Once again, modern science is showing how a traditional folk remedy has merit.
In recent studies, an herb called Fenugreek Seed has shown to lower blood glucose levels for Type-2 diabetes sufferers, and some insulin-dependent diabetics in one study in India, who were on low doses of insulin, took Fenugreek, and it reduced blood sugar and other harmful fats like triglycerides. Furthermore, an amino acid in Fenugreek (hydroxyisoleucine) is said to stimulate the pancreas to secret insulin, another way the herb may help diabetics.
Fenugreek is a tall annual herb native to the Mediterranean, Ukraine, India and China. The plant bears pods filled with numerous light brown, diamond-shaped seeds which possess a sweet maple aroma.
3500 years ago it was used in cookery and flavoring, but also has a long history of folk use throughout Asia and the Middle east as an anti-diabetic, to soothe stomach ulcers, to eliminate built up mucus in the upper respiratory tract, to promote lactation, and as a poultice for treating various skin conditions.
Much science on fenugreek has focused on the cholesterol-lowering, blood lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic activities of the seed. These activities appear directly linked to the presence of soluble fibers, most notably galactomannans. The galactomannans have additionally been shown to possess fat-sequestering properties, thereby binding directly to dietary fat and reducing its absorption into the body. Furthermore, anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek seed are linked to the presence of a novel free amino acid, 4 hydroxyisoleucine.
4-hydroxyisoleucine is an amino acid derivative that assists the pancreas in production of insulin. Studies have shown that adding fenugreek to your diet reduces fasting blood sugars and improves after-meal glucose tolerance significantly. 4-hydroxyisoleucine works by two separate mechanisms: It has a direct, stimulating effect on insulin production for those who wish to increase their glucose metabolism and helps to reduce glucose resistance and the uptake of glucose, thereby reducing overall blood glucose levels. Several studies with animals and with human cell cultures demonstrate this extract’s positive effect on reducing postmeal glucose levels—with little or no increase in blood insulin concentrations— a clear indictor of improved insulin sensitivity.
Several studies show that the free amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine plays a valuable role in insulin-promotion and glucose regulation. 4-hydroxyisoleucine stimulates insulin secretion, thereby limiting the extent to which blood glucose (the glycemic index) is elevated. Elevated blood glucose after meals leads to increased production of body fat. 4 hydroxyisoleucine promotes insulin secretion and inhibits the rise of blood glucose, thus helping to reduce body fat production. 4 -hydroxyisoleucine exhibits a specific effect on the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. These cells are directly responsible for insulin production. Most significantly, the effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine is glucose dependent. The higher the level of blood glucose, the greater the insulin-promoting response elicited by 4 hydroxyisoleucine. Thus 4-hydroxyisoleucine exhibits a significant regulating effect, which corresponds with the insulin needs of the body at any given time. This makes this compound “adaptogenic,” responding to the particular needs of the body at any given time.
Today Fenugreek can be purchased at a natural food market in the spice or herb section, or as a supplement in capsule form.
A normal dose for non-diabetic people is 50mg of 4-hydroxy-isoleucine daily. In insulin-dependent diabetics, take 2.75 grams of 4-hydroxy-isoleucine daily for lowering insulin needs.
Research from NIH on Fenugreek:
Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lower lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Annida B, Stanely Mainzen Prince P. Department of Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Tamil Nadu, India, 2004.
Total phenolics and antioxidant activities of fenugreek, green tea, black tea, grape seed, ginger, rosemary, gotu kola, and ginkgo extracts, vitamin E, and tert-butylhydroquinone. Rababah TM, Hettiarachchy NS, Horax R. Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Aug 2004.
Role of selected Indian plants in management of type 2 diabetes: a review. Saxena A, Vikram NK. Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Apr 2004.
Supplementation of fenugreek leaves to diabetic rats. Effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic liver and kidney. Devi BA, Kamalakkannan N, Prince PS. Department of Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608002, Tamil Nadu, India. Dec 2003.
Herbs for serum cholesterol reduction: a systematic view. Thompson Coon JS, Ernst E. Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter EX2 4NT, United Kingdom, Jun 2003.
