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.

Hayley L Loftus,Katie J Astell,Michael L Mathai,Xiao Q Su

doi:10.3390/nu7115483

Abstract

Limited studies have shown that Coleus forskohlii extract may aid in weight management. This randomized, double blind placebo-controlled clinical study assessed the effects of supplementation with C. forskohlii extract on key markers of obesity and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese individuals. Thirty participants completed the trial and they were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg of C. forskohlii extract (n = 15) or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. All participants were advised to follow a hypocaloric diet throughout the study. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio, were monitored fortnightly. Dietary intake was assessed at the baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Appetite was assessed using visual analogue scales and blood samples were analyzed for plasma lipids, ghrelin, leptin, glucose and insulin at the baseline and end of the intervention. Significant reductions to waist and hip circumference (p = 0.02; p = 0.01, respectively) were recorded in both experimental and placebo groups after the 12 week intervention. Furthermore, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased (p = 0.01) in both groups. The experimental group showed a favorable improvement in insulin concentration and insulin resistance (p = 0.001; 0.01 respectively) compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that C. forskohlii extract in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet may be useful in the management of metabolic risk factors.

Highlights

Metabolic syndrome is a common cardio-metabolic disorder that is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension [1]
Metabolic syndrome poses a major health risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an effective therapeutic approach is in high demand for those who are at risk [9]
There were no significant differences observed between the two groups at the baseline of the intervention for age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference or WHR (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome is a common cardio-metabolic disorder that is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension [1]. Central obesity is a major predisposing factor to the development of metabolic syndrome and is a key component of metabolic syndrome [2,3,4]. It is believed that a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state contribute to the pathogenesis of the syndrome [8]. Metabolic syndrome poses a major health risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an effective therapeutic approach is in high demand for those who are at risk [9]. The majority of individuals affected with metabolic syndrome are overweight or obese and treatment is primarily focused on weight reduction [10,11,12]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion