African Mango, Agbono, Bread Tree, Bush Mango, Dika Nut, Dikanut, Dikka, Duiker Nut, Etima, Irvingia, Irvingia barteri, Irvingia gabonensis, Kaka, Mangifera gabonensis, Manguier Sauvage, Odika, Ogbono, Wild Mango.
Irvingia gabonensis is a tree, native to West Africa. The fruit is similar to a mango and is used for food. The seeds are used to make medicine.
There is interest in using supplements containing Irvingia gabonensis for weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving control of diabetes.
How does 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.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Diabetes. Early research suggests that taking Irvingia gabonensis by mouth daily for one month reduces blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
- High cholesterol. Some small studies show that Irvingia gabonensis seed extracts might reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels in people who are overweight. But this research is low quality.
- Obesity. Some small studies show that Irvingia gabonensis seed extracts might help reduce weight in people who are overweight, especially if combined with a low-calorie diet. But this research is poor quality.
- Other conditions.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerIrvingia gabonensis is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when a crude seed extract is taken for up to 4 weeks, or when a specific standardized seed extract called IGOB131 is used for up to 10 weeks. The only side effects reported are flatulence, headaches, and sleep problems.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Irvingia gabonensis if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: Irvingia gabonensis can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of blood sugar that has become too low (hypoglycemia). Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Irvingia gabonensis.
Surgery: Irvingia gabonensis can affect blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking Irvingia gabonensis at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Irvingia gabonensis might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Irvingia gabonensis along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
TestosteroneInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Irvingia gabonensis might increase testosterone levels. Taking Irvingia gabonensis along with a testosterone pill might cause too much testosterone in the body. This might increase the chance of testosterone side effects. Do not take Irvingia gabonensis if you are taking testosterone.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For obesity and lowering cholesterol levels, a dose of 1.05 grams of crude seed extract three times daily has been used. A dose of 150 mg of a standardized seed extract (IGOB131) twice daily has also been used.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
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