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Benefits of Fenugreek Seeds

Several clinical studies have shown that lactating women who took fenugreek seeds were able to increase their breast milk. This is good news for moms who have difficulties with providing enough milk for their babies' needs. Phytoestrogens which is one of the active natural chemicals in fenugreek is believed to activate some enzymes that increase milk production. Fenugreek herb may also help reduce painful pain due to menstruation.

A study published in the Nutrition Research in 1996 reported the result on a study conducted on people with type 2 diabetes who were given 25g of fenugreek powder twice a day. These people were also on medication. The result showed a decrease in glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels after 8 weeks. This could be due to the presence of 4-hydroxyisoleucine amino acid which has anti diabetic properties.

A report published in the Cambridge Journals in 2007 attested to this claim. It stated that trigonella foenum graecum, or fenugreek in layman's term, significantly improve glucose homeostasis in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It delays carbohydrate digestion and the absorption and enhancing insulin action. The journal further stated that, fenugreek is a potentially dietary addition for the treatment of diabetes.

Two laboratory studies done on mice showed that fenugreek protected against the formation of cholesterol gallstones in mice with high cholesterol diet. The gallstones in mice that were given normal diet dissolved when fenugreek were added to their diets.

Fenugreek seeds also contain choline. This nutrient helps in the formation of acetylcholine which helps in the breakdown of fat during metabolism. This herb is used to help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Some body builders add fenugreek herb extracts to their diets to improve performance. Heavy exercise in weight lifting depletes muscle glycogen and has to be restored during recovery. Fenugreek seed supplements have shown to speed up glycogen syntheses. The 4-hydroxyisoleucine amino acid in fenugreek makes it possible to restore glycogen fast.

The other reported benefits of fenugreek are:

1. It may act as a skin conditioner. One of the ways to use it is to soak the seeds in water and then apply to the skin.
   
   
   
2. Because fenugreek is high in minerals such as lysine, tryptophan, phosphorus and iron, it has been used to treat anemia.
   
   
   
3. Fenugreek helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Drinking fenugreek tea may help overcome constipation and urine retention as it acts as a diuretic.
   
   
   
4. Ayurvedic medicine recommends the use of fenugreek as an alternative to improve testosterone level. According to the Mayo Clinic, other than increasing libido, testoterone, aids in improving bone density, muscle strength and mass, red blood cell and sperm production and fat distribution.

There are many ways to add fenugreek to your diet other than in your food. You can buy whole fenugreek seeds and make your own herbal tea by soaking the seeds in hot water. You can also buy the ready made fenugreek tea bags. Fenugreek herbs, tablets, capsules, powder and liquid extract are also available. It is up to you which one you prefer.