- Weightloss
- Energy
- Asthma and Allergy Releif
What is Forskolin?
This "power" herb has an active ingredient in it called forskolin. It
has been used in ayruvedic medicine for many years. Forskolin's basic
mechanism of action is that it increases the amount of cyclic AMP
(adenosine monophosphate) in cells by activating an enzyme called
adenylate cyclase. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is one of the most important
secondary messengers in the cell. It is considered to be one of the
most important cell regulating compounds.
What
does it do ?
Under normal circumstances, cAMP forms by adenylate cyclase
activation due to hormonal stimulation at the cell receptor site.
However, forskolin seems to bypass this reaction and allows for an
increase in intracellular cAMP to occur. Why is it important to
increase cAMP levels? Well, there are several benefits of this to
athletes including relaxation of the arteries and smooth muscles,
lowering blood pressure, enhanced insulin secretion (which can help
drive carbohydrates and protein into muscle cells for energy and
recovery), increased thyroid hormone function (which can help enhance
metabolic rate), and significantly increase lipolysis (fat burning).
Forskolin also seems to benefit other cellular enzymes as well.
The breakdown of fat for fuel (lipolysis) is actually regulated by
cAMP. Forskolin has been shown to not only enhance lipolysis but it may
also inhibit fat storage from occurring. This is very good news for
individuals trying to lose bodyfat and get lean. Another way that
forskolin may allow for fat loss to occur is by stimulating thyroid
hormone production and release. Thyroid hormone controls metabolism and
can enhance metabolic rate, which may translate into more fat loss.
One of the overlooked benefits of forskolin includes its stimulation of
digestive enzymes, which can allow individuals to digest and assimilate
their food better. It has been shown to increase nutrient absorption in
the small intestine.
Asthma and Allergies
Asthma and other allergic conditions are characterized by decreased
cAMP levels in bronchial smooth muscle, as well as high levels of PAE
In response to allergenic stimuli, mast cells degranulate, histamine is
released, and bronchial smooth muscle contracts. Forskolin's activation
of cAMP inhibits human basophil and mast cell degranulation, resulting
in subsequent bronchodilation.
Dose
1fast400 Coleus forskohlii extracts are standardized to
20-percent forskolin, with recommended dosages ranging from 20-50 mg
twice daily. Forskolin has been shown to be safe and effective and has
a great amount of potential as a sports supplement.
