You may have used fenugreek in a recipe to provide some extra flavor, but you may be surprised to find that it has a reputation for providing several health benefits.Â
Fenugreek supplements are increasing in popularity thanks to their potential benefits, like supporting healthy blood sugar and a healthy hormone balance. By exploring the potential benefits of fenugreek for testosterone and the studies surrounding them, you can decide whether you want to begin including this herb in your daily routine.
What Is Fenugreek?
Fenugreek is an herb native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. This clover-like herb is best known for its seeds, which are often used for cooking and medicinal practices. Fenugreek is a popular addition to many spice blends for its taste that resembles maple syrup, but you can also find fenugreek seed extract in soaps and cosmetics.
Fenugreek is commonly used as a dietary supplement for a range of potential benefits, and it has long been thought to help support overall wellness. Some women also turn to fenugreek supplements to support healthy breast milk production during the breastfeeding process.
Fenugreek seed extract may also provide several health benefits for men. Men with low testosterone may turn to fenugreek supplements for their reputation to potentially increase testosterone levels. So, how accurate is this reputation?
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone, also known as an androgen, that supports sexual health and function. In men, testosterone production happens in the testicles or gonads. Although referred to as a sex hormone, free testosterone plays many key roles in a man’s everyday health.
Testosterone is the dominant hormone in men, while estrogen is dominant in women. However, both sexes have a balance of both of these two hormones. An imbalance of testosterone in men or low testosterone levels can lead to adverse health effects, especially in aging men.
What Are the Benefits of Increased Testosterone Levels?
Increased testosterone levels provide several benefits. A healthy balance of testosterone plays a significant role in regulating a man’s overall health. Some of the benefits of proper testosterone production include:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Supporting healthy sexual function and sex drive
- Supporting normal red blood cell production
- Supporting overall fertility
- Supporting proper bone density and healthy body composition
- Supporting normal energy levels
- Maintaining muscle strength
On the other hand, low testosterone can have adverse health effects that extend into everyday tasks and activities.Â
Low testosterone is more common in aging men since hormone production naturally slows down as we age. In fact, testosterone levels start declining as early as age 30.Â
The best way to determine whether you have low testosterone levels is to consult a medical professional for medical advice.
How Does Fenugreek Impact Testosterone Levels?
Over just the past few years, there have been several promising studies that may back up the reputation of fenugreek for supporting testosterone levels.
Compared to a placebo group in one double-blind study, fenugreek supplementation showed promising support for testosterone levels during activity when combined with a resistance training regimen. The study also measured areas of physical performance during exercise and found that fenugreek supplementation correlated with reduced body fat levels in parts of the body and showed increases in repetitions during bench press strength training.
Given these potential benefits, men who experience low testosterone due to aging or a diagnosed medical condition may be able to find support from fenugreek. Since testosterone therapy can pose multiple potential risks and lead to excessive testosterone production, the results of the above study show promise for a natural remedy with fewer drawbacks.
What Are Other Benefits of Fenugreek?
Fenugreek has been studied for more than just its potential effects on increasing testosterone levels. This herb may provide multiple other health benefits as well.
Fenugreek seeds contain a plant compound called saponins, which provide their own benefits. Saponins have demonstrated the ability to support healthy cholesterol levels, and may also play a role in the capability of fenugreek to support healthy testosterone levels.
Fenugreek seeds are also high in soluble fiber, which can have positive impacts on blood sugar levels by supporting the healthy digestion of carbohydrates. The herbal supplement may also have the potential to support proper insulin resistance and secretion in order to maintain overall healthy blood sugar levels.
Does Fenugreek Have Side Effects?
Fenugreek is generally considered to be safe when taken in normal amounts. However, the herb does have some potential mild side effects. The most common potential side effects of fenugreek are nausea, diarrhea, and intestinal discomfort. Dizziness and headaches are also possible, but they are rare.
Still, more serious side effects are possible, as some people have experienced allergic reactions to the plant. You should always consult your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements and closely monitor how your body responds. Fenugreek supplements can contain as much as 2,000mg of the natural nutrient, so you should approach supplements with caution.
Women may be advised to avoid doses of fenugreek greater than the amounts found in food throughout pregnancy. There are still questions about how excessive fenugreek intake can have an impact during breastfeeding.
How Can Men Obtain Fenugreek?
With the benefits that fenugreek might have in promoting total testosterone increases, incorporating fenugreek seeds is a great idea, especially for aging men. Although you may consider eating more fenugreek, you should consume this potential testosterone booster in more concentrated forms, like fenugreek supplements or fenugreek seed extract supplements. You can find many fenugreek supplements in the form of pills or capsules.
However, the easiest way to incorporate fenugreek for your health is to turn to a men’s multivitamin that combines fenugreek with other excellent natural ingredients to promote your overall health. For example, iwi life provides a multivitamin specially formulated to support men’s health. Not only does this supplement include fenugreek, but it also includes a range of other powerful ingredients.
On top of 100mg of fenugreek seed, this multivitamin includes vitamins A through E to support everyday functioning, chlorophyll to provide valuable antioxidants, and selenium to promote healthy thyroid function. With a strong formula of so many natural ingredients, you can get a long list of valuable nutrients all from one softgel capsule.
With algae as the base of this multivitamin, this supplement is also rich in DHA and EPA omega-3s, essential nutrients that should be a part of everyone’s diet. Omega-3 provides several benefits for men as well, from supporting healthy heart function to helping you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.Â
DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids provide a wide range of other health benefits even as we age, like promoting healthy joints, supporting healthy cognitive functioning, helping to maintain healthy blood pressure, and much more.
Plus, this supplement is entirely plant-based, making it an excellent choice for virtually any lifestyle. By combining these great nutrients in one place, you will be able to obtain a whole portion of your daily nutrient intake from a single multivitamin.
Get the Nutrients You Need in One Place
Altogether, studies and clinical trials show that including fenugreek supplements in your diet may help you support healthy testosterone levels. However, maintaining healthy testosterone levels is just one important aspect of men’s health. It is crucial that you get all of the nutrients you need to support your overall health on a regular basis.
At iwi life, it is our goal to make nutrition easier. With our men’s multivitamin, we strive to provide you with all the significant nutrients you need in one place. From promoting balanced testosterone levels with fenugreek to promoting your overall heart health with omega-3, this multivitamin covers all of your bases. Try iwi life’s men’s multivitamin for yourself so you can experience the potential benefits firsthand.
Sources:
Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age | Mayo Clinic
