Beyond Body Comp: 5 Hidden Benefits Forskolin

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The Power Herb, Plus​

This ingredient helps with fat loss and muscle gain, but what else does it do? Some pretty weird and varied things. Here's the science.​

Fun fact: Frequent sex increases the production of antibodies that protect against pathogens. So, sex strengthens your immune system. Neat. But that's not why we do the horizontal tango. Nah, it's just a nice side effect – a bonus benefit.

The same is true for supplements. For example, we take forskolin because of its effects on body composition. It boosts metabolic rate and increases protein synthesis. It supports T3 function in the thyroid and allows us to diet hard and retain muscle mass. In short, we take it to lose fat and build muscle.

But what else does it do? Science is always investigating this potent natural ingredient. Here are five neat bonus benefits:

1. Fixes Sense of Smell After COVID-19​

Researchers recruited 285 people experiencing olfactory dysfunction (anosmia) after having COVID. It's believed that the virus targets ACE2 receptors within the nose tissue responsible for detecting odors.

About half the participants received a nasal spray containing forskolin and half received a placebo. At the end of the study, only those taking forskolin had greatly improved their sense of smell. The researchers think it worked because forskolin increases the cyclic AMP (cAMP – a cellular messenger) levels in cells. By boosting cAMP in the olfactory neurons, forskolin improved the function of these cells and restored the sense of smell.

2. Helps with Asthma​

Multiple studies show that forskolin reduces or controls asthmatic conditions. Again, it does this by increasing cAMP levels:

• Elevated cAMP levels in bronchial smooth muscle cells lead to the relaxation of these muscles – bronchodilation. This widening of the airways helps alleviate symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. In one study, forskolin worked as well as the drug beclomethasone.
• Forskolin's ability to increase cAMP also inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines from immune cells (mast cells and eosinophils). This reduces inflammation in the airways, further contributing to symptom relief.

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3. Strengthens the Cardiovascular System​

Forskolin benefits the cardiovascular system through several mechanisms:

• Much like how increased cAMP widens the airways, it also widens the blood vessels (vasodilation). This reduces vascular resistance, lowers blood pressure, and improves blood flow.
• Increasing cAMP levels in heart muscle cells enhances the force of heart contractions.
• Raising cAMP levels in platelets prevents excessive clot formation. Forskolin may help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• The vasodilatory and inotropic effects of forskolin improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart.

4. Fights Viruses​

Through the activation of cAMP, forskolin modulates various intracellular signaling pathways, including those involved in viruses.

• Forskolin's ability to increase cAMP levels can inhibit the replication of certain viruses. Elevated cAMP interferes with the virus's ability to hijack the host cell’s machinery, preventing the production of new viral particles.
• By increasing cAMP, forskolin promotes a stronger immune response against viral infections. This may reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
• Forskolin might reduce the ability of certain viruses to attach to and penetrate host cells. This may prevent the initial stages of infection.
• Researchers think that forskolin could be used as an adjunct treatment for things like herpes and Hepatitis A. It may also help to fight off or treat respiratory viruses due to its immune-modulating effects and antiviral properties.

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5. Might Boost Mental Health​

We're only in the early stages of research, but forskolin might help with mood disorders and brain health:

• Once again by increasing levels of cAMP, forskolin might boost memory formation and learning. Some researchers think it's a cognitive enhancer.
• There's some evidence that forskolin might have antidepressant-like effects via its impact on serotonin and dopamine pathways.
• Forskolin might help protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Boosted cAMP levels protect neurons from damage.

Forskolin vs. Forskolin Carbonate​

Most researchers use standard forskolin derived from the herb, coleus forskohlii. The amounts used vary widely mainly because basic forskolin (dried leaves and plant parts) has poor bioavailability, and its potency varies from crop to crop.

The best way to manufacture a forskolin supplement is to isolate the active ingredient, then purify it and bind it with a carbonate ester. The end product, forskolin 1,9 carbonate, is much more bioavailable, and its efficacy in the body extends from 4 hours to 12 hours.