimulate mobilization of fatty acids which may have effects on fat oxidation for weight loss or endurance performance. Caffeine also encourages the release of calcium into muscle cells, where it can stimulate more powerful muscle contractions.

A review of four double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that tested the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia concluded that the phytosterol significantly improved urological symptoms and flow measure in those subjects. These trials included 519 men and lasted four to 26 weeks.

L-theanine has exhibited anticancer effects and an ability to favorably modulate the activity of some anticancer drugs in in vitro and animal experiments. It has also demonstrated hypotensive effects in animal work. It has inhibited LDL-cholesterol oxidation in preliminary in vitro tests. It was recently reported to enhance learning ability in animals and to induce relaxation in human subjects, possibly through its effects on serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters. It has also been shown to inhibit caffeine stimulation in another preliminary animal study. The unique aspect of theanine is that it acts as a non-sedating relaxant to help increase the brain's production of alpha-waves (those associated with "relaxed alertness"). This makes theanine extremely effective for combating tension, stress, and anxiety-without inducing drowsiness. By increasing the brain's output of alpha waves, theanine is thought to control anxiety, increase mental focus, improve concentration, and promote creativity.

Banaba leaf extract contains a triterpenoid compound known as corosolic acid - which has actions in stimulating glucose transport into cells. As such, banaba plays a role in regulating levels of blood sugar and insulin in the blood. For some people, fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin are related to appetite, hunger and various food cravings - particularly craving for carbohydrates such as bread and sweets. By keeping blood sugar and insulin levels in check, banaba may be an effective supplement for promoting weight loss in certain individuals.