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Fenugreek also is known as Trigonella foenum-graecum, is a popular herb which is used in Indian subcontinents and Arabic regions.It is used as a herb (dried or fresh leaves), spice (seeds), and vegetable (fresh leaves, sprouts, and microgreens).The seed of fenugreek is Cuboid-shaped, yellow- to amber-coloured which is used both whole and powdered in the preparation of pickles, vegetable dishes, dal, and spice mixes.It has traditionally been used to enhance libido, masculinity and to lighten blood sugar metabolism difficulties like diabetes.The major compounds of fenugreek are 4-hydroxyisoleucine, trigonelline, galactomannan, and trigoneosides which works in synergy to alleviate blood sugar levels and help with diabetes. The compound 4-hydroxyisoleucine is a major one which plays a vital role in normalizing glucose metabolism.The metabolite in fenugreek called sotolon is responsible for the fenugreek’s distinctive sweet smell. Supplementing fenugreek may cause body secretions, including urine, to smell like maple syrupBelow is the list of benefits fenugreek has on our body:

Testosterone

Testosterone is the most well-known androgen that mediates androgenic processes such as muscle building, fat loss and hair loss in few people. It is most sought after for its muscle building potential in men.Men who want to increase testosterone or libido could consider taking between 500-600mg of a standardized fenugreek formulation, such as the commonly used product called ‘Testofen’. Testofen has 50% fenusides by weight.Consuming these standardize fenugreek formulation has shown to increase serum testosterone over a period of 8 weeks in resistance trained males relative to placebo.Although another study (which noted a decrease in DHT) failed to find any significant influence on total or free testosterone using similar methodology and a study using 600mg of Testofen failed to find any increase in testosterone for a period of 6 weeks in healthy man.

Libido

Libido is the spontaneity, frequency, and magnitude of sexual desire. It is a person's overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Sex drive is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors.Increases in libido are notable due to the lack of significant influence on testosterone and possible suppression of DHT. A decrease in DHT may theoretically reduce libido, but a large increase is seen with fenugreek.When ingested with 600 mg of fenugreek (Testofen brand name, 50% Fenusides) a day in two doses for a period of 6 weeks, fenugreek seems to enhance male libido.There was a reported global improvement as well as significant improvements on the subscales of satisfaction with orgasm and sexual desire.

DHT

DHT or Dihydrotestosterone (also known as androstanolone , 5α-dihydrotestosterone), is an endogenous androgen hormone.It is a subordinate of testosterone that is known as being more strong at signalling through the androgen receptor, and because of this, it is included in a bigger level of balding and prostate malignancy.Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss among males. It can also be referred to as androgenetic alopecia. Women too can suffer hair loss due to DHT.Hair loss affects around half of all men over the age of 30 years, and around 50 plus million men in the United States (U.S.)A trial done on 45 resistance trained male showed a decrease in DHT following consumption of fenugreek seeds (no effect on testosterone) but appears to be unreliable.In one of the study, there was a decline in DHT by 9.42% relative to baseline with supplementation of 500mg of fenugreek for an 8-week period.

For Blood Glucose

Blood glucose is the count of glucose or blood sugar floating around the body.Fenugreek consumption has shown to reduce blood glucose level.Fenugreek, when consumed in the form of flour or seeds, are most effective in controlling blood sugar level.An oral dose of 2-5g of fenugreek seeds can help decrease blood glucose levels in diabetic people.Fish oil has shown to increase the effectiveness of fenugreek in reducing blood sugar spikes during or after eating food.Fenugreek, when taken with fish oil a (mixture of 5% of half fish oil and half fenugreek), showed a greater reduction of blood sugar as compared to consumption of fenugreek alone.Insulin Sensitivity: An increase in insulin sensitivity has been noted with fenugreek ingestion.Glycemic control: Fenugreek is involved in reducing blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Which improves overall glycemic control of the body, although this may be due to its fibres than the saponin content.

For Breast Milk and lactation

Consumption of fenugreek by lactating women saw an increase in the milk production and appears to be a fairly noteworthy level of improvement with the best trial conducted noting a doubling of milk production.New mothers that want to increase breast milk production should aim for 500-1000mg of fenugreek. It recommended to new mothers to enhance milk production.Fenugreek is seen by some as one of the few herbs with promising evidence related to increasing breast milk production.It is told (traditionally) that fenugreek stimulates sweat production' and that this influences milk production as the two structures (sweat glands and milk glands) are similar.According to few studies done, fenugreek seems to be able to enhance milk production in recent mothers more than placebo.In this trial control and placebo had 31.1+/-12.9mL and 38.8+/-16.3mL respectively, the fenugreek group was able to produce 73.2+/-53.5mL after consuming at least 3 cups (200mL) of fenugreek tea (Still tea, Humana) for three days.This mechanism of action may be related to phytoestrogens or diosgenin.Fenugreek is sometimes used as a breast enhancing substance; there is no evidence to support this notion.

Menopause

Menopause is a natural decline in reproductive hormones, which happens to all women at some stage especially when they reach her 40s or 50s. It is the ceasing of monthly menstruation cycle and the end of female fertility.Traditionally, fenugreek has been recommended for women for treatment of menopause for lessening vaginal dryness. There is currently insufficient evidence to support these claims.In a new study done, fenugreek seed extract may reduce menopausal symptoms.In this trial, about 115 women were studied and branded, de-husked fenugreek seed extract was consumed by women to see its effect on menopause.Women reported less daytime hot flushes and night sweats, according to a new clinical trial with a sample size of 115 women.

Caution

Fenugreek has shown teratogenic potential in pregnant rats when injected in heavy load.A teratogen can disturb the development of the embryo or foetus thus halting the pregnancy or produce a birth defect (also known as congenital malformation).Fenugreek at dosages of 128mg/kg is potentially a teratogenic substance that may cause birth defects when consumed by a pregnant womanTeratogenesis is theorized to be by inhibiting stem cell differentiation.During pregnancy, it would be sensible to avoid supplementation of fenugreek, although it would be fine to consume it after the birth as it is a galactagogue (milk producing agent).

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