Sanutra Wellness Weight Management Review
Sanutra Wellness Weight Management is a vegetarian-capsule dietary supplement (60 veggie caps per bottle). It comes from Sanutra, a brand under Sabinsa Wellness. Sabinsa Wellness also owns America's Finest and Nature's Formulary. Sanutra's own description calls it a synergistic blend of "fat fighting" herbs meant to support most dieting programs. The company says the patented ingredients have been studied, especially when combined with a reduced-calorie diet. The product page tags four branded ingredients: ForsLean, Citrin K, GarCitrin and BioPerine. Those tags are my basis for the mechanisms below. I could not retrieve a full Supplement Facts panel with doses, so the mechanisms come from published research on these branded ingredients rather than from the label. **ForsLean** is a standardized Coleus forskohlii root extract (forskolin). Forskolin activates adenylate cyclase and raises intracellular cAMP. In adipocytes, higher cAMP promotes hormone-sensitive lipase activity and the release of stored fat as free fatty acids. The aim is to support lean body mass and a healthier body composition. **Citrin K** is a potassium-bound hydroxycitric acid (HCA) from Garcinia cambogia. HCA competitively inhibits ATP-citrate lyase. That enzyme supplies the acetyl-CoA needed for de novo fatty acid synthesis. Blocking it may reduce the conversion of excess carbohydrate into fat. It may also support appetite regulation. **GarCitrin** is a Garcinia extract that also delivers HCA. It appears alongside Citrin K, so the formula presumably targets the same pathway with more than one source. **BioPerine** is a standardized piperine extract from black pepper. It is a bioavailability enhancer. It modulates intestinal absorption and metabolic enzymes, including glucuronidation and CYP pathways. This may help the other actives be absorbed and used more efficiently. Piperine has also been studied for effects on thermogenesis. Taken together, the formula combines three lines of action: - mobilizing stored fat (forskolin); - limiting new fat synthesis (HCA); - improving absorption of the actives (piperine). It is not a stimulant-based "fat burner" in the usual sense. These ingredients work through enzymatic and signaling pathways rather than by raising heart rate or alertness. Even so, such products are intended only as adjuncts to calorie control and exercise. On independent analysis, HealthAI's Clarity tool gave the formula a base grade of B. It checked 7 ingredients across 25+ safety dimensions and described the formulation as relatively clean. It also warned that individual conditions, such as histamine or MCAS issues, could change that assessment. Retail listings put it at roughly $15–$27, depending on the seller. Forskolin may lower blood pressure and interact with meds and cardiovascular drugs. Piperine can alter drug metabolism. Anyone who is pregnant, nursing or on medication should consult a clinician first.
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Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only51 human studies · 24 improved
The main ingredient at a full dose is Coleus forskohlii, at 500 mg a day over two servings. In the newest and largest trial, 60 overweight adults taking it for 12 weeks lost about 1.9 kg more weight and about 1.8 cm more from the waist than with placebo, with better blood fats [1]. A trial in 30 overweight men found less body fat [2]. The only trial in women alone, with 23 mildly overweight women, found no clear change in body fat, though it tended to limit weight gain and reduced hunger [3]. Garcinia cambogia is present at 500 mg a day, well below the 2400 mg used in studies. At the studied dose, a pooled analysis found about 1.3 kg more weight loss than placebo [4], a review of 54 trials found no effect [5], and trials in women were split [6][7]. Black pepper extract is at a full dose but has mostly been tested alongside other ingredients, with mixed results for weight [8][9]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 51 studies →Hide the studies
- Across 16 trials of 1038 adults, curcuminoids plus piperine lowered triglycerides and total cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol modestly, but did not significantly lower LDL cholesterol; this is a lipid result, not a weight result.Effects of Curcuminoids Plus Piperine Co-Supplementation on Serum Lipid Profile in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-…
- Across eight placebo-controlled trials with 530 people, Garcinia cambogia lowered weight by about 1.3 kg, body mass index by about 1 point, body fat by 0.4 percentage points and waist size by about 4 cm compared with placebo.Effect of Garcinia cambogia supplement on obesity indices: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
- In a review of 279 trials of herbal medicines, Garcinia cambogia was among the herbs found effective for managing obesity, though pooled numbers were given only for green tea, kidney bean and black seed, and better trials are still needed.Effect of the herbal medicines in obesity and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical tria…
- In a review of 54 placebo-controlled trials in overweight adults, Garcinia cambogia produced no weight loss effect compared with placebo.Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials…
- In a comparison of 96 obesity drug trials, hydroxycitric acid (4667 mg three times daily) with walking and a diet ranked among the best treatments in mixed-sex trials, but it was not among the best in women-only trials.Pharmaceutical Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity: A Network Meta-analysis.
- In three trials of people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, curcumin plus piperine lowered body mass index, blood sugar and insulin resistance numerically, but the changes were not statistically significant.Effects of Combination of Curcumin and Piperine Supplementation on Glycemic Profile in Patients with Prediabetes and Typ…
- A review of randomized double-blind trials found some encouraging data but no convincing evidence that Garcinia cambogia or other supplements, apart from ephedra, reduce body weight.Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review.
- Of sixteen trials of four weight-loss ingredients, only two (one on Garcinia cambogia and one on green tea) showed significant weight loss over control, so the review found a lack of quality evidence.[A systematic review of the effectiveness of alternative weight-loss products' ingredients].
- Among 14 double-blind trials of plant extracts for appetite and weight, most evidence was inconclusive, with a Garcinia cambogia plus Gymnema sylvestre combination being one of only two exceptions that worked.Plant extracts with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control: a systematic review of double blind randomi…
- In 135 overweight men and women given 1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid daily for 12 weeks with a high-fiber low-energy diet, weight loss was no better than placebo (3.2 kg versus 4.1 kg).Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial.
- In 105 overweight adults taking a multi-herb tablet formula that included Garcinia cambogia for 12 weeks, body fat and a body composition index improved more than with placebo, but weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio did not differ.Efficacy of 12 weeks supplementation of a botanical extract-based weight loss formula on body weight, body composition a…
- In 96 obese adults who also followed diet and exercise, taking the Cyperus rotundus extract with 5 mg piperine twice daily for 90 days reduced body weight, body mass index, waist and hip size more than placebo.Efficacy and safety of Cyperus rotundus extract on weight management in obese individuals: A randomized, double-blind, p…
- In 91 overweight adults on a reduced-calorie diet, a Garcinia cambogia-containing blend for 12 weeks led to 2.26 kg weight loss versus 0.56 kg with placebo, with greater loss of body fat and waist size.IQP-GC-101 reduces body weight and body fat mass: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- In 90 obese adults on a controlled diet and walking program, 8 weeks of a hydroxycitric acid salt cut body weight and BMI by 5.4% and improved blood lipids more than placebo, with greater effects when combined with chromium and Gymnema.Efficacy of a novel calcium/potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid in weight control.
- In a placebo-controlled trial of 89 mildly overweight women on a 5020 kJ diet, 2.4 g per day of Garcinia cambogia for 12 weeks produced greater weight loss than placebo (3.7 kg vs 2.4 kg), although it did not reduce appetite.Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables.
- In a 10-week placebo-controlled trial of 86 overweight adults, 2 grams daily of Garcinia cambogia extract did not produce weight loss or a meaningful change in body fat compared with placebo.Does Glycine max leaves or Garcinia Cambogia promote weight-loss or lower plasma cholesterol in overweight individuals: …
- In 86 overweight adults on a lifestyle diet for 8 weeks, a combination supplement including piperine improved insulin resistance and some hormones, but body mass index and fat mass fell in both groups with no significant difference from placebo.Improvement in insulin resistance and favourable changes in plasma inflammatory adipokines after weight loss associated …
- In 80 overweight adults with slightly high blood sugar, 8 weeks of curcumin phytosome with piperine improved waist size versus baseline, and insulin, triglycerides, liver enzymes and cortisol versus placebo.Effects of phytosomal curcumin on anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, cortisolemia and non-alcoholic fatty li…
- In 72 adults with fatty liver disease, 90 days of a garcinol, curcuminoid and piperine combination improved liver enzymes and liver fat, and body weight, lipids and inflammation markers decreased compared with placebo.A scientifically validated combination of garcinol, curcuminoids, and piperine for mild to moderate nonalcoholic steatoh…
- In 72 people with type 2 diabetes and high triglycerides, 12 weeks of curcumin plus piperine lowered triglycerides and blood glucose but did not change waist size or body mass index compared with placebo.The effect of curcumin-piperine supplementation on lipid profile, glycemic index, inflammation, and blood pressure in pa…
- In 66 stroke patients in rehabilitation (56 finished), 12 weeks of curcumin 500 mg plus piperine 5 mg a day reduced weight, waist size, blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol and inflammation compared with placebo.The effects of curcumin-piperine supplementation on inflammatory, oxidative stress and metabolic indices in patients wit…
- In an 8-week placebo-controlled study of 60 moderately obese adults, 2800 mg daily of hydroxycitric acid salt with a 2000-calorie diet and walking reduced body weight and body mass index by 5 to 6 percent, while placebo had little effect.Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium a…
- In 60 overweight adults aged 20-70, 12 weeks of Coleus forskohlii extract reduced body weight by about 1.9 kg and waist size by about 1.8 cm more than placebo, and also lowered triglycerides and raised HDL cholesterol.A 12-week, double-blind, quasi-randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Coleus forsko…
- In 60 adults with moderate-to-high fatty liver, 12 weeks of curcumin 500 mg plus piperine 5 mg a day reduced waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and liver enzymes compared with placebo, but did not change liver stiffness scans.Efficacy of curcumin plus piperine co-supplementation in moderate-to-high hepatic steatosis: A double-blind, randomized,…
- In 60 people with diabetic eye disease, 12 weeks of curcumin plus piperine slightly reduced body mass index and waist size and improved mood and sleep compared with placebo.The Effect of Curcumin Plus Piperine on Mental Health Status, Sleep Quality, and Anthropometric Indices in Patients with…
- Over 60 days, adults with overweight or obesity taking Slim339 lost an average of 4.67% of body weight versus 0.63% with placebo, and 23 of 30 treated people lost at least 3 kg.Efficacy of Slim339 in reducing body weight of overweight and obese human subjects.
- Over 12 weeks, adults with obesity taking 2.4 g of Garcinia cambogia with 1.5 g of konjac before meals had no significant change in body measurements or body composition compared with placebo, although total and LDL cholesterol fell more than with placebo.Evaluation of the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of Garcinia cambogia plus Amorphophallus konjac for the treatment of obes…
- In 58 people with mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease (51 finished), 12 weeks of curcumin 1000 mg plus piperine 10 mg a day reduced muscle depletion and improved fat-free mass and phase angle compared with placebo.Curcumin plus piperine improve body composition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomized, double-blind,…
- In 55 overweight or obese adults, 12 weeks of a combination supplement containing 50 mg forskolin plus other ingredients led to lower weight and fat mass than placebo, but the effect cannot be attributed to forskolin alone.Novel Multi-Ingredient Supplement Facilitates Weight Loss and Improves Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Individu…
- In a randomized trial of 50 obese women, calcium hydroxycitrate from Garcinia atroviridis taken for 2 months led to greater weight loss than placebo (2.8 kg vs 1.4 kg) and a significant decrease in skin fold thickness.Reduction of adipose tissue and body weight: effect of water soluble calcium hydroxycitrate in Garcinia atroviridis on t…
- In an 8-week trial of 44 overweight women with fatty liver disease, adding hydroxycitric acid tablets to a calorie-restricted diet significantly reduced fat mass and visceral fat, though the diet-only group had a smaller visceral fat reduction (0.37 kg versus 0.49 kg).Effects of Hydroxycitric Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Obesity Indices, Appetite, Leptin, and Adiponectin of…
- In a controlled trial of 43 obese women, 2.4 g per day of Garcinia cambogia extract for 60 days significantly lowered triglycerides compared with control, but did not change weight, body fat, or other lipid measures.Hypolipemic effect of Garcinia cambogia in obese women.
- In an 8-week trial of 40 overweight women with fatty liver disease, hydroxycitric acid plus a calorie-restricted diet reduced weight and waist size within the group, but the diet-only group had similar changes and the groups did not clearly differ on weight.The effect of hydroxy citric acid supplementation with calorie-restricted diet on metabolic, atherogenic and inflammator…
- In 40 obese women who had just lost weight, 3 months of green tea extract phytosome with piperine helped keep weight off, with 60% versus 30% of women keeping at least 5% weight loss at the 3-month follow-up after stopping, compared with placebo.Effects of Greenselect Phytosome® on weight maintenance after weight loss in obese women: a randomized placebo-controlle…
- In 30 overweight or obese men, 12 weeks of forskolin extract lowered body fat percentage and fat mass compared with placebo and raised free testosterone (men only, not women).Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men.
- In 30 overweight or obese adults on a reduced-calorie diet, 12 weeks of Coleus forskohlii extract improved insulin levels and insulin resistance versus placebo, while waist and hip size and HDL cholesterol improved in both groups.Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic S…
- In a one-week crossover study of 28 healthy adults, the Garcinia-containing product reduced hunger and increased fullness and satiety compared with placebo, but did not change energy eaten at a test meal.Evaluation of the satiating properties of a nutraceutical product containing Garcinia cambogia and Ascophyllum nodosum e…
- In a placebo-controlled crossover trial of 24 overweight adults, 300 mg of hydroxycitric acid taken three times daily for 2 weeks reduced 24-hour energy intake by 15-30%, while body weight decrease was not statistically significant.The effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on energy intake and satiety in overweight humans.
- In 23 mildly overweight women, 12 weeks of Coleus forskohlii extract did not significantly change fat mass or body fat, though it tended to limit weight gain and reduced hunger, with no clinically significant side effects.Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women.
- In 22 young normal-weight men, a single meal with 1.3 grams of black pepper did not change calorie burning, appetite, or food intake compared with a meal without spice.Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite, ad libitum energy intake…
- In a placebo-controlled crossover trial of 21 normal to moderately obese adults, 500 mg of hydroxycitrate for 2 weeks did not reduce energy intake or improve satiety compared with placebo, and weight loss did not differ between groups.Effects of 2-week ingestion of (-)-hydroxycitrate and (-)-hydroxycitrate combined with medium-chain triglycerides on sat…
- In 20 overweight adults, a high-fat meal with 14.5 grams of spices including black pepper lowered blood fats after eating only when no stress was present, and weight was not measured.Effects of culinary spices and psychological stress on postprandial lipemia and lipase activity: results of a randomized…
- In 16 healthy adults, a single black pepper drink taken before a meal reduced hunger and increased fullness compared with a control drink, without changing blood sugar or insulin.Black pepper-based beverage induced appetite-suppressing effects without altering postprandial glycaemia, gut and thyroi…
- In 12 men with overweight, a high-fat meal with 6 grams of a 13-spice blend including black pepper reduced an inflammatory signal after eating, but weight was not measured.Spices in a High-Saturated-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Meal Reduce Postprandial Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Men wit…
- In a placebo-controlled crossover trial of 11 overweight men, 500 mg of hydroxycitrate for 2 weeks produced weight loss that did not differ from placebo, with no effect on satiety or energy expenditure.The effects of 2-week ingestion of (--)-hydroxycitrate and (--)-hydroxycitrate combined with medium-chain triglycerides …
- In 10 lean young men overfed carbohydrates for 7 days, 1500 mg per day of hydroxycitrate did not significantly change body weight gain; net fat made from carbohydrate tended to be lower (not statistically significant) than with placebo.Effects of (-)-hydroxycitrate on net fat synthesis as de novo lipogenesis.
- In 214 people with overweight or obesity taking Garcinia cambogia with glucomannan for 6 months, weight, fat mass, visceral fat, blood lipids and blood glucose improved compared with starting values, with smaller effects in carriers of certain gene variants.Long-term effects of Garcinia cambogia/Glucomannan on weight loss in people with obesity, PLIN4, FTO and Trp64Arg polymo…
- In 28 obese women on a calorie-restricted diet, forskolin cream applied to one thigh for 4 weeks produced more thigh girth loss than placebo on the other thigh, with no adverse reactions.Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulation.
- In a crossover study of 10 men, three days of 3 grams daily of hydroxycitric acid did not change energy burning or fat use at rest or during moderate exercise compared with placebo.(-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a post-absorptive st…
- In small trials of overweight women, a forskolin ointment applied to one thigh for 4 weeks produced more thigh girth loss than placebo on the other thigh, with diet and walking alongside.Topical fat reduction.
- In a study of 100 obese adults given hydroxycitric acid for 3 months, body weight, skinfold measurements and blood fats fell on average, though half of participants gained weight while fat mass still dropped on average.A clinical and computational study on anti-obesity effects of hydroxycitric acid.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only551 reviews · 88% positive
I could not find a meaningful body of genuine customer reviews for this specific product. The manufacturer's product pages show zero reviews. The retailer listings I found (including BetterLife, where it is sold at a discount) carry no review text. The Amazon storefront I reached showed no usable review content. A third-party safety analysis exists, but it is an ingredient-based evaluation rather than customer feedback. Writing a summary of customer sentiment, such as praise for results or complaints about side effects, would mean inventing themes, so I haven't. What the evidence does support is limited: - **Independent analysis:** The only third-party assessment is formulation-based. It rated the label as relatively clean, with a B grade. It also noted that suitability depends on personal health conditions. - **Industry context:** Trade press covered the Sabinsa Wellness retail launch. That coverage is about the company's strategy and its branded, clinically studied ingredients, not user experiences. The Sanutra Weight Management product was part of that retail rollout. - **Gap in the evidence:** Because the product is a fairly new retail entry, there seems to be little public user feedback. This means I can't say anything reliable about real-world effectiveness, tolerability, capsule size, taste or value. For genuine customer themes, I suggest checking the Amazon product listing directly, along with Walmart, Vitacost or iHerb pages if the product is stocked there. I'd also suggest waiting until more reviews accumulate. Until then, any claim about customer experience would be speculation.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only8 of 10 recommend it
Only one panelist spoke about Coleus forskohlii, the main ingredient, and he uses it among other nootropics to sharpen his brain function before recording podcasts. No one else on the panel gave a view on it, so there is no group verdict, no preferred form and no dose to report. Black pepper is a smaller ingredient in this product, and the panel is split on it: six of the nine who spoke on it recommend or use it to help the body absorb curcumin from turmeric, while three warn against it or stopped, citing gut, hormone and oxalate concerns.
See all 9 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Ben Greenfield · Coleus forskohlii · uses
- Ben Greenfield uses coleus, among other nootropics, to enhance his brain function before recording podcasts.
- Advises watching out for black pepper, as it is eliminated in core AIP and many people are surprisingly sensitive to it.
- Recommends combining black pepper with Triphala and Himalayan pink salt as a powder to brush with, as it is astringent, drives up inflammation and infection in the gums, is refreshing, and prevents plaque.
- Rubbed the beef with black pepper before searing.
- Mentions black pepper as something that can help with quelling tobacco/nicotine addiction.
- Recommends black pepper extract, suggesting that smelling or tasting it, or using a Füm pen with a maple black pepper blend, can dissolve tobacco cravings.
- Suggests black pepper extract, or more specifically grains of paradise, as something that can increase metabolism and cause the shift of white fat to metabolically active brown fat.
- He uses a nice black peppercorn, grinding a significant amount over his food because he loves black pepper.
- Drinks a hot beverage like black pepper tea before going into the sauna.
- Organifi Gold contains black pepper added to turmeric to make it up to 2,000 times stronger, and it can be taken before a sauna to sweat more.
- Describes black pepper tea as 6-8 grinds of organic black pepper in boiling water, which can induce a self-induced fever.
- Mentions Garcinia Cambogia with 50% HCA in response to a listener's question about using it for weight loss.
- Ben expresses skepticism about Plexus Slim for weight loss, noting its main ingredients are chlorogenic acid (green coffee extract) and Garcinia Cambogia, which have shown only slight benefits in studies.
- Mentions Garcinia Cambogia with 50% HCA in response to a listener's question about weight loss, but does not state a personal use or recommendation.
Dr. Eric Berg · Black Pepper · recommends
- Dr. Eric Berg recommends pairing black pepper with turmeric to improve curcumin absorption.
- Notes that black pepper aids in the absorption of Curcumin.
- Dr. Eric Berg recommends adding black pepper to eggs to support satiety, antioxidant potential, cardiovascular, and liver health.
- Recommends adding black pepper to food, especially when consuming turmeric, to increase absorption.
- Lists ground black pepper as one of the ingredients that makes a meal taste good.
- Dr. Berg recommends choosing real herbs and spices like black pepper as a simple place to start for a health-conscious diet.
- States that they added black pepper extract to a capsule with berberine, Ceylon cinnamon, alpha lipoic acid, and magnesium to enhance absorption for metabolism support.
- Recommends taking black pepper with turmeric because it helps the absorption of turmeric.
- Recommends pairing eggs with black pepper for the most nutrient absorption.
- Always adds black pepper and sea salt to his eggs to increase the absorption of carotenoids.
- Lists Garcinia Cambogia as one of the best fat-burning supplements, noting that supplements won't work without diet changes.
- Recommends Garcinia Cambogia for its ability to help with weight loss, decrease appetite, and especially for increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering insulin resistance, which leads to storing less fat.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Black Pepper · recommends
- Recommends seasoning turmeric with black pepper to help the body absorb more nutrients.
- Notes that black pepper, along with gentle heat, improves the absorption of curcumin in Paleovalley's turmeric complex.
- Recommends taking curcumin with black pepper, specifically piperine, because it increases the absorption of curcumin.
- Uses black pepper with turmeric to activate curcumin.
- Recommends having fresh cracked black pepper with curcumin to activate the intestines and absorb more of the curcumin from turmeric.
- Explains that fresh cracked black pepper helps activate the intestines to absorb more curcumin from turmeric.
- Learned to see the effectiveness of adding turmeric to her smoothie with a pinch of black pepper for combating anxiety, and recommends it for lowering anxiety levels, noting that piperine in black pepper activates curcumin in turmeric and increases its absorption.
- Explains that fresh cracked black pepper helps activate the intestines to absorb more curcumin from turmeric, enhancing its inflammation-fighting properties.
Thomas DeLauer · Black Pepper · recommends
- Recommends taking black pepper with curcumin to increase its bioavailability, as curcumin gets metabolized before it can do anything without it.
- Recommends mixing curcumin with black pepper (piperine) for general inflammation, as piperine inhibits the breakdown of curcumin, increasing its bioavailability by up to 2,000%.
- Recommends black pepper with turmeric because its piperine blocks liver clearance, allowing curcumin to absorb and shut down inflammatory response.
- Black pepper makes curcumin actually absorb.
- Recommends utilizing black pepper in cooking or as a piperine supplement to improve autophagy, which is cellular cleanup and recycling, and can attenuate mTor.
- Recommends black pepper with curcumin towards the end of a fast because it allows curcumin to activate and bind to keep one, changing its structure so NRF2 escapes, leading to a long carryover anti-inflammatory effect.
- Recommends black pepper because its piperine activates curcumin in turmeric by about 2,000%, making it an easy and worthwhile hack.
- Recommends having black pepper along with turmeric, specifically for enhancing the anti-inflammatory response by allowing curcuminoids to become more bioactive.
- Suggests adding a little bit of black pepper to improve the bioavailability of turmeric.
- Notes that while black pepper is often recommended with turmeric for curcumin absorption, turmeric itself has other bioavailable compounds that work without black pepper, but it can be added if desired.
- Warns that Garcinia Cambogia has a negligible effect on weight loss, averaging between one and two pounds, and is associated with a two times higher risk for GI issues, digestive discomfort, and other long-term digestive issues, including potential liver problems and liver failure.
Dave Asprey · Black Pepper · stopped
- Dave Asprey used to research black pepper extract but changed his mind about its use after a discussion with Christian DPO, who highlighted its downsides.
- Dave Asprey states that black pepper is higher in aflatoxin and oxalate, neither of which is good for dogs.
- Dave Asprey warns against curcumin that comes with black pepper extract because studies show it pokes holes in the gut, allowing bacterial toxins to enter and cause inflammation, which is counterproductive to stopping inflammation.
- Recommends skipping black pepper when seasoning meals to avoid oxalates.
Andrew Huberman · Black Pepper · warns
- Recommends avoiding bioavailable curcuminoids like black pepper extract if someone's DHT is already low or if they have somewhat insensitive androgen receptors.
- States that black pepper extract, also known as BioPerine, is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
- Huberman states he avoids black pepper fruit extract (Bioperine) like the plague because it is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and affects liver cytochrome, which he believes caused his negative experience with turmeric.
Bryan Johnson · Black Pepper · uses
- Adds black pepper to turmeric because a compound in pepper called piperine boosts the power of turmeric by slowing the breakdown of curcumin in the gut and liver, making its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic benefits last longer.
Siim Land · Black Pepper · neutral
- Lists black pepper as an herb or spice that is high in oxalates.
- Adds black pepper to his autophagy-boosting cocktail to promote bioavailability and slow down digestion.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Black Pepper · recommends
- Adds black pepper to her turmeric tea because the piperine in it stops enzymes in the liver from clearing out polyphenols, thus extending their half-life.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 2 for Weight and Metabolism for Women
Coleus forskohlii is at a full studied dose and controlled trials, led by a 60 person trial, showed more weight and waist loss than placebo, and 88% of 551 reviews are positive.
Take 2 servings a day (2 caplets) to match the dose that worked in the studies.
Where the evidence disagrees: 16 of the 51 human studies found no effect.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Metabolic system, Digestive system, Cardiovascular system
Combine with: If weight management is the real goal, pair this product with fiber such as psyllium or glucomannan for satiety, magnesium glycinate to support blood sugar control and sleep, and omega-3 fish oil for metabolic health. Chromium or berberine may help with glucose regulation and cravings. If adrenal support is also wanted, take a dedicated adrenal formula separately: ashwagandha or rhodiola for cortisol balance, vitamin C and B-complex (especially B5 and B6) for adrenal hormone production, and phosphatidylserine for evening cortisol. Avoid stacking multiple stimulants, and consult a healthcare provider, especially with thyroid, blood pressure, or medication concerns.
Possible side effects: The trial in women reported no clinically significant side effects from Coleus forskohlii, and no side effects are known from reviews.
Supplement Facts
Garcinia cambogia fruit extract 250 mg · Garcinia cambogia fruit extract 167 mg · Coleus forskohlii root extract 125 mg
| Garcinia cambogia fruit extract | 250 mg | † |
| Garcinia cambogia fruit extract | 167 mg | † |
| Coleus forskohlii root extract | 125 mg | † |
| Black Pepper fruit extract | 5 mg | † |
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Magnesium Stearate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Propylene Glycol.
Directions: Suggested Use: Take one caplet twice a day preferably at mealtimes.
Barcode (UPC) 767382033490 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change
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Graded November 10, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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