Fenugreek’s Powerful Antidiabetic Effect
Fenugreek is a powerful antidiabetic herb. It may be just the thing to add if your meds just aren’t cutting it.
This new study opens with the statement that fenugreek “s an extensively researched phytotherapeutic for the management of Type 2 diabetes without any associated side effects.” That’s true. Fenugreek can prevent prediabetics from advancing to diabetes (J Diabetes Metab Disord 2015;14:74), it can help help diabetics, and it can help diabetics manage their increased risk of heart disease (J Diabetes Res September 5, 2019;2019:8507453).
The new study included 204 type 2 diabetics who were already on the antidiabetic drugs metformin and/or sulfonylurea-based drugs. But now they added 500mg of fenugreek seed extract that had a significant amount of furostanolic saponins. The unblinded study lasted 12 weeks.
When fenugreek was added to the meds, after eating glucose went down by more than 33% and fasting glucose dropped significantly. Both improvements were superior to improvements on the drugs alone.
The fenugreek also resulted in “restoration of insulin sensitivity,” as indicated by the HOMA index, and a greater than 10% drop in insulin levels. The drugs, on the other hand, allowed insulin levels to rise by more than 14%. This difference is important because it “clearly indicated” that the drugs suppressed glucose levels instead of restoring glucose homeostasis, while the herb actually restored glucose homeostasis.
The fenugreek also had the benefit of being entirely safe.
The researchers conclude that fenugreek has “promising potential . . . in long-term holistic management of type-2 diabetes.”
J Am Nutr Assoc. 2024 Feb;43(2):147-156.
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For much more on preventing and treating diabetes, see our books The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia and, happily, Chocolate: Superfood of the Gods.
For much more on fenugreek, see our book Healthy Herbs: Your Everyday Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Their Use.
For comprehensive natural help with your health, including diabetes, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. Linda’s clinic is now open for virtual appointments.
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