The quest for a naturally occurring substance that can favourably affect carbohydrate/insulin-regulating metabolism in humans is ever ongoing. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum), a seed native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean area and western Asia, and now cultivated from Europe to China, is the latest candidate that has historically been used to treat what are now known as carbohydrate metabolism disorders, including diabetes.1

In the past decade, researches have discovered that a non-protein amino acid found in the seed of fenugreek, (2S,3R,4S) - 4-hydroxyisoleucine ((4-ILE), can potentiate the amount of insulin released from beta cells in the islets of Langerhans located in the pancreas (animal and human) , enhance the responsiveness of tissues, to insulin and even improve carbohydrate metabolism in non-diabetic animals.1-5 4-ILE appears to exert its influence on the pancreatic islet cells by working in concert with glucose: the insulin-releasing effect of glucose entering the blood from ingested foods) is magnified by the concurrent presence of 4-ILE.1,3 For people with type 2 diabetes, this could mean imporved blood-sugar disposal and a resultant ability to reduce anti-diabetic medication.6

For athletes and bodybuilders, this could mean enhanced carbohydrate replenishment in exercised muscles, increased creatin retention in muscle and possibly greater workout-rgimen adaptation responses, such as increased strength and/or muscle mass. Howerver, there do not appear to be any human studies on pure 4-ILE.

The recent introduction of uniquie fenugreek extracts claiming to contain 4_ILE (Promilin, for example) will possibly spur more research on the sweet promise of this bitter seed.

1. Sauvaire, Y, et al. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine: a novel amino acid potentiator of insulin secretion. Diabetes 1998; 47:206-10.
2. Petit, P, et al. Insulin stimulating effect of an amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, purified from fenugreek seeds. Diabetologica 1995; 38:A101.
3. Broca, C, et al. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine:experimental evidence of its insulinotropic and antidiabetic properties. Am J Physiol 1997;277:E617-23.
4. Breil, V, et al. Effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine on insulin sensitivity in insulin-sensitive rats. Diabetologica 2001; 44:A79.
5. Broca, C, et al. 4-hydroxyisoleucine improves glucose tolerance in normal and NIDDM animals. Diabetologica 1998; 41:A239.
6. Fernandez-Alvarez, J, et al. Could 4-hydroxyisoleucine be used as a hypoglycaemic agent in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus? Diabetologica 1996; 39:A234.

Anthony L. Almada, BSc, MSc, is the president and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutirition Inc (www.imaginutrition.com) and has been a co-invetsigator on more than 60 randomised and controlled trials.