Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of ForskolinSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageInteractionsHow to StoreFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Forskolin
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Interactions
How to Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
Forskolin, a substance extracted from the roots of theColeus forskohliiplant, is often touted for improving glaucoma and promoting weight loss.However, little research supports its benefits, effectiveness, or the dose needed to produce results.
People with polycystic kidney disease should not take forskolin supplements. The substance may also interact with high blood pressure medicines, blood thinners, and other medications. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking forskolin supplements, especially if you plan to use it for glaucoma.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Getty Images / Pannarai Nak-im
Although used for many years in alternative medicine, forskolin has gained more attention recently for its possible role in weight loss. It has also been marketed as an aid for people withasthmaor glaucoma.
However, very few research studies have supported using forskolin for any of these conditions. The preliminary research that is available is discussed below.
Glaucoma
Forskolin may prevent further eye deterioration from the effects of glaucoma. Forskolin appears to reduce intraocular pressure.
Some studies have suggested forskolin, in combination with other supplements, such asrutinand B vitamins, can improve symptoms of glaucoma. However, since only combination supplements were evaluated, it isn’t known for certain if forskolin had any effect.
In a systematic review, the authors shared that forskolin consistently reduced intraocular pressure further beyond what traditional treatment does. However, this evidence is not conclusive, and further well-designed studies are needed.
Consult a healthcare provider if you have glaucoma and are interested in alternative therapies.
Weight Management
Forskolin supplementation has been marketed widely for weight loss over the last decade. However, high-quality human research on this topic is limited.
Theoretically, forskolin helps to create more lipase and adenylate cyclase. These two enzymes are involved with the release of fatty acids in the body, allowing them to be used for energy.
In one small study of people who are overweight or haveobesity, participants received 250 milligrams (mg) of forskolin 10% extract or a placebo. All of the participants also followed a calorie-restricted diet.
At the end of the study, all participants—both the forskolin group and the placebo group (the group receiving no forskolin but a dummy substance instead)—had reduced waist-to-hip ratio and improvedhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as the “good” cholesterol. However, the group that supplemented with forskolin had additional improvements ininsulinlevels and insulin resistance.
In a second study, 30 males who were overweight or had obesity were randomized to receive forskolin (250 mg with 10% extract twice daily) or a placebo for 12 weeks. The forskolin group had significantly reduced body fat compared with the placebo group, but there were no significant differences in actual body weight changes.
Another small study found that the same dose of forskolin did not appear to promote weight loss in females who were overweight compared to placebo.
This data suggest that forskolin does not replace a healthy diet and a calorie deficit needed for weight loss. It may help improvebody compositionand metabolic parameters, when used along with diet modifications, but larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
What Are the Side Effects of Forskolin?
Forskolin is generally considered safe. According the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are no safety concerns reported at doses of 500 mg/day for 12 weeks.
However, some have reported gastrointestinal-related side effects, such asdiarrhea.
There is not enough safety data on forskolin supplements. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid supplementing.
People withpolycystic kidney diseasealso should not use forskolin, as it may contribute to cyst enlargement.
Dosage: How Much Forskolin Should I Take?
Optimal doses have not been established for supplementing with forskolin.
Of the few small clinical trials performed, doses of up to 500 mg per day ofColeus forskohliihave been used.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Forskolin may interact with the following medications:
It is essential to carefully read the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Forskolin
There is no data on how to best store forskolin, therefore, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is not enough research to say whether forskolin affectstestosterone levels. Only one small study found that men had a greater increase in testosterone levels when taking forskolin.However, more research is needed.There is not enough evidence from research to support using forskolin for heart health. One small study found improved heart function in people who consumed forskolin, but the forskolin was provided via the intravenous route.Therefore, the results don’t apply to taking forskolin orally.Forskolin is not routinely recommended for people with asthma. One study found that it may reduce the incidence of asthma attacks compared to sodium cromoglycate.Still, more research is needed to support the efficacy of forskolin before recommending its use in standard practice. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance onhow to manage your asthma.
There is not enough research to say whether forskolin affectstestosterone levels. Only one small study found that men had a greater increase in testosterone levels when taking forskolin.However, more research is needed.
There is not enough evidence from research to support using forskolin for heart health. One small study found improved heart function in people who consumed forskolin, but the forskolin was provided via the intravenous route.Therefore, the results don’t apply to taking forskolin orally.
Forskolin is not routinely recommended for people with asthma. One study found that it may reduce the incidence of asthma attacks compared to sodium cromoglycate.Still, more research is needed to support the efficacy of forskolin before recommending its use in standard practice. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance onhow to manage your asthma.
Sources of Forskolin & What to Look For
Forskolin is not available in foods. It comes from theColeus forskohliiplant. The extract is what is used to make the supplements.
In the past, some weight loss supplements (that may or may not have contained forskolin) have been recalled because they contained sibutramine, a medication that was removed from the U.S. market due to safety concerns.Keep this in mind when considering which products to buy.
Summary
Forskolin is an herbal supplement used for years in alternative medicine that has recently gained more attention for its possible role in weight loss. However, clinical research in this area is limited.
It’s important to remember that supplements should not replace a healthy lifestyle adjustment for weight management purposes. If you want to lose weight, consider consulting a registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN). They can help you develop a safe and effective plan for weight control.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Baumann G, Felix S, Sattelberger U, Klein G.Cardiovascular effects of forskolin (HL 362) in patients with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy–a comparative study with dobutamine and sodium nitroprusside.J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1990;16(1):93-100. doi:10.1097/00005344-199007000-00013
González-Sánchez R, Trujillo X, Trujillo-Hernández B, Vásquez C, Huerta M, Elizalde A.Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trial.J Int Med Res. 2006;34(2):200-207. doi:10.1177/147323000603400210
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