Forskolin . . . . Has anyone used this, Heard of this, or have any opinions on it ?

[flatfeet1]

FORSKOLIN

naturodoc.com/forskolin.htm

Forskolin and cAMP

Wide-Ranging Benefits

From an Ayurvedic Herb

Hypothyroidism

Forskolin also has demonstrated the ability to increase thyroid hormone production and stimulate thyroid hormone release. This mechanism of stimulating the thyroid to enhance metabolism may be one way in which Forskolin promotes normal body weight. Forskolin's effects in normalizing thyroid function may also contribute to its antidepressant effects, as depression is a common feature of hypothyroidism.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/632...

Forskolin stimulation of thyroid secretion of T4 and T3.

Abstract

Forskolin is a potent activator of adenylate cyclase in many tissues including the thyroid gland. Forskolin is a potent activator of adenylate cyclase in many tissues including the thyroid gland. We compared the effects of 10(-5) M forskolin and 100 mu units/ml TSH on the dynamics of T4 and T3 secretion from perfused dog thyroid lobes. Both agents induced pronounced increases in T4 and T3 secretion. The increase in secretion was significantly steeper during forskolin than during TSH stimulation. This may suggest that early processes such as TSH-receptor interaction and the subsequent activation of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase are of importance for the pattern of very gradual increase in hormone secretion during TSH stimulation of the thyroid. In other respects forskolin seems to induce absolute and relative secretion of T3 and T4 very similar to those obtained by cAMP and TSH.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsk...

Forskolin (also called Coleonol) is a labdane diterpene that is produced by the Indian Coleus plant (Coleus forskohlii). Forskolin is commonly used to raise levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the study and research of cell physiology. Forskolin resensitizes cell receptors[dubious – discuss] by activating the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP. cAMP is an important signal carrier necessary for the proper biological response of cells to hormones and other extracellular signals. IT IS REQUIRED FOR CELL COMMUNICATION IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS / PITUITARY GLAND AXIS AND FOR THE FEEDBACK CONTROL OF HORMONES. Cyclic AMP acts by activating cAMP-sensitive pathways such as protein kinase A and Epac. Further reading: function of protein kinase A

jpgmonline.com/article.asp?...

Forskolin has been shown to increase cAMP formation in all eukaryotic cells except sperm, without hormonal activation of adenylate cyclase. [14] Forskolin's potentiation of cAMP in turn inhibits basophil and mast cell degranulation and histamine release, [15] lowers blood pressure [16] and IOP, [17] inhibits platelet aggregation, [18],[19] promotes vasodilation, [16],[20] bronchodilation, [21] and thyroid hormone secretion, [22],[23] and stimulates lipolysis in fat cells. [24] Forskolin also has a positive inotropic action on cardiac tissue via increased cAMP levels. [25] The cAMP level is important for retinal ganglion cells neurotrophic responsiveness to neurotrophins which is important for neuron survival. cAMP may inhibit some forms of neurotrophin-mediated neuronal survival and suggests that a number of PI3-kinase-regulated processes in neurons may be inhibited by cAMP. [26]

[Hidden]

Yep - my daughter tried it - just something else that didn't work! Jane x

[flatfeet1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jane, x

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

You may not realise that it is an ingredient of Thyro Gold:

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

Rod

[flatfeet1 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, no I didn't

[foxglove]

I have recently started taking THYRO-GOLD of which FORSKOLIN is an ingredient .. It's early days so too soon to comment but I certainly don't feel any adverse effects!

[flatfeet1 in reply to foxglove]

Thanks foxglove, let me know how you do xx

[foxglove in reply to flatfeet1]

Hi flatfeet1, be pleased to let you know how I do! At the moment I'm also taking 25 mcg. levo, intending to phase that out and maybe go onto 150mgs. TG twice daily. Needless to say this is DIY and without docs. knowledge I have tried other NDT products but within a few days felt bad so stopped So far so good with TG and I would like to think I can find a way to manage my condition by myself. Have you been considering TG? - perhaps we could compare notes? FORSKOLIN added bonus as I also have raised bp. and that has definitely lowered quite a bit in the 10days or so that I've been taking TG. (10%,12.5 mg FORSKOLIN in TG) Cheers x

[flatfeet1 in reply to foxglove]

I'm still trying to get a diagnosis from doc. I came across Forskolin on my travels on the internet and thought I'd stumbled upon something new. I'm getting as much info as possible now to arm myself for the battle, and if and when it becomes so unbearable, to then self medicate.

It would have been good to compare notes but I'm not ready to go solo yet. So glad it seems to be working for you, Its crazy that we have to fend for ourselves and experiment.

Wishing you well xx

[foxglove in reply to flatfeet1]

Wishing you well too, I'm sure all the answers are out the somewhere! I'm not really "going solo" yet . Still keeping a foot in both camps so to speak I'm elderly (well 74 years young ) and can't afford to fall out with docs., too much of a coward really so a bit of subterfuge called for . Tit for tat when you think how docs. flannel us!!! Cheers and good luck on the journey! x

[foxglove]

Hi flatfeet1 you have done a lot of research on FORSKOLIN, and I wonder if you could advise me. Although the THYRO-GOLD I'm taking contains some forskolin I am interested in the benefits of forskolin in general .. So much info. that I don't know how to choose - brand, strength etc. Could you offer any suggestions? Thanks

p.s. What does cAMP mean?

[flatfeet1 in reply to foxglove]

Sorry I haven't replied for so long, I have been feeling totally wiped out. but now feel I have a little battery power left to respond.

I'm afraid I don't know much about Forskolin, I just cut and pasted what I found on the net, hoping that someone would know about it on here.

It sounds an amazing supplement but as Jane has pointed out it did nothing for her daughter. We are all individuals and so will affect each of us differently, so I am unable to advise you.

If you do decide to supplement with this do let us know how you get on with it as I'm sure others would be interested too.

As for cAMP again I'm unsure but googled it and it seems to be a messenger of of many things, my little brain cant comprehend at the moment.

Sorry that I haven't been much help but hope your doing better than me wishing you good health xxx

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycli...

Functions

cAMP is a second messenger, used for intracellular signal transduction, such as transferring into cells the effects of hormones like glucagon and adrenaline, which cannot pass through the plasma membrane. It is involved in the activation of protein kinases and regulates the effects of adrenaline and glucagon. cAMP also binds to and regulates the function of ion channels such as the HCN channels and a few other cyclic nucleotide-binding proteins such as Epac1 and RAPGEF2.

[foxglove in reply to flatfeet1]

Hi, no probs. about not replying sooner, I'm pleased you did . I'm doing well on Thyro- Gold and as I have tried various NDTs I presume it must be the Forskilin that's doing the trick. Have ordered some (not received yet). when I get will give it a go and certainly let you know how I get on.

Hope you have more energy now it's awful to feel drained I'm not to good at reading all the info on the net, seems to be the usual trial and error

[flatfeet1 in reply to foxglove]

Glad your doing well, will look forward to hearing about the forskolin trial

[foxglove in reply to flatfeet1]

Meant to say loved your little doggy pic....says it all!!!

[flatfeet1 in reply to foxglove]

thanks xx

[flatfeet1]

Hi FG,

Sorry i haven't got back to you, I'm really not ignoring you its just Im feeling totally wiped out at the moment. I will rreply to you soon xx