Does Fenugreek Raise Testosterone?

Many supplements claim to raise testosterone levels, including fenugreek. Increases in testosterone, the most anabolic, or growth-inducing hormone in your body, would lead to increases in lean muscle mass. Increases in testosterone also lead to increases in fertility and improved sexual health, as well as stimulating your immune system. Unfortunately, fenugreek does none of these things.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is literally Greek hay, and is commonly used in cooking. It is currently produced in largest quantity in India. Fenugreek is traditionally used in the preparation of curry powders, pickles and pastes. The dried leaves have a strong smell and are quite bitter. Fenugreek is said to have numerous medicinal properties, including relieving arthritis pain, treatment of diabetes and assistance in lactation. Only recently have claims of increases in testosterone been advanced, and those only by the manufacturer.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a steroidal hormone. This refers only to its chemical construct, not to any specific properties. Many compounds are steroidal in nature based purely upon their construct, but do not raise testosterone levels. Vitamin D3 is a steroidal compound, and so is estrogen. Neither contributes to increases in male fertility or improvements in the anabolic process. Some steroidal hormones increase your chances of lactating - regardless of gender. So just because a compound may be steroidal in nature does not mean it increases testosterone levels.

Fenugreek and Testosterone

As of June 2011, a thorough review of available literature reveals no studies that support the use of fenugreek in raising testosterone levels. A study showing no effect on testosterone levels, however, is readily apparent. In a 2009 study published in "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise," fenugreek supplementation was conclusively shown to have no effect on the hormonal profile of the test subjects. In a study on male and female rabbits published in "Contraception" in 2006, fenugreek not only lowered circulating androgens, including testosterone, it decreased fertility in both genders.

Uses for Fenugreek

Numerous uses exist in folklore and common practice, but studies do not exactly support this. Despite claims of usage for relieving pain from arthritis, no studies exist to support this practice. There is some evidence to support the use of fenugreek as a glucose disposal agent, which will have some use for diabetics. In a 1990 study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition," fenugreek supplementation was shown to improve blood glucose levels as measured by a glucose tolerance test. (See reference 5)

Nitrate Levels in Fruits, Vegetables and other Food Stuff

There are presented the results of the investigation of many popular fresh and frozen vegetables as well as in fresh and frozen fruits, such as different kind of apples, strawberries, currants, raspberries and many other tender fruits mainly from market and few from own allotment-cottages performed in the year 1989-1992. The nitrate and nitrite was determined according to the Griess reaction. High levels of nitrate was encountered in lettuce, frozen spinach, fennel, radishes, parsley. Many of this samples contained more than 1000 mg of KNO3/kg of fresh product, but the highest level, over the 3500 mg/kg was found in lettuce. The remaining vegetables like carrots, celery, leeks and frozen French bean contained from several dozen to more than 800 mg KNO3/kg. The level of nitrite in all samples of the investigated vegetables and fruits was very low from zero to decimal part of milligram per kg. Very low level of nitrate was found in 7 species of investigated apples (from 1.3 to 9.7 mg KNO3/kg). A little higher level of this compound was ascertained in currants, gooseberries, raspberries, cherries (from 0.0 to 36.0 mg KNO3/kg product). The highest levels of nitrate occurred in samples of strawberries (maximum to 322.3 mg KNO3/kg) but mean level amounted 58.7 mg KNO3/kg. The encountered levels of nitrate in frozen vegetables and fruits as well as in jams and stewed fruits was only little less than in fresh products. Very high level (from 355.30 to 584.53 mg KNO3/kg) was ascertained in the fruit-vegetable juice named "Rinberen" and "Malberen" to which red beet extract was used for their production. It should be pointed out that when the containers of these juice was opened and stored at the room temperature (+20 degrees C) during 30 days, no changes was observed in the level of nitrate and nitrite. In the juice prepared from blanched carrot, the rate of the reduction of nitrate to nitrite has not been lowered, when this product was storage of this juice at room temperature, the mean level of nitrite increased significantly (from 0.14 to 82.89 mg NaNO2/kg) and the level of nitrate lowered from 261.0 to 46.4 mg KNO3/kg. It should be strongly recommended for consumption the juices from carrot only fresh prepared. There are also presented the results of investigation of nitrate in fermented cheeses.

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L-Taurine Benefits

What is L-Taurine?

L-Taurine is an amino acid that is present in the body, and is manufactured by other amino acids such as cysteine, vitamin B6 and methionine. It is also found in milk, meat, eggs and fish.

Benefits of L-Taurine

The benefits of L-Taurine are numerous. This amino acid increases exercise capacity and is very effective for people who suffer from heart disease. It has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels, which is important for diabetics.

Other benefits of L-Taurine include its use in treating individuals addicted to alcohol, and those with hypertension or high cholesterol. L-Taurine plays a huge role in the functioning of the brain, and can help people to have improved mood.

L-Taurine Bodybuilding

L-Taurine is the most voluminous amino acid present in striated type 2 muscle fiber. It acts much like creatine in the fact that it expands the cells by helping the muscle cell hold more water, which increases cell volume. This is very significant to a bodybuilder because expanded muscle cells increase hydration. This results in a higher rate of protein synthesis and creates increased muscle fullness.

L-Taurine is widely used in bodybuilding because of its ability to increase energy in the muscles, thereby allowing for a prolonged workout time. It also aids in lifting heavier weights, because of its ability to enhances interstitial contractile leverage.

L-Taurine Supplement

L-Taurine supplements are recommended for anyone suffering from the symptoms listed above, and is highly recommended for bodybuilders because of its ability to expand and increase muscle mass.

L-Taurine supplements should be taken by certain people including those who are strict vegetarians, and anyone who has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. These conditions can deplete the level of L-Taurine in the body, and supplementation is necessary.

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