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10.17.03 -- A New Role For Fenugreek: Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Submitted by Greg Arnold, September 22, 2003, Abstracted from “Fenugreek Ingredient Improves Blood Glucose Levels” in the 3/31/03 issue of the Natural Products Industry Insider
Fenugreek’s origins lie in southeastern Europe and western Asia, but is grown today in many parts of the world, including India, northern Africa, and the United States. Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloids and protein high in and L-tryptophan. Its steroidal saponins and mucilaginous fiber are thought to account for many of the beneficial effects of fenugreek, with the steroidal saponins thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption and synthesis (1).
Studies have shown fenugreek to prevent the enzymatic leakage and the rise in lipid peroxidation while enhancing antioxidant potential. Fenugreek seeds exhibit appreciable antioxidant property in vitro comparable with that of reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol (2), two of the more powerfully-known antioxidants. The positive effects of fenugreek have led researchers to study its potential role in Type 2 diabetes.
To study fenugreek’s effect on blood glucose levels, 10 non-diabetic subjects were given a
50-g glucose solution enriched with psyllium husk powder, oat bran concentrate or one of the four doses of fenugreek. Blood tests were subsequently taken at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after ingesting the fenugreek. Researchers observed that blood glucose decreases occurred with all four fenugreek doses, with the greatest decreases occurring at the highest fenugreek doses. The surprising finding was with the psyllium and oat bran subjects. Although previous studies have shown cereal fiber intake to be inversely associated with risk of diabetes (3), the oat bran and psyllium husk failed to produce a glucose-lowering effect.
References:
1. NOW Foods Website, “Healthnotes: Fenugreek” Thirunavukkarasu V. Protective effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds in experimental ethanol toxicity.Phytotherapy Research 2003; 17(7): 737-43.
2. Salmeron, J. E. Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women. Journal of the American Medical Association 1997 277: 472-477