If you take 1 g root extract of the plant Coleus forskohlii daily, you can lose up to 2.3 kg in two months. And without reducing your calorie intake, according to the researchers in the Japanese branch of the DHC Corporation, a manufacturer of cosmetics and supplements.
If you take 1 g root extract of the plant Coleus forskohlii daily, you can lose up to 2.3 kg in two months. And without reducing your calorie intake, according to the researchers in the Japanese branch of the DHC Corporation, a manufacturer of cosmetics and supplements.
If you take 1 g root extract of the plant Coleus forskohlii daily, you can lose up to 2.3 kg in two months. And without reducing your calorie intake, according to the researchers in the Japanese branch of the DHC Corporation, a manufacturer of cosmetics and supplements.
The researchers did a small human study, in which twelve healthy volunteers over the age of 20 were the test subjects. For eight weeks they took a 500-mg dose of Coleus forskohlii extract twice a day with meals. The extract consisted of 10 percent forskolin, the most important active ingredient in Coleus forskohlii.
Forskolin activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase in cells. This causes the number of cAMP molecules in cells to increase, making the cells more sensitive to messages from hormones.
CAMP plays an important role in the transmission of hormones from receptors to the cells’ regulatory systems. Because forskolin makes fat cells more sensitive to pep-hormones like adrenalin and noradrenalin, it encourages fat breakdown, and because forskolin makes the Leydig cells more sensitive to LH, it also enhances testosterone production.
The Japanese also observed that forskolin improved body composition.
In the eight weeks that the trial lasted the subjects lost 2.3 kg. The weight loss consisted of 1.87 kg fat and the rest was lean body mass.
At the start of the study there were fifteen subjects. Three stopped before the end, however, because they developed diarrhoea. The researchers suspect that forskolin causes gut cells to eliminate more water into the intestines.
The Japanese monitored the subjects’ blood pressure during the experiment, but observed no difference.
“Our findings indicate that Coleus forskohlii extract has potential as a complementary therapy in the treatment of obesity”, the Japanese conclude. “Further studies with double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled designs are warranted to conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of Coleus forskohlii extract for weight loss and weight management.”
The study was financed by the DHC Corporation.
A Coleus forskohlii extract improves body composition in healthy volunteers: An open-label trial
Seika Kamoharaa, b, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author, Somboon Noparatanawongb
Health Science University, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, Japan DHC Corporation, Minami-azabu 2-7-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract
Purpose
Coleus forskohlii (CF) is a south Asian herb that has been historically used in Ayurvedic medicine. The root of CF contains forskolin, a biologically active compound that has been demonstrated to improve well-being in some individuals by promoting lean body mass and supporting healthy metabolic function. We conducted an open-label study to evaluate the efficacy of CF root extract for weight management.
Methods
After obtaining informed consent, 15 healthy volunteers participated in an 8-week open-label study. The subjects received 500 mg of CF extract (10% forskolin) twice a day with their meals. Body composition measurements were conducted using a bioelectric impedance analyzer once each week. Body weight (kg), fat content (kg), lean body mass (kg), and basal metabolic rate (kcal/day) were also measured and documented.
Results
Of the 15 subjects, 12 (mean age 32.2 ± 2.3 years) completed the study. Significant decreases compared with baseline were observed after 8 weeks for body mass index (BMI) (24.92 ± 0.87 to 23.99 ± 0.86 kg/m2, p = 0.0038), body weight (66.33 ± 3.00 to 63.96 ± 3.10 kg, p = 0.0038), fat content (29.64 ± 2.19 to 27.77 ± 2.27 kg, p = 0.0038), lean body mass (44.34 ± 2.98 to 43.93 ± 3.01 kg, p = 0.0044) and basal metabolic rate (1379.1 ± 74.4 to 1363.9 ± 77.5 kcal, p = 0.0254).
Conclusion
These findings suggest that CF root extract has potential as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of obesity. Further studies using double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled designs are warranted to conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of CF root extract in personalized supplements and/or pharmacological interventions.
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com
