Coleus forskohlii (root) - forskolin info for volumizer

[sicosico]

any more info about it ? from weider Muscle Volumizer:

Forskohlin which produces physiological effects similar to beta-2 adrenergic stimulation such as dilation of arterioles (which promotes health blood pressure), decreased muscle protein catabolism, and increased strength of contraction of skeletal muscle.

[whutevr]

Isn't this stuff (forskolin) mainly being used for fat loss?

[pu12en12g]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/fors.html

[pu12en12g]

Has anyone tried this by itself or know for a fact that it works as dramatically as claimed ? Because I found it for $18 for 50 grams.

FORSKOLIN FOR FAT LOSS

Normally when the body requires the use of stored fat for fuel, hormones such as epinephrine or norepinephrine bind to receptors on fat cells and initiate a signaling cascade that eventually results in the activation of an enzyme within the fat cell called hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). Fat is stored in the form of triglycerides, composed of fatty acid chains bound to a glycerol backbone. HSL frees up the fatty acids so they can leave the fat cell, enter the bloodstream, and travel to wherever they are needed for fuel, primarily working muscle.

Forskolin mimics the effects of the body's fat mobilizing hormones like epinephrine by entering fat cells and increasing levels of the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which in turn increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), an important compound involved in the signaling cascade described above. The increase in cAMP leads to activation of HSL, and fat is mobilized, ready to be used as fuel. Note as depicted in the illustration below that forskolin bypasses the hormonal receptor and enters the cell by traversing the cellular membrane. In the case of fat cells, epinephrine or a chemical analog of epinephrine such as clenbuterol or albuterol binds to these so-called beta adrenergic receptor sites and initiates the signaling cascade that ultimately results in fat release.

Prolonged use of these chemical agents however ultimately leads to a desensitization of the receptor, and a loss of drug effectiveness. With beta-receptors desensitization occurs primarily by a decrease in cell surface receptor number. This is important clinically because beta2 receptor agonists such as clenbuterol and albuterol are commonly used to treat asthma by binding to beta-receptors in lung tissue. They lead to the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and decrease airway resistance. Hence the widespread use of forskolin to treat airway constriction in allergies and asthma.

Note that since like beta agonists, forskolin too initiates the signaling cascade, but since it acts independently of beta receptors, even cells whose beta receptors have been severely downregulated by exposure to beta2 agonists are still responsive to forskolin (1). So a person who has been using clenbuterol or albuterol over an extended period might consider switching to a forskolin-based product, achieving the same net result of fat loss by bypassing the downregulated beta-receptors. Interestingly, beta2 receptors in tissue samples that had experienced this downregulation/desensitization (technically called tachyphylaxis) by continual exposure to salbutamol recovered sensitivity to the drug in vitro when exposed to forskolin (2) If this works in vivo it gives a person who wants to increase lipolysis several options for the combined or individual use of a beta agonist and forskolin.


FORSKOLIN AND THE THYROID

So far to summarize, we see that forskolin has the ability to activate Hormone Sensitive Lipase and release free fatty acids that can be used by the body for fuel. This lipolytic effect is obviously advantageous for a person seeking to lose fat. However, unless the fat mobilized by forskolin is actually burned for fuel, it will simply be redeposited as fat. One could obviously increase exercise levels to burn this mobilized fat, or go on a calorie restricted diet. These are certainly healthful approaches to weight loss, but forskolin itself can promote the burning of these liberated fats by virtue of its ability to elevate metabolic rate by stimulating the production of thyroid hormone.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is a hormone released by the pituitary gland that signals the thyroid gland to produce T4 and T3. Forskolin, when added to thyroid tissue in culture, mimics the effect of TSH and stimulates the production of thyroid hormone (3). Thyroid hormone is well known to increase metabolic rate by way of several mechanisms, and this increased metabolic rate will lead to the use of the mobilized fatty acids for fuel.

In addition to stimulating the secretion of primarily T4 from the thyroid, forskolin promotes the conversion of the relatively inactive T4 to its potent metabolite T3 via the action of type II deiodinase. Forskolin has been shown to induce the expression of type II deiodinase in peripheral tissue, especially skeletal muscle (4)

Thyroid hormone has been shown to be helpful in treating depressive disorders. Also, several studies have shown that patients suffering from depression have reduced levels of activity of cAMP signaling in the brain. (4) Forskolin administration to depressed and schizophrenic patients has resulted in marked improvement in symptoms in these subjects (5). On the other hand, enhanced cAMP signaling in bipolar patients may contribute to manic episodes (6). So while possibly benefiting people suffering from depression, forskolin could exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. One should obviously consult with a medical professional here before self-medicating with forskolin.

[pu12en12g]

Any updates from Forskolin users ?

[Peter LeDrew]

Has anyone tried this by itself or know for a fact that it works as dramatically as claimed ? Because I found it for $18 for 50 grams.

Hey,

This is the product I've been using for a short while and it seems to have some benefits. Make sure it's standardized.

http://www.aor.ca/proddetail.asp?prod_id=212
http://www.aor.ca/proddetail.asp?pro...&exec_sum=summ

I usually take my doses before workouts.


pu12en12g

You seem to be a smart dude who would be interested in related research:

On a side note, raising cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (cAMP) seems to benefit the brain in many interesting ways such as improving memory, etc..
http://www.campaignforcure.org/resea...iew%202004.htm

NOTE: :The concentration of a chemical called cAMP is much higher in young nerve fibres compared with older nerve fibres. Furthermore, the concentration of cAMP falls even more after injury, further reducing the already low cAMP levels in adults. These observations indicate that increasing cAMP levels might increase regeneration and, thus, aid recovery after injury.

cAMP is a vital regulator of many different processes in nerve fibres as well as other cells throughout the body. Importantly, in adults, cAMP is known to overcome the effects of inhibitory substances in the myelin coat surrounding nerve fibres. Normally, myelin helps nerves to conduct electrical impulses, but it also contains several substances that inhibit fibre growth. However, a group led by Dr Filbin in New York has shown that boosting the levels of cAMP inside nerve fibres overcomes the natural inhibitory effects of myelin and allows fibres from adult spinal cord to sprout new growths.

In addition, cAMP has other effects that are likely to be beneficial in spinal cord repair. For example, increasing the concentration of cAMP at the tips of fibres makes them more responsive to nerve growth factors. It also dampens the immune response that accompanies injury and causes the lesion to extend beyond the initial damaged area."

Raising cAMP stimulates regrowth
In preliminary investigations, scientists injected cAMP before observing beneficial effects. However, any treatment that relies on experimentally injecting individual nerve fibres is unrealistic, as is one needing to be applied before injury. These difficulties have been addressed in the latest studies.

Three groups, led by Dr Filbin, Dr Bunge (The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) and Prof Tuszynski (University of California, San Diego), have confirmed the beneficial effects of boosting cAMP levels in different types of spinal injury models. In addition, Dr Filbin showed that waiting for up to two weeks after injury to elevate the cAMP concentration is as equally as effective as pre-treatment. Being able to administer treatment after injury (rather than before) is vital for any potential therapy. In another useful advance, they also used a drug called rolipram to increase cAMP levels, rather than injecting cAMP itself.



My little rant:

Drug companies are investing millions looking for patentable pharmaceuticals when we have access to something that already reliably raises cAMP effectively and safely and cheaply. Memory drugs that work this way on the horizon. We have forskolin now.
http://www.memorypharma.com/p_mem_1414.html

The same goes with St. John's Wort, Kava Kava, Milk Thistle, etc... nature provided us with these safe and effective chemicals in tune with our own genetic profile. The drugs don't work as well.

Pete

[thebrakes]

Any updates from Forskolin users ?

i took 1500mg of 10% standardized powder = 150mg extract (BAC brand) for several weeks with absolutely no effects. nothing.

[pu12en12g]

i took 1500mg of 10% standardized powder = 150mg extract (BAC brand) for several weeks with absolutely no effects. nothing.

Good to know man ! Thanks !