Is Hoodia Gordonii Is A Bad Idea
Doug Smith

Defined Tag: hoodia gordonii.
There is a magical plant with the funny name of hoodia gordonii. It has the magic powers to instantly make hunger and thirst disappear, or that's what the press wants you to believe. These hoodia claims might very well be true -- it is too soon to tell. However, the residents of South Africa's Kalahari desert have been using hoodia for centuries to stop their hunger. Recent non-scientific tests seem to prove gordonii's claims that it can stop hunger. Is that why hoodia is a bad idea? No, please continue reading.

The scientific name for this otherwise ordinary looking cactus bush is hoodia gordonii. Normally the media assigns silly nicknames such as the calorie cactus or the fat plant. Maybe the word "hoodia" is silly enough on its own. It is the scientific name of hoodia gordonii that has become associated with quick easy weight loss. That's not really the bad part either.

The gordonii species of hoodia only grows naturally in South Africa's Kalahari Desert. Big companies are trying desperately to create hoodia's active ingredient in the laboratory. This task has been very difficult and generally unsuccessful. The only remaining large source of real hoodia is the plants themselves. Strict laws and regulations were imposed by many nations regarding the transport and sale of hoodia gordonii. That's bad for the overweight people wanting real hoodia, but doesn't relate to the article's title.

Unscrupulous weight loss supplement makers are taking advantage of the weight loss hype surrounding hoodia. Now this hype has yet to be proven scientifically, but that hasn't stopped certain companies from falsely claiming that their weight loss supplements contain genuine gordonii style hoodia. There are only a few companies legally licensed to create and distribute authentic hoodia from South Africa, yet the false claims from unlicensed companies continue. Yes, that's bad for consumers, but not the main point.

The apparent natural remedy of hoodia-gordonii seems to fool the brain into thinking the stomach is full. This stops hunger cravings. There is very little scientific research, but the anecdotal evidence is increasing due to western news teams and talk shows. At any moment one of these hoodia research companies could discover a method to produce the active ingredient cheaply and in bulk. Would that be bad? Yes it would, but only if you are selling a competing weight loss supplement!

Many people are hoping that hoodia gordonii can do all that early tests suggest it can do for weight loss, including the companies investing billions in the development of African hoodia gordonii diet supplements.

Copyright 2007 by Doug Smith. All rights reserved worldwide. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.