An extract of Irvingia Gabonensis gives new hope to those seeking weight loss and improved health in a world where unhealthy food is so accessible. Also known as the African Mango, the extract’s main ingredient is produced by a tree found in tropical countries. These trees are mostly found in the rain forests of Cameroon, located in West Africa. The mangos have seeds and nuts from which the main ingredient is extracted. There are particular elements in the nuts that are especially important because they are also very good for our general health.
Various studies have confirmed the benefits of Irvingia Gabonensis. Early indications show Irvingia Gabonensis can produce significant weight loss with clinical results showing 28.1 pounds of weight loss (vs. the 1.5 lbs lost in the placebo group). Interesting, Irivingia users showed body fat decreased by 6.3%. Researchers point to Irvingia’s ability to produce these amazing weight loss results from the favorable changes in PPAR gamma, leptin, adiponectin or glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase. The soluble fiber found in the Irvingia seed also works as a bulk-forming laxative which works to suppress appetites and help prevent constipation. metabolic[/glossary] parameters in overweight humans in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled investigation. Judith L Ngondi, Blanche C Etoundi, Christine B Nyangono, Carl MF Mbofung and Julius E Oben. Laboratory of Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon. Lipids in Health and Disease 2009, 8:7doi:10.1186/1476-511X-8-7]
The electronic version of the complete article can be found online here.
One of the actions of Irvingia Gabonensis is to help control leptin, the hormone which has been blamed for virtually every weight loss struggle. Leptin levels increase due to a poor diet and lack of exercise.
The seed of the fruit of the African Mango has been demonstrated to lower body weight and reduce body fat. It does this by the following actions:
- Controlling the appetite by slowing the digestive process – delays stomach emptying. This results in slower carbohydrate absorption and helps prevent glucose spikes in the blood
- Lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels
- Promoting the breakdown of fat
- Promoting hormones that support healthy blood glucose levels
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- Reverses leptin resistance
- Increases the secretion of Adiponectin – increased adiponectin secretion has been linked to shrinkage of fat cells
Irvingia Gabonensis has been proven, through multiple clinical trials, to be one of the most powerful weight loss ingredients in the world. This OTC herbal product is available from your local health food store as well as online from reputable companies such as Life Extension and Swanson Health Products. You may find it combined with other weight loss aids in a single product or being sold by itself.
The dosage ranges from a low of 150mg bid (twice a day) before meals to 1000mg tid (three times per day) taken 30 minutes before meals. The lower dosage was a specifc extract called IGOB13, and was used in the 2009 study.
Irvingia Gabonensis (African Mango) can help with the following
Elevated Insulin Levels
Irvingia gabonensis (African Mango) extract administered twice a day to healthy, overweight and obese individuals resulted in both weight reduction (body weight, body fat, waist size) and an improvement in metabolic parameters associated with insulin resistance. [Lipids in Health and Disease 2009, 8:7doi:10.1186/1476-511X-8-]
Elevated Total Cholesterol
At week 10, significant differences were observed for total cholesterol (placebo: 142.5 mg/dl vs. IGOB131: 111.9 mg/dl, p < 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (placebo: 77.7 mg/dl vs IGO131: 59.77 mg/dl, p < 0.01). Compared to baseline values, total
cholesterol decreased by 1.9% in the placebo group as opposed to 26.2% for the IGOB131 group while LDL cholesterol levels fell by 4.8% in the placebo compared to 27.3% in the IGOB131 group. Correcting for placebo values, the relative change in the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed to follow a similar pattern in the experimental group, suggesting a similar response mechanism to IGOB131 (the Irvingia Gabonensis extract) intake. [Lipids in Health and Disease 2009, 8:7doi:10.1186/1476-511X-8-]
Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)
Irvingia gabonensis extract administered 150 mg twice daily before meals to overweight and/or obese human volunteers favorably impacts body weight and a variety of parameters characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. [Lipids in Health and Disease 2009, 8:7doi:10.1186/1476-511X-8-]
Problem Caused By Being Overweight
Significant improvements in body weight, body fat, and waist circumference as well as plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and leptin levels were observed using a specific extract of Irvingia Gabonensis (IGOB131) in the experimental group compared with the placebo group [Lipids in Health and Diseas2009, 8:7doi:10.1186/1476-511X-8-]
Key
| Highly recommended |
Glossary
Pound
454 grams, or about half a kilogram.
Placebo
A pharmacologically inactive substance. Often used to compare clinical responses against the effects of pharmacologically active substances in experiments.
Laxative
A substance (food, herb, chemical) that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Examples include cascara sagrada, senna, castor oil, aloe vera, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and many others.
Constipation
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels.
Lipid
Fat-soluble substances derived from animal or vegetable cells by nonpolar solvents (e.g. ether); the term can include the following types of materials: fatty acids, glycerides, phospholipids, alcohols and waxes.
Hormones
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Carbohydrates
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
Glucose
A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.
Cholesterol
A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Triglyceride
The main form of fat found in foods and the human body. Containing three fatty acids and one unit of glycerol, triglycerides are stored in adipose cells in the body, which, when broken down, release fatty acids into the blood. Triglycerides are fat storage molecules and are the major lipid component of the diet.
High-Density Lipoprotein
(HDL): Also known as "good" cholesterol, HDLs are large, dense, protein-fat particles that circulate in the blood picking up already used and unused cholesterol and taking them back to the liver as part of a recycling process. Higher levels of HDLs are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease because the cholesterol is cleared more readily from the blood.
Over-The-Counter
A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Herbs
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Milligram
(mg): 1/1,000 of a gram by weight.
BID
Twice per day.
TID
Three times a day.