Forskolin is another popular weight loss supplement. Now the question is does forskolin really work?
Losing weight is perhaps the most difficult task people have to go through. Several studies show that only about 15% of people actually succeed at meeting their goals (1).
Recently, people who were unable to succeed with their set goals resorted to dietary supplements that promise them magical results. While most of these supplements do not work, there are still some you can actually depend on.
One of these supplements is Forskolin which has gained popularity for its consistent results. It is a natural plant compound that has shown evidence to promote decent weight loss in people.
We will look at Forskolin in detail. You will figure out whether it’s a good idea to use it or not at the end of this post.
What is Forskolin – Looking at the basics
Forskolin is a naturally occurring compound that is found in the roots of the Indian Coleus, a plant that can be closely related to mint. In general, it’s found in eastern hemisphere locations; India, Thailand, Burma, Brazil and parts of Africa.
For many centuries, plants and herbs have been used to treat medical conditions and diseases with immense effect (2). Even today herbal medicines are very popular amongst people.
Modern scientific research has tapped into extra properties of the compound and has found out that it may have more than just health benefits. It has shown a relationship to burning excess fat in the body.
Forskolin became a popular weight loss supplement when it was featured in the popular Dr. Oz Show.
Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii) stimulates fat-burning enzymes and hormones which, in turn, causes weight loss.
How Does Forskolin Help In Reducing Body Weight?
Many studies conducted on this naturally occurring compound have shown that it indeed has some play in increasing the metabolism of the human body.
Forskolin basically stimulates the release of fat stored in the fat cells (3, 4, 5). This is how the body naturally loses weight. Forskolin only enhances the natural procedure.
Just like most other weight loss supplements, Forskolin helps in reducing appetite, increases metabolism and promotes better digestion.
Forskolin has also been credited as the only natural weight loss supplement that preserves muscle mass while working to burn fat.
Forskolin also helps your body create cyclic AMP, or cAMP (Adenosine Monophosphate).
cAMP helps your body lose weight by activating the creation of hormones and enzymes that burn fat and fuel your metabolism.
How Effective Is Forskolin for Weight Loss?
Only two studies have been conducted that look into the effectiveness of Forskolin when it comes to losing weight.
Both studies were conducted on humans in a controlled environment over a group of people (6, 7).
The results proved:
People who took this naturally occurring compound showed more weight loss compared to the group that didn’t take it.
Both groups were advised to follow a calorie-controlled diet with a little bit of exercise over the period of 12 weeks.
Surprisingly, Forskolin also increased the release of testosterone in the group.
When this hormone is released, it automatically stimulates the release of fat from the fat cells which results in weight loss.
A rise in testosterone is also directly responsible for increasing muscle mass in the human body. So basically you can achieve two goals with just one supplement.
However, it is important to note that the same results were not acquired when it was tested on women. Due to less natural testosterone in the female body, the results were not as impressive as they were in men.
Are There Any Other Health Benefits of Taking Forskolin?
As mentioned earlier, Forskolin naturally occurs in the Indian Coleus plant. The plant has been used over centuries to treat various medical issues. By taking Forskolin, you can also see improvements related to health:
- Forskolin can increase the air passages in the lungs which in return help to relieve painful health issues like asthma (8).
- It can also lower the risk of osteoporosis (9).
- Can increase testosterone formation in the body promoting muscle gain (10).
- Help to burn stubborn belly fat.
- Helps you build lean muscle mass.
- Prevents new fat storage from reappearing.
How to take Forskolin Supplement?
Forskolin can be taken any way you want, but make sure to consult first your doctor. Once you start taking the supplement, you should ensure to do it regularly without breaking the cycle so that you will enjoy the positive and amazing results of this product.
Forskolin Dosage
If you are taking Forskolin for weight loss, you should know first the right dosage appropriate for your weight loss needs. The forskolin supplement is available in different dosages such as 250 mg, 125 mg and 500 mg. it would be better to take 250mg of 20% Forskolin every day. If you end up buying 10% Forskolin 125 mg, you will have to take 2 pills per day.
Where to buy Forskolin?
If you want to try Forskolin supplements, make sure to purchase them from reliable stores such as Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe, CVS, and GNC. You can also buy them from online stores like eBay and Amazon.
When buying Forskolin supplement or any other supplements make sure that it’s not fake. Always check the supplemental facts on the label of the bottle so that you’ll know the ingredients used in formulating the supplement.
Are There Any Side Effects of Forskolin?
Forskolin has never produced any adverse side effects if taken according to the dosage listed on the back of the supplement.
Never exceed the required dosage with any supplement and you will never come across side effects.
Forskolin may increase the amount of acid in your stomach. This may cause side effects of nausea, heartburn and indigestion (11).
But still, if you suffer from chronic illnesses that of the heart or medical conditions like diabetes, or kidney disease, consult your doctor before you take these supplements.
Is Forskolin Worth The Time And Money Investment?
Forskolin definitely produces results one way or the other especially if you are a male.
As mentioned above, Forskolin increases testosterone release in the body which automatically triggers weight loss and promotes muscle growth.
If you really want to see results, you should incorporate Forskolin with a controlled diet and a physical regime of 3 days or more.
is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She has a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Dhaka University and has worked with various clients to help them achieve their health goals through personalized diet plans. Mounota is passionate about educating people on the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle and has written extensively on the subject for various publications.
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