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Efficacy of fenugreek seed extract on men's psychological and physical health: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial

  • Heather A. Hausenblas EMAIL logo , Kara L. Conway , Kevin R.M. Coyle , Emily Barton , Lacie D. Smith , Michael Esposito , Charles Harvey , Dennis Oakes and David R. Hooper

Abstract

Objectives

Limited research has examined the effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) supplementation to improve healthy younger men's aging male symptoms. The study objective was to examine whether a fenugreek seed extract would improve healthy men's aging male symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), grip strength, and anxiety.

Methods

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was employed, using a parallel design, with assessments at baseline, Day 30, and Day 60. Healthy male volunteers (n = 57, mean age = 26.1 years) were randomized to: fenugreek 400 mg/d (n = 19), fenugreek 500 mg/d (n = 19), or placebo group (n = 19).

Results

The fenugreek groups reported significant improvements in aging male symptoms, anxiety levels, grip strength, and indicators of HRQoL compared to the placebo group, p's < 0.05. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Fenugreek supplementation is an effective nutritional intervention for improving aging male symptoms, anxiety levels, grip strength, and aspects of HRQoL in healthy recreationally active men. Future researchers are encouraged to examine the health and ergogenic effects of fenugreek supplementation in hypogonadal and older populations.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03528538.


Corresponding author: Heather A. Hausenblas, PhD, School of Applied Health Sciences Professor, Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, Jacksonville University, 2800 University Boulevard North, Jacksonville, FL32211, USA. Phone: +1 (904) 256 7975, Fax: +1 (904) 256 7287, E-mail:

Funding source: SPECNOVA

Acknowledgements

We thank Terrance Orange and Blake Fry for assistance with this study.

  1. Research funding: This research was funded in part by SPECNOVA.

  2. Author contribution: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted.

  3. Competing interests: The funding organization played no role in the study design or in the collection of the data.

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Received: 2019-04-21
Accepted: 2020-01-12
Published Online: 2020-05-22

© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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