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.
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That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
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.
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.
All of the participants also followed a calorie-restricted diet.
However, the group that supplemented with forskolin had additional improvements ininsulinlevels and insulin resistance.
This data suggest that forskolin does not replace a healthy diet and a calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
What Are the Side Effects of Forskolin?
Forskolin is generally considered safe.
However, some have reported gastrointestinal-related side effects, such asdiarrhea.
Precautions
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is not enough research to say whether forskolin affectstestosterone levels.
There is not enough evidence from research to support using forskolin for heart health.
Forskolin is not routinely recommended for people with asthma.
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.
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.
They can help you develop a safe and effective plan for weight control.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Forskolin.
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National Institute of Health.Dietary supplements for weight loss fact sheet.
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