Should you Take African Mango Tablets for Diet and Health?

African mango tablets are made from the seeds contained in the fruit of the African mango tree (Irvingia gabonensis). These supplements are used for obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, pain and weight loss.

The seeds of the African mango tree are high in fiber and healthy fatty acids. The plant does not have a history of use in traditional medicine, although it is a commonly consumed foodstuff in West and Central Africa.

African mango capsules are a popular weight loss supplement. This ingredient is commonly combined with other high-fiber ingredients (such as flax seed and wheat bran) to produce supplements that are advertised as weight-loss cleanses.

There is some evidence that African mango may help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The supplement has also been connected with weight loss in a small number of preliminary trials. These effects may be caused by its high fiber content. Some argue that other high-fiber sources may be more economical alternatives to African mango.

Few adverse effects are associated with appropriate Irvingia gabonensis dietary supplementation. There is concern that available data has been confounded by poor methodology and/or bias. More rigorous clinical trials are necessary before any therapeutic use can be assigned to African mango. [2]

African Mango

Appetite Suppressant

Weight Loss

Appetite

Carb Blocker

How It Works:

• Helps control the appetite
• Increases leptin sensitivity & adiponectin
• Improves blood sugar & cholesterol

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1,000 mg per day

Safety:

Generally well tolerated

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Using African Mango Tablets to Lose Weight

African mango is a popular weight loss supplement, thanks in part to Dr. Mehmet Oz of The Doctor Oz Show.

There is some evidence that African mango supplements may help overweight individuals lose weight, but some researchers argue that there is insufficient evidence to recommend African mango for weight loss. [2]

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database notes that there is insufficient evidence to verify the therapeutic uses of African mango. [1]

Some of the available human studies are discussed in this section. It is important to note that the studies connecting African mango to weight loss may be compromised by poor study design and bias.

African Mango and Cissus Quadrangularis

One study indicates the weight loss effects of African mango tablets may be stronger when it is combined with Cissus quadrangularis, a succulent vine indigenous to regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and India.

This vine has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine and is currently used for a number of conditions, including obesity and weight loss, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high blood cholesterol.

In a 10 week placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study, 72 obese and/or overweight subjects were randomly placed into one of three groups and received either: placebo; C. quadrangularis; or C. quadrangularis combined with I. gabonensis.

Capsules containing an active substance or placebo were administered twice a day before meals. No significant exercise or dietary changes were implemented. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, body fat percentage, body weight and waist circumference were monitored at weeks zero, four, eight and ten. [6]

At the conclusion of the study, the group receiving C. quadrangularis showed improvements in all six measures. Beginning at week four, the group receiving both C. quadrangularis and African mango tablets showed the most significant improvements.

When stacked together, these two substances seem to act synergistically to improve weight levels and obesity compared to using only C. quadrangularis. Whether or not the combination was superior to independent African mango supplementation was not established in this study.

Additional Research Results

In another study, a standardized I. Gabonensis extract (IGOB131) was taken twice a day for 10 weeks. The participants were overweight individuals who received two daily doses of 150 mg IGOB131. No exercise requirements or dietary restrictions were imposed on the participants.

Those receiving IGOB131 supplementation lost an average of 28.22 lbs compared to the placebo group’s average loss of less than 2 lbs. This weight loss may be due to a self-induced reduced caloric intake: treatment group members ate, on average, 400 fewer calories a day than placebo group members. [4] This suggests that African mango tablets may exert an appetite suppressant effect on the user.

In another study, 1.05 g of crude African mango seed extract was taken three times a day for four weeks. Study participants were overweight individuals with normal or mildly elevated cholesterol levels. Participants in both the treatment and placebo groups adhered to a low-fat, 1,800 kCal/day diet.

After four weeks, the placebo group experienced no significant weight changes. Treatment group members lost an average of 4 kg (8.8 lbs). [5]

African Mango Tablets for Metabolic Syndrome

In laboratory studies, African mango has been observed to inhibit enzymes that affect blood sugar levels, including alpha-amylase, maltase and sucrase. In animal research (mice), the effects of maltase (the enzyme that converts maltose to sucrose) were reduced by African mango.

One study involving human volunteers, individuals with type II diabetes experienced significantly lower blood glucose levels when taking African mango capsules. In the 10 week study, 150 mg African mango tablets were administered before lunch and again before dinner.

By the last day, treatment group members experienced a 22.5 % average decrease in blood glucose compared to baseline levels. Placebo group members demonstrated only a 5.3 % average decrease. [3]

In a separate four week study, 3.15 g/day of I. gabonensis was reported to cause a 32.36% drop in blood glucose.

More Benefits of African Mango Tablets

The cholesterol levels of participants were also investigated during some of the weight-loss studies. In the study using 1.05 g of African mango for four weeks (see above for study description), participants receiving the African mango supplement experienced, on average, a:

• 39 % reduction in total cholesterol levels;
• 46 % reduction in LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels;
• 45 % reduction in serum triglyceride levels;
• 47 % increase in HDL-C levels (so-called “good” cholesterol).

In the study involving IGOB131, three daily doses of the African mango supplement was observed to reduce cholesterol levels. Overweight subjects with normal cholesterol levels participated in the study.

On average, placebo group members experienced a 2 % reduction in total cholesterol levels and a 5% reduction in LDL-C levels. Treatment group participants experienced a 26 % reduction in total cholesterol levels and a 27 % reduction in LDL-C levels. [4]

Side Effects of African Mango Tablets

African mango supplements are generally well tolerated when taken appropriately. Side effects have generally been mild and temporary. Reported side effects include headache, nausea, flatulence and difficulty sleeping. However, in studies the side effects reported by the placebo and treatment groups have been similar.

African mango extract capsules may interact with some conditions and medications. African mango may affect blood sugar levels. Individuals being treated for diabetes or those with low blood sugar should exercise caution when taking African mango.

African mango may interact with supplements that also affect blood sugar, including devil’s claw, fenugreek, Siberian ginseng, Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), guar gum and others. Consult with your doctor before taking African mango tablets to make sure the supplement is safe for you.

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