Fenugreek
All diabetics interested in lowering their blood
sugar levels and cholesterol levels should take this herb into consideration in
either seed or leaf form. It has also demonstrated some positive benefits for
abnormalities associated with diabetic retinopathy. All references and links to
the research are at the end of these short summations. This guide is a work in
process, but there is plenty of information here to get you started.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds have
shown to have hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects on type1 & type2
diabetes mellitus patients and experimental diabetic animals. Supplementation
of fenugreek leaves lowers the lipid-profile in diabetes mellitus (ref.15).
Supplementation with Fenugreek leaves improves body weight and liver glycogen
and has a significant effect of carbohydrate metabolism similar to Glibenclamide
(ref. 16). Studies (ref 3) indicate that soluble dietary fraction of fenugreek
seeds exerts anti-diabetic effects mediated through inhibition of carbohydrate
digestion and absorption, and enhancement of peripheral insulin action.
Fenugreek also corrected the alterations in the
distribution of skeletal muscle glucose transporter GLU4 (ref 4). The results
of study in ref 1 show enrichment of fenugreek extracts, which has implications
for diet-based diabetes management.
Fenugreek and Sodium orthovandate alone or in low
dose combination have been shown to effectively control ocular
histopathological and biochemical abnormalities associated with diabetic
retinopathy (ref 5). Low doses of Vandate and Trigonella in combination was
effective in normalization of altered membrane linked functions and GLU4
distribution without any side effects (ref.6,7).
Another study concludes that 2g of a powdered
mixture of 3 medicinal plants (bitter gourd, jamun seeds and fenugreek) in raw
or cooked form can be successfully used n lowering blood glucose in diabetes
(ref.8)
Research suggests that low doses of Na3VO4 in
combination with Trigonella seed powder are an efficient antidiabetic agent to
control long-term complications of diabetes in tissues such as peripheral
nerves (ref. 9).
Fenugreek leaf powder reduces oxidative stress in
experimental diabetes. Fenugreek supplementation significantly lowered lipid
peroxidation and significantly increased antioxidant system in diabetic rats in
research study (ref. 10).
Research studies have noted positive influence of
feeding fenugreek seed mucilage and spent turmeric on intestinal and renal
disaccharides and thus their beneficial role in diabetes management (ref.11).
The hypoglycemic activity of fenugreek seed extract
is mediated through the stimulation of an insulin signaling pathway (ref.12)
Fenugreek seed powder protects against
histopathological abnormalities in tissues as well as acts to normalize
metabolism which proves its potential as an antidiabetic agent (ref.13).
Fenugreek seeds are rich in protein and contain the
unique free amino acid 4-hydoxyisoleucine (4-OH-Ile), which has been
characterized as one of the active ingredients for blood glucose control.
Potential genotoxicity of fenugreek seed extract was evaluated using FDA recommended
tests and it was determined not to be genotoxic (ref.14).
Research studies (ref.2) conclude that Fenugreek
extract can lower kidney/body weight ratio, blood glucose, blood lipid levels
and improve hemorheological properties in experimental diabetic rats.
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