The Research
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a herb indigenous to India and some Arabic regions. It is one of those large number of herbs from old cultures which purports to enhance libido and male vitality. In the wider modern health industry, Fenugreek is used for digestive problems, stomach upsets, constipation, kidney ailments, baldness, cancer, and lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes. So as you can see, its uses are not confined to testosterone boosting. Like many of these traditional libido enhancer ingredients, eventually clinical studies are carried out as interest grows and commercial products start making claims about their powers.
Fenugreek is claimed to incidentally boost Testosterone by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme accountable for the translation of excess Testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). A small number of studies have been undertaken with Fenugreek with a focus on the testosterone boosting powers of Fenugreek as the area of investigation. In what is the most cited study around Fenugreek, this study recruited 60 healthy males aged between 25 and 52, without erectile dysfunction. Split into two groups, one group took 600 mg Testofen per day (Testofen is the active ingredient) or placebo for 6 weeks. The conclusion was that Testofen had an overall positive effect on physiological aspects of libido with improvements in sexual arousal and orgasm. It was concluded that Testofen demonstrated a “significant positive effect on physiological aspects of libido and may assist to maintain normal healthy testosterone levels” [1]However, other studies all came to the conclusion that Fenugreek did not increase available testosterone to any real significant degree, though it can assist in improving energy, strength and well being [2] [3] [4]
Our Verdict: Good for the Gym
Score: 7/10
Fenugreek, as either Testofen or a non-branded extract, has not had the sort of conclusive results that alow us to make a striong recommendation or high score. Its unproven method of action (inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase) is hypothetically conceivable, but it is just not a robust proposition when it comes to results. We’re not saying Fenugreek is a complete waste of time, just that there are better testosterone boosting ingredients out there with a better clinical base of proven efficacy. In the end, there are more dependable means to increase Testosterone naturally.
References
[1] Steels E, Rao A, and Vitetta L.Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation.Phytother Res. 2011 Feb 10.
[2] Bushey, Brandon, et al. “Fenugreek Extract Supplementation Has No effect on the Hormonal Profile of Resitance-Trained Males.” International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings. Vol. 2. No. 1. 2009.
[3] Swerdloff, Ronald S., and Christina Wang. “Dihydrotestosterone: a rationale for its use as a non-aromatizable androgen replacement therapeutic agent.”Baillière’s clinical endocrinology and metabolism 12.3 (1998): 501-506
[4] Ly, Lam P., et al. “A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of transdermal dihydrotestosterone gel on muscular strength, mobility, and quality of life in older men with partial androgen deficiency.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 86.9 (2001): 4078-4088