Has anyone heard about African mango tablets?

[mitzymoo]

My daughter's work colleague is taking them and has lost nearly a stone in two weeks! ,

My daughter wants to try them but I wanted to check them out first.

[Hidden]

Hi mitzymoo,

Losing a stone in two weeks isn't a good idea.

Recommended weight loss is in the range of about 1 to 2 lbs a week or about a maximum of 1 kg a week.

Whilst people generally lose weight a bit faster in the first week or two of a weight loss regime, that sort of loss on an ongoing basis really is not a wise idea and has a number of health risks associated with it.

Also rapid weight loss is usually regained later as it doesn't address the 'poor' eating or exercise/activity habits that made the person overweight in the first place. Basically, that fact added to the tendency that overweight people usually get weightier, can result in people going onto a "diet", only to put the weight back on again, then re-dieting, then putting the weight back on, and on, and on.

You may find it useful to read the NHSChoices live well lose weight pages about diets, nutrition, weight loss, etc. Plenty of free and very good advice there, plus a BMI calculator and a free 12 week plan. And they're not selling you anything - no products, no memberships!

A regime of moderate weight loss and a change of habits / lifestyle to get someone to and then keep him/her at a more normal weight, is a much better and healthier option.

[mitzymoo]

Hi Doikosp

Thank you so much for all your advice, I really appreciate it. We have just been locking at the 12 week plan this morning and are going to go on it together.

The lady on the African mango only started on them two weeks ago, so it's early days to work out if they are going to keep making her loose weight steadily or not. It will have been excess water she'll have lost the first week, like everyone does.

Thanx again and take care

[Hidden]

Hi mitzymoo,

There does seem to be something in this African mango ....... good old fibre! And, of course, that's something you can find in a lot of other fruits and veg too.

There seem to be some people saying that it's an out and out scam and I've not been able to discover any independent research -it's all seems to have been done by people with an interest in selling / promoting it - about it.

It is certainly very hyped as it came into the public domain in a big way via the Doctor Oz Show in the USA.

But ANY product suggesting rapid weight loss (one person claimed he'd lost 22 lbs in a fortnight and that's just too fast!) I would suggest should be given a wide berth.

There's some stuff about fad diets and the top ten (most popular) diets on the NHSChoices pages.

I mean basically it's like many other things in life - you pay your money you make your choices. Personally, I'd leave my money in my pocket on this one.

One thing I read claimed that known side-effects include headaches, flatulence and difficulties sleeping and it was suggested it should not be taken by those who are pregnant or breast feeding.

And it was also suggested that it's not truly known if taking it is safe.

[mitzymoo]

Hi Doikosp

Thank you so much for the heads up, I think your right, keep my money in my pocket someone else can have the shall we say sore head, windy sleepless nights! Sounds like a bad night out on the tiles! Ha ha.

I really appreciate all your help and advice, take care

[Hidden]

Why not just eat the mango's they are delicious and I'm sure much better for you than a tablet.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi exblonde

I do rather agree.

However, this so-called "African mango" / Irvingia gabonesis / bush mango / wild mango / diko / ogbono isn't quite the same thing as the mangoes you see in most shops - though it does produce an edible fruit which is pretty mango-like.

And it's apparently about the edible high-protein seeds in this particular variant.

[OlsBean]

The problem with a lot of these products is not just the lack of clinical evidence to proof they do what they say they do but the risk of what's actually in the tablet, unless acquired from a reputable and trusted source you don't know what you are actually consuming, especially when something like this becomes popular and the internet becomes flooded with pills produced in places like China. Just something to be aware of.

[mitzymoo]

Hi OlsBean

With all the advise everyone's given me since I posted my question, we've talked the lady into stopping taking them, she's also starting the 12 week plan.

As you've all said it's good dangerous when there's no proper independent information which really sets alarm bells ringing

So thanks again guys we really appreciate all your advice and support

[Brookxmx]

Ive taken them before and i lost quite alot of weight but i felt better in my self and didnt have any sort of side effects, its all natural things that goes into them

[mitzymoo in reply to Brookxmx]

Hi Bookxmx

Thanx for letting me know, I appreciate it, there is very little info out there about it, so difficult to know whether it's safe or not.

I'm glad to know it worked for you.

Take care

[Hidden]

Hi Brookymx,

I would just say that there is a list of things - as long as my arm - that allegedly are just wondrous for weight loss and almost all of them have no independent evidence to back it up.

Green tea, allegedly helps weight loss and certainly does contain a lot of anti-oxidants, but I've never found any actual evidence about the weight loss claim. (If others know of it, please correct me). I like green (and white) tea, so that's just fine for me anyhow.

Apple cider vinegar is another one.

In fact, it seems that every few months someone (allegedly) discovers some miracle weight loss substance, usually from some exotic tree or bush somewhere 'well off the beaten track'.

But most of this weight loss game is about things that are right in front of your face. The stuff you're eating and the activity / exercise you do. And there is loads of independent evidence from all over the planet that proves that!

And whatever substance / extract / pill you care to mention, you'll always get some people who will lose weight using it - it's called the placebo effect. If you believe it's going to work, it very probably will do for you, at least in the short term.

Good luck with your weigth loss journey.