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Fenugreek seeds improve insulin utilization, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from poor utilization
of insulin. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include family
history, a sedentary lifestyle, excess body fat, and high cholesterol
and/or triglyceride levels. Experts agree that increased fiber intake helps in the management of
type 2 diabetes. Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecun) seeds are a rich source of fiber and are known
to provide multiple benefits in type 2 diabetic patients. In order to confirm the efficacy of fenugreek seeds, researchers conducted
a study of 25 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Patients
were randomly assigned to receive either 2 capsules of fenugreek
extract or placebo (untreated) twice a day for two months. Researchers
took blood samples to assess insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
every 15 days during the study. Results showed that patients treated with fenugreek
extract had significant improvements in insulin utilization, cholesterol
ratios, and triglyceride levels compared to patients given the placebo. A. Gupta and colleagues concluded in the Journal of Association of Physicians
of India that the "...use of fenugreek seeds improves glycemic control
and decreases insulin resistance in mild type 2 diabetic patients. There
is also a favorable effect on [high triglyceride levels]." SOURCE: J Assoc Physicians India 2001;49:1057-61. |