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Weight/Heart/Hormonal

Forskolin

Herbal extract from Coleus forskohlii that may modestly reduce body fat and blood pressure in overweight adults, but evidence is limited.

Forskolin
40
score
C
evidence
Caution
risk

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Quick Take

Modest fat-loss signal in small trials, but not a reliable weight-loss supplement. Consider only if you can monitor blood pressure.

Forskolin is a labdane diterpene from the root of Coleus forskohlii, a mint-family herb used in Ayurvedic medicine; there is no meaningful food source. It activates adenylyl cyclase, raising cAMP and affecting lipolysis and vascular tone. The best human data are for small body-composition changes and possible blood-pressure lowering, with weaker evidence for glucose, lipids, and testosterone. People most likely to consider it are overweight adults who can monitor blood pressure and want a small adjunct, not a primary treatment.

Potential benefits

01
May reduce body fat
02
May lower blood pressure
03
May improve fasting glucose
04
May improve lipid profile
05
May support free testosterone

Protocol

Amount
250 mg of 10% extract
Frequency
Twice daily
When
30 minutes before meals.

Onset Time

8-12 weeks for body-composition changes; BP effects may appear sooner.

Who Should Consider

Overweight adults seeking adjunct fat loss
People with mildly elevated blood pressure
Men interested in hormonal effects
Those already tracking diet and exercise

How It Works

Forskolin directly activates adenylyl cyclase, raising intracellular cAMP. Higher cAMP can stimulate hormone-sensitive lipase in fat cells and relax smooth muscle, which explains the proposed effects on body fat and blood pressure; human data for testosterone and glucose are limited.

Updated 5/19/2026

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