Fenugreek is a food and a spice commonly eaten in many parts of the world, and has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Research in the past two decades has shown that fenugreek seeds help lower blood sugar in diabetics. Fenugreek may also lower levels of triglycerides. For more fenugreek information.

Fenugreek (seed), 100 Capsules, 610 mg - Nature's Way

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is an annual Mediterranean and Asiatic herb with aromatic seeds.
Fenugreek seed Supplement Facts
Fenugreek (seed) - 1.22 g per 2 capsules

Fenugreek extract for Diabetes
For millennia, fenugreek herb has been used both as a medicine and as a food spice in Egypt, India, and the Middle East. Present interest in fenugreek focuses on its potential benefits for people with diabetes or high cholesterol. Numerous animal studies and preliminary trials in humans have found that fenugreek can reduce blood sugar and serum cholesterol levels in people with diabetes.
     In a study conducted at the Jaipur Diabetes and Research Centre in India, 25 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups. Group received 1 gm/day extract of fenugreek seeds and Group 2 received usual care (dietary control, exercise) and placebo capsules for two months. Serum triglycerides decreased and HDL (the good cholesterol) increased significantly in group 1 as compared to group 2. In addition, fenugreek seeds improved blood sugar control and decreased insulin resistance in those with mild type-2 diabetic patients.

Safety of Fenugreek extract
As a commonly eaten food, fenugreek herb is generally regarded as safe. The only common side effect is mild gastrointestinal distress when it is taken in high doses. Animal studies have found fenugreek essentially non-toxic.

Fenugreek Additional Benefits
Studies in rodents indicate that fenugreek has immune stimulating, anti-oxidant properties, and protects the liver against alcohol toxicity. Administration of fenugreek seed extract with ethanol to rats prevented the enzymatic leakage and the rise in lipid peroxidation. The seeds exhibited appreciable antioxidant property in vitro which was comparable with that of reduced glutathione and vitamin E. Further, examination of liver and brain revealed that, extract of fenugreek seeds could offer a significant protection against ethanol toxicity.
   Fenugreek also has anti-ulcer properties.  

Fenugreek extract study
Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study.
J Assoc Physicians India 2001 Nov;49:1057-61.
To evaluate the effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycemic control and insulin resistance in mild to moderate type 2 diabetes mellitus we performed a double blind placebo controlled study. METHODS: Twenty five newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes (fasting glucose < 200 mg/dl) were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n=12) received 1 gm/day hydroalcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds and Group II (n=13) received usual care (dietary control, exercise) and placebo capsules for two months. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunct use of fenugreek seeds improves glycemic control and decreases insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. Fenugreek also has a favorable effect on hypertriglyceridemia.

Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in type I diabetes.
Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Rao NS.
National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 1990 Apr;44(4):301-6.
The effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on blood glucose and the serum lipid profile was evaluated in insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetic patients. Isocaloric diets with and without fenugreek were each given randomly for 10 d. Defatted fenugreek seed powder (100 g), divided into two equal doses, was incorporated into the diet and served during lunch and dinner. The fenugreek diet significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and improved the glucose tolerance test. There was a 54 per cent reduction in 24-h urinary glucose excretion. Serum total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly reduced. The HDL cholesterol fraction, however, remained unchanged. These results indicate the usefulness of fenugreek seeds in the management of diabetes.

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