Methods and compositions using plants from the Irvingiaceaes family to reduce or prevent one or more symptoms of Syndrome X in a mammal and provide numerous other health related benefits. Methods and compositions using the Irvinga gabonensis plant to reduce lipid levels, BMI and body weight, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, total amount of fat stored in the body, cholesterol levels, salivary and pancreatic alpha-amylase activity and pancreatic lipase activity, LDL cholesterol, to increase HDL cholesterol, to control blood glucose and to prevent or reduce the effects of insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease.