First of all, if you are not familiar with forskolin, here are the basics about this plant. Forskolin is a type of herbal mint and is often used as an herbal medicine in most Southeast Asian countries. It is from the group of primary herbal medicines used in Ayurvedic therapy and has been used to help treat heart disease, asthma, and obesity. However, you should be aware that scientific studies were conducted and the tests came out inconclusive as to how effective forskolin is when it comes to treating most of these conditions.
Forskolin for Losing Weight
Now that you have read the primer as to what forskolin is, let us talk about one aspect of its benefits which is its weight loss properties. Two studies were conducted about the validity of this claim when it comes to forskolin’s weight loss capabilities. One study introduced forskolin-based supplements to a group of overweight men. They were given a controlled dosage of forskolin extract twice a day. After weeks of this experiment, researchers found a significant shift in the group’s body composition. There was a significant decrease in body fat as well as an increase in overall bone mass.
Another test was done with a group of overweight women. Unfortunately, this test did not yield the same promising results as the previous test as there was no significant weight loss to be noted. However, we should point out that weight gain was indeed prevented during the course of the studies.
These varying results might be linked to the biological differences between males and females. While the female test did not show any weight loss results, the volunteers did not experience any weight gain during the one month experiment which shows some signs of weight management properties. Further studies need to be conducted in order to fully determine the key factors as to what element forskolin has that allows it to control weight gain and weight loss.
Forskolin Side Effects
While forskolin is considered to be a relatively safe product to consume, there are still health precautions that must be put in place before you try taking a forskolin-based supplement or product. There have been recorded cases of mild side effects caused by forskolin. Side effects include nausea, headache, and heart palpitations and lowered blood pressure. Forskolin might also increase gastric acid which makes it not an ideal supplement for people with ulcers.
Forskolin can also increase the body’s production of glucose and increase the production of lipids which means diabetics should avoid forskolin as well.
Women who are pregnant or are currently breastfeeding should not take forskolin as there is not enough evidence to support its safety in these circumstances. It is best to always consult with your doctor before taking any new form of medication or supplement.
Final Thoughts
Forskolin’s weight loss properties are still debatable. Studies are still needed to be conducted before anything is verified. However, it does show some promise in this area and researchers are still hopeful they will be able to utilize forskolin through medicinal purposes. The best method of weight loss is still, and will always be, proper exercise and diet. You can use weight loss supplements to help speed up the weight loss process but never expect it to do all the work.
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