Ingredient Repository · Ingredient

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Ingredient

Fenugreek Extract

A seed extract rich in furostanolic saponins traditionally used for male vitality, healthy testosterone balance and blood-sugar support.

What it is

Fenugreek extract is standardised from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum, a legume used in Indian and Mediterranean cooking and traditional medicine. The active fraction is the furostanolic saponins (protodioscin and related glycosides) together with 4-hydroxyisoleucine and soluble galactomannan fibre. In His-Biotics Testo Boost it is combined with tribulus, zinc, maca and the Velobiotics probiotic blend.

Also known as: Trigonella foenum-graecum, Fenugreek seed extract, Testofen

Key benefits

  • Supports healthy free-testosterone levels and libido in men, with trials showing improved sexual function scores.
  • Helps maintain healthy post-meal blood-glucose responses through its galactomannan fibre and 4-hydroxyisoleucine.
  • Supports strength and lean-mass gains when combined with resistance training.
  • Traditionally used to support digestion and appetite regulation.

Amplified by probiotics

Fenugreek's saponin glycosides are largely inactive until intestinal bacteria remove their sugar groups; deglycosylation by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium β-glucosidases releases the sapogenins that are absorbed. Its galactomannan fibre is itself a prebiotic that bifidobacteria ferment into short-chain fatty acids, so the extract feeds the very cultures that activate it. The same lactobacilli help keep gut and systemic inflammation low, which supports healthy androgen signalling.

Typical dose

500–600 mg/day standardised seed extract (≈50% saponins)

The evidence

Evidence: moderate

Several randomised placebo-controlled trials of standardised fenugreek seed extract (500–600 mg/day for 6–12 weeks) report improvements in libido, sexual-function scores and free testosterone in healthy men; meta-analysis of glycaemic trials shows modest reductions in fasting glucose. Effects are moderate and require consistent daily use.

  1. Mansoori A, et al. Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2020;34(7):1550-1555 PubMed ↗
  2. Steels E, et al. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011;25(9):1294-300 PubMed ↗
  3. Neelakantan N, et al. Effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) intake on glycemia: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Nutr J. 2014;13:7 PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Well tolerated; may cause a maple-syrup body odour and mild digestive gas. Use caution with blood-glucose-lowering or anticoagulant medicines. Avoid in pregnancy (uterine-stimulant tradition) and in people allergic to peanuts or chickpeas (cross-reactivity).