Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloids (mainly trigonelline) and protein high in lysine and L-tryptophan. Its steroidal saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin) and mucilaginous fiber are thought to account for many of the beneficial effects of fenugreek. The steroidal saponins are thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption and synthesis,² while the fiber may help lower blood sugar levels.³ One human study found that fenugreek can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels in people with moderate atherosclerosis and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes.⁴ Preliminary and double-blind trials have found that fenugreek helps improve blood sugar control in patients with insulin-dependent (type 1) and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes.^{5, 6, 7} Double-blind trials have shown that fenugreek lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood,^{8, 9} This has also been found in a controlled clinical trial with diabetic patients with elevated cholesterol.¹⁰ Generally, fenugreek does not lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels.