Forskolin Benefits in Weight Loss
America is obsessed with weight loss and there is no end to the supplements and dietary regimens that are consumed to take off weight. Most are unproven and not natural in origin.
Among the “proven” over-the-counter weight loss supplements that have been granted approval by the FDA is the drug Orlistat which, according to WebMD, blocks 25 percent of all of the fats that are ingested. On the surface, this chemical appears to have great promise.
However, the site is quick to point out:
“Orlistat helps people lose weight as long as they also follow a diet and exercise. But it can have some unpleasant intestinal side effects. Be sure to follow the product’s recommendations to limit fat intake to minimize potentially embarrassing problems with anal leakage and gas.”
However, the embarrassing side effects may only be a small concern when compared to additional problems reported in some subjects including irregular menstruation, difficulty in breathing, hives, and jaundice; hence, liver problems.
Of course, any supplements which promote indigestion, a loss of fluids, stomach pain, and discomfort while an inconvenience to the general population can be a catastrophe for a competitive athlete. Athletes of any stripe have their fluids depleted enough; the use of supplements that cause the body to “leak” fluids is counterproductive.
Indian Coleus
From Ayurvedic medicine, medical researchers are rediscovering forskolin benefits, an ancient supplement that has been shown in a 2005 study[i] to reduce weight, and increase muscle mass as well as testosterone in obese men. The forskolin dietary supplement has garnered great interest in the fact that athletes needing to lose weight for competition naturally want to retain and even increase as much muscle mass as possible. In a follow-up experiment, women also seemed to benefit from the weight loss aspects of the forskolin dietary supplement.[ii]
The forskolin dietary supplement, derived from the Indian Coleus plant, is actually more related to the mint family than the Coleus in your garden. Forskolin benefits include the ability to naturally activate enzymes throughout the body. The forskolin dietary supplement can naturally lower blood pressure throughout the body. Due to this ability (and though outside the focus of this post), Forskolin has also been used to help lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma.[iii] It suggests that these Forskolin benefits have the potential to be combined with other supplements to promote eye health.
Forskolin and Asthma
Another aspect of the Forskolin supplement that has garnered tremendous interest is that it is apparently effective in preventing asthmatic attacks. In a 2006 study in the Journal of International Medical Research entitled: “Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trial,” the scientists concluded:
“We conclude that forskolin is more effective than sodium cromoglycate in preventing asthma attacks in patients with mild persistent or moderate persistent asthma.”
Sodium cromoglycate prevents the airways were closing due to inflammation. Unlike Forskolin, sodium cromoglycate has numerous side effects that must be monitored.
In a follow-up study in 2010, the researchers also tested forskolin againstbeclomethasone, a steroid used by asthmatics. The study, entitled: “Forskolin compared with beclomethasone for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blind clinical trial.” The conclusion to this study was that there was no statistical difference between the two treatments and that:
“None of the beclomethasone-treated patients had an asthma attack and one forskolin-treated patient had a mild asthma attack during the 2-month study period. More studies are needed in adult asthma patients to confirm whether forskolin may be a useful preventive treatment for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma.”
For many athletes, especially asthmatic athletes, the use of Forskolin supplements in addition to standard treatments can be beneficial.
Forskolin benefits are seen as both natural weight loss supplementation that boosts lean muscle mass, as well as an aid for those who have asthmatic conditions.
Dosages
Typically, the Forskolin dietary supplement is usually taken at 500 mg which is divided on a daily basis or 250 mg twice a day.
[i] Godard, M. P.; Johnson, B. A.; Richmond, S. R. (2005). “Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated with Forskolin Consumption in Overweight and Obese Men”. Obesity Research13 (8): 1335–1343
[ii] Henderson S, et al. Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. (2005)
[iii] Head, K. A. (2001). “Natural Therapies for Ocular Disorders, Part Two: Cataracts and Glaucoma”. Alternative Medicine Review6 (2): 141–166
