Irvingia Gabonensis: A Brilliant Fat Burner?

Irvingia gabonensis causes fat loss by blocking deposition of new fat, absorption of sugars and by acting as a laxative. Also, it reduces blood pressure, blood cholesterol and the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart ailments. Scientific evidence seems to suggest that Irvingia gabonensis does indeed cause fat loss and is quite safe to consume.

Irvingia gabonensis extract is one such fat-loss agent that being doing the rounds in recent years. Initial reports about fat-loss induced by Irvingia gabonensis are promising. Furthermore, it has an impressive health benefits profile as well.

Here’s what we found out when we decided to dig deeper into what Irvingia gabonensis really was and how, if at all, it caused fat loss.

What is Irvingia Gabonensis?

The Irvingia gabonensis plant is native to West Africa (Ngondi, Oben, & Minka, 2005); the fruit of this plant is not very different from a mango. Also known as the African Mango, Bush Mango, Wild Mango, Dika Nut or Ogbono, this fleshy fruit finds use in traditional Nigerian and Cameroonian dishes.

The extract derived from the seeds of this fruit – called the Irvingia gabonensis extract – is being touted as the next big thing is fat-loss industry. It apparently causes fat loss and has other miraculous health benefits. So, how much of it is hearsay and what really is the truth? Well, let’s find out.

How Does Irvingia Gabonensis Work Its Magic?

Irvingia gabonensis is packed with bioactive agents and anti-oxidants. To date, the active principle of Irvingia gabonensis has not been identified. However, it is suspected that the bioactive agents, antioxidants like vitamin C or polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate may be responsible for the fat loss caused by Irvingia gabonensis extract (Ngondi, Etoundi, Nyangono, Mbofung, & Oben, 2009).

The following mechanisms for fat loss have been proposed:

1. Inhibition of adipogenesis (the laying down of new fat) – Mature fat cells are responsible for storing fat within them. Irvingia gabonensis suppresses fat cell receptors known as PPAR- Gamma (Perioxisome profilerator-activated receptor-gamma); these receptors are responsible for maturation of fat cells (Egras, Hamilton, Lenz, & Monaghan, 2011). Thus, the storage of fats is blocked effectively.
2. Positively influencing leptin and adiponectin levels – Irvingia gabonensis favourably affects the levels of leptin and adiponectin in the body.
   1. Both leptin and adiponectin are secreted by adipose tissue (fat tissue). However they influence fat metabolism differently. Whereas leptin increases deposition of fat, adiponectin helps in reducing fat. So, lesser the leptin and more the adiponectin in your blood, the leaner you will be. Research shows that Irvingia gabonensis reduces leptin while increasing adiponectin thus helping fat loss.
3. Inhibition of carbohydrates absorption – Irvingia gabonensis extract is rich in soluble fibre. It acts as a ‘laxative’ – delays stomach emptying leading to slower absorption of simple carbohydrates (Vuksan et al., 1999). This prevents sudden rise in blood sugar levels; useful for prevention of diabetes or better control of blood sugar in diabetics. More importantly slower absorption of simple carbs (sugars) means your insulin will not shoot up after a meal. This prevents deposition of excess calories as body fat.

In short, Irvingia gabonensis extract;

• Blocks adipogenesis
• Favourably influences leptin and adiponectin levels
• Inhibits carbohydrate absorption

Safety Issues

Irvingia gabonensis seems to be safe and is extremely well tolerate. Adverse effects are rare and mild in nature (Egras et al., 2011) .

• headache,
• indigestion,
• and very rarely, sleep disturbances

Evidence in Favour of Irvingia Gabonensis

There is no shortage of scientific studies that categorically state that Irvingia gabonensis causes fat loss exist (Egras et al., 2011; Ngondi et al., 2005; Ngondi et al., 2009; Oben, Ngondi, & Blum, 2008; Oben, Ngondi, Momo, Agbor, & Sobgui, 2008; Vuksan et al., 1999). What’s more impressive is that most of the scientific evidence comes from human studies and not animal studies (as is the case with most other fat-loss agents).

1. A trial conducted by Ngondi and his colleagues in 2005 had 40 obese men consuming 350mg of Irvingia gabonensis extract daily (Ngondi et al., 2005). Over a period of 4 weeks, statistically significant reduction in body weight, waist and hip circumferences was observed.
2. Another similar study found that 150mg of the extract over 10 weeks caused striking changes in body weight (12.8Kg), waist circumferences (16.19cm) and body fat percentages (6.3%) (Ngondi et al., 2009).
3. Irvingia gabonensis has been shown to increase adiponectin level by as a phenomenal 159.8% over the baseline (Ngondi et al., 2009). Given the amazing anti-obesity role played by adiponectin, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Irvingia gabonensis extract causes fat loss.
4. Supplementing with Irvingia gabonensis cause a significant fall in leptin levels (Ngondi et al., 2009). Plasma levels of leptin have a strong correlation with the amount of body fat you carry (Friedman & Halaas, 1998). Fall in levels of leptin caused by Irvingia may therefore be one of the mechanism which leads to fat loss.

So, what’s our verdict on Irvingia gabonensis? Well, it should cause fat loss! Not to mention, provide other health benefits as well.

About the author: Rachel Butler

Rachel has been with us since we launched back in 2012.

Rachel has reviewed countless products over the years, and has written many articles offering sound advice. Her professional opinions are widely respected.

Rachel graduated a BSc in Clinical Science from the University of Leicester, U.K.

She lives in York with her husband and young daughter and their dog, a little terrier named Betsy.