THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: That fenugreek seeds lower sugar- levels is no news. But scientists have now shown that the bitter yellow fenugreek seeds could be a guardian angel for your heart too.
This remarkable finding has come as a result of a joint effort of the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala and the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI). The results of the study, partly funded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, has been published in the international journal, Phytotherapy Research.
The investigating team, comprising P.T.Bobban, Bala Nambisan and P.R.Sudhakaran, found that galactomannan in the mucilage of fenugreek protects the heart in three ways. It works against atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) by preventing thickening of the blood vessel walls and speeding-up the reverse process. One of the methods by which this is achieved is by reducing the cholesterol deposition.
The mucilage from fenugreek causes a significant reduction in the levels of cholesterol, especially what is known as the bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. The mechanism is slightly complicated - the mucilage or products derived from it, interfere with both the production as well as the degrading pathways of cholesterol. Ultimately, this reduces the formation of cholesterol and increases the degradation of the same, drastically bringing down the cholesterol levels.
Apart from preventing fat deposits on the arterial walls, the galactomannan, a soluble fibre, in the mucilage also causes the levels of C-reactive proteins to drop. The Creactive protein is a marker of inflammatory conditions of the blood vessel walls that may lead to chronic heart diseases or even heart-failure.
Reduction in C-reactive protein levels also points to a possible antiinflammatory property of the fenugreek mucilage.
``These results clearly show that fenugreek seed mucilage reduces blood lipids and causes regression of fatty lesions in aorta. This highlights the importance of diet-based and non-invasive strategies in preventing cardiovascular diseases,’’ said P.R.Sudhakaran, head of the KU Department of Biochemistry.