The Science of Hoodia
Government researchers in South Africa have focused on compounds called sterol glycosides, present in Hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii whole powder contains fiber, organic material, antioxidants and biologically active substances. The pharmaceutical industry has been so impressed by research findings with Hoodia gordonii that there have been multi-million-dollar deals to try and make drugs or food additives from constituents of Hoodia gordonii. Making a drug from Hoodia is not consistent with its traditional use as an appetite suppressant by native South Africans.

The consumption of Hoodia gordonii over thousands of years by the San bushmen creates a great precedent for the safety of the Hoodia plant, but it does not create precedence for the safety or effectiveness of a “drug derivative”. Hoodia does not contain dangerous stimulant molecules, but it does contain substances that may mimic the effects of glucose on nerve cells in the brain. Controlled clinical and laboratory experiments show much promise of Hoodia for weight control. Some experiments have shown that obese people taking Hoodia have reduced their calorie intake by an amazing amount of one thousand calories per day.

The use of Hoodia in a dietary supplement is closer to the traditional use of Hoodia than the isolation of certain extracts of Hoodia (steroidal glycosides). Although recent scientific experiments seem to support that specific fractions or extracts of Hoodia gordonii are responsible for its major effects on appetite, it is not safe to assume that other ingredients within Hoodia do not contribute to its many effects in humans. The precedent for the safety of taking Hoodia rests with the use of the whole plant, not with the use of extracts such as steroidal glycosides.

Figuring Out the Hoodia Supplement Industry
It must be expected that not all dietary supplements, containing or labeled as Hoodia, will be created in an egalitarian manner. At the time of writing, I could find evidence of approximately 37 different brands of Hoodia supplements on the internet. The dosage of Hoodia in these supplements is quite variable, but the dosage listed can sometimes be quite irrelevant, because in some cases the material used to make the supplement is not Hoodia gordonii, and bulk material may have been “cut” or adulterated by various means. Based on open-label observations it would appear that an average effective dose of high quality, Hoodia gordonii material is 400mg taken twice daily before the two main meals in one day. My suggestion of this average dosage only applies to high quality - Hoodia that is imported from South Africa. High quality material is obtained from reliable growers and processors with permits provided by the South African government.

Not only is there major inconsistency in recommended doses of Hoodia supplement, there is considerable difference in price. Prices range from less than $20 to more than $80 per bottle, and they usually contain 60 capsules or tablets.
One must be quite skeptical about inexpensive dietary supplements containing Hoodia because pure, quality bulk Hoodia Gordonii costs on average at least $300 per kilo to purchase for the manufacturing of dietary supplements. Variations of price in bulk material that is called “Hoodia” have been reported in recent times in a range from US $35 per kilogram to more than US $700 per kilogram. When prices of anything do not make sense one must assume that there is great difference in the commodity in question.

The cost of high quality Hoodia and its probable, future problems with sustainable supplies have prompted some dietary supplement manufacturers to use smaller dosages or combinations of other weight loss supplements with Hoodia gordonii.

Hoodia Scams: CONSUMER BEWARE
At the time of writing, the interest in Hoodia gordonii, as a dietary supplement, has already swept the nation. Predictably, many dietary supplement companies are producing different brands of products that allegedly contain Hoodia gordonii from South Africa. These supplements carry a variable promise of biological activity. Internet advertising has become frenetic, deceptive in some circumstances, and positively corrupt in others. Many web pages contain false claims or misleading information about Hoodia, and its “form” in dietary supplements.

Some purveyors of dietary supplements are reckless enough to make frank “drug claims” or “hyperbolic statements”. Readers should be aware that there is a great need to exercise discretion on the Hoodia they purchase. A dietary supplement containing Hoodia that contains plant material which is consistent in origin, pure, and of high quality is TraZic Hoodia.

When any category of dietary supplement becomes very popular, there seems to be a small segment of the dietary supplement industry that disregards quality, purity and cost advantage of bulk reagents that are used to make a product. Quality dietary supplements containing Hoodia differ in this regard, because they contain material that is grown under strict quality control in an approved manner by cultivators who are supervised by the South African government.

Safety of Hoodia Supplements
On the one hand, no significant adverse effects of Hoodia have been reported, but on the other one cannot provide a complete safety seal for this dietary supplement. Hoodia has been a “food” for centuries in South Africa, without reports of problems and with expressions of confidence in its nutritional value from native South African people. The precedent for the safety of Hoodia in adults is quite strong.

Dietary supplements containing Hoodia gordonii cannot be considered safe for use in childhood, pregnancy, or in lactating females who are breast feeding. It is not known if components of Hoodia enter breast milk and appetite suppression or other effects of Hoodia must be considered very undesirable in infants.

A great concern exists with Hoodia if it is abused, or used by individuals with eating disorders that promote weight loss. Individuals with distorted body images who want to induce extreme degrees of weight loss often have a disorder called anorexia nervosa, with, or without bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is becoming more common and it is a life-threatening disorder. Some comments have already been made in the media about the dangers of Hoodia use in the extreme “dieter” with an eating disorder.

A proposed “warning” for use with Hoodia gordonii as a dietary supplement would be:

 “Not to be used in childhood, pregnancy or lactating females who are breast feeding. Not to be used by individuals with eating disorders or those who are underweight or within a normal weight range. Allergic reactions may occur, as with all plant material. Reduced calorie intake can affect the control of diabetes mellitus. In cases of doubt, check with a medical practitioner prior to use.”