Hoodia gordonii became extremely popular as a weight loss supplement or more appropriately, an appetite suppressant. The popularity, unfortunately, is also directly correlated to its potential ban by the FDA. The weight loss industry took a hit awhile back with the ban of ephedra. Is hoodia unsafe like ephedra?
Not exactly — ephedra use was implicated in the deaths of a few young women who used this strong, stimulant type appetite suppressant. They suffered cardiac complications and died. After evaluation, the FDA banned the sale of ephedra in the United States.
Hoodia supplements are now the target of FDA scrutiny, but this time, it has less to do with safety. Hoodia seems to be a relatively safe appetite suppressant. It is mild and works in a way that tricks the brain into thinking you have had plenty to eat. A compound in hoodia mimics glucose in the body and the brain believes you do not need to eat; therefore, it does not signal hunger.
Although diabetics should check with their healthcare providers due to this effect on blood glucose, most people who consume diets high in refined carbohydrates may benefit from taking hoodia supplements. Often times, the brain begins signaling hunger at higher than normal rates when a person consumes mostly refined carbohydrates. They become hungry even though they do not really need to eat.
The reason hoodia is under speculation is due to a myriad of con artists who are selling fake hoodia and others who are offering free samples only to sign users up for an auto-shipment program and charging their credit cards for additional shipments. Both scams are costing consumers hundreds of dollars.
One would think the popularity of a safe and effective appetite suppressant such as hoodia would lend to more legitimate businesses. Although there are companies selling pure hoodia, their prices reflect the actual cost of hoodia; whereas other companies are low-balling their competitors with fake hoodia.
Low-balling is an age-old revenue tactic that does not really need explanation, but the cost of pure hoodia and its scarcity is a bit more interesting. Hoodia gordonii is a cactus that grows in South Africa. It takes 3 years for the hoodia plants to mature, and they are very difficult to cultivate outside their natural climate. They are subject to fungus infections. They are not very pleasant to grow either because the scent of their blossoms is akin to rotting flesh. This scent draws flies for necessary pollination.
All of this drove the pricing up, and the eventual regulation of its sale due to illegal black markets. South Africa now requires a C.I.T.E.S. certification to obtain hoodia. Hoodia is also difficult to grow conventionally, so this also lends to the high price.
If you are buying pure hoodia supplements, expect to pay a premium price. The cheap hoodia supplements are likely fake or contain such small amounts of pure hoodia that they are virtually useless. If the FDA bans hoodia, we may only have our never-ending quest for “cheap” products to blame.
Do you know which hoodia brand you can trust? Go there and find out our preferred hoodia brand.
