From the Guidelines
Fenugreek is used for various medical conditions, including blood sugar management, breastfeeding support, and cholesterol management, with a typical dosage of 500-1000 mg of seed powder 2-3 times daily. The uses of fenugreek are diverse, ranging from improving insulin sensitivity in diabetes patients to increasing milk production in breastfeeding mothers. For blood sugar management, 1-2 grams of standardized fenugreek extract daily has shown modest benefits by improving insulin sensitivity through compounds like 4-hydroxyisoleucine 1. In a randomized controlled parallel study, fenugreek, 10 g/d, given for 3 years was associated with lower conversion to diabetes than controls 1. For breastfeeding mothers, 2-3 capsules (580-610 mg each) taken 3 times daily may help increase milk production due to its diosgenin content that stimulates prolactin release. Fenugreek can also be applied topically as a paste for skin inflammation. However, side effects are generally mild but may include digestive discomfort, maple-like body odor, and potential blood sugar lowering effects. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal doses as fenugreek has uterine stimulant properties, and those on blood thinners or diabetes medications should consult healthcare providers due to potential interactions, such as inhibition of platelet aggregation and prolongation of prothrombin time 1. Always start with lower doses and increase gradually to minimize digestive side effects. Some key points to consider when using fenugreek include:
- Typical dosage: 500-1000 mg of seed powder 2-3 times daily
- Blood sugar management: 1-2 grams of standardized fenugreek extract daily
- Breastfeeding support: 2-3 capsules (580-610 mg each) taken 3 times daily
- Cholesterol management: 5-30 grams of seed powder daily with meals
- Potential interactions: blood thinners, diabetes medications
- Side effects: digestive discomfort, maple-like body odor, potential blood sugar lowering effects.
From the Research
Uses of Fenugreek
- Fenugreek is used to relieve menopausal symptoms in women, particularly vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats 2.
- It is also used as a complementary therapy for diabetes mellitus, with studies showing its beneficial effect on glycemic control parameters and lipid profiles 3, 4, 5.
- Fenugreek has been found to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, as well as improve total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels 3, 4, 5.
Dosages of Fenugreek
- The optimal dosage of fenugreek for medical treatment is not well established, with different studies using varying doses and preparations 3, 4, 5.
- A dose of 0.25 gm/kg body weight/day of fenugreek seed extract has been used in animal studies to explore its interaction with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis 6.
Potential Side Effects
- Fenugreek may cause mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as discomfort and digestive issues 3, 4.
- It may also impair the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, leading to central hypothyroidism, particularly with long-term use or high doses 6.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential side effects and interactions of fenugreek with other medications or health conditions.