Dried methi seeds, also known as fenugreek seeds, are used as a spice in foods and are the source of an extract with traditional medicinal uses. One of these uses is for lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes. Evidence is insufficient on whether methi seeds have benefits for diabetic patients, according to Aetna InteliHealth. If you have diabetes and are interested in methi seeds as a complementary therapy, do so only with the supervision of a qualified health-care professional.
Methi Seeds and Blood Sugar
Early research indicates that methi seeds may improve blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, reports Aetna InteliHealth. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin to regulate their blood sugar, while Type 2 diabetes is controlled with diet and exercise, and sometimes with medication. When taken with a meal, methi seeds may reduce the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating.
Research Example
An example of research in which methi seeds were beneficial for people with Type 1 diabetes appears in the April 1990 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition." One group of participants consumed 50 g of defatted fenugreek seed powder with both lunch and dinner. This diet significantly lowered the participants' fasting blood sugar and also achieved a 54 percent decrease in urinary glucose excretion over 24 hours. In addition, significant reductions occurred in their levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol.
Considerations
If you'd like to try taking methi seeds for diabetes, monitor your blood sugar more closely if you take diabetes medication, recommends Aetna InteliHealth. If the herb works as claimed, the combination could lead to hypoglycemia. If you see results from methi seeds, don't change the dosage of your medication or stop taking it without your doctor's supervision.
Safety
Methi seeds are associated with only a few side effects, such as gas, diarrhea and dizziness, when taken in medicinal doses. It's possible to have an allergic reaction to this herb, with symptoms such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing and fainting. An allergic reaction to methi seeds calls for immediate medical attention.
