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When most people talk about a metabolism increasing drug or supplement they are referring to a substance that stimulates the body to burn more calories. These metabolism stimulating supplements, such as caffeine, give us a boost of energy and a small increase in metabolic activity. On the other end of the weight loss and diet supplement spectrum is the appetite suppressant. Hoodia Gordonii, a cactus like plant from the South African Kalahari Desert, is the latest big thing in appetite suppressants. But the question remains is an appetite suppressant good for the body's metabolism?

Up until recently Hoodia Gordonii was used almost exclusively by African Bushmen to help suppress their appetites during hunting trips that would last for several days. They had two reasons for doing this. One, they did not want to eat outside of the communal dining that is a staple of their culture and two, they wanted to make sure they didn't eat what they hunted before they returned to the village. These tribal Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for hundreds of centuries with no known side effects. Of course they have been eating it for centuries and may have evolved an immunity to any side effects.

In studies that have been done to back up the anecdotal evidence supplied the Bushmen the appetite suppressing qualities of Hoodia Gordonii seem to be real. In one study obese individuals were given a set amount of Hoodia Gordonii everyday and were asked not to exercise. Over the course of the study the subjects taking the hoodia ate 1000 less calories per day then the control group that was taking placebos. This can be helpful for people who are obese or extremely overweight and have a hard time controlling their eating habits.