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GABA Supplements and Blood Sugar: Early Research in Context
A GABA supplement blood sugar benefit has not been shown. GABA is nineteenth of 22 lines in the Sugar Defender blend, so one mL holds at most 10.5 mg. The USP safety review we cite covers safety, not glucose results, and it flags a possible drop in blood pressure.
Written by the Sugar Defender label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The ingredient01
What is GABA in Sugar Defender?
GABA, short for gamma-aminobutyric acid, is an amino acid-like compound. Sugar Defender lists it nineteenth, near the bottom of the 22-line blend.
The label prints no amount. An even split is about 9 mg per mL, and a nineteenth place line can hold at most 200 divided by 19, or 10.5 mg.
Only L-ornithine, L-tryptophan and L-carnitine rank lower.
The research02
Does GABA affect blood sugar?
Not in any way the sources we cite can show. The United States Pharmacopeia reviewed GABA for safety, and glucose outcomes were not its question (Oketch-Rabah et al., Nutrients 2021 (USP GABA review)).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| No serious events up to | 120 mg a day for 12 weeks |
| Most in 1 mL of the drops | 10.5 mg |
The reviewed daily intake is about 11 times the most a single mL could hold. Any effect from the drops would be small.
Sales page03
What does the sales page claim about GABA?
Nothing. GABA is not among the eight ingredients the sales page praises. The lines it does print show how the copy compares with the research.
- 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
What are the side effects of GABA?
The USP review found a transient, moderate drop in blood pressure, under 10%, in some studies (Oketch-Rabah et al., Nutrients 2021 (USP GABA review)).
The reviewers say use with blood pressure medicines could raise the risk of low blood pressure, and they urge caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The label says to see a physician first if you take any medication. Keep taking prescribed medicine. We cite no sleep trial, so we make no sleep claim.
If you try it05
Where can you order Sugar Defender?
Official orders go through the order page, with a 60-day money-back guarantee and free US shipping on 3 or 6 bottles.
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 packsThe eight amino acids are compared on the amino acid page, and the mix is explained in how it works.
FAQ06
Sugar Defender questions people ask
Is GABA the same as an amino acid?
It is closely related. GABA is made from glutamate and sits at the end of the blend next to true amino acids such as L-ornithine.
Can GABA lower blood pressure?
In some studies it caused a small, short drop of under 10%. Anyone on a blood pressure medicine should ask a prescriber before using it (Oketch-Rabah et al., Nutrients 2021 (USP GABA review)).
How much GABA does one dropper hold?
At most 10.5 mg. GABA is nineteenth of 22 lines, so the ceiling is 200 mg divided by 19, and the real amount is not printed.
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.
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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.
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