Powdered fenugreek seeds have a high amount of soluble fiber, which helps slow down the rate at which carbohydrates are absorbed from the intestine. Soluble fiber is well-known, even in conventional medicine, to help people with diabetes. It keeps blood sugar from peaking as fast and as high. This means that diabetics don't need to secrete as much insulin to keep up.

In addition, fenugreek seeds have a special amino acid known as 4-hydroxyisoleucine. This compound may directly stimulate insulin release from the pancreas, but it seems to depend on how high the blood sugar is.

Also called "Sugar Taste Destroyer". While still under investigation, some laboratory studies have found that gymnema may reduce the amount of glucose (sugar) people absorb from their intestines. It may also help stimulate growth of the pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for making insulin.