FenuTrax™
Potent Fenugreek Extract Standardized To At Least 50% Fenuside

Fenugreek Seed Extract Overview 

• Arouses sexual desire
• Supports healthy testosterone levels (buy mimicking testosterone, not boosting)
• Helps to maintain cholesterol in a healthy range
• Supports the digestive system
• Rich in Saponins and Fenusides 

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has long been used as a herb, a spice, and for its sprouts in European, Arabic, and Asian Cuisine. The leaves are a key component of many Indian curries, while the seeds are often included in pastes such as çemen or as an ingredient in Pita breads. It is also often used as a traditional herbal tea tincture.

The seeds contain abundant amounts of flavonoids, coumarins, phenolics, and alkaloids. Fenugreek seed extract is a great source of saponins. This class of steroid and/or triterpenoid glycosides compounds are highly bioactive and have been reported to have a role in many biological effects [1]. 

Some of the benefits associated with the use of fenugreek in its various forms include supporting milk production, support of testosterone at healthy levels, and supporting the maintenance of glucose metabolism. A key compound of fenugreek is 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which may help to support healthy insulin secretion in the pancreas [2].

In addition to these biological benefits, fenugreek seeds are a great source of dietary fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, and many of the B vitamins.

An unfortunate side effect of taking fenugreek extract supplements is that it can create a maple syrup smell in body excretions. This is caused by the sotolone HDMF [3]. This metabolite largely passes through the body and may be excreted as sweat.

Effect on Appetite and Analgesia 

Fenugreek may have beneficial effects on modulating appetite. Studies in rats and humans suggest that supplementation of aqueous fenugreek extract may enhance the desire to eat in healthy individuals [4, 5]. No effects on appetite were noticed in obese people, but supplementation did support healthier levels of fat intake and the feeling of being full (satiety) [6, 7]. 

When Fenugreek was injected into rats, analgesic properties were reported. It is thought that these effects were facilitated via the spinal serotonergic system [8]. Similar findings were reported in another study when rats were provided with fenugreek as a seed extract at relatively high dosages over a two week period.

Support of Glucose Metabolism and Digestion 

Fenugreek may be able to inhibit amylase and maltase digestive enzymes [9]. In vivo the administration of fenugreek extract may support plasma insulin levels in rats, furthermore in vitro studies demonstrated that 4-hydroxyisoleucine (one of the bioactive compounds of fenugreek) might support insulin secretion and help to maintain cholesterol at a healthy range [10]. Further to this, a small trial reported that it might help support the maintenance of serum glucose levels in healthy individuals [11].

Healthier levels of glycemic control were observed when using seed extract subfraction supplements in dogs. The bioactive components were found to be contained in the fiber rich testa and endosperm parts of the seed. 

Promotion of Healthy Testosterone Levels

A study using rats suggested that the furostanols present in fenugreek might offer support for anabolic actions in males [16]. 

There was a demonstrated support of healthy serum testosterone levels and testosterone bioavailability in resistance trained men given a 500 mg of fenugreek extract per day over an eight week period [17]. Although further studies using men did not report promotion of testosterone levels, they did note that levels of the testosterone metabolite DHT were affected [18].

You can read more here on fenugreek extract and testosterone.

Citations, Scientific Reviews, and Abstract References

[1] Francis et al. The biological action of saponins in animal systems: a review. Br J Nutr. 2002 Dec;88(6):587-605.

[2] Madar and Stark. New legume sources as therapeutic agents. Br J Nutr. 2002 Dec;88 Suppl 3:S287-92. 

[3] Rowe D. Fun with furans. Chem Biodivers. 2004 Dec;1(12):2034-41. 

[4] Petit et al. Steroid saponins from fenugreek seeds: extraction, purification, and pharmacological investigation on feeding behavior and plasma cholesterol. Steroids. 1995 Oct;60(10):674-80. 

[5] Abdel-Barry et al. Hypoglycaemic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum in healthy volunteers. East Mediterranean Health Journal. 2000 Jan;6(1):83-8. 

[6] Chevassus et al. A fenugreek seed extract selectively reduces spontaneous fat intake in overweight subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 May;66(5):449-55. doi: 10.1007/s00228-009-0770-0 

[7] Mathern et al. Effect of fenugreek fiber on satiety, blood glucose and insulin response and energy intake in obese subjects. Phytother Res. 2009 Nov;23(11):1543-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2795 

[8] Parvizpur et al. Spinal serotonergic system is partially involved in antinociception induced by Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) leaf extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Nov;95(1):13-7.

[9] Kannappan and Anuradha. Insulin sensitizing actions of fenugreek seed polyphenols, quercetin & metformin in a rat model. Indian J Med Res. 2009 Apr;129(4):401-8.

[10] Broca et al. Insulinotropic agent ID-1101 (4-hydroxyisoleucine) activates insulin signaling in rat. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism 2004. Vol. 287 no. 3, E463-E471 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00163.2003 

[11] Sharma. Effect of fenugreek seeds and leaves on blood glucose and serum insulin responses in human subjects. Nutrition Research. Volume 6, Issue 12, December 1986, Pages 1353-1364 

[12] Steels et al. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):1294-300. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3360

[15] Turkyılmaz et al. The effect of galactagogue herbal tea on breast milk production and short-term catch-up of birth weight in the first week of life. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Feb;17(2):139-42. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0090.

[16] Aswar et al. Effect of furostanol glycosides from Trigonella foenum-graecum on the reproductive system of male albino rats. Phytother Res. 2010 Oct;24(10):1482-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3129.

[17] Wilborn et al. Effects of a purported aromatase and 5α-reductase inhibitor on hormone profiles in college-age men. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2010 Dec;20(6):457-65.

[18] Bushy et al. Fenugreek Extract Supplementation Has No effect on the Hormonal Profile of Resitance-Trained Males. International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 13.

[19] Patil et al. Allergy to fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997 Mar;78(3):297-300. 

[20] Cameron et al. Modulation of liver-specific cellular response to ethanol in vitro in hep G2 cells. Toxicology in Vitro. Volume 12, Issue 2, April 1998, Pages 111–119, 121–122