Finding the magic pill that will melt your fat away is not only a pipedream but virtually impossible. Using forskolin Weight loss happens through long-term maintenance of low-calorie, low-fat, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern. (x) A compatible exercise program also plays an essential role in self-maintaining your weight. Exercise produces more weight loss than dieting alone. (x)
That brings us to forskolin, a supplement derived from a mint family plant. Claims such as “forskolin for weight loss” is farfetched unless you follow an exercise and eating program that helps you lose weight. What may seem more logical to you is that forskolin has some health benefits unrelated and related to your weight management.
What is Forskolin?
Primed as an extract from the root of the plant called Coleus forskohlii (Plectranthus barbatus), forskolin is a traditional compound used for centuries in different natural medicine methods. It has held other names like coleus barbtus, Indian coleus, coleus, borforsin, or forskohlii.
Countries like Brazil, central and eastern Africa, and India, additional Asian countries used forskolin for centuries as it plays an essential role in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic is an ancient healing medicine that concentrates on the entire health of the body and its wholeness.
Following Ayurveda and other similar healing medicines, forskolin benefits comprise the capacity to help treat digestive problems, heart disease, skin damage (cuts and burns), skin conditions (psoriasis and eczema), asthma, urinary tract infections, and other health concerns.
Forskolin can trigger cAMP accumulation, which means cyclic amp or cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Consider a “second messenger” that influences your biological processes. CAMP supports your cells, so they know how to manage the interspersing “first messages,” similar to endorphin, a feel-good chemical in your body. Hormones like epinephrine help divert stress from the heart. The first messengers start cellular processes. Then second messengers kick in as translators within that process in your body. The system benefits from because the activation of cAMP regulates fat metabolism and glucose levels.
Is Forskolin a Solution for Weight Loss?
Of late, forskolin supplements appear to help you lose weight. Based on the television ads by a doctor who claims millions of individuals lost 10 pounds of fat in one week without changing their lifestyle habits. Sound too good to be true? You bet.
What does the research say about forskolin for weight loss? It’s not by only taking the supplement. But a few legitimate studies have come up with findings that you may find useful.
The earliest human study investigating the influence of forskolin regarding weight loss happened in 2005. It was at the University of Kansas with 30 men, obese or overweight. The 12-week study had each man take orally either 250 milligrams of a 10 percent forskolin or a placebo twice a day. The participants who took forskolin had noticeable changes in fat mass and became leaner with an increase in bone density and serum-free testosterone, showing the supplement is a potential agent to help with obesity. (x)
Another study performed on 23 slightly overweight women at Baylor University with the process described in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. They took the same about of forskolin as the obese men and within a 12-week time span. The outcome suggests no apparent weight loss but a potential to support the reduction of weight gain in overweight females. (x)
A study performed with 50 female rats in 2014 were administered forskolin and/or rolipram, and anti-inflammatory drug over a period of 10 weeks, dividing them into five groups, involving a controlled group and four groupings of supplement and diet. The findings were that forskolin prevent weight gain by increasing the cAMP levels. (x)
These above studies show that forskolin helps inhibit weight gain more than support weight loss. Even though the first study showed a weight loss, they did not want actually lose any weight. The supplement affected their weight composition. It didn’t melt the fat away. If you are overweight, you need to change your lifestyle to lose weight and manage your weight. Forskolin may help. It’s essential to check with your medical practitioner before starting any new supplement.
The plus-point of these studies is there didn’t appear to be any clinical side effects from taking forskolin. Any potential side effects are in the last part of this article.
What are the Benefits of Forskolin?
While forskolin will not melt fat from your body, there are other benefits for consideration based on scientific studies.
- Support Weight Management in Obese/Overweight People
- Helps Lower High Blood Pressure
- Supports Natural Cancer Treatment
- Helps Control Asthma Attacks
- Decreases Blood Sugar Levels
- Help Treat Symptoms of Glaucoma
- Potential Alzheimer’s Treatment
1. Support Weight Management in Obese/Overweight People
As mentioned in the above studies, there are promising developments in forskolin’s capacity to inhibit weight gain in those are already obese or overweight. Used with a proper lifestyle, it’s beneficial for those who need help in controlling their weight.
In 2011, another study supported forskolin for its application in weight management. (x) Scientific research monitored the effects of a topical substance. It contained retinal, forskolin, tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, carnitine, and caffeine. Over 12 weeks, applying the cream to the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and waist, there appeared to be a significant decrease in cellulite after eight weeks. It doesn’t affect fat mass, per se, it’s worth mentioning if you have concern for your physical appearance of the fat on your body.
2. Helps Lower High Blood Pressure
For centuries, practitioners treated heart conditions with forskolin—particularly hypertension. In India, a study performed showed coleus forskohlii extract successfully lowered blood pressure in over 75 percent of the participants tested. (x)
Still, you need to change your lifestyle if you have high blood pressure, but adding forskolin seems to be a positive influence.
3. Supports Natural Cancer Treatment
The supplement activates protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A), an enzyme that triggers increases cell division at a rapid rate. Based on a study conducted at the University of Madrid in 2011, researchers discovered the activation of PP2A enzyme caused by forskolin triggered anti-tumor effects of rectal cancer—stopping their growth. It supports that forskolin, depending on the rectal cancer, may create positive effecting in inhibiting or preventing tumor growth. (x)
Another scientific study found that forskolin can cause cell death (apoptosis) in many myeloma cancers cells. (x) If taken with chemotherapy drugs, it reduces the horrible side effects triggered by such treatments.
4. Helps Control Asthma Attacks
Asthma is another health concern that’s been treated for centuries with forskolin and backed by scientific research that it works. Most treatments for asthma are steroidal inhalers, a non-steroidal inhaler, and multiple anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are for emergency use when airways need help to open during an attack.
There are many natural treatments for asthma. Also, forskolin has positive effects on those with asthma. The supplement is much better than sodium cromoglycate (cromoglicic acid), another medicine in place of steroidal inhalers. One study tested forskolin’s capacity to stop asthma attacks. The patients who took forskolin experienced less than half the asthmatic attacks compared to those taking cromoglicic acid. (x)
Another study compared using forskolin to beclomethasone, a familiar steroidal inhaler for asthma, discovered no difference in effectiveness, which means a supplement is an option for a natural approach for asthma people. (x)
5. Decreases Blood Sugar Levels
In the International Journal of Medical Sciences, they reported a study that administered rats with forskolin over eight weeks to learn about treating glycemia and oxidative stress with the supplement. They discovered that forskolin lowered fasting blood to glucose levels. It also showed the supplement may assist prediabetic and diabetic patients, though more follow-up studies will determine this to be the case. (x)
Whether forskolin contains antioxidant is not proven, but there is evidence that suggests it can sustain normal blood sugar levels.
6. Help Treat Symptoms of Glaucoma
For a long time, forskolin has treated symptoms of glaucoma. Usually, it means injecting forskolin into the eye. However, recent scientific studies support taking the supplement orally.
One study concentrated on using the supplement to control intraocular pressure, known as the continual renewal of fluids in the eye, caused by glaucoma. The goal of alleviating most glaucoma conditions is to stabilize the intraocular pressure caused by open-angle glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
A study done in Italy concentrated on participants at the maximum tolerated therapy levels of medication without improving intraocular pressure—taking the supplement orally, along with rutin, found in rose hips, citrus fruit, and black currants. The combination had a considerable influence on the pressure levels. Thus, there was a solution for other patients who had also done everything else besides surgery tried forskolin. (x)
The usual medical treatment of glaucoma patients comprises prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers. These medications have harmful side effects that include constipation, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depression, burning or itchy eyes, and upper respiratory tract infection. Researchers in India discovered eye drops that contain one percent forskolin were gentler and safer on your body as a more logical solution. (x)
Another treatment uses forskolin to prevent retinal ganglion cell death, the last condition into blindness as a glaucoma patient. The supplement used by itself did some service but adding natural supplements: L-carnosine and homotaurine. The combination protects the condition of the eye once injected. However, the study applied only to rats, not humans yet. (x)
7. Potential Alzheimer’s Treatment
Though forskolin’s probability as a treatment for Alzheimer’s is still taking baby steps, you can’t overlook the promising study reported in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. The 2016 study conducted on rats discovered administering forskolin lowered several harmful components triggered by Alzheimer’s disease. They include reduction of inflammatory activity and plaque in multiple areas of the brain. The journal’s article encourages the use of this supplement as a natural treatment for Alzheimer’s. (x)
Where to Buy Forskolin?
You can purchase Forskolin at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying Forskolin as a natural health supplement? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order.
How to Take Forskolin
Before you purchase your forskolin, make sure the company you are buying it from is reputable. Especially those companies that claim it’s used for weight loss. These companies add unnamed and dangerous ingredients. If you buy forskolin, work through a company that offers pure forskolin extract like Bulk Supplements.
As far as forskolin dosage, follow the recommended dosage guidelines carefully and make sure you talk to a medical practitioner for proper guidance if you are taking any medications. Only medical doctors prescribe intravenous and inhaled forskolin. Once you have your prescription, the doctor will instruct on when to take the specific amount of forskolin and how often.
Forskolin Side Effects and Risks
The supplement is relatively safe, though there are dangers related to weight loss studies. You should know a few potential interactions and circumstances you might undergo.
A lab study noticed forskolin affecting genetic material and evidence of genotoxicity, which is the destruction of DNA that may lead to cancer and mutations. Taking the supplement may trigger irregular or rapid heartbeat in certain people. Thus, if you undergo any of these indications while taking forskolin, stop taking it immediately and see a doctor. (x)
Forskolin interacts with medications like nitrates and beta-blockers. If you have blood disorders, pregnant, nursing, or just had surgery (within two weeks) or experiencing heart disease, avoid taking forskolin.
Cough, throat irritation, restlessness, and tremor may manifest if you inhale it for asthma based on miscellaneous reports. You may experience stinging via intravenous eye injections.
Pregnant and nursing women, please check with their doctor if you can take the supplement. There are reports to avoid the supplement if you are in these conditions.
Bottom Line
Forskolin is an extract that derives from the Coleus forskohlii plant, which is in the mint family. Natural healers for centuries have used forskolin extract to treat multiple health issues and diseases.
Of late, it’s a well-known weight loss supplement promoted through advertisements purporting that your fat melts away. But under controlled studies, the benefits vary, discounting the exuberant claims made in the media.
Forskolin helps manage your weight, inhibiting weight gain without altering your diet. Still, it’s essential to exercise and eat healthy to maintain ideal body weight.
Other benefits include easing high blood pressure, protecting your body against diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and glaucoma.
We cautious when purchasing the supplement as some manufacturers and resellers claim to sell pure forskolin when, in fact, the supplement contains unnamed and harmful ingredients.
Your doctor may prescribe forskolin as an inhaler or intravenously injected into your eye, depending on the condition of glaucoma being treated.
Forskolin side effects are mild but check with a medical doctor regarding drug interactions and side effects. It’s best to talk with your medical doctor before taking any new supplement.
Please check with their doctor if you are pregnant or nursing women. There are reports to avoid the supplement if you are in these conditions.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.