Unless you are into exotic spices such as Indian curry, you may
never venture upon fenugreek seed. Fenugreek seed is favored
more in the east as a spice where it is an integral part of
pan-Asian Cuisine. In this article you will learn what
fenugreek can do and how it works.
The true benefits of fenugreek lie in its long history of
medical uses. For centuries, spanning Ayurvedic, traditional
Chinese Medicine and folk medicine, fenugreek has been used all
over the world. Fenugreek has so many usages - almost too
numerous to count, however, scientists have been able to narrow
down fenugreek top two functions. Fenugreek has the ability to
reduce blood sugar and cholesterol. With its ability to lower
blood sugar, fenugreek may hold a special interest by people
who suffer from diabetes.
Fenugreek has been traced back over 1000 B.C., which makes it
one of the oldest cultivated plants dating back as far as
Egyptian texts. These texts detailed how fenugreek was used in
the embalming and mummification process. History has shown that
fenugreek is truly a multi-purpose herb; fenugreek has also been
used as an aphrodisiac, used to enhance the appeal of stale
grass to livestock, can be brewed like coffee, and once used as
a yellow die for clothing.
For thousands of years, fenugreek has been used for its healing
properties in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Far East.
Fenugreeks therapeutic usages included arthritis, hair loss,
male reproductive support, kidney health, wound healing, and
much more. Chinese herbalists prize fenugreek as a "Warming"
herb that can stimulate digestion. Fenugreek is also widely
used today by lactating mothers to increase milk production.
Fenugreek seed contains nearly 25% galactomannan which is a
type of natural soluble fiber that can benefit your health.
One of these health benefits includes a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease. Fenugreek seeds, galactomannan, can
slow digestion which in turn slows glucose absorption and
stabilize blood sugar levels. Another benefit of fenugreek
seed is its appetite suppressing ability. The galactomannan
fiber can swell in the stomach and make you feel full reducing
the amount of food one consumes.
Fenugreek has many amino acids but the most abundant amino acid
is 4-hydroxyisoleucine
the pancreas to release insulin (Diabetes 1998). Insulin
causes blood sugar to drop which may help ease diabetic
symptoms. Fenugreek also regulates blood sugar through the
enzymes sucrase and alpha-amylase. By inhibiting these two
enzymes, fenugreek can help slow the break down of
carbohydrates into sugar further reducing blood sugar levels in
the body.
In 2003, Alternative Medicine Review published some research
showing how fenugreek supplementation in type II diabetics
lowered total cholesterol, lowered LDL cholesterol, and lowered
triglycerides or blood fat as well as ease the symptoms of
diabetes. In 1991, Phytotherapy Research published research
showing similar results on non-diabetics.
The next time you are eating out at an Indian restaurant and
biting down in some curry, try and narrow out the taste of
fenugreek. To fully reap the benefits of fenugreek you need to
stop into you're your online internet vitamin store and pick up
a bottle of standardized fenugreek to truly experience the
herbs blood sugar and cholesterol lowering properties.
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Saturday, June 30, 2007
Lower Cholesterol And Blood Sugar With One Herb - Fenugreek Seed
