Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), an annual plant indigenous to western Asia and cultivated in Africa and parts of Europe, has a long history of use in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. It is also used as food and in the preparation of culinary spices, like curry. Underlying its many uses is an impressive phytochemical and nutrient content. Although suggested for many conditions, fenugreek has recently been studied in animals and humans with respect to glucose metabolism.
A number of scientific papers have specifically examined the relationship between consumption of fenugreek and glucose metabolism [1,3]. Other research has focused specifically on a unique amino acid found in relatively high concentration in fenugreek seed–4-hydroxyisoleucine. Laboratory experiments show it positively influences the biological pathways involved in glucose metabolism and provides one link to the historical use of this food/spice in supporting health [2]. This amino acid may be one of the natural components of fenugreek that helps support healthy glucose metabolism.
Based on the published research, we analyzed our Standard Process fenugreek-containing products (Fen-Gre®, Fen-Cho®, and Emphaplex®) for 4-hydroxyisoleucine. We found they contain the amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine in proportion to the amount of fenugreek they contain.
Based on this evidence, Research and Development plans to further investigate the benefits of fenugreek seed.†
1.Bordia, A., Verma, S.K. and Srivastava, K.C., Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 1997. 56(5): p. 379-84.
2.Broca, C., Breil, V., Cruciani-Guglielmacci, C., Manteghetti, M., Rouault, C., Derouet, M., Rizkalla, S., Pau, B., Petit, P., Ribes, G., Ktorza, A., Gross, R., Reach, G. and Taouis, M., Insulinotropic agent ID-1101 (4-hydroxyisoleucine) activates insulin signaling in rat. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2004. 287(3): p. E463-71.
3.Gupta, A., Gupta, R. and Lal, B., 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. 49: p. 1057-61.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.