Targeted Supplemental Support for Healthy Weight Loss, with African Mango Seed Extract

Have you heard the hype about African Mango Seed Extract? It was talked about on the Dr Oz show. Is it all its made out to be? Read on to discover what Leanne James has found out about this Super Weight Loss product. 

African Mango Seed Extract, from Irvingia gabonensis, is the latest weight loss ingredient to hit the New Zealand market.  Research on African mango shows beneficial effects for weight loss, help with cholesterol, diabetes and obesity and as an antioxidant.  It also shows help with gastro intestinal activity. 

Lets find out more

African Mango is also know as African wild mango, Irvingia, Dika (dikanut, dikabread tree), Odika, Ogbono, Sweet bush mango, Bush mango and Iba-tree. 

Several studies have assessed the chemical properties of the kernels or seeds in African mango.    18 amino acids were identified in fresh African mango seeds, as well as being shown to contain a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and iron. The fibre content provides bulk, improving bowel function and aiding detoxification pathways. 

The main areas of interest are African mango seeds beneficial effects on diabetes and obesity as well as in lowering cholesterol, and increasing antioxidant and gastrointestinal activity.

1200mg or just 2 capsules of Super African Mango 1200 are taken daily, preferably 30 minutes before a main meal.

A 10-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 102 overweight patients evaluated the effects of African mango seed extract on body weight and associated metabolic parameters.

They received either 150 mg of African mango seed extract or placebo 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.

The conclusion was that patients receiving the extract improved both weight reduction (body weight, body fat, waist circumference) and metabolic parameters (plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and leptin levels).

In a one month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examined the effects of African mango seed extract in 40 obese patients.

They were given 3 capsules containing 350 mg of African mango seed extract (active formulation) or oat bran (placebo) 3 times daily 30 minutes before meals with a glass of warm water.

Patients were evaluated every week, as well as instructed to keep a record of food consumed.

At the end of the study, patients treated with the seed extract had reduced body weight, waist and hip circumference, and metabolic parameters (eg, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), and increased HDL (good) cholesterol. Patients treated with the extract also reported reduced systolic blood pressure.

There have been a lot of studies on african mango and diabetes.  These have shown great benefit in lowering blood sugar levels by altering enzymes of the intestine and liver, leading to a decreased absorption of glucose. 

In a study on diabetic rats, an extract of African mango was administered orally, at a dose of 150 and 250 mg/kg and this was shown to significantly ( P < 0.001) reduce plasma glucose levels within 2 hours of administration

There have been a lot of studies on Obesity using African Mango supplementation and the conclusion suggests that Irvingia gabonensis seeds might also effect fat cells, which might reduce fat cell growth and increase the breakdown of fat. 

This is probably due to this extracts ability to influence Leptin levels.  Leptin is a protein that is made in the fat cells, circulates in the blood stream and goes to your brain to tell it you have enough energy stored in your fat cells.  When your leptin level is above YOUR leptin threshold (this is probably genetically set) your brain senses that you have energy sufficient, which means you can burn energy at a normal rate, eat food at a normal amount, engage in exercise at a normal rate and you can engage in expensive processes like puberty and pregnancy.  But when people diet, they eat less and their fat cells lose some fat, which decreases the amount of leptin produced.  

You can read more about Leptin here. 

To read about my own personal experiences with Super African Mango, read my blog post here.