Effects of Coleus Forskohlii Supplementation on Body Composition and Hematological Profiles in Mildly Overweight Women

Abstract

PurposeThis study investigated the effects of Coleus Forskohlii (CF) on body composition, and determined the safety and efficacy of supplementation.MethodsIn a double blind and randomized manner, 23 females supplemented their diet with ForsLean™ (250 mg of 10% CF extract, (n = 7) or a placebo [P] (n = 12) two times per day for 12-wks. Body composition (DEXA), body weight, and psychometric instruments were obtained at 0, 4, 8 & 12 weeks of supplementation. Fasting blood samples and dietary records (4-d) were obtained at 0 and 12-wks. Side effects were recorded on a weekly basis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and are presented as mean changes from baseline for the CF and placebo groups, respectively.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in caloric or macronutrient intake. CF tended to mitigate gains in body mass (-0.7 ± 1.8, 1.0 ± 2.5 kg, p = 0.10) and scanned mass (-0.2 ± 1.3, 1.7 ± 2.9 kg, p = 0.08) with no significant differences in fat mass (-0.2 ± 0.7, 1.1 ± 2.3 kg, p = 0.16), fat free mass (-0.1 ± 1.3, 0.6 ± 1.2 kg, p = 0.21), or body fat (-0.2 ± 1.0, 0.4 ± 1.4%, p = 0.40). Subjects in the CF group tended to report less fatigue (p = 0.07), hunger (p = 0.02), and fullness (p = 0.04). No clinically significant interactions were seen in metabolic markers, blood lipids, muscle and liver enzymes, electrolytes, red cells, white cells, hormones (insulin, TSH, T3, and T4), heart rate, blood pressure, or weekly reports of side effects.ConclusionResults suggest that CF does not appear to promote weight loss but may help mitigate weight gain in overweight females with apparently no clinically significant side effects.

Hepatic cytochrome P450 mediates interaction between warfarin and Coleus forskohlii extract in vivo and in vitro

“…Theoretically, an increase in cAMP induced by forskolin will enhance lipolysis leading to elevated fat degradation and physiological fat utilisation, and thus promote fat and weight loss. In fact, forskolin increases both cAMP accumulation and lipolysis in fat cells, [15,16] and CFE standardised with forskolin reduces fat accumulation in ovariectomised rats [17] and induces favorable effects on body fat in overweight women and obese men [18,19] …”

Ulcerative colitis associated with the herbal weight loss supplement Hydroxycut

“…These studies were performed on mice with induced colitis 12. Coleus forskohlii is a herb, which in theory acts as a fat burner by increasing the body's basal metabolic rate and releases fatty acids from adipose tissue but supporting clinical evidence has been limited 13. Neither of these ingredients or the remaining ones, which includes medium chain triglycerides, choline bitartrate, betaine hydrochloride and trans-ferulic acid, have been associated with the development of ulcerative colitis.…”

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“…In a study, administration of C. forskohlii extract to overweight women mitigated weight gain with no significant side effects; however, weight loss was not achieved. Since this preparation affected weight gain further clinical study of C. forskohlii is needed [71].…”