Fenugreek Seeds: An Overrated Acne Supplement For Controlling DHT in addition to Insulin

Fenugreek Seeds: An Overrated Acne Supplement For Controlling DHT in addition to Insulin
Fenugreek Seeds: An Overrated Acne Supplement For Controlling DHT in addition to Insulin

Do fenugreek seeds in addition to supplements clear acne?Fenugreek (trigonella foenum-graecum) is usually a well-liked herbal style supplement, although which’s actually not an herb at all. which’s a widely grown crop from the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, in addition to the Mediterranean countries.

Over 80% of worldwide fenugreek production comes by India, in addition to 80% of India’s production comes by the Rajasthan region. various other big exporters of fenugreek include France, Egypt, Argentina, Pakistan, turkey in addition to Morocco.

The big focus of the acne community’s attention is usually the golden brown fenugreek seeds, which have a very interesting history. Traditionally, the seeds are ground down into powder in addition to roasted to reduce bitterness in addition to flavour in addition to then added to fine Indian curries to add flavour. Fenugreek seeds are a very ancient food in addition to are believed to have first been cultivated in Middle Eastern civilisations.

Charred fenugreek seeds were recently found in Tell Halal, Iraq, in addition to carbon dated back to 4000BC. Seeds having a close rebalance to fenugreek were also discovered from the ancient tomb of Tutankhamun. Fenugreek seeds were fed to Roman livestock alongside clovers as far back as 200BC.

Nowadays, fenugreek is usually mostly eaten as a dietary staple across India in addition to the Middle East. These seeds have a pungent aroma in addition to a bitter taste described as tasting like burnt celery. Hence fenugreek is usually used by Yemenite Jews to make a sauce called Hilbeh, by the Turkish to make a paste called cemen, by Northern Egyptian Peasants to flavour pita bread in addition to much more. which’s not used from the West much except for authentic Indian dishes, however fenugreek seed extract is usually used for marinades as well as butterscotch, imitation vanilla, rum, in addition to maple syrup flavouring.

There aren’t any studies directly on acne in addition to fenugreek, however the claim is usually which fenugreek extracts in addition to powders can control two key hormones behind acne: DHT in addition to insulin. They’re the two major hormones behind oily skin, so fenugreek sounds pretty promising for acne, right?

 

Evidence for fenugreek lowering insulin is usually not conclusive

Will fenugreek seeds clear acne?As well as being a beloved ingredient in Asia, Fenugreek is usually also supposed to have powerful medicinal properties. For example, which features prominently in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for treating metabolic disorders. Middle Easterners use which for both weight loss in addition to for packing on the pounds in patients who find weight gain impossible.

Fenugreek also contains a compound called diosgenin which helps fresh mothers to lactate, in addition to according to some stories I’ve read, produce gallons after gallons of breast milk…

…in addition to there’s one various other tale which’s of interest for acne patients. In Ethiopia, they use fenugreek in cuisine, especially for a delicious sounding spicy butter called nitter kibbeh. However, the fenugreek seeds are also used in Ethiopia as the number one herbal medicine for treating type 2 diabetes. The ancient Ayurvedic School of medicine also recommends fenugreek seeds for type 2 diabetic patients.

which would certainly be great news for acne patients since diabetes is usually just hyper advanced insulin resistance. Insulin resistance (or impaired insulin sensitivity) leads to higher insulin levels overall in addition to which stimulates oily skin…

…in addition to there are lots of claims circulating acne forums in addition to alternative health sites about how fenugreek can stabilise blood sugar after a meal, reduce serum insulin levels, in addition to so on.

So naturally I decided to investigate the scientific evidence, however unfortunately the results for acne patients are less than promising.

Firstly, which double blind study by 2001 showed very positive results. 25 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups; they were fed either one gram of fenugreek extract per day or a standard diet for diabetic care. After two months, there was a big increase in insulin sensitivity, a fall in insulin resistance, in addition to a reduction in both blood glucose in addition to insulin levels. There was also an increase in HDL, or “Great” cholesterol in addition to a fall in triglycerides. The scientists concluded which “adjunct use of fenugreek seeds improves glycaemic control in addition to decreases insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients.”

which’s a Great sign for acne patients since lower insulin resistance means which your Centeng produces less insulin overall.

Then there’s which study by 2009 where scientists wanted to find an alternative way to eat fenugreek to get past the bitter flavour. Hence, they baked two loafs of bread: one with standard wheat based ingredients in addition to one containing the same ingredients however with added fenugreek powder. 8 diabetic patients received two slices of the breads in addition to their blood sugar in addition to insulin levels were measured for 4 hours after consumption.

Both blood glucose in addition to insulin were lower in patients consuming the 5% fenugreek bread. However, only insulin reached statistically significant levels. which’s our first indication which fenugreek is usually no miracle. The scientists concluded which “The bread maintained fenugreek’s functional property of reducing insulin resistance”.

which study was designed to analyse the effect of fenugreek seeds themselves, rather than fenugreek extract, on blood sugar in addition to cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. 24 diabetic people were fed 10 grams of fenugreek seeds daily, either mixed in with an unspecified type of yoghurt or boiled in hot water.

Blood glucose levels were analysed after 8 weeks of daily fenugreek consumption in addition to the results were interesting again. The 11 patients from the fenugreek boiled in hot water group enjoyed a reduction in fasting glucose levels of 25%. from the yoghurt plus fenugreek group, however, there was no effect whatsoever. The scientists concluded which “which study shows which fenugreek seeds can be used as an adjuvant from the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus from the form of soaked in hot water”. Another positive result for acne patients in addition to oily skin then.

Finally, we have a study with completely contradictory results. The study was well designed; which was a double blind, placebo controlled trial on humans, which is usually the gold standard of scientific research. 58 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were randomly allocated to receive either hydroalcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds in capsules with metformin (a blood sugar lowering drug), or metformin on its own. Blood insulin, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance in cells, in addition to blood glucose were all measured.

The fenugreek had almost no benefit. There was no difference in blood sugar or insulin, the vital parameters for acne in addition to oily skin. There was no effect on the insulin sensitivity of cells, in addition to hence which rules out a more subtle long term reduction in insulin levels. The scientists concluded which “our findings support the hypothesis which fenugreek seeds extract plus metformin, as compared with metformin plus placebo, didn’t have significant effect on insulin resistance”.

So do fenugreek seeds lower insulin levels thereby acne? I cannot say at all. Some studies show Great results, in addition to two cultures thousands of miles away by each various other (India in addition to Ethiopia) both concluded through sheer experience which which does work.

however the negative study was perfectly designed in addition to furthermore, the positive results contradict each various other. which study concluded which fenugreek lowered blood sugar by inhibiting enzymes required to digest carbohydrates like amylase, hence mellowing the Discharge of glucose into the bloodstream. However, positive study number one only found a difference in long term fasting glucose levels, not short term blood glucose spikes.

Fenugreek probably has some effect however I cannot recommend its seeds or extracts for lowering insulin, blood sugar in addition to acne, unless you like to add them to your curries in addition to meals anyway.

 

Do fenugreek seeds lower DHT levels?

Do fenugreek seeds lower acne in addition to DHT?One of the groups on the internet who loves fenugreek seeds most is usually the hair loss prevention community. They widely share the strategy of taking fenugreek seeds on online hair loss forums, mainly because which’s supposed to inhibit the androgenic hormone DHT. Likewise, fenugreek pills have burst onto muscle store shelves featuring claims which they have an anabolic hormone optimising effect.

As with insulin, lowering DHT can reduce acne in addition to oily skin since DHT binds to your skin’s sebaceous glands in addition to stimulates them to produce more sebum (oil). Fenugreek seeds would certainly be especially potent against female acne in which case, since women don’t need DHT for male sexual function in addition to brain health in addition to additionally, women’s acne is usually ten times more sensitive to the deleterious side effects of DHT.

however as with insulin, the evidence which fenugreek seeds, fenugreek powders or any form of fenugreek extract inhibits DHT is usually contradictory.

There’s one promising study by which all the hype originated. Scientists wanted to test all the anabolic, hormone boosting claims in addition to hence they tested the effect of fenugreek on 45 resistance trained males. Blood levels of testosterone, cortisol, leptin in addition to DHT were all measured 8 weeks after daily intake of 500mg of a fenugreek extract or a placebo.

While most hormones didn’t change at all (including testosterone, disproving the advertised benefits), DHT levels fell by 9.42% from the fenugreek group. from the placebo group, DHT levels increased by 5.98%. The scientists thus concluded which “supplementation of fenugreek extract resulted in a decrease in serum DHT levels in comparison to placebo”.

However, another study found no effect on DHT whatsoever. Again, scientists were testing the anabolic effects of fenugreek, in addition to which time they did notice an increase in testosterone. 30 resistance trained men were fed 500mg of fenugreek extract for eight weeks. By the end their total in addition to free testosterone levels had increased by 6.57% in addition to 12.26% above baseline respectively.

However, there was no difference in DHT levels. The scientists commented which fenugreek could be a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which would certainly help acne patients since 5-alpha-reductase is usually the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT. However, which’s irrelevant because DHT didn’t actually fall.

which study examined the effect of fenugreek seeds on male sexual functioning. The scientists managed to calculate an exact 25% increase in male sex drive (who knows how). 60 men aged between 25 in addition to 52 took a fenugreek extract twice daily for six weeks, in addition to enjoyed an overall positive effect on physiological aspects of sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Testosterone levels didn’t change. DHT wasn’t measured, however since DHT is usually the principle male hormone for sex drive in addition to function, you would certainly not expect these positive results if fenugreek was a DHT inhibitor.

Basically, the evidence for fenugreek lowering DHT is usually even worse for which of insulin.

Furthermore, many of the studies were funded by a biotech start up called Indus Biotech. If you visit their website you’ll observe which they sell a fenugreek supplement called “Torabolic”. Even if fenugreek did lower DHT levels in acne patients, I wouldn’t recommend which for men because DHT is usually so important for muscle mass, sex drive, in addition to brain functioning.

which’s clear which taking a fenugreek supplement for acne is usually an unsound move. Unless perhaps you’re a fresh mother who wants to produce vast quantities of milk, or is usually having trouble with lactation.

Fenugreek has one various other fascinating power: changing the odour of your perspiration. which’s well established by Ancient Egyptians in embalming ceremonies which prolonged ingestion of fenugreek makes your Centeng odour smell like maple syrup, of all things. Hence, why fenugreek is usually often used to flavour maple syrup.

 

Always cover the hormone optimising basics

Can fenugreek seeds clear acne?To lower insulin levels for acne you don’t need a supplement anyway, not at first. You need to follow the basic acne strategy of eating less carbohydrates in addition to getting more exercise.

from the 1970s, anti-fat hysteria kicked off in full force; dairy products, eggs, in addition to meats were blamed for high cholesterol in addition to heart disease, in addition to even cancer. Hence, the earth Health Organisation, the USDA, the British NHS, in addition to so on all adopted strict anti-saturated fat policies, in addition to what was the inevitable consequence? Instead, people began to eat more carbohydrates like bread, cereal, pasta, rice, in addition to once junk food took over, donuts in addition to pizzas.

Eating more carbohydrates is usually a healthy diet according to the US government’s infamous food pyramid, which recommends 6-11 servings of whole grains per day. Since the 1970s, the average carbohydrate intake has risen by about 10-15% of our total dietary calories in addition to dietary fat has fallen by a similar quantity (with protein remaining equal)…

…however the expected improvement from the western world’s health has not materialised. Instead, we’ve got fatter, sicker in addition to weaker than ever. We live longer because we’re kept alive by highly advanced pharmaceutical drugs, however the quality of life is usually poor for many.

In particular, type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic, in addition to which’s a direct consequence of the “healthy” high-carb diets we’ve all been sold. which basically works like which: any carbohydrates you eat get converted to glycogen in addition to stored in your muscle energy stores. which glycogen is usually there to be used as hard fuel for exercise like rowing, weight lifting or skiing, however if you don’t expend which, the stores build up. They become resistant to the hormone insulin since they can’t accept much more glycogen.

Your pancreas pumps out more in addition to more insulin to compensate. which state of insulin resistance, or a loss of insulin sensitivity, progresses further in addition to further until one day WHAM; your pancreas conks out in addition to you’re no longer producing any insulin.

You’ve right now reached type 2 diabetes. which disease affects 30 million US citizens in addition to roughly 86 million are estimated to be pre-diabetic, or in various other words, their blood sugar is usually dangerously close to diabetic levels.

Why does which matter for acne? Because type 2 diabetes is usually simply a super-advanced form of insulin resistance. The fact which diabetes is usually an epidemic shows just how common insulin resistance in addition to hence high insulin levels genuinely are…

 …in addition to which’s mostly caused by the high carbohydrate intake outlined earlier.

What you have to do for acne then, before you consider fenugreek or any touted miracle pills for insulin in addition to blood sugar, is usually fix your glycogen stores.

Simply, you need to eat less carbohydrates in addition to get more exercise. At first, you can eat a very low carb diet to empty those glycogen stores in addition to promote rapid recovery of your insulin sensitivity, accompanied by a rapid drop in insulin, much less oily skin, in addition to less acne. Afterwards, you simply need to balance your carb intake with your exercise, however for right now – eat less cereal, bread in addition to pasta, don’t overdo the potatoes, in addition to say no to giant helpings of rice with every meal.

The fear of saturated fat is usually completely overblown. Just last month (August 2015) a review of all the available literature on saturated fat in addition to heart disease concluded which “Saturated fat intake was not associated with all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, total CHD, ischemic stroke or type 2 diabetes”. Earlier in 2015, a review concluded which the original introduction of low fat, high carb guidelines was not supported by evidence from the first place.

The surge of heart disease at the beginning of the twentieth century was not caused by saturated fat – Europeans had been eating butter for hundreds of years. which was the introduction of trans-fats by in margarines in addition to hydrogenated spreads (the original villain was Crisco back in 1910) which started out the trend. Trans-fats also cause acne via a massive inflammatory response.

So replace your morning toast in addition to sugar packed breakfast cereal with three or four boiled eggs instead. Replace a digestive biscuit (10 carbs right there) with some acne-friendly, antioxidant packed dark chocolate.

Once you’ve emptied the glycogen stores in addition to your skin is usually less oily, you can increase your carbohydrate intake to moderate levels assuming you get decent amounts of exercise, with some carb sources being permanently replaced by fattier foods like meat (organic in addition to well raised), eggs, in addition to dark chocolate.

You have to pick the right types of fat categories within fats, which we discussed in my eBook Annihilate Your Acne. Simultaneously, you should tackle additional acne strategies related to insulin sensitivity, like sleep deprivation in addition to vitamin D levels.

Compared to fenugreek, a better option for a food/acne supplement would certainly be cinnamon. Just ¼ to ½ a tablespoon can lower blood glucose by 20%, in addition to also lower insulin resistance. Make sure which’s Ceylon cinnamon, since the type most commonly found in grocery stores, cassia cinnamon (known as bastard cinnamon), is usually NOT shown to improve insulin sensitivity, in addition to also contains a natural toxin called coumarin. which Frontier Natural Products Ceylon Cinnamon is usually your best option. which will last for absolutely ages considering the tiny quantities which reduce acne.

 

Conclusion

There’s plenty of evidence to suggest which fenugreek seeds or supplements will cure acne, however there’s plenty of evidence to suggest which they’ll be useless for acne too. which’s not an unhealthy food for acne, in fact which might aid weight loss in addition to improve cholesterol levels. The breast milk generating power is usually pretty cool too.

However, I recommend which you forget about fenugreek as a miracle solution to acne, in addition to look elsewhere for acne supplements.

If you had to take one supplement for acne, in addition to make no mistake which there’s tons of viable options, I would certainly recommend vitamin D. Deficiency is usually an epidemic since Westerners get much less sunlight these days.

Vitamin D affects so many areas of your health (nearly 3000 out of 30,000 genes) which which can cure acne in a variety of ways too. which can improve insulin sensitivity, directly control inflammatory chemicals behind acne, in addition to by my experience, make your skin glowing in addition to radiant.

The supplement I take every day is usually which Garden of Life Vitamin Code RAW D3. which is usually derived by organic mushrooms like white wood ear in addition to cordyceps, as opposed to isolated in addition to poorly absorbed D3 by a lab.

which’s free by acne-causing additives like BPA in addition to magnesium stearate. Garden of Life is usually a great supplement company in general if you’re looking for any organically sourced acne nutrients.

NEXT: why insulin is usually the most important acne hormone

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Source: Fenugreek Seeds: An Overrated Acne Supplement For Controlling DHT in addition to Insulin