Is Fenugreek a Blood Thinner?
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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Fenugreek is a herb that is used to increase breast milk volume in nursing mothers and to control blood sugar levels. It can also help reduce pain in women with painful menstrual periods.
Fenugreek lowers blood sugar
Fenugreek lowers blood sugar by slowing down the digestion of food and lowering blood glucose levels. This can help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood glucose levels without having to take medication.
This effect is attributed to the fact that fenugreek seeds contain soluble fiber, which delays the absorption of carbohydrates in the body. They also contain amino acids and other nutrients that are known to improve insulin sensitivity.
Insulin sensitivity is the body's ability to use glucose more effectively, which helps to lower blood sugar levels. It is especially important for people with type 2 diabetes.
It also can reduce the symptoms of high blood sugar, including fatigue and thirst. It may also lower cholesterol and triglycerides, which can help to prevent heart disease.
A study of people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 15 grams of fenugreek powder per day for three months reduced their fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Other research has shown that fenugreek may help improve insulin resistance, which is a major cause of type 2 diabetes.
If you are thinking about adding fenugreek to your diet, it's important to talk to your doctor about the amount of fenugreek that you can consume. It is also a good idea to check with your doctor about any medications you are currently taking, as certain supplements can interact negatively with some drugs.
In addition to reducing blood sugar, fenugreek may also help improve the way the body processes fats and carbohydrate. Its mucilage can bind with fats and other foods in the stomach, flushing them out of the body.
The mucilage also can help to improve the flow of blood through the stomach, which can reduce postprandial spikes in blood sugar that are common in people with diabetes. It can also increase breast milk production in nursing mothers.
It lowers cholesterol
Fenugreek seeds contain a high amount of soluble fiber, which is believed to lower cholesterol levels in the body. This soluble fiber helps to slow the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines, as well as slowing the rate at which the liver produces it. It also lowers the concentration of triglycerides, which are fat-like substances that can build up in the blood.
Some studies have shown that fenugreek seeds can reduce total and LDL cholesterol in the blood, as well as raise HDL (good) cholesterol. This effect is thought to be caused by steroidal saponins, which help slow the production of cholesterol in the liver and slow down the speed at which it is broken down in the body.
One study found that a powdered fenugreek seed taken after meals reduced fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels in people with diabetes. Researchers also found that fenugreek powder significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol in people with coronary artery disease.
Aside from lowering cholesterol, fenugreek seeds may help to improve overall health in general. They are used in Chinese and Indian medicine to promote digestive health and increase metabolism. They can help to balance blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and increase milk flow during breastfeeding.
In some cases, fenugreek can interfere with certain medications or supplements you might be taking. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any supplements or herbs, and check with them about potential interactions.
In addition, fenugreek is not generally considered to be safe for use in pregnancy. It is possible that it may cause early contractions, which can lead to birth defects in the baby.
It is also thought that fenugreek can interfere or cause problems with breast-feeding, but this has not been fully proven.
It lowers triglycerides
Fenugreek seeds contain steroidal saponins, which help reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol from fat-rich foods. They also have soluble fibre that allows the seed to bind to cholesterol molecules inside your body and drag them out.
Researchers have found that fenugreek supplements can lower triglycerides, which are often linked to heart disease. They can also reduce total cholesterol, which is another risk factor for heart disease.
The best way to use fenugreek is to add it to food or drinks. You can find it in a number of products, including soups, sauces, and smoothies. You can also buy it as a dietary supplement.
A 2020 review analyzed 15 studies of fenugreek and found that it can lower cholesterol and triglycerides. The studies included people who were healthy, diabetic, or had high blood lipids. They used various forms of fenugreek, including powdered leaves or seed extracts.
They found that fenugreek seeds can lower triglycerides by increasing the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol). It may also help increase triglyceride excretion in the feces.
The dietary fiber in fenugreek seeds can help lower triglycerides by lowering blood glucose and increasing satiety. This means fewer calories are eaten, which can lead to weight loss. In addition, fenugreek may also reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver produces, which can help prevent diabetes. It also has antioxidant properties, which can help protect your organs and other parts of the body from damage.
Fenugreek lowers blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, fenugreek may be helpful in lowering your blood pressure and keeping it low. It also works to decrease the amount of cholesterol in your blood and reduce your triglycerides.
It lowers blood pressure by increasing the number of arteries that supply oxygenated blood to your organs. It can also reduce the risk of developing heart failure, which occurs when your heart cannot effectively pump blood to your organs.
According to a 2011 study, people who consumed fenugreek seeds regularly had significantly lower blood pressure than those who did not. They also experienced fewer symptoms of high blood pressure, such as dizziness and headaches.
The fenugreek seeds and leaves are loaded with fiber, which helps decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol.
Additionally, fenugreek is a good source of iron. It can help your body absorb the iron that you get from other sources, such as meat and poultry.
Aside from lowering blood pressure, fenugreek can also improve insulin sensitivity. This means that it can help prevent diabetes.
In fact, one study found that people who consumed 10 grams of soaked fenugreek seeds daily had lower blood sugar than those who did not.
Despite these concerns, there is evidence that fenugreek can be helpful in reducing pain in menstrual periods and increasing interest in sex.
In a study, people with painful menstrual periods who took 1800-2700 mg of fenugreek seed powder three times daily for the first three days of their period and then 900 mg every day for the remainder of two menstrual cycles showed significant reductions in their pain and need for painkillers.
Fenugreek can also be effective in preventing memory loss, as it can increase brain function and memory recall.
This is because fenugreek can decrease your brain’s production of amyloid plaque, which leads to Alzheimer’s disease. It can also decrease inflammation and protect your neurons from damage.
Conclusion
If you have diabetes, you may be wondering whether fenugreek is a blood thinner. That's because fenugreek seeds are often used as a natural remedy to help regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetes.
Fenugreek Nutritional Profile
Fenugreek is an herb that's a natural source of magnesium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, potassium, zinc, calcium, boron, and selenium. It's also a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Blood Sugar Control
Studies show that fenugreek seeds can reduce your fasting blood sugar and triglyceride levels. And in one study, people with type 2 diabetes who took 10 grams a day of powdered fenugreek seeds saw a 25% decrease in their fasting blood sugar.
Cancer Protection
Research has shown that saponins in fenugreek can deactivate key pathways that cancer cells use to grow and spread.
For instance, in a cell study, a saponin called diosgenin deactivated a pathway that promotes the growth of cancer.
In another study, a saponin called protodioscin decreased the number of cancer cells and increased the rate at which they died in leukemia cells.
