Have you asked yourself the question: "How to get rid of my fat without losing muscle mass at the same time?" Will the herb from the mountains of Nepal fulfill its promise to help us preserve our precious muscles? The main bioactive ingredient in Coleus forskohlii is called forskolin. Moreover, it seems that forskolin protects the human heart and helps in asthma cases.
Forskolin increases the breakdown of fat and maintains muscle mass at the same time; relief of asthma; Maintenance of the cardiac function in heart failure cases. The main bioactive ingredient in Coleus forskohlii is called forskolin. Moreover, it seems that forskolin protects the human heart and helps in asthma cases.
It has been found, through cooperation with the Indian Institute for a drug study, that the roots can lower blood pressure and reduce muscle spasms. The plant extract is a popular weight-loss nutritional supplement. It is included in the thermogenic fat-burners group.
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What Coleus Forskohlii (Forskolin)
The plant is named after the Swedish explorer Peter Forskal. Coleus forskohlii comes from the mint family and can be found on the mountain slopes of Nepal, India, and Thailand.
The plant has been often used for the treatment of various diseases in the traditional Hindu and Ayurvedic medicine.
What Does It Contain
Coleus was discovered during an expedition for the exploration of new medicinal plants. Its discoverer is one of the major manufacturers of herbal extracts up to this day.
It has been found, through cooperation with the Indian Institute for a drug study, that the roots can lower blood pressure and reduce muscle spasms.
A more detailed study of these stunning results shows the isolation of the active substance from the diterpenes group. This is forskolin which seems to be in charge of most effects.
Health Benefits
Coleus has been used for 3000 years in the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure, respiratory problems, and convulsions. Modern medicine, once forgotten about the traditional approaches of the Far East, now turns to this plant for help.
Studies on humans and animals have been conducted with both the active agent (forskolin) and with an extract of the herb.
Health benefits:
- Increases the breakdown of fat and maintains muscle mass at the same time;
- Relief of asthma;
- Therapy of glaucoma;
- Maintenance of the cardiac function in heart failure cases.
Effect of Coleus Forskohlii in the Body
Like some plants that are used to treat asthma, forskolin increases the levels of the compound with the main functions in the body - cyclic adenosine monophosphate-cAMP.
The following actions of the herb can be explained with a rise of the concentration of this compound:
- Lipolysis action - increases the breaking down of triglycerides in fat cells. A study with men taking forskolin showed that they reduced their adipose tissue and slightly increased their muscle mass, while other men who used a placebo, did not accomplish that. There is another study in women that weigh less than normal, who took coleus extract. The results showed maintaining a narrow range of muscle mass and body fat. An interesting fact is that all people, who received the extract, experienced less fatigue.
- Reduction of intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Studies have been conducted with patients and the results indicate a clear reduction of the increased indicator, leading to a delay in loss of vision.
- Inotropic action - increases the shortening power of the heart muscle cells. That was tested in subjects with chronic heart failure (Coleus was compared with dobutamine, which is used for maintaining the heart function). A slight effect has been established.
The conclusion is that this product can be used for muscle mass maintenance, with a simultaneous fat reduction, but its accompanying and side effects should be taken into consideration.
Health Risks When Taking Coleus Forskohlii
The safety of CF and forskolin has not been fully evaluated until this moment. There have been reported the following side effects: hypotension and tachycardia. Reports of acute poisoning in Italy in 2005 were related to the mixing of Coleus with plants that are similar to it in appearance.
It is not known, however, whether Coleus is safe for young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as to people with advanced renal or hepatic insufficiency.
One should be careful when combining the herb with medication, affecting blood pressure and medication that contain “blood-thinning" - antiplatelet agents such as - beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, clonidine, and hydralazine.
These kinds of medicine might be combined with Coleus only with the knowledge of a physician. The same recommendation applies to the following platelet inhibitors: aspirin, warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine or pentoxifylline. The effect of these drugs may unpredictably be increased when taken with Coleus
Recommended Dosages
The recommended dose is 20-50 mg, two to three times per day from the standardized extract that contains 18% of forskolin. Medical supervision is advisable because this significant concentration can be easily reached.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements Can We Meet Coleus Forskohlii
The plant extract is a popular weight-loss nutritional supplement. It is included in the thermogenic fat-burners group.
Coleus forskohlii is also known as Forskolin, Coleonol, 7beta-acetoxy-1alpha, 6beta, 9alpha-trihydroxy-8, 13-epoxy-labd-14-en-11-one.
