Fenugreek: alternative to cholesterol lowering drugs?

Posted on Sun, 13 Aug 17

The seeds of fenugreek may be a safer treatment for dyslipidaemia and elevated blood glucose than medication, according to a new clinical trial. 

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds have been used to improve blood sugar in people with prediabetes and diabetes, but the effects on blood lipids such as cholesterol are not as well understood [1].

A new clinical trial examined the effects of fenugreek seeds powder (8 grams daily) compared to a placebo in people with borderline hyperlipidemia [2].

After 8-weeks those taking fenugreek seed powder significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels, when compared to the placebo group.

These results, although preliminary, indicate that fenugreek seed powder may be a safe approach for improving blood cholesterol and sugar levels.

Studies such as this one, which aim “to find complementary and alternative way to treatment diseases with much more efficacy and less adverse effects for normalisation of lipid profile seems to be essential,” commented the study authors.

People receiving drug-based therapies such as statins for hyperlipidemia often fail to reach their LDL targets or reverse atherogenic dyslipidemia, even at high doses, they note. Furthermore, unlike drugs nutritional therapies such as fenugreek are very safe.

References:

1. Gong J, Fang K, Dong H, Wang D, Hu M, Lu F. Effect of fenugreek on hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetes and prediabetes: A meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:260-268.
2. Yousefi E, et al. Fenugreek: A therapeutic complement for patients with borderline hyperlipidemia: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Advances in Integrative Medicine. Volume 4, Issue 1, April 2017, Pages 31-35