C. Forskohlii Extract Improves Metabolic Risk Factors in Study

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Writing in Nutrients, researchers report that a Coleus forskohlii extract may offer benefits to the metabolic health of overweight and obese individuals. The findings are based on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that found participants taking C. forskohlii in addition to a hypocaloric diet experienced favorable improvements to insulin concentration and insulin resistance.

American Medical Holdings (New York City) recently shared the results of the study, which have implications for its FB³ botanical weight-management ingredient, launched last year in partnership with supplier Bio Actives Japan Inc. (Tokyo). FB³ combines C. Forskohlii, Salacia reticulata, and Sesamum indicum.

“These and previous peer-review published findings on the component of the FB³ formula’s C. forskohlii extract suggest that, in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet, this compound may be useful in the management of lipid metabolism in healthy overweight and obese individuals,” says Vladimir Badmaev, PhD, CEO of American Medical Holdings. “Further, this component has been successfully researched in a proprietary combination that also includes Salacia reticulata and Sesamum indicum as part of FB³.”

Study details

The study included 30 participants aged 20­–65 years with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 m² or a waist circumference greater than 94 cm for men and greater than 80 cm for women. Participants were randomized to consume either 250 mg of C. forskohlii or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Study organizers advised participants to follow a hypocaloric diet throughout the study.

Every two weeks, researchers recorded participant body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio, while dietary intake was assessed at baseline and four, eight, and twelve weeks after the start of the intervention period. Participant appetite was assessed based on visual analogue scales and blood samples analyzed for glucose, plasma lipids, insulin, ghrelin, and leptin at baseline and the end of the intervention period.

While both the experimental and placebo groups experienced significant reductions to waist and hip circumference, as well as a significant increases of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), only the C. forskohlii group experienced a favorable improvement to insulin concentration and insulin resistance after the 12-week intervention. The experimental group also experienced significant reductions in intake of total energy, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol.

“These findings suggest that C. forskohlii extract in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet may be useful in the management of metabolic risk factors,” researchers concluded.

Read more:

Weight-Loss Ingredient FB3 Now in a Beverage

Fusion Ingredient Inhibits Fat Absorption-without Side Effects?

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

References:

Loftus HL et al., “Coleus forskohlii extract supplementation in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet reduces the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial,” Nutrients, vol. 7, no. 11 (November 2015): 9508–9522