XYMOGEN MedCaps IS Review
MedCaps IS 60 Capsules from XYMOGEN is presented on the page as a Proprietary Blood Glucose Formula. The product is described as an extraordinary combination of herbal and nutrient support for healthy glucose metabolism. According to the page, it features concentrates of fenugreek, gymnema and bitter gourd, together with high levels of vanadium, select B vitamins and the mineral chromium. The formula is positioned as a professional supplement sold by XYMOGEN, a brand that the page describes as offering professional formulas that exceed industry standards. The product highlights listed on the page state that the formula supports healthy glucose metabolism, supports healthy insulin sensitivity, and supports healthy blood lipid levels that are already within the normal range. These statements are marked with asterisks on the page. Directions on the page say to take two capsules daily after meals, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. The page advises consulting a healthcare practitioner prior to use, and says individuals taking medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare practitioner. Consumers are told not to use the product if the tamper seal is damaged. Storage guidance says to keep the product closed in a cool, dry place out of reach of children. The page lists the product as formulated to exclude animal products, dairy, egg, fish, gluten, GMO ingredients, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, wheat and yeast. The label information shows a UPC of 0871149000417 and a SKU of 000000000300000968. A Doctor Reference Sheet and a Certificate of Analysis are available as downloads from the page. The page describes XYMOGEN's quality approach, including environmentally controlled manufacturing and warehousing space, refrigeration, and handling and storage of ingredients and finished formulas. It states that the company gives certificates of analysis on request and that its GMP certification through industry-recognized NSF applies to its facility. On-premises quality control laboratory testing for identity, strength, quality and purity is described, along with restricted distribution. The page also notes that formulas come in single-serving pouches, stick packs, bottles, and dose and blister packaging. A SuppCo Trust Score of 9.19 out of 10, rated Excellent, is shown on the page. The TrustScore breakdown lists inactive ingredients as safe, manufacturing standards as high, testing benchmarks as high, product quality as high, and product certifications as low. The page offers an Autoship option with 10 percent savings, bringing the price to $40.49 against a one-time purchase price of $44.99.
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Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only33 human studies · 18 improved
2 of these 33 human studies gave the ingredient by drip or inhaler, not by mouth.
There is little direct evidence that this blend supports the immune system. Thiamine is at a full dose, but its supportive studies used products that combined it with other nutrients. A probiotic tablet with thiamine cut chest infections in children [1]. A seasoning powder with thiamine and other nutrients was linked to fewer illnesses in preschool children [2]. A multivitamin did not change immune signals in older adults [3]. Thiamine given into a vein made little difference to death rates in critically ill patients [4]. Niacin is well below the studied dose, and its two small studies disagreed [5][6]. Chromium studies were mixed, and a review found the human results conflicting [7][8]. Fenugreek has only animal studies [9]. In the one human trial, bitter gourd did not raise natural killer cells beyond the rise seen with radiation alone [10]. A survey did not report gymnema results separately [11]. Vanadium benefits came from two uncontrolled studies that applied it inside the nose with a mild electric current, not by mouth [12][13]. Animal studies found that vanadium weakened immune cells. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 33 studies →Hide the studies
- In 35 trials of 3494 critically ill patients, intravenous thiamine made little to no difference to death rates and slightly lengthened intensive care stay, but may have shortened shock and lowered lactate and organ failure scores.Effect of intravenous thiamine administration on critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rando…
- A review of 14 laboratory, animal and human studies found chromium lowered inflammation markers in 12 of them, but the three human studies gave conflicting results, so more trials are needed.Potential roles of chromium on inflammatory biomarkers in diabetes: A Systematic.
- In 226 preschool children, 6 months of a seasoning powder with thiamine and other micronutrients was linked to fewer respiratory and diarrhea illnesses than vitamin A alone or vitamin A plus iron.Effect of vitamin A, vitamin A plus iron and multiple micronutrient-fortified seasoning powder on infectious morbidity o…
- In 202 dialysis patients, a 12-week multinutrient supplement containing thiamine did not change fatigue or quality of life but lowered herpesvirus 7 DNA copies and improved heart rate variability versus placebo.Effects of nutritional supplementation on fatigue, and autonomic and immune dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal…
- In 100 stomach and bowel cancer patients after surgery, a nutrition formula that included chromium among other nutrients led to higher immune proteins, fewer complications and a better albumin to globulin ratio than standard feeding, but the effect of chromium alone is unknown.Plasma proteomic profiles reveal immune modulation by immunonutrition in GI cancer.
- In 60 women with cervical cancer having radiation (plus 35 healthy women as comparison), bitter melon taken for about 90 days did not change natural killer cell levels beyond the rise seen with radiation alone, though it lowered a protein (P-glycoprotein) on the cell surface.Effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn) on level and function of natural killer cells in cervical cancer patie…
- In 92 children with recurrent respiratory infections, 21 days of a probiotic tablet containing thiamine raised IgA, lowered IgE and IL-17, and cut respiratory infections about threefold over 6 months versus no treatment.[The effectiveness of BIFIFORM KIDS in the prevention of the incidence of acute respiratory infections in children].
- In 80 healthy older adults, 8 weeks of a multivitamin raised several vitamin levels but not thiamin, and did not change immune signaling molecules interleukin-2, -6 or -10.The effects of a multivitamin/mineral supplement on micronutrient status, antioxidant capacity and cytokine production i…
- In 56 children with shigellosis, 2 weeks of zinc added to a thiamine-containing multivitamin increased lymphocyte growth response and one antibody response versus multivitamin alone; thiamine itself was not tested separately.Effect of zinc supplementation on immune and inflammatory responses in pediatric patients with shigellosis.
- In 56 children with shigellosis, 2 weeks of zinc added to a thiamine-containing multivitamin improved antibody response and raised B cell counts versus multivitamin alone; thiamine itself was not tested separately.Effects of zinc supplementation as adjunct therapy on the systemic immune responses in shigellosis.
- In 40 postmenopausal women with high cholesterol, 200 micrograms of chromium daily for 12 weeks did not clearly change immune cell growth by itself, and adding copper lowered the response.The effects of chromium and copper supplementation on mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation in hypercholesterolaemic p…
- In 20 runners, a single dose of chews containing 40 mg niacinamide plus quercetin, vitamin C and fish oils taken 15 minutes before a 2-hour run did not change exercise-related inflammation or immune changes compared with placebo.The acute effect of ingesting a quercetin-based supplement on exercise-induced inflammation and immune changes in runner…
- In people with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, 500 mg of nicotinamide riboside twice daily for 4 weeks reduced Th17 immune responsiveness and raised circulating SLIT2 compared with placebo.NAD+ augmentation by nicotinamide riboside engages SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling to attenuate Th17 inflammation in psoriasis.
- In patients having major upper gastrointestinal surgery, a feed containing chromium with other nutrients did not change inflammation or nutrition markers or shorten hospital stay compared with a standard feed, possibly because the study was too small.Immunonutrition in patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective double-blind randomised contr…
- In people with rheumatoid arthritis, trivalent chromium for 12 weeks improved disease activity scores by about 26 percent compared with about 12 percent for the drug baricitinib, with fewer side effects.Trivalent chromium versus baricitinib for rheumatoid arthritis treatment: first phase 2/3 randomized controlled trial, i…
- In 67 people with allergic rhinitis, vanadium applied inside the nose by electrophoresis was reported to strengthen T-cell immunity, reduce allergic reactivity and normalize humoral immunity, with larger effects in the intermittent form; no control group or numbers were given.[Impact off treatment with intranasal electrophoresis of vanadium on the allergic reactivity and immunological indices o…
- In 65 adults aged 25 to 64 with prolonged pneumonia, vanadium electrophoresis was reported to reduce lung inflammation, strengthen cellular immunity and nonspecific resistance, and raise blood vanadium, with greater effects in focal pneumonia; no control group or numbers were given.[Influence of treatment of vanadium electrophoresis on certainbio-chemical and immunological indicators in patients with…
- In a survey of 234 adults with obesity who caught COVID-19 while taking a single-ingredient slimming product, most said the product was helpful for their infection, but the abstract does not report results for Gymnema separately from the other products.Cross-relationship between COVID-19 infection and anti-obesity products efficacy and incidence of side effects: A cross-…
- In a post-hoc analysis of 95 patients with septic shock given a vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine protocol, patients with a particular early immune pattern had lower ICU deaths and larger drops in vasopressor dose and organ failure score by day 4, but there was no untreated comparison group.Patterns of inflammatory immune responses in patients with septic shock receiving vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamin…
- In a cross-sectional study of 82 Brazilian schoolchildren, those who ate the most ultra-processed foods had higher thiamine intake, but the study did not test thiamine's effect on immune function.The influence of ultra-processed foods on gut microbiome and inflammatory markers in schoolchildren from Northeastern Br…
- People with normal cellular immunity had higher thiamine levels in blood serum and lymphocytes than people with weak cellular immunity, but this was a measurement comparison and no supplement was given.[Effect of some vitamins on activity of immunocompetent cells].
- In a retrospective before-and-after study of patients with septic shock from a belly infection, a combination of intravenous hydrocortisone, vitamin C, and thiamine was linked to faster recovery of organ function by day 7 than the earlier control period, though thiamine was not tested alone.Combined hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine therapy for septic shock with complicated intraabdominal infection:…
- In mice and in a small clinical sample, thiamine improved the energy function and killing activity of immune T cells, but the abstract does not give the human sample size, dose, or a placebo comparison.Post-traumatic stress disorder impairs CD8+ T cell-dependent anti-tumor immune responses by downregulating thiamine.
- In 112 mice breathing vanadium pentoxide for 12 weeks, spleens showed structural damage and the antibody response to a hepatitis B vaccine was weaker than in controls. This was an animal study, not a human study.Vanadium pentoxide inhalation provokes germinal center hyperplasia and suppressed humoral immune responses.
- In mice injected with bitter gourd juice, blood levels of an immune signaling chemical that drives Th1 immune responses rose more than with 33 other vegetable juices. This was an animal study, not a human trial.Induction of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and T helper 1 (Th1) immune response by bitter gourd extract.
- In female mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks, adding bitter melon reduced brain inflammation, brain oxidative stress and leakage across the blood-brain barrier. This was an animal study, not a human trial.Momordica charantia (bitter melon) attenuates high-fat diet-associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
- In mice with head and neck cancer, bitter melon extract given by mouth slowed tumor growth and reduced some immune cells that suppress tumor attack. This was an animal study, not a human trial.Immunomodulatory role of bitter melon extract in inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth.
- In mice, a modified bitter melon polysaccharide raised antioxidant enzymes and lowered markers of cell damage in blood, liver and spleen. This was an animal study, not a human trial.Preparation, analysis, antioxidant activities in vivo of phosphorylated polysaccharide from Momordica charantia.
- In diabetic mice, a bitter melon protein given by mouth for 12 weeks lowered fasting blood sugar and long-term blood sugar markers, reduced kidney fibrosis and leakage, and decreased inflammatory signals. This was an animal study, not a human trial.The novel anti-inflammatory activity of mcIRBP from Momordica charantia is associated with the improvement of diabetic n…
- In diabetic mice, a stomach-resistant peptide from bitter melon taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks lowered blood sugar and blood sugar averages, reduced kidney leakage and damage, and lowered inflammation signals linked to diabetic kidney disease. This was an animal study, not a human trial.A gastro-resistant peptide from Momordica charantia improves diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice via its novel reno-prote…
- In a laboratory study of diabetic wounds in animals, a microneedle patch containing Gymnema sylvestre extract and a healing protein closed wounds faster and reduced inflammation, but this was not tested in people.Core-Shell Microneedle Patches Co-Loaded with Gymnema Sylvestre Extract and IL-4 Accelerate Diabetic Wound Repair via In…
- In mice given vanadate after subchronic exposure, resistance to a bacterial infection got worse, because their immune cells took up and killed the bacteria less effectively.Decreased resistance to Listeria monocytogenes in mice following vanadate exposure: effects upon the function of macroph…
- Long-term low-dose vanadium in drinking water given to mice and rats reduced immune cell phagocytosis, enlarged and damaged the spleen, and affected bone growth, with stronger effects in young animals.Effects of orally administered vanadium on the immune system and bone metabolism in experimental animals.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only34 reviews · 90% positive
Public feedback on MedCaps IS is very sparse. Most retailers carry it with few or no product-specific reviews, so any themes here are tentative. The retailer pages I could reach showed no verified reviews on one listing. Another listing had a single review, so I could not find a large global review base to draw conclusions from. The one visible testimonial came from a frequent traveler. She said it helps keep her blood sugar balanced when she travels, eats plenty of carbohydrates, and has alcohol and treats. That suggests users see it as a dietary safety net for irregular eating, and they carry it with them as a routine habit. I found no complaints about pill size, taste, side effects or price in the sources I could read. Nor did I find any discussion of stomach upset, which can be a concern with vanadium, high-dose niacin or fenugreek. The two-capsule serving and the 60-count bottle, which lasts 30 days, are presented neutrally. The professional-grade positioning, with sales mainly through practitioners and authorized dispensaries, suggests buyers tend to be people already following a clinician's guidance. Because of that, they are more likely to describe the product as part of a broader plan than as a stand-alone fix. Some review blocks on the retailer pages belonged to unrelated products, such as honey, GabaMAX and an appetite-related supplement. I excluded them. Overall, the evidence is limited to a positive anecdote about convenience and perceived blood-sugar steadiness. It cannot support firm claims about effectiveness, tolerability or value. Shoppers should look for independent lab testing and clinician input, and should monitor their own glucose readings.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only8 of 10 recommend it
Every ingredient in this product is a smaller ingredient, and niacin drew the most comment, with all ten panelists touching on at least one of them. Most of the panel leans positive on niacin or its close cousin niacinamide: they take it to raise NAD, a molecule the body uses for energy, and for skin protection, with one panelist suggesting 500 milligrams twice a day of niacinamide and another taking 15 milligrams in a capsule. One panelist uses enough niacin to flush before a sauna, and one stopped prescribing niacin to patients after trials showed disappointing effects on heart events. Chromium, another smaller ingredient in this product, was recommended by two of them for blood sugar and body composition, while biotin got mixed views, with several panelists using it for hair and nails but three warning to stop it for days before blood tests because it can skew results. Fenugreek, also a smaller ingredient in this product, got one recommendation for blunting glucose spikes and one warning that it is disproven for testosterone.
See all 10 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Dr. Eric Berg · Niacin · recommends
- States that expensive NAD+ supplements only turn into $5 niacin in the body and that research has shown niacin can actually raise NAD levels in the blood 5 to 8 times their baseline levels.
- Recommends cheap flush niacin, stating that it outperforms expensive NAD supplements and even IV drips in raising NAD levels in the blood.
- States that cheap niacin, which creates a flush, ends up more in the blood than expensive NAD versions, suggesting it is more effective for unhealthy individuals.
- Niacin is linked to several areas of physical and mental health. Studies have looked at its effects on cholesterol, the heart, liver health, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
- States that thinning hair often indicates low biotin, which is required to produce keratin for hair, skin, and nails.
- Mentions that thicker white lines in a different location on nails are usually because of a vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency.
- Notes that fungus on nails, identifiable by yellowish discoloration, is an indication of low biotin due to an imbalance in the gut.
- Niacin has been studied for its connection to cholesterol, heart health, mood disorders, and liver function.
- Flushing niacin is the form used to support balanced cholesterol levels, while no-flush versions do not provide the same benefits.
- Dr. Berg mentions that fermented dairy contains vital nutrients, including biotin.
- Recommends Niacin as a top natural remedy for cholesterol.
- Dr. Eric Berg recommends biotin as a home remedy to help prevent hair loss and regrow hair.
- Recommends Niacin for anything related to cholesterol.
- States that niacin significantly lowers LDL and raises HDL.
Ben Greenfield · Chromium · neutral
- Mentions chromium as a secondary ingredient in blood sugar control products, along with vanadium and bittermelon extract.
- Put himself on a diet of chelated vanadium to help regenerate his pancreas, as vanadium was historically used for diabetes.
- States that Nrf2 activators, when combined with something like niacin, may have a good effect on plaque progression.
- Mentions nicotinamide as an ingredient found in many NAD products and notes that niacinamide and nicotinamide are structurally the same.
- Believes the niacinamide approach, along with the NAMPT/salvage pathway angle, is underrated and deserves more attention.
- Mentions niacin as a natural approach that might be good for plaque regression.
- Notes that 10X Health System's methylene blue tablets plus light stack supports energy and recovery at the cellular level by promoting healthy metabolism through niacinamide.
- Uses Niacinamide as a clean building block for NAD+ as part of NAD Regen.
- Recommends priming the skin with niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation, noting its effectiveness in reducing hyperpigmentation by 50% in an ex-girlfriend's laser burn.
- Mentions that a deficiency in niacin could lead to handling far less alcohol due to its role in detoxifying acetaldehyde.
- Mentions niacin as a supplement that can really heat the body up, leading to more sweating and detox.
- Has been impressed with and uses Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Pilen shampoo, conditioner, and serum, which contain ingredients like niacinamide, aloe vera, an amino acid complex, vanillyl butyl ether, zinc PCA, and Capilia Longa to help with hair growth, strength, and recovery.
- Recommends biotin (Vitamin B7) for supporting keratin production and strengthening hair, noting it can be found in eggs, almonds, and salmon.
- Mentions Fenugreek as an herb that seems to have an impact on testosterone.
Thomas DeLauer · Fenugreek · neutral
- Mentions that more fenugreek could be beneficial for testosterone, but it's not working on the axis that most people need help with.
- Uses niacin as part of their detoxification protocol, taking enough to flush about half an hour before a sauna session.
- Suggests chromium as a bonus add-on for insulin resistance, noting that it directly activates GLUT4 transporters, increasing their production independently of insulin, which is valuable for insulin-resistant tissue.
- Discusses niacin as an essential vitamin involved in NAD production and known for its flushing effect as a vasodilator. He also mentions its role as an agonist for GPR109A receptors, which could potentially block fat mobilization.
- Thinks biotin is a little overhyped, suggesting that consuming adequate protein is probably more effective for hair, skin, and nails. He notes that some people might be deficient, especially if consuming a lot of eggs with avidin, but doesn't consider it the 'Mecca of perfect hair'.
- Recommends chromium picolinate as a runner-up for blood sugar regulation, explaining it helps insulin receptor sensitivity, making the receptor receive signals from insulin better, even at doses of a couple hundred micrograms.
- Mentions gymnema as an herb that helps absorb sugar out of the bloodstream, linking to a video for more information.
- Notes that Niacin or Vitamin B3 can be good, but taking a lot can increase methylation, so it needs to be balanced.
- Recommends fenugreek, explaining that its galactomannan fiber gel slows emptying while 4-hydroxyisoleucine stabilizes insulin, providing a double whammy on satiety.
- Warns that taking high doses of Niacin can put a lot of burden on the methylation system.
- Discusses fenugreek as one of the popular natural options for insulin resistance and blood sugar, but notes that apple cider vinegar outperformed it in a meta-analysis for lowering fasting blood glucose and HBA1C.
- Recommends ensuring sufficient biotin intake, either through diet or supplementation, if hair and nail health is the focus, as it acts as a co-factor for collagen to organize into robust matrixes.
- Warns against taking chromium picolinate specifically for weight loss, stating that while it's an essential mineral and can help with glucose control, its impact on weight loss is weak and clinically debatable, with better effects achievable from other compounds like caffeine.
- Recommends fenugreek, taken in a capsule or as a tea, as a potent enzyme inhibitor to reduce sugar intake.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Niacin · neutral
- Explains that pellagra, which killed 100,000 Americans, was a niacin deficiency, a B vitamin.
- Lists niacin as a B vitamin cofactor that helps mitochondrial function.
- Recommends supplementing with biotin for hair follicle health and growth.
- Uses niacinamide as part of a compounded acne cream.
- Includes biotin as part of the IV drip protocol for detoxification.
- Mentions that chromium may be helpful for people with insulin resistance and that he uses it in his practice.
- States that chromium, usually found in a multivitamin, is important for blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, and detoxification.
- Mentions using chromium for blood sugar.
- States that fenugreek has been used a lot in Ayurvedic medicine and is great for blood sugar.
- Mentions biotin as one of many nutrients that can be helpful for insulin resistance.
- Mentions chromium as one of many nutrients that can be helpful for insulin resistance.
- Mentions vanadium as one of many nutrients that can be helpful for insulin resistance.
- Mentions that low testosterone can sometimes be supported with herbs like Fenugreek, which has a long history of use and research.
- Notes that 55-year-olds stacking psilocybin with niacin and lion's mane showed faster reaction times in a study.
Siim Land · Chromium · recommends
- Recommends chromium as a mineral that can lead to better body composition.
- Would take chromium for pre-diabetes.
- States that chromium, a mineral, helps with blood sugar.
- Suggests that in the mornings, NAD supplements like niacinamide can help kickstart the circadian rhythm.
- Recommends Niacinamide for skin protection, explaining it works partly through NAD metabolism that the body uses against DNA damage and is found in protein sources.
- Mentions that only specific therapies like niacin can meaningfully reduce Lp(a).
- Considers Chromium a 'pretty good' supplement due to evidence supporting its role in blood sugar regulation, cholesterol metabolism, and body composition through enhanced insulin sensitivity, and has personally used it as a bodybuilding supplement.
- Notes that Niacin notoriously raises HDL cholesterol, but this increase does not lower the risk of heart disease events, and while it can be good in many cases, very high doses can affect liver function.
- Recommends chromium picolinate for metabolic health, stating it is most beneficial for insulin sensitivity.
- Recommends niacin as a much cheaper and equally effective NAD booster compared to NMN and NR.
- Siim Land's company has published papers and filed patents for improvement in mitochondria in the skin using their core mitochondrial approach and other things like biotin.
- Warns that fenugreek, a glucose disposal agent, is an MAO inhibitor and can make him feel 'revved up' or 'overly wired' due to his slow MAO gene.
- Warns that niacin, an NAD precursor, can shorten sleep.
- Recommends taking 100-300 milligrams of niacin before a sauna session, as part of the Hubert protocol, to enhance sweating, vasodilation, and potentially detoxification and cardiovascular benefits.
Dave Asprey · Niacin · recommends
- Recommends niacin, a form of vitamin B3, as one of the two most important raw materials for NAD+ production, found in foods like beef liver, chicken, turkey, and fish, or from supplements.
- Dave Asprey recommends niacin, a form of vitamin B3, as one of the two most important raw materials for NAD+ production, found in foods like beef liver, chicken, turkey, and fish.
- Notes that niacin has been a standard longevity ingredient since the 1990s.
- States that biotin clears out oxalates.
- Recommends soaking fenugreek seeds overnight and consuming them before meals to reduce fasting glucose and post-meal glucose spikes by 5 to 20 percent, citing multiple small human trials.
- Dave discusses how niacinamide compares as an NAD precursor.
- Dave explains that niacinamide is an old-school way to mildly elevate NAD levels, and it was the only way to raise NAD in the very early days.
- Used niacin for a while to address plaque in his arteries and high LP(a), but stopped because it caused high liver values and made him feel unwell, despite dropping his LP(a).
- Lists biotin as an important nutrient for hair health.
- States that he has been using niacinamide for up to 20 years for longevity.
- Mentions that niacinamide is the very oldest way of raising NAD.
- Warns against taking biotin for a substantial period of time before lab testing, especially expensive immune stuff, because it will make results insane and doctors will think you're dying.
- Likes niacinamide, which is a precursor to NR and NMN.
- Mentions chromium as something one might take after getting off an airplane, in a hypothetical future scenario where devices are proactive.
Andrew Huberman · Biotin · neutral
- Mentions biotin.
- Reviews data on ingesting or topically applying niacinamide to improve skin's youthfulness and appearance, including reducing wrinkles, sagging, and pore size.
- Recommends niacinamide supplementation, a form of Vitamin B3, at 500 milligrams twice per day for a total of 1 gram daily, to increase ceramide production, improve skin moisture, reduce inflammation, balance oil production, and reduce the appearance of clogged pores and hyperpigmented spots.
- Discusses biotin-enriched shampoos as a potential way to offset dryness and brittleness from ketoconazole, noting that while sufficient biotin is important, it's unclear if these shampoos significantly enhance biotin incorporation into hair.
- Mentions chromium as having a mild effect on blood glucose.
- Lists Chromium as a supplement.
- Notes that chromium has been shown in 29 studies to have a minor effect on reducing blood glucose.
- Mentions Chromium in a list of ingredients.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Fenugreek · warns
- States that Fenugreek, along with tribulus and D-aspartic acid, has been disproven for its effects on testosterone.
- Advises avoiding biotin-containing supplements before a testosterone blood test as they can cross-detect with estrogens and confound results.
- States that NAD can be synthesized from the three forms of niacin, also known as vitamin B3, found in foods like lean meats, legumes, and veggies.
- She occasionally uses biotin for hair and nails, meaning about twice a week.
Peter Attia · Niacin · uses
- Peter Attia's AVIA Skincare vitamin C serum also contains niacinamide, which is useful to apply to the skin right after washing.
- Warns that biotin, found in many supplements, can completely obscure findings and render a non-LCMS test for estradiol and testosterone irrelevant due to interference with ELISA-based assays.
- Advises that if taking a biotin supplement, one should discontinue it for at least a few days, if not a week, before a blood test, as it can dramatically skew thyroid values.
- Warns that certain things, like biotin, should not be taken before a blood test because they can mess up readings.
- Used to prescribe niacin to many patients, primarily to raise HDL, lower APO B, triglycerides, LDL, and LP(a), but stopped after clinical trials showed minimal or disappointing effects on reducing cardiovascular events.
- Notes that niacin lowers LP little a but was not shown to have clinical benefit in outcome studies, and they are not currently using it.
- Recalls that a flush from niacin typically occurred with doses of a few grams.
- Explains that niacin does reduce Lp(a) levels, increase HDL, and lower triglycerides, but two large cardiovascular outcome trials have shown no cardiovascular benefits and many side effects, such as flushing. He concludes that the cost-to-benefit ratio does not support its use.
- He dives into data on the possible treatments for lowering Lp(a) such niacin, meds, and PCSK9 inhibitors.
- States that niacin is a dead drug and is not recommended by any guidelines, though some still selectively use it for Lp(a).
- Finds it silly to suggest that one needs to supplement biotin levels.
- Warns against taking high doses of nicotinamide (a form of niacin/vitamin B3) because it is an effective inhibitor of sirtuins, which are enzymes one wants to keep active for the purpose of raising NAD.
- Warns that biotin alone will not substantially improve female or male pattern hair loss, but it can make existing hairs stronger and needs to be coupled with other effective treatments.
- Peter Atia notes that some people still argue niacin makes sense because it lowers LP little-a, but he advises against it, stating that it has a weak lowering effect of about 20% and that he knows many lipidologists who would not use it.
Bryan Johnson · Biotin · neutral
- Mentions biotin as an example of an ingredient that AG1 lists with a specific dose, but then contrasts it with other ingredients in proprietary blends where doses are not disclosed.
- Recommends adequate Biotin (Vitamin B7) for hair health, noting it is in the Blueprint stack.
- Recommends Niacinamide as a supplement for skin health, noting it is in the Blueprint stack.
- He uses Niacinamide, found in serums or moisturizers, morning and night, and takes 15 mg in Blueprint Essential Capsules.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 4 for Immune Health
The evidence for immune support is thin and mixed. Thiamine's benefits come from combination products, and the other ingredients have mostly animal, uncontrolled or conflicting studies [1][7][10]. With only 34 reviews, it cannot rank above emerging.
- Emerging: not enough evidence to rank higher yet.
Where the evidence disagrees: 9 of the 33 human studies found no effect.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Immune system, Endocrine system, Metabolic system
Combine with: For immune support, MedCaps IS pairs well with vitamin D3 with K2, vitamin C, zinc, and quercetin, plus probiotics for gut-immune balance and omega-3 fish oil for a healthy inflammatory response. For heartburn, use a separate fast-acting option such as calcium carbonate chewables or an alginate (e.g., sodium alginate raft formula), and consider DGL licorice or zinc-carnosine for longer-term mucosal support. Check with a healthcare provider if heartburn is frequent or persistent.
Possible side effects: No major side effects reported in the human studies or the reviews. Animal studies found that vanadium in drinking water or inhaled air weakened immune cells and damaged the spleen.
Supplement Facts
Thiamine 100 mg · Niacin 100 mg · Biotin 10000 mcg
| Thiamine | 100 mg | |
| Niacin | 100 mg | |
| Biotin | 10,000 mcg | |
| Chromium | 1,000 mcg | |
| Fenugreek seed extract | 300 mg | † |
| Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract | 150 mg | † |
| Gymnema leaf extract | 100 mg | † |
| Vanadium | 5 mg | † |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Water, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silica.
Directions: Directions: Take two capsules daily after meals, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Barcode (UPC) 871149000417 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change
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Graded November 7, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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