African Mango Pill And Its Effect On Cholesterol

African mango pills were the rage a couple of years ago, when Doctor Oz reported on his television show that the pills were shown to promote weight loss. The African mango is not the mango fruit you are used to seeing in stores. In fact, my husband grew up eating mangos in his native country of Cameroon. When I told him about the buzz about the plant, he didn't know what I was talking about.  After much research and showing him a picture of the mango plant, he said that is a wild mango that a lot of villagers eat in a stew.  They first brown the seeds and grind them and then place the paste into the dish. Cameroonians never ate this for weight loss, anyway, they don't have much of a weight problem as compared to Westerners, however that is changing a little.

Irvingia gabonensis is found in the rain forests of Cameroon and Gabon. The plant bears mango like fruit and it is known for its fat and protein rich nuts. The African mango is also high in soluble fiber and that may be helpful for cholesterol and blood sugar control. 

Research
A study reported in the "Lipids in Health and Disease" in 2005, used 40 obese subjects in a double blind randomized trial looking at the effectiveness of Irvingia gabonensis on weight control.  The subjects who received the African mango supplement saw a decrease in LDL or "bad" cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and an increase in HDL or "good" cholesterol.  The placebo group saw no changes in their blood lipid levels.

Side Effects
The side effects are moderate and include gas, headaches, and insomnia. The side effects do not plague every person using African mango and are not severe enough to interrupt daily activities.

Considerations

If you are looking for something more natural to take to lower your cholesterol, then the African Mango pills might be the answer.  However, you will still need to reduce your caloric intake and adhere a physical fitness program.  This is for those who want to drop their cholesterol quickly or want to add an extra boost to their cholesterol lowering lifestyle. If you haven't made any healthful changes, check out my cholesterol challenge.

Note

Please consult your doctor before beginning any weight loss or supplement program.