Pure coincidence but since I mentioned hoodia earlier one of the science blogs I read posted
this. A FAQ about hoodia.
It shows the way reputable "alternative treatments" tend to work. A double blind study was done, safety tests are being done and dosage studies.
I also found it interesting that there is currently no legal source of the hoodia ingredient so all of those suppliers you're getting spam from (and
Dateline investigations) must be using somehting else or illegally exported plants.
The efficacy of the plant is stronger than I figured it was since my only exposure has been through those spammers and infomercials.