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Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)
A Coleus forskohlii compound that activates cAMP, marketed for fat loss. One small men's RCT showed favorable body-composition/testosterone changes, but a women's study found no fat loss — overall the weight-loss evidence is weak and inconsistent.
What the evidence says
Most Forskolin studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 2005–2024 with a typical study size of 285 participants.
Based on 8 studies · 7 RCTs · 308 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
Weak, inconsistent weight-loss evidence: one small men's RCT showed favorable body-composition and testosterone changes, but a women's study found no fat loss and there are no meta-analyses.
No trials currently enrolling · 2 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Forskolin, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Forskolin is a diterpene from the Indian coleus plant (Coleus forskohlii) that activates adenylate cyclase, raising cellular cAMP — which theoretically promotes lipolysis. It's marketed as a fat-burner.
The honest picture: a small randomized trial in overweight men (Godard 2005) found favorable body-composition changes and a rise in testosterone, but a separate study in women found no fat loss, and the overall human evidence is weak and inconsistent. cAMP activation also underlies non-weight uses (e.g. dermatology, glaucoma research).
Not a reliable weight-loss aid.
Activates adenylate cyclase, raising cAMP, which promotes lipolysis in theory.
cAMP-driven fat breakdown — modest/inconsistent in humans.
How Forskolin works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Use caution — vasodilatory/antiplatelet effects.
Avoid.
Forskolin is vasodilatory/hypotensive — additive BP-lowering.
May increase bleeding risk.
Tip: Caution with antihypertensives
Tip: Take with food
Forskolin has an evidence score of 3/10 — emerging evidence based on 6 indexed studies. A Coleus forskohlii compound that activates cAMP, marketed for fat loss. One small men's RCT showed favorable body-composition/testosterone changes, but a women's study found no fat loss — overall the weight-loss evidence is weak and inconsistent. Representative study: PMID 16129715.
The commonly studied dose of Forskolin is 250mg of 10% forskolin extract twice daily (≈50mg forskolin/day) in studies. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Forskolin is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with meals; evidence is weak so set expectations low.
Forskolin is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. Reported side effects are uncommon and include low blood pressure / flushing, GI upset. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Low blood pressure (forskolin is vasodilatory); Bleeding disorders / anticoagulant use; Use with blood-pressure medication.
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Glucomannan
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 8 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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