Testosterone boosters are a quite a craze amongst the gym goers. Everybody is interested in spiking their testosterone naturally as high as possible. Essentially there is no harm in trying to naturally increase testosterone levels. However the obsession with testosterone boosters is not really a healthy trend.

Indian kitchen(special reference to spices) is a nutritional powerhouse. However our ignorance prevents us from getting some awesomeness straight from the kitchen.

Fenugreek seeds(Methi dana ) is one such super food which deserves to be consumed on a regular basis.  If you are looking for reasons just continue reading.

Testosterone booster

There has been some studies which have shown supplementing with fenugreek extract can increase testosterone. However some other studies have refuted it . Overall there is no consensus amongst the researchers whether or not supplementing with fenugreek seeds can have any significant effect on  testosterone levels.[1]

On Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity is one of the most important variables in our quest to achieve our dream physique. It is also super important  to have good insulin sensitivity just to remain healthy.  Insulin resistance is a pre-diabetic state. Fenugreek have a potent positive effect on our insulin sensitivity[3].

Combination with Creatine

Creatine is normally taken with a simple carbohydrate(sugar,juice) source to boost it’s absorption.

The use of fenugreek with creatine supplementation may be an effective means for enhancing creatine uptake while eliminating the need for excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates[4].

Digestion and Heart

The soluble fibre in fenugreek seeds is great for digestion. It is  often incorporated in an ulcerative colitis diet treatment plan due to its anti-inflammatory effects[5].

Fenugreek also seems to benefit those with heart conditions, such as hardening of the arteries and high blood levels of certain fats.It has proven to be beneficial in lowering bad cholesterol(LDL)[6].

Breastfeeding

Fenugreek also helps breastfeeding women who may experience low milk supply. Fenugreek can increase a woman’s breast milk supply because it acts as a galactagogue, which is a substance to increase milk supply. This stimulates the milk ducts and can increase milk production in as little as 24 hours[7].

Fenugreek Side Effects

It may cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Fenugreek also can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin, so always test the area first.Even though fenugreek has a history for inducing childbirth, women should always use caution when taking fenugreek during pregnancy. Make sure you talk to your health care provider about fenugreek prior to use.

It’s also important to note that fenugreek could cause harmful effects that can thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding in some people. Those with underlying bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning medications or anticoagulants should not take fenugreek without their doctors’ approval. Signs of excessive bleeding include easy bruising, vomiting blood or passing dark stools.

References

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21116018

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21312304

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11868855

[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3761853/

[5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271691/

[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9175175

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21261516