1. The problem: There is limited research on the use of herbal supplements in general, and fenugreek specifically, to improve male health, particularly to increase testosterone levels. As well, no located studies have examined the effects of fenugreek supplementation on healthy men's health-related quality of life, anxiety levels, and body composition. 2. Relevant research examined the effects of fenugreek supplementation with healthy men aged between 43 and 70 years of age. The researchers found that both total serum testosterone and free testosterone increased compared to placebo after 12 weeks of active treatment. The researchers concluded that fenugreek supplementation was a safe and effective treatment for reducing symptoms of possible androgen deficiency, improves sexual function and increases serum testosterone in healthy middle-aged to older men. Another study found that fenugreek supplementation improved aging male symptoms and testosterone levels remained in a normal range in healthy men aged 25 to 45 years. 3. The importance of this study: The importance of this study is to help determine if fenugreek supplementation affects testosterone levels, body composition, health-related quality of life, anxiety, and aging symptoms in healthy men aged 21 - 45 years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
58
A brand of fenugreek supplementation that was produced by SPECNOVA. Pure fenugreek without any additives.
A brand of fenugreek supplementation that was produced by SPECNOVA. Pure fenugreek without any additives.
rice flour in a vegetable/ cellulose capsule
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Health-related Quality of Life measure will be used to assess health-related quality of life. This scale has excellent psychometric properties. The HRQoL assesses the positive and negative aspects of a person's life such as satisfaction or distress and the impact of these factors to their perceived health and life experience. This questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure than can be used to evaluate the individuals physical and mental perceptions.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Aging Male Symptoms Questionnaire
The Aging Male Questionnaire consists of 17 questions in 3 sub-scales (i.e., psychological, somatic and sexual) that assesses symptoms of aging specific for men. These sub-scales as well as the total score were used to assess symptoms. Having symptoms from the AMS questionnaire merely suggests a male may have deficiencies but blood samples are the best determinants of this condition. The higher the score, the worst the outcome.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Blood
From 10 mL of fasted blood. The free testosterone, total testosterone, and estradiol levels will be extracted from the blood sample.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Body Composition
The BODPOD machine is considered the gold standard for body composition as it has a range of error between ± 1 to 2.7% and is easier to complete than underwater weighing. The BODPOD was used to observe body composition at each assessment
Time frame: 8 weeks
Strength
Hand grip dynamometer
Time frame: 9 weeks
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