Sugar travels in your blood as glucose, an important energy supply for your cells. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from your blood into your cells. When your body either fails to produce insulin or reacts abnormally to insulin that is present, your cells are unable to use glucose and levels of glucose in your blood become too high. If this condition becomes severe, diabetes may result. Fenugreek is an herb that may help lower your blood sugar, keeping it in a healthy range. Consult your doctor to discuss whether consuming fenugreek is advisable for you.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek, or Trigonella foenum-graecum, is a seed-bearing plant that is also called Greek hayseed. Its seeds have been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda. Practitioners recommend fenugreek for general digestive problems, to relieve constipation and to promote lactation. It is also used to treat inflammation, high cholesterol and diabetes. Fenugreek contains several biologically active components that may help lower blood sugar.
Properties
Fenugreek contains natural chemicals called alkaloids and saponins. Several of these compounds affect how your digestive system converts carbohydrates into blood glucose and how your body secretes and utilizes insulin. The saponins may reduce absorption of glucose from digested nutrients and other compounds might increase the amount of insulin your pancreas secretes and the number of insulin receptors on your red blood cells. Fenugreek seeds also contain abundant fiber, which may slow absorption of carbohydrate-derived glucose after a meal.
The Evidence
Several laboratory studies suggest fenugreek may help control blood sugar. In one of these, published in 1999 in the "American Journal of Physiology," a compound in fenugreek increased insulin production in diabetic animals compared to a placebo. Several clinical studies with human subjects also suggest fenugreek may be beneficial in keeping blood sugar in a healthy range. In a trial with diabetic subjects published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 1990, subjects who consumed powdered fenugreek had lower blood levels of both glucose and cholesterol compare to others who took a placebo. These are promising findings, although larger trials with human subjects are still needed.
Recommendations and Precautions
Fenugreek seeds and fenugreek extract are available from most health food stores. Although no standard dosing regimen has been established, seeds may be consumed at a dose of 5 g per day, or 1 g per day of the extract. Fenugreek is generally considered safe, although it may cause gastric upset or mild abdominal bloating in some people. Do not take fenugreek if you are pregnant as it may promote uterine contractions. It may also interact with some medications, including blood thinners and monamine oxidase inhibitors. Discuss its use with your doctor to determine the best course for you.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes Overview
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fenugreek
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Fenugreek
- DiabetesHealth: Fenugreek; L. Shane-Wortner, PharmD; 2005
- "American Journal of Physiology"; 4-Hydroxyisoleucine: Experimental Evidence of Its Insuninotropic and Antidiabetic Properties; C. Broca et al.; 1999
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effect of Fenugreek Seeds on Blood Glucose and Serum Lipids in Type I Diabetes; R. Sharma et al.; 1990
