Taking Irvingia Supplements as Diet Pills – Will it Work?

Clinical research shows that using an Irvingia supplement may be effective for weight loss and supporting a healthy diet. It works by suppressing the appetite and controlling hunger cravings.

When using Irvingia gabonensis extract capsules, users report that they feel more satiated after eating and are less likely to eat large portions or to snack throughout the day.

In human research trials, users taking Irvingia supplements naturally reduced their daily caloric intake even without being coached to eat less.

As you consume fewer calories, it is easier to achieve a caloric deficit over a long period of time, which is necessary for weight loss. But how effective are Irvingia gabonensis pills for weight loss and what other health benefits are linked to this natural supplement?

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

Top African Mango Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Why Use Irvingia Supplements?

The majority of middle-aged and elderly Americans are overweight or obese.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 30% of all Americans are classified as “completely sedentary”.

A man with as little as 2 inches of abdominal fat has a 17% increased probability of premature disease and death as does a man with no abdominal obesity. Women with extra belly fat of two inches or more increase their death probabilities by at least 13%.

In many cases, being overweight or obese can result in lower energy levels and make it uncomfortable to exercise and be active. Furthermore, many individuals who are overweight say that they never feel satiated (full) after eating and always crave more food.

Irvingia gabonensis supplements are purported to help by addressing hormonal factors that can lead to overeating.

Irvingia Gabonensis (African Mango)

Irvingia gabonensis is a plant that produces the African mango. Its leaves, seeds and bark have been used to make natural medicines throughout the years. Taking a refined extract from the African mango has been shown effective at reversing leptin resistance.

Leptin is a hormone that is released by fat cells (adipose cells) in the body. It is called the “satiety hormone” because it helps signal to your brain when you have enough stored energy and reduces appetite.

However, some individuals can become resistant to the effects of leptin. Being resistant to leptin can cause individuals to never feel full and to experience an increased appetite, which can interfere with weight loss goals.

Irvingia gabonensis exhibits a leptin-sensitizing effect, which may reverse resistance to this hormone. In research trials, it has been demonstrated effective for reducing appetite and supporting weight loss goals.

Research has been underway since the 1990s addressing the possible effectiveness of Irvingia supplements for:

• Decreasing risks of mortality associated with obesity, especially when concerning abdominal obesity (“spare tire” fat stores) of more than 2 inches;
• Lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels while increasing HDL cholesterol;
• Facilitating the breakdown and assimilation of fats via reduction of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase;
• Decreasing triglycerides (stored fat) in adipocytes located in connective tissues;
• Reversing the effects of leptin resistance;
• Increasing the secretion of adiponectin, thereby increasing sensitivity to insulin;
• Increasing amounts of the amylase enzyme which breaks down carbohydrates before they enter the bloodstream;
• Decreasing pro-inflammatory actions of cytokines including interferon, interleukin and certain growth factors;
• Reducing risk factors for metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X, pre-diabetes).

Taking Irvingia to Improve Leptin Resistance

Taking an Irvingia supplement may help to alleviate leptin resistance. The hormone leptin is synthesized in fat storage cells called adipocytes which can be found throughout the body.

Leptin has two primary roles in the body. First, it sends satiation signals to the hypothalamus which helps to regulate appetite.

When an individual is well nourished and has high available stores of body fat, leptin levels are elevated. Elevated serum leptin levels are correlated with feelings of satiation and an attenuation of hunger cravings.

In normal circumstances, when leptin binds to receptors in the hypothalamus, the brain receives the signal that we have sufficient food and resources available. This causes hunger signals to cease.

Further, leptin enhances the body’s ability to break down, assimilate and utilize stored fats (triglycerides) as energy sources.

How Does Leptin Resistance Develop?

It is hypothesized that obese individuals become progressively resistant to the effects of leptin in the following manner:

• Chronically overweight/obese individuals produce elevated levels of leptin;
• As the quantity of adipocytes continue to increase, they create more leptin and release it into the circulatory system;
• Leptin receptors in the hypothalamus become hyper-stimulated, which causes down-regulation to reduce sensitivity to this hormone;
• The hypothalamus becomes resistant to the effects of leptin and these “satiety receptors” are not sufficiently activated;
• The result is increased appetite and the feeling of not being full, even after consuming a large meal;

Leptin resistance can cause over-eating and contribute to increased weight gain and obesity. It can also interfere with the normal metabolism of fat in the body.

Irvingia Gabonensis Effects on Leptin

Irvingia supplements have been shown to improve leptin resistance as well as insulin resistance, though the mechanism by which it achieves this effect is still not well understood.

Insulin resistance and leptin resistance are strongly associated conditions that often present simultaneously. Both are conditions of chronic inflammation which contribute to weight gain.

Irvingia supplements may induce anti-inflammatory effects which may help to improve insulin and leptin sensitivity.

Some research suggests that Irvingia extract may reduce the amount of leptin released by fat cells, helping to restore normal sensitivity to receptors in the hypothalamus.

This supplement may also help control blood glucose levels, especially after meals. It may have a “Carbohydrate Blocking” effect, preventing the uptake of some sources of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract. However, more research is needed to conclusively demonstrate this.

Irvingia extract also has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It may also increase HDL cholesterol levels. This is sometimes referred to as the “good” form of cholesterol.

Irvingia Supplement Side Effects

Irvingia gabonensis is generally considered safe. In some cases, mild instances of flatulence, stomach upset and/or headaches may occur. Individuals who are scheduled for upcoming surgery, diabetics and pregnant women are advised not to use this supplement.

Because Irvingia may lower blood sugar levels, it should not be combined with supplements or drugs that have a hypoglycemic effect. Please consult with your physician before beginning to use an Irvingia supplement for weight loss to determine whether this is the right supplement for you.

Rate This Article

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5, rated)