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 Herb medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Research in the past two decades has shown that fenugreek seeds help balance blood sugar in diabetics. Fenugreek may also have beneficial effects on triglycerides. You can find an excellent appetite suppressant called Diet Rx with fenugreek. See below.

Fenugreek seed supplement, 100 Capsules, 610 mg - Nature's Way
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is an annual Mediterranean and Asiatic herb with aromatic seeds.

Safety of Fenugreek - Fenugreek side effects
As a commonly eaten food, fenugreek 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 and diabetes
Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) extract on blood glucose, blood lipid and hemorheological properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007 Apr;16(S1):422-426. Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China 710061.
Fenugreek seeds have previously been shown to have hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects on type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and experimental diabetic animals. Fenugreek seed extract has now been investigated for its effects on general properties, blood glucose and blood lipid, and hemorheological parameters in experimental diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were administrated Fenugreek seed extract, and Metformin HCl for 6 weeks. Compared with diabetic group, rats treated with fenugreek seed extract had an increase in body weight and a decrease in kidney /body weight. Compared with diabetic group, rats treated fenugreek seed extract had lower blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholestrol and higher higher-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner . The plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity of high shear rate (200 s-1) and low shear rate (40 s-1), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, whole blood reduction viscosity and platelet conglutination were significantly reduced in diabetic rats treated with high and middle doses of fenugreek seed extract, but not in those treated with low dose of fenugreek seed extract. It may be concluded that fenugreek seed extract can lower kidney /body weight ratio, blood glucose, blood lipid levels and improve hemorheological properties in experimental diabetic rats following repeated treatment for 6 weeks.

Fenugreek Research Update
Genotoxicity testing of a fenugreek extract.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Nov;42(11):1769-75.
Fenugreek seeds have been used in traditional medicines as a remedy for diabetes. Rich in protein, fenugreek seeds contain the unique major free amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-OH-Ile), which has been characterized as one of the active ingredients in fenugreek for blood glucose control. Current use of fenugreek in foodstuff has been limited to its role as a flavoring agent, and not as an ingredient to help mitigate the blood glucose response for people with diabetes. As part of a safety evaluation of novel ingredients for use in blood glucose control, the potential genotoxicity of a fenugreek seed extract, containing a minimum of 40% 4-OH-ILE, was evaluated using the standard battery of tests (reverse mutation assay; mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay; mouse micronucleus assay) recommended by US Food and Drug Administration for food ingredients. Fenugreek extract was determined not to be genotoxic under the conditions of the tested genetic toxicity battery. The negative assay results provide support that addition of fenugreek seed extract to foodstuffs formulated for people with diabetes is expected to be safe. A wide safety margin is established, as anticipated fenugreek doses are small compared to the doses administered in the assays.

Diosgenin, a steroid saponin of Trigonella foenum graecum ( Fenugreek ), inhibits azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci formation in F344 rats and induces apoptosis in HT-29 human colon cancer cells.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Aug;13(8):1392-8.
Fenugreek is traditionally used to treat disorders such as diabetes, high cholesterol, wounds, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ailments. Recent studies suggest that fenugreek and its active constituents may possess anticarcinogenic potential. We evaluated the preventive efficacy of dietary fenugreek seed and its major steroidal saponin constituent, diosgenin, on azoxymethane-induced rat colon carcinogenesis during initiation and promotion stages. On the basis of these findings, the fenugreek constituent diosgenin seems to have potential as a novel colon cancer preventive agent.

Protective effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds in experimental ethanol toxicity.
Phytother Res. 2003 Aug;17(7):737-43.
The study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in experimental ethanol toxicity in rats. The ability of the fenugeek seed extract to prevent iron-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro was also investigated. Ethanol feeding for 60 days resulted in significant increases in the activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The levels of serum lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver and brain were also significantly elevated. Significantly lower activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase were observed in liver and brain accompanied by depletion in glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Activity of Ca(2+) ATPase in brain was significantly lowered. Simultaneous administration of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds with ethanol prevented the enzymatic leakage and the rise in lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant potential. The fenugeek seeds exhibited appreciable antioxidant property in vitro which was comparable with that of reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol. Further, histopathological examination of liver and brain revealed that, aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds could offer a significant protection against ethanol toxicity.

Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lower lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
J Med Food. 2004 Summer;7(2):153-6.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of fenugreek leaves in diabetes mellitus. Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal untreated rats; streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats; STZ-induced rats + fenugreek leaves; STZ-induced rats + fenugreek leaves; STZ-induced rats + glibenclamide; and STZ-induced rats + insulin. Rats were made diabetic by STZ injected intraperitoneally. Fenugreek leaves were supplemented in the diet daily to diabetic rats for 45 days, and food intake was recorded daily. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were determined in serum, liver, heart, and kidney. Our results show that blood glucose and serum and tissue lipids were elevated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lowered the lipid profile in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Therapeutic applications of fenugreek.
Altern Med Rev. 2003 Feb;8(1):20-7.
Basch E, Ulbricht C, Kuo G, Szapary P, Smith M.
Fenugreek has a long history of medical uses in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and has been used for numerous indications, including labor induction, aiding digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism and health. Preliminary animal and human trials suggest possible hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of oral fenugreek seed powder.

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. 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. 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.

Enhancement of circulatory antioxidants by fenugreek during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon carcinogenesis.
J Biochem Mol Biol Biophys. 2002 Aug;6(4):289-92.
We have investigated the modulatory effect of fenugreek seeds (a spice) on circulatory lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant status during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Inclusion of fenugreek in the diet significantly decreased LPO with simultaneous enhancement of circulating antioxidants. We report that fenugreek exert its chemopreventive effect by decreasing circulatory LPO and enhancing antioxidant levels.

Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in type I diabetes.
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.

Fenugreek Animal Studies
Effect of fenugreek seeds on the fasting blood glucose level in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Mymensingh Med J. 2004 Jul;13(2):161-4.
In this experiment defatted Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek seeds) has used as the antidiabetogenic herbal medicine. The experiment was carried out in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and BIRDEM from 1996 to 1998 on a total of 58 Long Evans rats of either sex. They were 50-60 days young rats with average body weight 72-174 gm. Among the total, 10 rats were treated with only vehicle called as non-diabetic control rats, 48 rats were treated with Streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 90mg in 1ml of citrate buffer solution per kg body weight, among which 20 were diabetics. Ten (1 died, 1 escaped) diabetic rats were again treated with fenugreek called as Fenugreek-treated diabetic rats and the rest 10 diabetic rats were called as diabetic control rats. The change in the mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in different groups of rat from day 5 from streptozotocin injection were higher in diabetic control group and in fenugreek-treated diabetic group than in non diabetic control group. The FBG level on day 13 the mean in non-diabetic control group was 5.21 mmol/L. In diabetic control group and in fenugreek treated diabetic group the mean FBG level were 24.33 mmol/L and 9.89 mmol/L respectively. So, from this experiment it may be concluded that fenugreek decreases the FBG level considerably by improving diabetes mellitus.

Supplementation of fenugreek leaves to diabetic rats. Effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic liver and kidney.
Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1231-3.
The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of fenugreek leaves, an indigenous plant widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Supplementation of the diet with fenugreek leaves showed a significant effect on hyperglycaemia, hypoinsulinaemia and glycosylated haemoglobin in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Fenugreek leaves improved the body weight and liver glycogen. Fenugreek leaves also showed a significant effect on key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic rats. The effect of fenugreek leaves was found to be similar to that of glibenclamide. Thus, fenugreek leaves exhibited antidiabetic action in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Insulin restored all the parameters to near normal levels in diabetic rats.

Fenugreek extract sold by herb and ingredient suppliers
Fenugreek herb is sold as plain powder and in various extract potencies including a 2 to 1 extract and a 4 to 1 extract.

Fenugreek supplement emails
Q. It is okay to take fenugreek supplement while breastfeeding?
   A. I have not come across enough information at this time to know for certain whether fenugreek is safe during breastfeeding.

Q. I have read that fenugreek can be taken when breast feeding and that it increases breast milk production.
Here is a link if interested. www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html  
   A. We checked the references in this article regarding a study of fenugreek and breast milk production. The article cites a study [Swafford 2000] Swafford S, Berens B. Effect of fenugreek on breast milk production. ABM News and Views 2000;6(3): Annual meeting abstracts Sept 11-13, 2000. However, this does not seem to be a peer reviewed study pubished in an accepted medical journal. Fenugreek may be a galactagogue, but I would like to see at least one or two good studies that are peer reviewed.

Q. I came across a web site promoting a standardized form of fenugreek called Testofen. It said those given 600 mg a day of the fenugreek extract Testofen had a great increase in free testosterone levels compared to the placebo group. Is Testofen a good thing to take for health?
   A. The human body is very complicated and just looking at levels of one hormone tells us very little regarding the long term benefit of Testofen or any supplement that increases testosterone levels. Increasing testosterone levels through this fenugreek extract may or may not be a healthy thing to do until we have a few human trials published.