If you compare supplements, you will see the same ingredients again and again: berberine, cinnamon bark extract, Siberian ginseng, chromium, magnesium and vitamin D3. Knowing what each one is helps you understand why a product contains it, and choose the one that is right for you.
Berberine
What it is: a natural compound found in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal and Oregon grape. It has a bright yellow color and a bitter taste.
Why it is popular: berberine has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practice for a long time and is one of the most studied plant compounds in modern research, which is why it appears in many wellness formulas.
What to know: berberine can interact with several medications, including medicines for blood sugar and blood pressure. Some people notice stomach upset. Ask your doctor before using it if you take any prescription medication, and avoid it if you are pregnant or nursing.
Cinnamon bark extract
What it is: an extract from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, the same spice in your kitchen, in a concentrated form.
Why it is popular: cinnamon has been part of traditional diets and herbal practice for centuries and is a common ingredient in formulas designed around healthy eating.
What to know: extracts are more concentrated than kitchen cinnamon. If you take medication, talk to your doctor first.
Siberian ginseng (eleuthero)
What it is: the root of Eleutherococcus senticosus, a shrub from Northeast Asia. Despite the name, it is a different plant from Asian (Panax) ginseng.
Why it is popular: it has a long history in traditional herbal use in Russia and Asia.
Chromium
What it is: an essential trace mineral. Your body needs only tiny amounts, which you normally get from foods like broccoli, whole grains and meat.
Why it is popular: chromium plays a role in how the body uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins, so it is often included in formulas built around healthy eating.
Magnesium
What it is: an essential mineral involved in hundreds of processes in the body, including muscle and nerve function.
Why it is popular: many adults do not get the recommended amount of magnesium from food alone.
Vitamin D3
What it is: the form of vitamin D your skin makes from sunlight. It is also found in fatty fish and egg yolks.
Why it is popular: people who spend most of their time indoors or live in places with little winter sun often look to add vitamin D to their routine.
How to compare products that use these ingredients
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Check the amounts. Look for the dose of each nutrient (for example, vitamin D3 in IU, magnesium in mg).
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Look at the daily directions. 2 capsules once a day and 2 capsules three times a day are very different amounts.
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Compare price per bottle across pack sizes.
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Talk to your doctor if you take any medication, especially for blood sugar or blood pressure.
Products on our store with these ingredients
Sweet Relief Glycogen Support lists cinnamon bark extract, Siberian ginseng root extract, berberine HCl, vitamin D3 (2,000 IU), magnesium (142 mg) and chromium on its label. Read our Sweet Relief guide for directions and pack prices.
This article is for general education. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
