on 13 April 2009
During my research on Hoodia Gordonii I came across many websites who claim that their Hoodia had featured on Oprah Winfery show, or "as seen on Oprah" or was recommended and endorsed by Oprah. But did Hoodia really feature on Oprah Show?
After more research I couldn't find a single proof that the above was true. The only apparent connection between Oprah and Hoodia was an article in "O the Oprah Magazine" entitled “Diet Pills: The Next Generation”.
In the article, written by Mary Fischer, there was no recommended Hoodia slimming pills or Hoodia products. To clear the confusion about the hoodia-Oprah connection, an excerpt of what was written about Hoodia Gordonii on the Oprah magazine can be found here.
"Deep in the heart of Southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert may lie the secret to weight loss. For thousands of years, the Bushmen have turned to spiny plants with delicate blossoms called Hoodia to stave off hunger and thirst during long treks across sparse terrain.
When scientists at South Africa’s national laboratory discovered that the cactus-like plant caused weight loss in animals, they knew they were onto something big. They spent the next 30 years isolating the crucial compound, then licensed it to Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, in 1997.
As word of Hoodia spread, supplement manufacturers sought to capitalize on its weight loss properties. So far, however, there’s little proof that the supplements are even mildly effective: Most contain only small, probably insignificant levels of Hoodia extract, and caffeine is likely the active ingredient in many of them.
Phytopharm is aiming higher: They have already spent at least $20 million researching what makes the plant so effective, and recently partnered with Unilever to develop a Hoodia-based food additive. The company is also working to develop a synthetic prescription drug, and if they’re successful, the Bushmen will receive 6% of the royalties.
Up to now, though, no one has figured out precisely how Hoodia curbs appetite, and Phytopharm doesn’t yet have a drug ready for clinical trials. Meanwhile, other pharmaceutical firms are laboring on their own weight loss “miracles,” all of them racing to come up with the next win-the-jackpot diet drug."
Source: O the Oprah Magazine, issue: July 2005, page: 103
Hoodia and Oprah Winfery posted under Hoodia Gordonii in the Media