Critics Urge No Go to Hoodia

Lately, a number of members of my free, online KickSugar group have been asking me about a much-acclaimed weight loss aid — a cactus named Hoodia gordonii that is renowned for its ability to curb appetite.

They want to know if it’s safe.

One expert I consulted contended that Hoodia is:

• Not not Generally Recognized As Safe (or not GRAS)
• The latest in a line of potentially dangerous and untested-in-humans neuro stimulants that could be fatal (fen-fen, ephedrine, dexatrim)
• Falsely labeled
• Umproven
• Laxative, causing diarrhea

The expert also frets that taking Hoodia on a regular basis could even trigger predisposition to other disease such as cancer and heart disease.

Meanwhile, Debby and Dulcy from free, online KickSugar group tracked down Dr. Andrew Weil’s interesting conclusion on the subject of Hoodia. (I was thrilled to find that he’d researched the subject — saved me the hassle of doing more investigating.)

Then, Vashti, a health and wellnesss consulant from Australia and a newcomer to my group, tracked down a fascinating article from NewsTarget.com.

After a couple of clicks, I found that NewsTarget.com had done a whole series of articles about Hoodia.

So rather than re-inventing the wheel, I’ll just send you to both the NewTarget.com and DrWeil.com websites and let you draw your own conclusion. 

After learning about hoodia, my sense is that taking it in capsule form isn’t such a great idea. Isn’t worth the risk, in my opinion.

‘Course, it sounds like maybe going to South Africa to gnaw on the cactus is an option!!! LOL!