African Mango Guide

African Mango is commonly seen in many dietary supplements. Elite Health Blends wants to help you learn more about this ingredient before you use it. Our guide is full of information, covering everything from the claims African Mango based products make, to what medical professionals really think about it. We even give you the clinical research so you can see for yourself what African Mango can really do for your diet.

The information on this site and the statements made about the products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA ). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should consult with a medical professional before purchasing or using the product, before starting any exercise regime, or starting any weight loss program, especially if you take any medication, have high blood pressure, or have any significant medical problems. The amount of weight loss is unique depending on the individual so results may vary.

You can download a PDF of this guide here.

Background

Irvingia gabonensis, also known as African Mango, is a tree that grows in West Africa. The tree produces a fruit similar to a mango, though the two are not related. The fruit is used as food, and the seeds are commonly used as a medicine. [1]

Claimed Benefits

Clinical trial results indicate that African Mango Extract has the following benefits:

Boost metabolism
Suppress appetite
Diabetes treatment
Lower bad cholesterol
Lower triglycerides
Raise good cholesterol
The high fiber concentration helps suppress the appetite while also helping to remove cholesterol from the body.

Clinical research cited below supports these claims. Different studies use varying doses of African Mango extract. Both 3.15 g per day and 300 mg per day show promising results.

Further research needs to be conducted to determine whether there are additional benefits from adding African Mango to your diet. Since this supplement improves cholesterol, it may also improve heart health. Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol is important to improve heart and circulatory system health.

The high amounts of beta-carotene (a type of vitamin A) in African Mango Extract could also help with a variety of health conditions, such as: High blood pressure, infertility, heartburn, and some emotional and mental disorders. The beta-carotene may also be effective at preventing certain types of cancer. However, more research is necessary to validate these claims.

Our Stance

Elite Health Blends supports African Mango as a valid weight loss aid, given the amount of promising research suggesting that it helps with both appetite suppression and boosting metabolism. The science is sound. There is little dispute that a high soluble fiber concentration suppresses the appetite and aids digestion. This extract boosts metabolism by increasing thermogenic activity – the amount of fat you burn though daily activity.

We also endorse African Mango as a valid option to maintain steady blood sugar levels and avoid the spikes and drops characteristic of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Multiple research studies show a dramatic effect on blood glucose. Maintaining steady blood glucose is especially important for people with diabetes, but it is beneficial for anyone.

Finally, we stand behind the claim that this extract lowers bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. Soluble fiber works as a digestive aid by pulling moisture and fat through the the digestive system and out. The result is a bigger percentage of fat eliminated -instead of floating around in the bloodstream to clog arteries.

While we support this product, no supplement will result in optimal results without a reduced calorie, nutritionally balanced diet and a regular exercise program. We do not believe it is a “magic” weight loss pill that will produce results without dietary and lifestyle changes. There is no such pill. Our products help you help yourself. You can do this, and we will provide the tools to help you achieve the results you want. This includes credible supplements backed by scientific research, solid nutritional and diet advice, and recommendations for exercise.

Professional Opinions

James Barber, M.D.

It is a proven medical fact that diets high in fiber lead to a decrease in cholesterol and triglycerides and therefore also leads to weight loss. FIber from oat bran can accomplish these benefits but human trials show the fiber benefits from African Mango are more pronounced. In multiple studies, when the African Mango supplement was taken 30 minutes before meals, there was an average weight loss of 5.6% of body weight after one month. These results show a definite decrease in cholesterol level along with the weight loss.

Pamela B. Smith, R.N.

I’ve always been a fan of a high fiber, low fat diet for weight loss and general health. While we all know oat fiber to be an excellent source, I was surprised to see that clinical studies show it to be less effective than African Mango fiber. When used properly, this could be an excellent source of supplemental fiber for any diet.

Clinical Research

Human studies focus on the effect of fiber content on weight loss, cholesterol, and diabetes. Animal studies focus on the effect of the healthy fat content of the seeds on cholesterol levels. Here are the results of two scientific clinical trials.

Human Trials

Researchers Judith L Ngondi, Julius E Oben, and Samuel R Minka at the Nutrition, HIV and Health Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry at the University of Yaounde I conducted a double blind, placebo controlled study to determine the effects of African Mango seed extract on obesity over a four week period.

The study subjects were selected from a group of participants who responded to a radio ad. A group of 40 women between the ages of 19 and 55 were selected to take part in the study. Pregnant, lactating, and diabetic women were excluded from the study.

Participants were randomly selected to take one of two capsules. The women who took African Mango were instructed to take three capsules, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals with a glass of warm water. This provided a total daily amount of 3.15 g of Irvingia gabonensis seed extract. The women who took the placebo followed the same routine, three 350mg capsules of oat bran three times a day, 30 minutes before meals, with a warm glass of water. The capsules were identical in color, size, and shape, and none of the participants knew which formula they were taking. It’s important to note is that oat bran is another type of fiber.

Study participants were evaluated weekly and information including body weight, body fat, waist and hip circumference was recorded at each visit. Subjects taking both capsules reported detailed changes that included lightheadedness, increased appetite, decreased appetite, and gastrointestinal pain. These effects were reported on an individual basis. Side effects of the active formula were noted. No serious complaints were reported. Gastrointestinal (gas) pain is a common temporary result of adding fiber to a low-fiber diet. This typically eases after the first week or two. Study participants were questioned about physical activity and diet at each evaluation.

Participants were asked to follow a low fat diet, comprised of no more than 1800 calories per day. They were also required to keep a record of their food intake, using household measurements, for seven consecutive days.

Body weight and fat percentage measurements were taken after a 12-hour fast. The participants were asked to wear light clothing for accurate measurements. Body fat measurements were taken using a TANITA™ monitor scale. Waist and hip circumference was measured using soft non-stretchable plastic tape on both the narrowest and the widest parts of the trunk.

Blood samples for each participant were collected after a 12-hour fast at the beginning of the study. They were collected again at the two-week point, and again at the end of the four weeks. The blood was tested to determine the total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and blood sugar in the plasma using a commercial diagnostic kit from SIGMA Diagnostics.

Study Results

Weight Loss

Participants who took the African Mango extract saw an average 2.91% weight decrease in the first two weeks of the study with a 1.48% plus or minus (±) margin. At the same evaluation point, participants taking the oat bran capsules saw weight loss of 1.32% with a ± margin of 0.42%. To put this in perspective, a participant with a starting weight of 200 pounds given the African Mango extract would have an average weight loss of 5.8 pounds at the two week checkpoint. People of the same starting weight who followed the same diet and instructions but took the oat bran placebo would lose 2.64 pounds on average in the same time frame.

At the end of the month, participants taking the active extract saw an average 5.6% of total body weight loss with a ± margin of 2.7%, and participants taking the oat bran placebo lost 2.3% with a ± margin of 1.05%. Using the same example of a 200 pound starting weight, in one month, on average, people taking African Mango extract would lose a total of 11.2 pounds, while people taking oat bran capsules would lose an average of 4.46 pounds.

Cholesterol

The African Mango group saw a 39.21% decrease in plasma total cholesterol concentration. They also saw a 44.9% triglyceride decrease, and a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol) by 45.58%. The HDL (good cholesterol) levels increased by 46.852%. Blood sugar and CT/HDL ratio saw a 32.86% decrease. The placebo group did not see a significant decrease in cholesterol or blood sugar levels. [3]

The results of this study were confirmed by another double blind study conducted by the same research group using 102 healthy overweight or obese patients with a BMI greater than 25 were given either 150 mg of African Mango 30 minutes to an hour before lunch and dinner or a placebo. The second study lasted 10 weeks. Results showed a significant decrease in body weight, waist and hip circumference, blood sugar, and bad cholesterol levels, while also showing a significant increase in good cholesterol. [4]

Waist & Hip Measurements

There was also a notable difference in waist and hip circumference in the group using African Mango. The group using African Mango saw an average 5.07% ± 3.18% decrease in waist circumference and a 3.42% ± 2.12% decrease in hip circumference. The oat bran placebo group only saw a reduction of 1.32% ± 0.41% waist measurement and and 2.23% ± 1.05% hip measurement during the same four week time frame.

To put this in perspective, a participant taking the extract with a starting waist measurement of 40 inches and a hip measurement of 50 inches would lose 2 inches around the waist and 1.71 inches around the hips on average. A person with the same measurements who took the oat bran placebo would lose about half an inch around the waist and 1.11 inches around the hips.

The study results suggest that this supplement could help address obesity, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood,) and insulin resistance.

Animal Studies

According to a study conducted Nangue TJ, Womeni HM, Mbiapo FT, Fanni J, and Michel L. at Laboratory of Food Sciences Nutrition and Medicinal Plant, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, in Cameroon, West Africa, the fat from the African Mango seeds positively affects the growing and lipids metabolism of young rats.

The study ran the course of three weeks and used increasing amounts of African Mango seed fat: 0; 5.1; 7.34 and 13.48%, using Wistar rats. The rats were removed from cages and given five rations each. Both males and females received the same dose.

There was a significant increase of serum cholesterol and triglycerides presented in the high fat (13.48%) group when compared to the control group. The rise comes from an increase in HDL cholesterol, and does not provide a change in LDL cholesterol. Vital organ weights did not change significantly compared to the control, except for a decrease in liver weight in males in three tests. [2]

This study shows that the increasing amount of African Mango seed fat significantly alters cholesterol and triglyceride at when given at a high dose diet, but also increases HDL-cholesterol levels.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1252-IRVINGIA%20GABONENSIS.aspx?activeIngredientId=1252&activeIngredientName=IRVINGIA%20GABONENSIS
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21375740
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1168905/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19254366