Whole Seed African Mango, how does it work?

Irvingia gabonensis seeds might lower cholesterol because of their high fiber content. The fiber increases removal of cholesterol from the body.

Some research suggests that Irvingia gabonensis seeds might also affect fat cells, which might reduce fat cell growth and increase the breakdown of fats.

Interesting Research:

In one 2005 study, 40 people were given 3.15 grams of the whole seed, and the placebo group was given the same amount of oat bran 30 minutes before they ate. Upon completing the 4 week study, people receiving the Mango seed lost about 5.6% of body weight vs. those in the placebo group who lost about 1% of body weight. Both groups were on a low fat diet as well. Blood pressure was also reduced on average 4 points after the 4 week study. As you can probably conclude, the drop in blood pressure could also be due to the weight loss experienced, but either way I’d be happy with that result!

In a 10 week study, published in 2009 in the journal, Lipids in Health and Disease, 102 healthy overweight men and women were followed for 10 weeks. In this study, the groups were also split into a placebo group and an African Mango group, for comparison.

For the subjects given the Mango seed, body weight, body fat and waist size had decreased more than those who consumed a placebo. The Mango Seed bunch lost an average of 28 pounds vs. about 1 pound for those getting the placebo. Total cholesterol, blood glucose, and C reactive protein were also lower in those who received the Irvingia gabonensis.

Leptin plays a part:

In the same 10 week long study it was also noted that the African Mango seed appeared to increase sensitivity to leptin. Leptin is a hormone made inside fat cells which plays a role in appetite. 

When leptin levels rise, we stop eating. When leptin levels fall, we get hungry. The amount of leptin we have is dependent on how much body fat that’s in our bodies. One issue with this is that many overweight people are insensitive to the leptin and it doesn’t work to stop them from eating. In other words they are leptin resistant.

But studies such as these are giving researchers the idea that african mango seeds hold great promise for combatting leptin resistence, which helps those who’ve been overweight for a long time lose weight more easily.

Adiponectin and Abdominal Fat

Adiponectin is another hormone directly related to fat storage. In essence, higher levels of adiponectin allow the body’s fat cells to turn lose of their stores and burn fat for energy.

As you might guess, overweight people have much less adiponectin than their thinner counterparts. But in the studies above, adiponectin levels dramatically increased in those taking african mango seeds.  

What we think about the Research:

Research to date should be considered preliminary, so far there are 2 human trials and both of the studies indicate that some weight loss effect is occurring. Best results appear to have occurred when people take 2 grams or more of Irvingia gabonensis per day. This is a large range so people may want to start with 500-1000 mg first and see how they feel before they increase the dosage if needed. Obtaining good results is probably better if one cuts back on saturated fats and refined carbohydrates.

Although neither of the human trials took exercise into consideration, research does show that exercise, in conjunction with dieting, increases the percentages of weight that’s lost as fat. Remember we don’t just want to lose the weight, we also want fat loss.  At least most of us do. Dieting alone can lead to significant loss of muscle, which lowers metabolism, making it harder to lose weight.

Much of the research we found was conducted by the gentleman who would eventually come to own the patent on the African Mango Extract. This can definitely be seen as a conflict of interest. However, since pharmaceutical companies perform much of their own research, we can appreciate it when a supplement company takes the time to publish this research. Are these research studies well documented? Has the company not influenced the outcomes? This has yet to be seen. But, it is positive news that research began years before the patent of the African Mango was filed in May of 2009.

RTRG Recommendation:

If you are going to try African Mango, make sure you get a product that contains the whole seed so you get everything it has to offer. One of the main reasons the product seems to help suppress appetite is the fiber content, and you don’t get fiber from an extract.  Also assure you are getting at least 1000 mg per day.  A product with any less will probably not be effective (based on study results).

We’ll be publishing a lot more info on Whole Seed African Mango as it becomes available.  If you’d like to see the product we found to be the best Whole Seed African Mango, go here