Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum) seeds contain the amino acid 4-Hydroxyisoleucine. This amino acid is present in high concentrations in the seeds and may be the reason that the seeds are able to provide benefits to physical performance. The reason for this is the 4-hydroxyisoleucine demonstrates insulinotropic effects in the presence of moderate hyperglycaemia because it is able to directly stimulate the β-cells of the pancreas. Fenugreek seeds may therefore have beneficial effects post exercise where they may be able to increase the uptake of glycogen into skeletal muscle tissues, a process that requires insulin. The hypoglycaemic effects of fenugreek have been investigated for this reason. For example, in one study, cyclists trained for 90 minutes to deplete glycogen stores in their legs and were then administered glucose with 4-hydroxyisoleucine or glucose alone during the recovery period. In the glucose plus 4-hydroxyisoleucine group the rate of glycogen uptake was 63 % greater compared to glucose alone, suggesting the 4-hydroxyisoleucine may have significant ergogenic properties. One other consideration of the insulinotropic effects of fenugreek seeds may be that amino acid uptake to muscles is also increased, as uptake of certain amino acids to skeletal muscle is increased in the presence of insulin.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
Ruby, B. C., Gaskill, S. E., Slivka, D. and Harger, S. G. 2005. The addition of fenugreek extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum) to glucose feeding increases muscle glycogen resynthesis after exercise. Amino acids. 28(1): 71
