What are the best brands of forskolin supplements that you can buy in Canada and are there any warnings about this supplement issued by Health Canada?
Forskolin is an extract taken from the roots of coleus forskohlii. While most people will recognize coleus as an annual ornamental popular in gardens, the plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years.
Research shows that forskolin may have benefits for lowering blood pressure and relieving muscle spasms. While many people in Canada take forskolin diet pills for weight loss, research in this area is still preliminary and inconclusive.
Coleus forskohlii extract supplements have been shown to increase levels of cAMP, an important messenger molecule found within our cells. One of the effects of higher cAMP activity is an increase in thyroid hormone synthesis and higher testosterone levels for men.
Some research studies have demonstrated that use of forskolin diet pills can promote body fat reduction in men, but other studies in women have not produced positive findings. User responses to this supplement seem to vary and some report a higher frequency of side effects compared to intended benefits.



- Boosts thyroid function & lipolysis
- Promotes energy, stamina & concentration
- Supports weight loss & appetite suppression
Where to Buy Forskolin in Canada
Related Topics
Health Canada restricts a number of extracts and natural remedies that the government authority considers dangerous. Because no serious issues have been discovered with forskolin, it is legal to buy forskolin diet pills in Canada.
Forskolin is available through a number of online retail outlets, including Amazon.ca. Consumers seeking forskolin for sale in Canada have many options available.
Not all products sold online are of equal quality or potency. It is recommended to only purchase products that are registered with Health Canada and have an NPN (Natural Product Number) displayed on their label.
Health Canada has significantly more rigorous labelling and testing requirements for dietary supplements compared to the US Food and Drug Administration. If purchasing a product from a US website, be aware that the product may not be allowed for importation into Canada.
You will not find forskolin extract capsules in many local stores like Shopper’s Drug Mart, Rexall, Walmart or in popular grocery stores like Loblaws or Longos. While it is carried by some speciality stores like Popeye’s Nutrition, GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, these stores may not have the same product selection as what is available online
One of the best sources to purchase this supplement is from Amazon in Canada. Some of the top-rated brands of this supplement on the Canadian Amazon website include:
- Only Natural’s Forskolin, 500 mg. This product can be purchased in a bottle of 50 vegetable-based capsules.
- easyFIT’s Forskolin Extract Detox Cleanser Combo. This package contains both forskolin extract capsules and a colon cleanser dietary supplement.
- Absorb Health’s Forskolin Weight Management and Fat Burner. This supplement contains 50 mg forskolin per capsule.
- Nutricreations’ Coleus Forskohlii. This product provides 50 mg forskolin per capsule.
Research Review
Researchers in the 1970s discovered that forskolin, which is a substance found in coleus extracts, increase the levels of Cyclic Adenosine Monophsopate (cAMP) in the blood.
It does this by activating the enzyme adenyl cyclase is a catalyst for the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into cAMP. This enzyme is found in cells throughout the body.
Cyclic AMP indirectly promotes the release of fatty acids from fat cells (adipocytes) so they can be used by the body as fuel. Theoretically, this should cause a reduction in body fat.
In a study on rats, eight-week-old female rats were fed 50 g coleus extract per kilogram of body weight. These rats showed reduced body weight, fat accumulation and food intake.
Researchers at the University of Kansas tested the efficacy of forskolin on weight loss in a double blind test. Thirty obese subjects were given either forskolin extract or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks.
At the end of the study, the forskolin subjects did not see a change in body weight but did see a reduction in body fat and a small increase in lean body mass.
A similar study performed on women who were moderately overweight, however, did not show a difference between forskolin and a placebo. These are currently the only studies in humans on forskolin supplements and weight loss.
Some researchers suggest that the gender differences seen in the fat loss results may be indicative of how this supplement works. Others have speculated that thyroid function may contribute to efficacy as well with individuals who have low thyroid hormone levels more likely to experience benefits.
Medicinal Uses
Coleus forskohlii extract is taken orally as a diet pill and as a nootropic supplement. This plant also has a long history of use in Asian medical systems. It was used as an herbal medicine for the following conditions:
- Asthma and allergies
- Urinary tract and bladder infections
- Eczema and psoriasis
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- Glaucoma and intraocular pressure
- Angina
While it has been used in traditional medicine to address health complaints, it has not been approved as a drug by Health Canada for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.
At the current time, there are not extensive human research studies available to determine the therapeutic efficacy of forskolin.
Reviews of the supplement on Amazon.ca reveal a number of anecdotal reports of benefits. A number of five-star reviewers report weight loss as high as 20 pounds in one month.
Multiple reviewers report losing weight without changes in diet or activity level. A number of reviewers report that taking forskolin reduced their appetites. Some reviewers state that the supplement caused upset stomach, but that this was avoided by taking the supplement on a full stomach.
A number of one-star reviewers reported that they did not see weight loss results when taking forskolin. Many claim that it produced no discernable changes in energy levels, appetite control, or body composition.
Some of these differences may be due to differences in product formulation, concentration of extracts, dosages used and quality of supplement brands. Some supplements available in Canada also combine forskolin extract with other ingredients which are purported to improve results.
How to Use for Best Results
There is currently no standardized recommendation for forskolin dosages. All dosage information is gathered from traditional and alternative medicine recommendations.
Some natural health experts recommend taking 50 mg of coleus extract that is equivalent to 18% forskolin concentration, one to three times each day.
In a study performed on obese individuals, participants took 250 mg of a 10% forskolin extract twice per day for a period of 12 weeks. Participants in this study did not experience a drop in weight but did see a reduction in body fat and an increase in lean body mass.
In a study performed on moderately overweight women, participants were given 250 mg of a 10% forskolin extract for 12 weeks. In this study, there was no significant difference in fat los results between the placebo and participants receiving the supplement.
One reviewer in Canada taking forskolin diet pills reports taking two 50 mg gelcaps before breakfast, two before dinner and one shortly before going to bed in the evening.
Some users recommend taking it early in the day as it can cause insomnia and make it harder to fall asleep in certain users. A number of sources recommend taking it on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before a meal to produce optimal benefits.
Reported Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health in the U.S., forskolin is not associated with any serious adverse effects and no safety concerns have been reported.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates this product as Possibly Safe when taken in appropriate dosages. Raw coleus extracts have been used in dosages of up to 1.4 grams per day and have been well-tolerated for up to three months at a time.
Some negative side effects have been reported by users. In online reviews. While generally well tolerated, some experience loose stools or diarrhea, stomach upset, a flushing sensation, red skin, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and anxiety.
If you experience negative effects, discontinue use and check with a doctor before you begin taking this product again. You may need to use a lower dosage or switch to a different product.
Forskolin may interact with anticoagulant and antihypertension drugs. There is some evidence that coleus may increase the risk of bleeding in people who have bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.
In studies, men who took forskolin showed elevated blood levels of testosterone. Higher levels of testosterone could theoretically cause adverse effects in certain people over long periods of time.
Evidence from animal studies indicates that coleus may keep embryos from implanting. For this reason, women who are attempting to become pregnant should not take supplements containing forskolin or other coleus extracts.
This supplement may interact with other drugs, supplements or certain health conditions. Even though a prescription is not required to buy forskolin in Canada, it is recommended to check with a doctor before deciding to take this product.
- Forskolin - Natural Medicines Database
- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/about-apropos/history-historique-eng.php
- https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=sr_st_date-desc-rank?keywords=forskolin&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aforskolin&qid=1465145099&sort=date-desc-rank
- http://montrealgazette.com/health/diet-fitness/the-right-chemistry-fat-chance-that-forskolin-supplements-will-live-up-to-claims
Article last updated on: July 6th, 2018 by Nootriment