Blog
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) and Blood Sugar: What the Research Says
Eleuthero for blood sugar has animal support only. Sugar Defender lists eleuthero root fifth, so one mL holds at most 40 mg. Human studies are limited, small exercise trials found little or no benefit, and a case report linked the herb to higher digoxin levels.
Written by the Sugar Defender label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The plant01
What is eleuthero, and is it Siberian ginseng?
Eleuthero is a shrub whose root is sold as "Siberian ginseng". It is a different plant from Panax ginseng, even with the shared nickname.
Sugar Defender lists both. Eleuthero root is fifth of 22 blend lines, and Panax ginseng root extract is twelfth.
| Root | Label place | Most per mL |
|---|---|---|
| Eleuthero | 5th | 40 mg |
| Panax ginseng | 12th | 17 mg |
Both ceilings come from 200 mg divided by the place number. The real amounts are not printed.
The research02
What does research say about eleuthero and blood sugar?
Little, and none of it in people. Blood sugar findings on eleuthero come only from animal studies, and human studies are limited (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
In exercise research, small studies of Panax ginseng and eleuthero showed little or no performance benefit (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance). Short-term use appears safe in those trials.
Panax ginseng has more human data, including 16 trials that found a modest fasting glucose change and no A1C change (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014). That evidence does not transfer to eleuthero.
Sales page03
Does eleuthero increase energy, as the sales page says?
The sales page says eleuthero "Increases Energy & Reduces Fatigue". The small trials above found little to support it.
- Sales headline“The #1 Rated Blood Sugar Formula”No ranking source, rating body or trial is named. No trial has tested Sugar Defender. (Sugar Defender sales page) (FTC, Health Products Compliance Guidance)
- Ingredient count“24 proven ingredients”The page then names 8. The label has 23 lines: chromium plus a 22-ingredient blend, with only one amount printed. (Sugar Defender sales page) (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR))
- Science headline“New Breakthrough in Blood Sugar Science”No published study of the drops is cited. NCCIH finds little evidence that supplements help diabetes. (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements) (FTC, Health Products Compliance Guidance)
- PromiseSupports healthy glucose levels and “natural weight loss”No product trial. The weight-loss ingredients (African mango, forskolin, raspberry ketone, capsaicin) have weak or no evidence alone. (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss) (ADA, Vitamins & Supplements)
- Chromium copyChromium “Reduces Obesity & Lowers Blood Pressure”Glucose studies used 200-1,000 mcg a day with mixed results. One dropper has 0.7 mcg. (NIH ODS, Chromium)
- Bonus titleAn e-book called “Learn How to Manage Type II Diabetes”A book title, not a property of the drops. No supplement treats diabetes; care stays with your doctor. (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements) (FDA, Illegally Sold Diabetes Treatments)
- Popularity line“96% Of Customers Order 6 Bottles”No source or sample size is given, so it cannot be checked. (FTC, How To Evaluate Online Reviews)
- Bottle band“Blood Sugar Support Formula” with the FDA statementStructure/function wording, allowed with the FDA statement. It is not a disease claim. (FDA, Using Dietary Supplements)
Claims as printed on the sales page (Sugar Defender sales page) and the label. Health claims need competent and reliable scientific evidence, generally human trials of the same product (FTC, Health Products Compliance Guidance).
Sugar Defender: from $49 a bottle60 mL · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsCautions04
Who should be careful with eleuthero?
People who take digoxin should be careful. A case report found eleuthero raised blood digoxin levels, and the herb may cause falsely high digoxin test results (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Tell your pharmacist about every supplement. Pregnant or nursing women and anyone under 18 are told by the label to see a physician or skip the drops.
Keep taking prescribed medicine. A root blend is not a replacement for diabetes care.
If you try it05
What do Sugar Defender packs cost?
Two bottles cost $158 plus shipping, and larger packs ship free in the US with a 60-day money-back guarantee on official orders.
Sugar Defender: from $49 a bottle60 mL · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsSee the adaptogens page for maca and astragalus, or Panax ginseng for the other root.
FAQ06
Sugar Defender questions people ask
Is Siberian ginseng a true ginseng?
No. Eleuthero is a separate plant that is sold under the Siberian ginseng name. Panax ginseng, the Asian ginseng, is its own species and has its own studies (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng).
Can eleuthero affect a digoxin blood test?
Yes, it may. A case report found eleuthero raised digoxin levels, and the herb may give falsely high test results, so tell your prescriber (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Are the berries in the photo used in Sugar Defender?
No. The label lists eleuthero root. The berry cluster is how the brand's image set shows the plant.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Isugardefender, a Sugar Defender U.S. shop, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about Sugar Defender
Sugar Defender U.S. shop
Ready to try Sugar Defender?
Check your medicines first, then pick a pack. Three or six bottles ship free in the US and cost less per bottle, and every pack carries the 60-day money-back guarantee.
- Secure checkout on the order page
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Ships from the U.S.; free on 3 or 6