Maca and adaptogens
Maca, Eleuthero and Astragalus in Sugar Defender: Three Roots, Big Energy Claims, Thin Evidence
Maca, eleuthero and astragalus are three roots sold as adaptogens, and they sit 1st, 5th and 6th in Sugar Defender's 200 mg blend. No amounts are printed. Maca has a few small human trials on other topics, eleuthero's glucose data come from animals, and astragalus lacks reliable evidence for any condition.
Written by the Sugar Defender label deskUpdated
The roots01
What are maca, eleuthero and astragalus?
Maca, eleuthero and astragalus are three traditional roots. Supplement sellers often group them as "adaptogens".
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is an Andean root eaten as food. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a shrub root sold as "Siberian ginseng". Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a root from Chinese tradition.
"Adaptogen" is a marketing and traditional term for herbs said to help the body handle stress. It is not a medical category, and it promises no specific effect.
Label math02
How much maca, eleuthero and astragalus is in one dropper?
The label prints no amount for any of the three. Their places in the blend give only rough limits.
Maca is listed first, so it is the largest share. The top line cannot be below the average, so maca holds at least about 9 mg per mL.
Eleuthero is 5th, so at most 40 mg. Astragalus is 6th, so at most about 33 mg. Lines are listed most to least by weight (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)).
| Root | Place of 22 | What the order tells you | Blood sugar trials in people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maca root extract | 1 | The largest share; at least about 9 mg | None described (MSKCC, Maca) |
| Eleuthero root extract | 5 | At most 40 mg | Animal data only (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)) |
| Astragalus root extract | 6 | At most about 33 mg | Low-quality add-on studies (NCCIH, Astragalus) |
Maca root03
What does maca root do?
Maca root has only a few small human trials, mostly on sexual function and menopause symptoms. Reviews rate the evidence as limited (MSKCC, Maca).
Memorial Sloan Kettering does not describe any blood sugar benefit (MSKCC, Maca). The sales page still says maca "Boosts Your Energy" (Sugar Defender sales page).
Maca may not be safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding. People with hormone-sensitive cancers should talk to a provider (MSKCC, Maca).
Being first means maca outweighs every other blend line. It does not mean the dose matches any study.
Eleuthero04
Is eleuthero good for energy or blood sugar?
Neither is shown in people. Eleuthero's blood sugar findings come only from animal studies, and human research is limited (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
On energy, small studies found little or no performance benefit. Short-term use appears safe (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
The sales line "Increases Energy & Reduces Fatigue" (Sugar Defender sales page) goes beyond that data.
Digoxin users, take note
A case report found eleuthero raised blood digoxin levels. It may also make digoxin tests read falsely high (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Astragalus root05
What is astragalus root used for?
Astragalus root is a traditional Chinese herb. NCCIH finds no sufficient reliable evidence that it helps any health condition (NCCIH, Astragalus).
A 2024 review of mostly low-quality studies suggested added glucose lowering when astragalus was combined with metformin (NCCIH, Astragalus). That points to a possible stacking effect with a drug, not a stand-alone benefit.
People with autoimmune diseases should avoid it. It may interact with immune-suppressing medicines (NCCIH, Astragalus).
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See packsEnergy claims06
Do adaptogens help blood sugar or energy?
Not on the evidence we found. None of the three roots has solid human data for blood sugar, and the energy claims rest on very little.
If the drops feel energizing, the likelier source is caffeine. Guarana and green tea sit in the same blend (MSKCC, Guarana).
"Increases Energy & Reduces Fatigue"
Little or no performance benefit in small studies (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
Never trade a diabetes medicine for herbs. Tell your care team about every root in the blend.
For what does move the numbers, read insulin resistance basics and Sugar Defender claims vs evidence.
Profiles07
What do the three root profiles show?
Each profile sets one panel line beside research, evidence and its main caution.
| Name on the label | Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Lepidium meyenii, Andean root |
| Place on the label | 1 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #1 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 200 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | Studied for other uses, not blood sugar |
| Strength of evidence | No blood sugar trials |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional Andean food and tonic |
| Main caution | May not be safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
| Name on the label | Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Siberian ginseng root |
| Place on the label | 5 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #5 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 40 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | 800 mg a day in one trial |
| Strength of evidence | No effect in rigorous studies |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional tonic |
| Main caution | Can raise digoxin levels. |
| Name on the label | Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Astragalus membranaceus root |
| Place on the label | 6 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #6 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 33 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | No blood sugar dose established |
| Strength of evidence | Not established |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional Chinese herb |
| Main caution | Avoid with autoimmune disease or immune-suppressing drugs. |
Other lines08
Which Sugar Defender ingredients come next in the blend?
Grape seed and guarana follow maca, and green tea follows astragalus.
See the full ingredients list or pick a line below.
FAQ09
Adaptogen questions, answered
What does adaptogen mean?
Adaptogen is a traditional and marketing term for herbs said to help the body cope with stress. It is not a medical or regulatory category, and it does not promise any measured effect. Maca, eleuthero and astragalus are often sold under that label, including in Sugar Defender's blend.
Does maca root give you energy?
The evidence is thin. MSK says maca has only a few small human trials, mostly on sexual function and menopause, and rates the evidence as limited (MSKCC, Maca). The sales page's "Boosts Your Energy" line is not backed by a trial of the drops.
Is eleuthero safe with digoxin?
Ask your doctor first. A case report found eleuthero raised blood digoxin levels, and it may cause falsely high digoxin test results (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). Sugar Defender lists eleuthero root 5th of 22 in its blend, so anyone on digoxin should show the label to their cardiologist or pharmacist.
Can astragalus be taken with metformin?
Only with your doctor's input. A 2024 review of mostly low-quality studies suggested astragalus added glucose lowering on top of metformin (NCCIH, Astragalus), so the two may stack. Keep taking metformin as prescribed and tell your care team before you start any product with astragalus.
Do adaptogens help blood sugar?
There is no reliable human evidence that they do. Eleuthero's glucose data come from animals (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)), maca has no blood sugar trials described (MSKCC, Maca), and NCCIH finds no reliable evidence that astragalus helps any condition (NCCIH, Astragalus). Lifestyle change has far stronger support (NIDDK, Diabetes Prevention Program).
Why is maca listed first on the Sugar Defender label?
Blend lines must appear from most to least by weight (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)), so maca is the largest single share of the 200 mg. That means at least about 9 mg per mL. The label does not say why the formula leans on maca, and no amount is printed.
Who wrote this10
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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