The reason why Fenugreek, Garlic, berries, Spinachs work in POIS

[Observer]

I found they share one thing in common: They are hypoglycemic foods. They reduce the sugar level of the blood.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek is a digestive aid. As an emollient it is used in poultices for boils, cysts and other complaints. Reducing the sugar level of the blood, it is used in diabetes in conjunction with insulin. The seeds also contain fiber, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and fenugreekine, a component that may have hypoglycemic activity. http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/fenugree.html

Garlic:In a 1976 report from the British medical journal, Lancet, it was noted that Garlic (and onion) is very hypoglycemic in nature and can lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, and it should be mentioned that people with high or low blood sugar levels should always consult their physicians before using.
http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/garlic.cfm

Berries: I found this link on spanish, they just discover than berries extract reduces the sugar level of the blood, is a hypoglycemic food.http://www.innatia.com/noticias-c-salud-bienestar/a-arandano-bajar-glucosa-diabetes.html

[Observer]

Spinachs: http://ezinearticles.com/?Spinach!-Great-for-Weight-Loss,-Balanced-Blood-Sugar-Levels,-Disease-Protection-and-So-Much-More!&id=5755349

I know this have been talked about, but i think this is the key on the reduction of symptoms. Yesterday(day 1 after O.) i was feeling very well, but i took after the dinner an ice cream. I began to feel a brain fog, cognitive symptoms minutes later, so i just remembered what ive read here and just decide to look for the properties of this remedies that are alleviating POIS symptoms. Another member said that a low sugar diet is giving him good results, because it´s reducing the inflamation somewhere. There is other people here that has feel in the same way??

[Daveman]

Hmmmm, A yummie spinach salad with onions, garlic, fenugreek, fresh squeezed orange juice, perhaps sliced chicken breast very lightly tossed in a hot frying pan served with a cold glass of Chardoney

[Guthrie]

You know, this makes some sense, and it could connect with something I've noticed with past O's.  Very shortly after an O, my stomach starts making gurgling sounds.  So perhaps there is some chain effect that ends up effecting the stomach--and then perhaps that stomach-issue could be a cause of the major debilitating effects of POIS.  Just a theory...

Have other people experienced the stomach-gurgling just after O?

[hurray]

Very interesting Observer - it's probably time that I got my blood sugar levels checked out.

[emi_b]

I want to add something related to hypoglycemia.

Sometimes when I fell hungry for a greater period of time (not eating anything for a couple of hours), I start to see some improvements in my mental state, and be more as I should be. But because the side effects of hypoglycemia it is not pleasant even with that slight improvement.

There could be some things happening in the brain that time, maybe an increase or decrease of some neurotransmitters.

[demografx]

I just bought Agave Juice - to replace sugar. Supposedly the glycemic index for Agave Juice is lower than sugar, yet sweeter. Hope I didn't just fall for a bunch of hype

[Daveman]

Yes, hype can be very sweet yet low on sugar!! 

"But seriously folks", as he adjusts his tie!

There's sugar, and there's sugar. In general, fresh fruit sugar goes right to the brain, and provides much energy and alertness without the sugar down that comes shortly after.

When I followed a diet that only allowed fruit up until noon, I had never felt better. Didn't even need my coffee, and felt better for it.

So hey we might be on to something. It's my bet that the hypoglycemic foods raise the percentage of "good" sugar (for Popeye energy), although overall sugar levels may drop. After all hypoglycemia isn't good either.

Many symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar to POIS cognitive symptoms. Loss of concentration, hard to follow conversations, blurry vision, etc. etc.

[Willem]

I found they share one thing in common: They are hypoglycemic foods. They reduce the sugar level of the blood.

Thanks Observer.  I've had that faint notion at the back of my mind that my experience with sugar, spinach etc. was similar to hypoglycemia.  Was in a state of denial because man can't go without sex AND sugar right?  Anyway, thanks for sharing the thought, it's very interesting. 

[Guthrie]

And, if we're positing a potential connection to blood sugar levels, we can also add that sweet potato may also fall in this food category:

http://www.theironyou.com/2011/04/sweet-potato-hollywoods-stars-favorite.html

Despite the name "sweet", it may be a beneficial food for diabetics, as preliminary studies on animals have revealed that it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and to lower insulin resistance.

[Vincent M]

I think this sugar thing might have something to it. The other night I had some ice cream which I rarely eat and I remember feeling very sluggish mentally and physically afterwards. In addition my face had this sensation of feeling fatter than normal, perhaps it actually was.

[Observer]

I want to add something related to hypoglycemia.

Sometimes when I fell hungry for a greater period of time (not eating anything for a couple of hours), I start to see some improvements in my mental state, and be more as I should be. But because the side effects of hypoglycemia it is not pleasant even with that slight improvement.

There could be some things happening in the brain that time, maybe an increase or decrease of some neurotransmitters.

Well. Exactly the same thing happens to me. When i am hungry my POIS dissappears, only to come back(perhaps slighty less stronger) after eating.

[Vincent M]

I've definitely noticed a reduction of POIS symptoms if my stomach is empty for maybe half a day or a day, but rather than directly trying to fast or eat less I find it easier and more effective to concentrate on finding new sources of entertainment such as new online shows (I watch shows on adultswim.com a lot since they're free), vidgames, utoob vids, chatrooms, reading about conspiracies etc. Often I find that I become so lost in various electronic entertainment that I forget to eat. Then again I guess being poor and not having much food around the house helps out quite a bit.

[Vincent M]

I'm moving a couple of my previous comments here since I feel they better fit this category.

I just googled "fenugreek plus garlic" and I found these pills that actually have both fenugreek and garlic in them. Apparently it's being sold for pets though. Here is the description from the website:

"Garlic & Fenugreek tablets
A licensed herbal medicine for the symptomatic relief of skin conditions, arthritis, coughs and minor infections in dogs and cats. This stronger sugar coated Garlic tablet has the added synergistic benefit of Fenugreek, making a superb herbal combination that when given regularly increases resistance to infections by stimulating the immune system. It is widely used to treat minor infections, such as inter-digital cysts, eczema, pyoderma, cystitis and coughs, as well as being particularly effective in the treatment of arthritis and skin complaints when given in conjunction with our Mixed Vegetable tablets. Garlic has long been renowned for its antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-viral properties and this has been confirmed by modern scientific studies, which also show its ability to help with the removal of toxins from the system.

Active Ingredients: Powdered Fenugreek 16mg, Essential Oil of Garlic 0.22mg."

http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Veterinary-Medicine/Garlic-Fenugreek-tablets


 I suppose in doing this I'm looking for a reason as to why this combination of herbal supplement works for me and other POIS sufferers. I find it interesting that it says the tablets boosts the immune system. If this is true then in theory shouldn't it make POIS symptoms worse? I personally believe fenugreek + garlic reduces inflammation and this is why it relieve POIS symptoms for many.

Got this from another site:

"Fenugreek is one of the oldest recorded plants used for medicinal purposes such as asthma, sinuses and allergy relief. Fenugreek is mainly used for all mucous and lung congestion because of its excellent expectorant, astringent and demulcent properties. Fenugreek is also used for ulcers, inflammation in the stomach and intestines, loss of appetite, gout, and for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Not just good to treat sinus, asthma and allergies but externally it can be used in poultices and packs to treat skin conditions like inflammations, boils and carbuncles.

Fenugreek soothes mucous membranes lubricating the intestinal tract, and removes sinus and bronchial congestion. Helpful in fevers and headaches. Aids the body in expelling mucus; useful for all respiratory and sinus ailments such as asthma and allergies. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) also promotes milk production in lactating women.

Safety: Avoid excessive use during pregnancy. If using insulin while taking Fenugreek, be sure to monitor blood sugar levels, in case insulin needs to be readjusted. There are no known drug interactions." http://www.danielchapterone.com/tempsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=128

The properties that interest me the most (because they may explain why fenugreek reduces my eye-burning) are the supposed astringent and demulcent properties. Astringent meaning it tends to shrink or constrict body tissues or mucous membranes. Demulcent means that it forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. The thing about controlling blood sugar level in diabetics might be relevant to me if my pain is caused by diabetic neuropathy, which I've considered before but I've never gotten tested for.

[hurray]

I've definitely noticed a reduction of POIS symptoms if my stomach is empty for maybe half a day or a day, but rather than directly trying to fast or eat less I find it easier and more effective to concentrate on finding new sources of entertainment such as new online shows (I watch shows on adultswim.com a lot since they're free), vidgames, utoob vids, chatrooms, reading about conspiracies etc. Often I find that I become so lost in various electronic entertainment that I forget to eat. Then again I guess being poor and not having much food around the house helps out quite a bit.

Sherlock Holmes once remarked "A brain works better on an empty stomach", and my personal experiences back this up. This applies inside or out of POIS. However, if I have an O on an empty stomach it's very bad news.

[Observer]

Well, i was feeling with some serious brain fog yesterday (only less than 36 hours After O.) and i ate spinachs. Never done that before, because i didn´t like spinachs(the spinachs tasted good!), and my brain fog cleared. The effect has lasted more than fenugreek or garlic, because today i ate some sweet foods, but the brain fog didn´t come as hard as before and it was perfectly tolerable.
I noticed a great reduction of symptoms, so i suggest you to eat more spinachs!!

[bruxe]

thank you

tomorrow i ll go buy 1kg

[Observer]

POIS is greatly reduced in my case with a good diet plus fenugreek PRIOR to Orgasm.

It´s more effective to prevent the auto-immune cascade than to fight against it when it´s developing. This is my conclusion.

I am having sexual intercourse but not with O. every time. Maybe one O. every 3 days(or 2 sometimes). My partner knows whats happens to me after every O. and i have decided to have O. only after i have taken fenugreek and she knows about it.

The last time(yesterday) i ate spinachs + sweet potatoes plus 2 fenugreek capsules before O., and POIS has been reduced in severity and duration. The bad old days of crazy brainfog and a tortured mind are gone. I feel remains of POIS, maybe between 10-20% of what it was, and its duration has been reduced to 24 hours (or less) to 36 hours. Sometimes POIS is more harder, like it was used to, but i can hit back with more weapons. I think that the sunny days are helping, but this is not the decisive factor(today there has been cloudy and POIS is 10-20%).

[biocentric]

OK,
My Garlic review:
 
Raw Garlic cloves                                TICK- Smelly but work
"Morrisons" Odourless Garlic Pills-             X dont work
"Hollands and Barretts" Garlic Oil Pills 5000mg TICK Smelly but they work!!
Some instant POIS relief, this is the first herb I personally have found to do this (Fenugreek wasnt as good).

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1976&prodid=486&cid=22&sid=0

I suspect the Morrison Odourless Garlic pills didnt have Allicin in it (but I am not sure). So I therefore suspect it is Allicin which is reliefing my POIS. It seems to be the odour part which is doing it but I will have to investigate this more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allicin
From http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/388826/whats_in_garlic_that_makes_it_a_powerful.html?cat=68
What's in Garlic that Makes it a Powerful Natural Medicine?
It is used to treat skin fungus infections. Others use it to alleviate toothache. Ever-present in the kitchen, garlic has always likewise been regarded as a powerful natural medicine. And being a species of the onion family, it sounds perfectly right to say, "A clove of garlic a day keeps the doctor away."

Well, you really don't need to consume an entire fresh clove each day to avoid taking that unwanted trip to your local medical center. Various scientific studies concluded that consuming even just half a clove of garlic daily may significantly lessen the risk of a number of health-related problems. Often it makes us wonder what's really in garlic that makes it such a potent cure for many diseases.

Garlic contains numerous enzymes, a number of sulfur compounds, and one particular mineral that explain its medicinal potency. The peculiar smell that garlic gives off when it is minced or masticated is caused by allicin, a pungent compound that is the major reason for the healing properties that garlic possesses. Another sulfur compound - S-allyl-cystein (a derivative of allicin) - is known to guard against certain types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. On the other hand, garlic produces an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase which helps in neutralizing harmful carcinogens. Garlic also contains selenium. This trace mineral is known to help defend body cells from damage that may lead to cancer.

When ranged against penicillin, garlic may only be about 1 percent as effectual in destroying many of the microorganisms that are known to cause diseases. However, garlic does operate against a wide range of viruses and bacteria - even some that penicillin can't kill. In some studies, it was proven that garlic can hold in check the development of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which is a known cause of stomach ulcer.

Most of the tests conducted on garlic point to the undeniable power of garlic in lowering the levels of cholesterol. In these studies, garlic manifested its ability to lower the levels of triglycerides - the blood fats considered as a risk factor for heart malady. Indications from the same studies imply that garlic can lessen the tendency of the blood to coagulate. In this way, garlic helps fend off heart attacks.

For centuries, garlic has been an important part in cooking and an essential ingredient in many food preparations. But it is believed that the many health benefits that garlic can provide may be best obtained when it is consumed in its raw state. For people who dislike the taste and smell of garlic but might want to avail themselves of its many health benefits, consider taking supplements. An ideal brand is one that guarantees the provision of approximately 5,000 micrograms of allicin.

[Samir]

I'm diabetic, so I have a blood sugar tester that I can compare pre-pois and pois blood sugar levels to see if there's any correlation.  Setting up a completely perfect test will be hard however as the diet and metabolism will need to be the same with all samples.  Anyone have any suggestions how to set this up?