As carbohydrates and sugar become an even larger part of the modern diet, more people than ever before are at risk of developing elevated blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, the trademark signs of high blood sugar, fatigue and frequent feelings of thirst and hunger, can be mild and easily overlooked.
A healthy glucose metabolism responds to food consumption and the corresponding rise in blood sugar by producing metabolic hormones, which help transport glucose out of the bloodstream and into the body's cells for use as energy. But a diet heavy in sugar and carbohydrates can desensitize this hormonal response to blood sugar spikes from food intake, impairing the body's ability to remove glucose from the blood. This built-up resistance can lead to unhealthy blood sugar levels, energy crashes, and constant cravings.
A combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and a well-rounded supplement can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels by promoting greater sensitivity and stability in your body's metabolic response to food consumption.
How Can You Tell a Good Blood Glucose Supplement from a Bad One?
Recent studies indicate more than half of adults, and over 60% over age 50, struggle with high blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to increase as convenient, affordable fast foods and pre-packaged snacks continue to increase in popularity. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that public demand for blood sugar supplements is growing rapidly.
And yet, not all supplements are created equal. The fast-growing market for products that support healthy blood glucose levels has lured many companies to release ineffective supplements containing filler ingredients with little or no proof of efficacy. That's why our staff decided to review all the most popular blood sugar formulas today and evaluate them for safety and effectiveness. We will show you what to look for, what to avoid, and which products we determined to be the best.
In our analysis, we noticed a number of companies making exaggerated claims about the benefits their products can provide, not all of which are likely. What kind of results can you realistically expect from a blood sugar supplement?
When Will You See Results?
The ingredients in most products for healthy blood glucose levels can provide some noticeable results within 30 days. However, it may take additional time to provide healthy, stable support for your body's own metabolic hormone production.
Research suggests that 3 months of daily use helps significantly increase the likelihood of lasting improvement. Here is a reasonable timeline to expect:
- Month 1: You may experience fewer cravings, less intense sensations of hunger or thirst, and a greater feeling of satisfaction after meals.
- Month 2: You may notice fatigue starting to subside and brain fog beginning to clear, encouraging you to engage in more physical activity.
- Month 3: Peak metabolic support is reached. You may benefit from stable and sustained improvements in your energy levels, mental clarity, and overall health as you continue to maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Tip: For best results, focus on consistency. Adding an effective blood sugar supplement to your daily routine for at least 3 months promotes exponential improvement, as each dose builds on the benefits of the last.
So, what characteristics distinguish top-tier blood glucose support products from the rest of the pack?
The 5 Must-Have Ingredients for a Good Blood Sugar Supplement
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Berberine
An alkaloid compound found in plants of the barberry family, berberine has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have confirmed its ability to promote healthy blood sugar levels while also supporting optimal metabolic hormone sensitivity. Consistent daily use is essential for boosting energy and curbing cravings.
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
An antioxidant produced organically by the body, alpha lipoic acid's primary role inside every living cell is to help convert glucose into energy. When taken as a supplement, this naturally occurring fatty acid has been shown to maintain healthy glucose metabolism. By providing stable blood sugar support, alpha lipoic acid can also help avoid unpredictable energy crashes following meals.
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Chromium
Chromium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in supporting healthy blood sugar levels. While many vegetables, fruits, and whole grains contain trace amounts, more than 90% of adults do not obtain enough of this key element from their diet to maintain optimal metabolic hormone sensitivity. Through daily supplementation, higher chromium intake can help improve energy levels and clear brain fog.
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Cinnamon
Best known as a culinary spice in pastries and other sweet dishes, cinnamon has been used extensively in holistic medicine for metabolic and digestive health. Research has shown that MCHP, a polyphenolic compound contained in cinnamon bark, can help promote the natural movement of glucose from the blood into the cells after food consumption, thereby supporting balanced blood sugar levels.
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Bitter Melon
A common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine, bitter melon is a type of gourd rich in the nutrients charantin and polypeptide-p, which have been shown to help promote healthy blood sugar levels and naturally suppress hunger cravings. While the fruit itself is bitter unless brined and cooked, research shows that taking it as a dietary supplement can yield the same benefits for glucose metabolism as consuming it raw.
Perhaps even more important, there are certain red flags to be wary of when evaluating a blood sugar supplement.
Warning Signs of Potential Scams and Safety Issues
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Doses Too High for Safe, Daily Use
Many supplements promise to quickly and dramatically reduce blood sugar levels. These formulas often contain large doses of active ingredients, which can combine to rapidly lower blood sugar below safe levels and cause temporary fatigue, shakiness, or dizziness. Since maintaining healthy glucose metabolism is a delicate balancing act, it is best to start with a daily low-dose, high-efficiency formula and slowly take more, as needed. You can always take additional low-dose capsules to increase your intake, but you cannot break a high-dose capsule in half.
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Filler Ingredients
There are very few natural ingredients for blood sugar support that are both potent and safe for consumption. Other herbs and compounds intended to promote healthy blood sugar levels have little clinical evidence to back their effectiveness. Watch out for supplements that include an extensive list of ingredients to create the illusion of comprehensive support. More is not necessarily better when it comes to your health. Some of the supplements we reviewed contained more than 10 unique ingredients!
Top 5 Blood Glucose Supplements of 2024
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top blood sugar formulas available today, which provides a summary of our research and analysis:
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| Key Ingredients | |||||
| Berberine | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Chromium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cinnamon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bitter Melon | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Safety and Efficacy | |||||
| Low-Dose, High-Efficiency Formula | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| No Filler Ingredients | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Other Considerations | |||||
| No Artificial Additives | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-GMO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in a GMP-Certified Laboratory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in the USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Below, we break down our rankings and feature detailed reviews of the 5 best products for blood sugar support we analyzed, beginning with our top pick.
Pros
- Contains all 5 must-have ingredients
- Low-dose, high-efficiency formula
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Available online, but not currently sold in retail stores
The Bottom Line
We gave Glucoven by Nutreance our #1 ranking because it is the only blood sugar support supplement that meets every one of our strict criteria.
Glucoven contains all 5 of the ingredients we consider essential to support healthy glucose metabolism, including berberine, alpha lipoic acid, chromium, cinnamon, and bitter melon. The formula is free from fillers and additives and is made in the USA.
The suggested serving size of 1 capsule contains the "minimum effective dose" of each of these key active ingredients, allowing you to personalize your care and carefully establish the optimal level of support for your body. A low-dose, high-efficiency formula like this product can help realize the full benefit of healthy blood sugar balance without risking the side effects of high-dose supplements which include the "maximum tolerated dose."
It is available on Amazon.com, but we found significantly better discounts on Nutreance's website. The company also offers other products for issues related to metabolic health, including a liver health supplement and a digestive enzyme formula.
Overall, Glucoven is our top pick for blood sugar support in 2024.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
2. CinnDromeX by Xymogen
Pros
- Contains 3 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- Low-dose, high-efficiency formula
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Does not contain berberine or bitter melon
- Contains some ingredients with limited proof of efficacy
The Bottom Line
CinnDromeX by Xymogen helps maintain healthy glucose metabolism with a strong cast of ingredients, including 3 of the primary components that we look for in a low-dose blood sugar support supplement: alpha lipoic acid, chromium, and cinnamon.
Also included in the formula is an Ayurvedic herb named gymnema, which can have an intriguing effect for those watching sugar intake. For some individuals, the plant's leaves can cause the mouth to perceive sugary foods as salty and bitter, rendering them unappealing and therefore reducing consumption. However, this benefit has not been evident when gymnema is consumed as a supplement. It is only apparent when the mouth and tongue are exposed to the raw, unprocessed leaves, especially when brewed as tea.
In addition, the formula prominently features extracts from American ginseng and green tea. Unfortunately, conflicting clinical evidence exists regarding their ability to support healthy blood glucose levels. Some studies indicate that they can promote blood sugar balance, while others suggest daily use results in blood glucose imbalances. Xymogen might have been able to improve the efficacy of their formulation by substituting these 2 ingredients for more effective ones, such as berberine or bitter melon.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 3 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Does not contain berberine or bitter melon
- Very high dose of chromium
- Contains some ingredients with questionable efficacy
The Bottom Line
Diaxinol by Ortho Molecular Products features 3 core ingredients for natural blood glucose support: alpha lipoic acid, chromium, and cinnamon. It should be noted, however, that the chromium content in each serving size is quite high. Since each capsule includes 400 mcg of the mineral, the recommended dose of 2 capsules per day could lead to undesirable side effects such as headaches, shakiness, or fatigue.
Unfortunately, Diaxinol does not contain berberine or bitter melon, which numerous studies have shown to be effective in maintaining healthy glucose metabolism and blood sugar balance. Instead, the supplement prominently features biotin, a B vitamin best known for strengthening hair and nails, and vanadyl sulfate hydrate, an inorganic crystalline solid made from vanadium.
While a few commonly cited studies support biotin supplementation to promote healthy blood sugar levels in conjunction with chromium, these clinical trials suffered from small sample sizes and large standard deviations and were primarily conducted on animals. In the case of vanadyl sulfate hydrate, no published studies convincingly substantiate efficacy for blood glucose support. With better options available that are backed by robust scientific evidence, the formula's composition represents a bit of a missed opportunity.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
4. MetaGlycemX by Metagenics
Pros
- Contains 3 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Does not contain berberine or bitter melon
- Contains high doses of vitamins and minerals that are likely to conflict with a daily multivitamin
- Including 21 different active ingredients limits space for the most effective components
The Bottom Line
MetaGlycemX by Metagenics contains 3 of the most essential ingredients for natural blood glucose support: alpha lipoic acid, chromium, and cinnamon. It surrounds these central components with 18 additional vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal extracts to support healthy glucose metabolism.
In its brochure for the product, Metagenics indicates this broad spectrum of ingredients is intended to fortify a healthy diet and, in turn, help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range. However, most modern diets provide more than sufficient quantities of the vitamins and minerals contained in this formula, and studies have shown that taking above average doses provides little benefit to metabolic health. If you also use a daily multivitamin, taking MetaGlycemX in addition may increase your dietary intake of normally safe and healthy nutrients to potentially unsafe levels.
At the same time, featuring so many different ingredients geared toward overall health and wellness takes up considerable physical space in each capsule that could be allocated more efficiently. Their presence prevents the inclusion of more effective, clinically studied ingredients, such as berberine and bitter melon, which are more directly associated with the promotion of healthy blood sugar balance.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Does not contain alpha lipoic acid, chromium, or bitter melon
- Contains some ingredients with questionable efficacy
- Does not provide minimum effective doses of some ingredients
The Bottom Line
GlucoSupreme Herbal by Designs for Health contains berberine and cinnamon, 2 of the most well-researched herbal extracts for supporting healthy blood sugar levels. The product also includes 5 other exclusively plant-based extracts to promote optimal metabolic health.
Given the herbal focus of the supplement, it is understandable that Designs for Health excluded alpha lipoic acid and chromium from this blood glucose supplement. However, it is perplexing that the company chose to include American ginseng and gymnema, which lack statistically significant studies, instead of bitter melon, for which a more substantial body of clinical evidence exists.
Fenugreek, banaba, and kudzu also appear in this formulation. There is some research that suggests these 3 herbal extracts can provide some level of support for healthy glucose metabolism. However, for each of these ingredients, the minimum effective dose required to substantiate efficacy was over 1000 mg per day. Even if taking 4 capsules per day, as directed on the product label, only 800 mg of each herb is provided. While the goal of a completely plant-based blood sugar support formula is well-intentioned, its level of efficacy struggles to match the other more efficient natural supplements featured in this guide.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.