The 8 amino acids
Amino Acids in Sugar Defender: Eight Small Lines at the End of the Blend
The amino acids in Sugar Defender are L-glutamine, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, beta-alanine, GABA, L-ornithine, L-tryptophan and L-carnitine, near the end of the blend. One mL holds at most about 9 to 14 mg of each. Studies with known doses used grams.
Written by the Sugar Defender label deskUpdated
On the label01
Which amino acids does the Sugar Defender label list?
The Sugar Defender label lists eight amino acids: L-glutamine, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, beta-alanine, GABA, L-ornithine, L-tryptophan and L-carnitine.
They fill the bottom of the blend, with no amounts printed (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)).
| Name on the label | L-Glutamine |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 14 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #14 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 14 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | About 15-45 g a day (sports studies) |
| Strength of evidence | Not supported for performance |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | Generally well tolerated in studied doses. |
| Name on the label | L-Tyrosine |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 15 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #15 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 13 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | No verified dose source |
| Strength of evidence | Not established |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | No verified safety source found; ask your doctor if you take thyroid or MAOI drugs. |
| Name on the label | L-Arginine Base |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 16 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #16 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 12 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | 2-20 g a day (sports studies) |
| Strength of evidence | Little or no performance benefit |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | Can lower blood pressure. |
| Name on the label | Beta-Alanine |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 17 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #17 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 12 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | 1.6-6.4 g a day |
| Strength of evidence | Mixed (exercise only) |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | Harmless tingling at 800 mg or more, unlikely here. |
| Name on the label | GABA (Gamma aminobutyric acid) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 19 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #19 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 11 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | No verified dose source |
| Strength of evidence | Not established |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | No verified safety source found. |
| Name on the label | L-Ornithine HCl |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 20 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #20 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 10 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | No verified dose source |
| Strength of evidence | Not established |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | No verified safety source found. |
| Name on the label | L-Tryptophan |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid |
| Place on the label | 21 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #21 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 10 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | No blood sugar dose established |
| Strength of evidence | Not established |
| Marketed or traditional use | Amino acid |
| Main caution | Do not combine with MAOIs or other serotonin drugs without advice. |
| Name on the label | L-Carnitine Base |
|---|---|
| What it is | Amino acid derivative |
| Place on the label | 22 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #22 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 9 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | 2-3 g a day (type 2 diabetes studies) |
| Strength of evidence | Some glucose improvement; more trials needed |
| Marketed or traditional use | Fat metabolism |
| Main caution | Fishy odor and stomach upset at about 3 g. |
Blend math02
How much of each amino acid can 1 mL of Sugar Defender hold?
Each amino acid in Sugar Defender is capped at about 9 to 14 mg per mL. They sit 14th to 22nd, and place k holds at most 200 / k mg.
Where a studied dose exists, it is in grams.
- L-glutamine: 14 mg vs 15-45 g, under 0.1% (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance)
- L-arginine: 12.5 mg vs 2-20 g, under 1%
- Beta-alanine: 12 mg vs 1.6-6.4 g, under 1%
- L-carnitine: 9 mg vs 2-3 g, under 0.5% (NIH ODS, Carnitine)
L-tryptophan03
Why does L-tryptophan in Sugar Defender need a warning?
The L-tryptophan in Sugar Defender is tiny, but it should not be mixed with MAOIs or other serotonin drugs without medical advice (Drugs.com, L-tryptophan).
That includes tramadol, dextromethorphan, 5-HTP and St. John's wort. It is likely unsafe in pregnancy.
- 1989
An outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome is tied to L-tryptophan pills: over 1,500 people ill, 37 deaths (NORD, Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome).
- November 1989
FDA recalls it nationwide; nearly all cases trace to one maker.
Never stop or change it on account of a supplement. On an antidepressant? Ask your prescriber first. See side effects.
L-carnitine04
Can the L-carnitine in Sugar Defender change blood sugar?
Not at this amount. Sugar Defender holds at most about 9 mg of L-carnitine; diabetes studies used 2-3 g a day (NIH ODS, Carnitine).
They saw some fasting-glucose gains; larger trials are needed.
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See packsL-arginine05
Can the L-arginine in Sugar Defender affect blood pressure?
Unlikely. Sugar Defender holds at most about 12.5 mg of L-arginine; slightly lower blood pressure showed up at 9-30 g a day (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
It may add to blood-pressure drugs, and after a heart attack it may raise the risk of death (MSKCC, Arginine).
Missing sources06
Which Sugar Defender amino acids have no verified source?
L-tyrosine, GABA and L-ornithine in Sugar Defender have no verified dose or safety source, so we give no dose.
On thyroid medicine or an MAOI? Ask your doctor about L-tyrosine first.
See the supplement facts.
The rest of the blend07
Where do the amino acids sit among the other Sugar Defender ingredients?
The amino acids close the Sugar Defender blend, after the plants.
The first 12 lines, all plants, must hold at least about 109 mg.
See all 23 lines on the ingredients page.
FAQ08
What do people ask about the 8 amino acids?
People most often ask: Which amino acids are in Sugar Defender? The short answer, and 5 more, open below.
Each answer starts with the direct reply, then the reason, with a source where one exists.
Which amino acids are in Sugar Defender?
Eight: L-glutamine, L-tyrosine, L-arginine, beta-alanine, GABA, L-ornithine, L-tryptophan and L-carnitine. They sit 14th to 22nd in the 200 mg blend. None has a printed amount; each is capped at about 9 to 14 mg per mL.
Is L-tryptophan safe with antidepressants?
Not without medical advice. L-tryptophan should not be combined with MAO inhibitors or other serotonin-raising drugs and supplements unless a doctor approves (Drugs.com, L-tryptophan). The drops hold at most about 9.5 mg, but ask your prescriber anyway.
Does L-carnitine help blood sugar?
Possibly a little, at much bigger doses. Studies in type 2 diabetes used 2-3 g a day and saw some fasting-glucose improvement, with larger trials still needed (NIH ODS, Carnitine). The drops hold at most about 9 mg.
Why is GABA in Sugar Defender?
The label does not say, and we found no verified source on GABA to cite for a dose or an effect in people. It is 19th of 22 in the blend, so 1 mL holds at most about 10.5 mg.
Can L-arginine lower blood pressure?
Yes, at large doses. Arginine can lower blood pressure and may add to blood-pressure medicines (MSKCC, Arginine), with slightly lower readings seen at 9-30 g a day (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance). That is thousands of times more. The drops hold at most about 12.5 mg.
Are the amino acid amounts meaningful?
Probably not. Each is capped at about 9 to 14 mg per mL, while studies with known doses used 1.6 to 45 g a day (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance) (NIH ODS, Carnitine). Even the ceilings are under 1% of the lowest studied amounts.
Who wrote this09
Who wrote and reviewed this Sugar Defender guide?
The Sugar Defender label desk wrote it from the label, the sales page and linked public sources.
A medical reviewer's name goes in the box below once a review is on file.
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. authorized Sugar Defender merchant, not by the manufacturer or the label distributor. We are paid when you buy through our order links.
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Each one starts from the same label and links its sources.
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