Fenugreek - A Common Curry Spice Aids Diabetics
For millennia, fenugreek has been used both as a medicine and as a food spice in Egypt, India, and the Middle East.
In the Indian medical food pharmacy, fenugreek seeds are the most common food used to control diabetes. They are also called methi.
In the west, methi is used to make pseudo "maple" syrup as fenugreek has a distinctive maple-like flavor.
Ayurvedic Medicine, humanity’s oldest medical system, which birthed the Chinese and Greek systems (Western Medicine) too, recognized 24 different "forms" of diabetes. So, Ayurvedic practitioners attack diabetes with a multi-facet approach.
First, they address diet modification:
___ eliminating simple sugars and simple carbohydrates
___ emphasizing complex carbohydrates
___ protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys
___ fats are also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult; essential fats have to be taken daily, so use the digestive capacity for them, and not for junk foods
Next, a total body plan:
___ since many diabetics have auto-antibodies, a whole-body cleansing program is instituted
___ Exercise is another cornerstone of Ayurvedic treatment of diabetes. Yoga and breathing exercises are traditionally used.
Science:
Scientific studies support the traditional uses to help diabetes, to lower high cholesterol and lower triglycerides:
"Several human intervention trials demonstrated that the antidiabetic effects of fenugreek seeds ameliorate most metabolic symptoms associated with type-1 and type-2 diabetes in both humans and relevant animal models (Basch et al., 2003; Srinivas, 2005).
Supplements of fenugreek seeds were shown to lower serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein in human patients and experimental models of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyecridemia (Basch et al., 2003)."
In recent scientific studies, fenugreek has been shown to be protective against development of breast cancer, and it has shown itself to protect one’s liver.
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine states:
" ... Doses as low as 15 mg per day may produce beneficial effects on fasting blood sugar, elevation of blood sugar after a meal, and overall glycemic control. The use of fenugreek is likely to alter the diabetic patient's need for insulin or other medications used to control blood sugar. This treatment should be supervised by a health care provider familiar with the use of herbal therapies for diabetes. The recommended doses of fenugreek can vary rather widely."
Dr. Ray Sahelian, MD reports: "In a study conducted at the Jaipur Diabetes and Research Centre in India, 25 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups. Group received 1 gram a day of fenugreek seed extract and Group 2 received usual care (dietary control, exercise) and placebo capsules for two months. Serum triglycerides decreased and HDL (the good cholesterol) increased significantly in group 1 as compared to group 2. In addition, fenugreek seeds improved blood sugar control."
Fenugreek's safety and side effects:
As a commonly eaten food, fenugreek is generally regarded as safe. The only common side effect is mild gastrointestinal distress when it is taken in high doses. Animal studies have found fenugreek essentially non-toxic.
Additional Benefit of Fenugreek :
Studies in rodents indicate that fenugreek has immune stimulating, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties as well as protecting the liver against alcohol toxicity. Human use shows fenugreek is protective against stomach ulcers, wounds, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ailments.
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS:
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine reports:
___ Fenugreek may, when taken in larger amounts than are used to season foods, cause contractions of the uterus. For this reason, women who are pregnant should avoid therapeutic doses.
___ Its safety is not well-documented for use in small children, lactating women, or persons with liver or kidney disease
___ Fenugreek can enhance anticoagulant activity, and should not be used with other herbs or medications (heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), ticlopidine) that have this effect due to increased risk of bleeding.
___ It can lower blood sugar to a marked degree; blood sugar levels should be monitored closely
___ In theory, since fenugreek is high in mucilage, it can alter the absorption of any oral medication. Corticosteroid and other hormone treatments may be less effective. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may have increased activity when used in conjunction with fenugreek.
___ Depending on the dose used, fenugreek may cause a maple syrup odor in the patient's sweat and urine."
Traditional prescription:
Gulp a teaspoonful of these seeds with a glass of water daily.
OR
Soak the seeds overnight. Have the water in which the seeds were soaked.
OR
Mix and grind seeds of Fenugreek (Methi) 100 gm, turmeric 50gm, Dakhni Mirch (white pepper). Take one teaspoon of this powder with a glass of milk twice daily. Alternately, immerse and soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seed in water. Take this in the morning, with water or with milk.
Fenugreek dosage:
Dr. Ray Sahelian, MD says: Fenugreek capsules typically contain about 600 mg. A typical dosage is about one to two grams two or three times a day with meals. Fenugreek tea is also available. The capsules are available on Dr. Sahelian’s site.
Other ways to serve / use fenugreek:
You can make your own curry powders or use an excellent commercial one like Sharwood’s www.sharwoods.co.uk which my family has used for more than 60 years, when it was originally owned by Venecatechellum. If you make your own curry powder, experiment using as much fenugreek as you find palatable OR add a little "extra" in increments to any commercial mix.
Additionally, you can make a chutney with methi seeds OR add some powdered to other chutneys. You can also eat fenugreek seeds sprouted, dried and powdered, or mix them in with wheat flour to make chapattis, the flat tortilla-like bread of India.
www.raysahelian.com/fenugreek.html
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Oct;46(4):457-62.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Aug;13(8):1392-8.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Nov;42(11):1769-75.
www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_ayurveda.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/fenugreek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenugreek
J Med Food. 2004 Summer;7(2):153-6.
In the Indian medical food pharmacy, fenugreek seeds are the most common food used to control diabetes. They are also called methi.
In the west, methi is used to make pseudo "maple" syrup as fenugreek has a distinctive maple-like flavor.
Ayurvedic Medicine, humanity’s oldest medical system, which birthed the Chinese and Greek systems (Western Medicine) too, recognized 24 different "forms" of diabetes. So, Ayurvedic practitioners attack diabetes with a multi-facet approach.
First, they address diet modification:
___ eliminating simple sugars and simple carbohydrates
___ emphasizing complex carbohydrates
___ protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys
___ fats are also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult; essential fats have to be taken daily, so use the digestive capacity for them, and not for junk foods
Next, a total body plan:
___ since many diabetics have auto-antibodies, a whole-body cleansing program is instituted
___ Exercise is another cornerstone of Ayurvedic treatment of diabetes. Yoga and breathing exercises are traditionally used.
Science:
Scientific studies support the traditional uses to help diabetes, to lower high cholesterol and lower triglycerides:
"Several human intervention trials demonstrated that the antidiabetic effects of fenugreek seeds ameliorate most metabolic symptoms associated with type-1 and type-2 diabetes in both humans and relevant animal models (Basch et al., 2003; Srinivas, 2005).
Supplements of fenugreek seeds were shown to lower serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein in human patients and experimental models of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyecridemia (Basch et al., 2003)."
In recent scientific studies, fenugreek has been shown to be protective against development of breast cancer, and it has shown itself to protect one’s liver.
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine states:
" ... Doses as low as 15 mg per day may produce beneficial effects on fasting blood sugar, elevation of blood sugar after a meal, and overall glycemic control. The use of fenugreek is likely to alter the diabetic patient's need for insulin or other medications used to control blood sugar. This treatment should be supervised by a health care provider familiar with the use of herbal therapies for diabetes. The recommended doses of fenugreek can vary rather widely."
Dr. Ray Sahelian, MD reports: "In a study conducted at the Jaipur Diabetes and Research Centre in India, 25 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups. Group received 1 gram a day of fenugreek seed extract and Group 2 received usual care (dietary control, exercise) and placebo capsules for two months. Serum triglycerides decreased and HDL (the good cholesterol) increased significantly in group 1 as compared to group 2. In addition, fenugreek seeds improved blood sugar control."
Fenugreek's safety and side effects:
As a commonly eaten food, fenugreek is generally regarded as safe. The only common side effect is mild gastrointestinal distress when it is taken in high doses. Animal studies have found fenugreek essentially non-toxic.
Additional Benefit of Fenugreek :
Studies in rodents indicate that fenugreek has immune stimulating, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties as well as protecting the liver against alcohol toxicity. Human use shows fenugreek is protective against stomach ulcers, wounds, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ailments.
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS:
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine reports:
___ Fenugreek may, when taken in larger amounts than are used to season foods, cause contractions of the uterus. For this reason, women who are pregnant should avoid therapeutic doses.
___ Its safety is not well-documented for use in small children, lactating women, or persons with liver or kidney disease
___ Fenugreek can enhance anticoagulant activity, and should not be used with other herbs or medications (heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), ticlopidine) that have this effect due to increased risk of bleeding.
___ It can lower blood sugar to a marked degree; blood sugar levels should be monitored closely
___ In theory, since fenugreek is high in mucilage, it can alter the absorption of any oral medication. Corticosteroid and other hormone treatments may be less effective. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may have increased activity when used in conjunction with fenugreek.
___ Depending on the dose used, fenugreek may cause a maple syrup odor in the patient's sweat and urine."
Traditional prescription:
Gulp a teaspoonful of these seeds with a glass of water daily.
OR
Soak the seeds overnight. Have the water in which the seeds were soaked.
OR
Mix and grind seeds of Fenugreek (Methi) 100 gm, turmeric 50gm, Dakhni Mirch (white pepper). Take one teaspoon of this powder with a glass of milk twice daily. Alternately, immerse and soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seed in water. Take this in the morning, with water or with milk.
Fenugreek dosage:
Dr. Ray Sahelian, MD says: Fenugreek capsules typically contain about 600 mg. A typical dosage is about one to two grams two or three times a day with meals. Fenugreek tea is also available. The capsules are available on Dr. Sahelian’s site.
Other ways to serve / use fenugreek:
You can make your own curry powders or use an excellent commercial one like Sharwood’s www.sharwoods.co.uk which my family has used for more than 60 years, when it was originally owned by Venecatechellum. If you make your own curry powder, experiment using as much fenugreek as you find palatable OR add a little "extra" in increments to any commercial mix.
Additionally, you can make a chutney with methi seeds OR add some powdered to other chutneys. You can also eat fenugreek seeds sprouted, dried and powdered, or mix them in with wheat flour to make chapattis, the flat tortilla-like bread of India.
www.raysahelian.com/fenugreek.html
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Oct;46(4):457-62.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Aug;13(8):1392-8.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Nov;42(11):1769-75.
www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_ayurveda.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/fenugreek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenugreek
J Med Food. 2004 Summer;7(2):153-6.
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