| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Dietary fibres are frequently used for the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of <it>Irvingia gabonensis </it>seeds in the management of obesity. This was carried out as a double blind randomised study involving 40 subjects (mean age 42.4 years). Twenty-eight subjects received <it>Irvingia gabonensis </it>(IG) (1.05 g three time a day for one month) while 12 were on placebo (P) and the same schedule. During the one-month study period all subjects were on a normocaloric diet evaluated every week by a dietetic record book. At the end, the mean body weight of the IG group was decreased by 5.26 ± 2.37% (p < 0.0001) and that of the placebo group by 1.32 ± 0.41% (p < 0.02). The difference observed between the IG and the placebo groups was significant (p < 0.01). The obese patients under <it>Irvingia gabonensis </it>treatment also had a significant decrease of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and an increase of HDL-cholesterol. On the other hand, the placebo group did not manifest any changes in blood lipid components.<it> Irvingia gabonensis </it>seed may find application in weight lose.</p>
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