Herbalife is a multilevel marketing (MLM) company that sells nutritional supplements and personal care products in more than 90 countries around the world. One of its products is the Herbalife weight loss program, which uses meal replacement shakes and dietary supplements to help people slim down.
While quick-fix diets like the Herbalife program can help people lose weight in the short term, they can be expensive and are often not sustainable.
This article provides a comprehensive review of Herbalife, including how it works, benefits, downsides, a sample menu, and more.
Herbalife Products and Programs
Though Herbalife is best known for its meal replacement and protein shakes, the company has continued to expand its product offerings. Some of the most popular products are:
- Formula 1 Select meal replacement shakes (known as the “core” products)
- Formula 2 and 3 supplements (multivitamin and antioxidant capsules)
- protein powders and bars
- herbal weight loss teas
- protein bars
- aloe products
- fiber, prebiotic, and probiotic supplements
- sports nutrition supplements
- vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements
- skin care products
By far, Herbalife’s most popular product is the Formula 1 Select meal replacement shake. It comes in a variety of flavors, such as French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Cookies n’ Cream, Wild Berry, Café Latte, Banana Caramel, Pralines and Cream, and Natural Vanilla.
Read also: Is the Herbalife Diet Right for You?
There are three versions to choose from (3):
- Quickstart Program: includes one container each of Formula 1 Select meal-replacement shake, Formula 2 multivitamins, Formula 3 Cell Activator antioxidant capsules, and a powdered Herbal Tea Concentrate
- Advanced Program: includes everything from the Quickstart Program plus two more supplements - Cell-U-Loss for reducing fluid retention and Total Control for boosting your metabolism and energy levels
- Ultimate Program: includes everything from the Advanced Program plus two additional supplements - Snack Defense for blood sugar management and Aminogen for digestion
These programs cost roughly $125-$241 per month.
How the Herbalife Diet Works
The Herbalife diet is designed to help people lose weight by reducing calorie intake with meal replacement shakes and boosting metabolism with supplements.
Following the Herbalife diet is relatively easy. You simply replace two meals each day with Herbalife shakes and take the supplements that come with the program you purchased. There are no dietary restrictions on the Herbalife diet, but people following the diet are generally advised to drink plenty of water and eat small, frequent meals and snacks that include fruits and vegetables.
There are no official recommendations for how long to stay on the Herbalife diet, but most people continue until they reach their weight loss goal.
Read also: A Detailed Look at Herbalife
Ingredients in Herbalife Products
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients found in some of Herbalife's popular products:
Weight Management Products:
- Formula 1 Shake Mix (Healthy Meal Weight Control): Soy protein, fructose, cellulose powder, corn bran, guar gum, minerals, rice fiber, soy lecithin, canola oil, carrageenan, medium chain triglycerides, citrus pectin, psyllium husk powder, ginger root powder, proteases of Aspergillus, honey powder, ascorbic acid, dl-alpha tocopherol, papaya fruit, carotene, pantothenate, bromelain, papain powder, folic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin, cholecalciferol, cyanocobalamin and several minerals.
- Prolessa Duo (Weight control): Safflower, palm and oat oils; glucose syrup, sodium caseinate, silicon dioxide, ascorbyl palmitate, phosphates, soy lecithin, tocopherols, natural flavors
- Total Control (Weight control): Ginger root, green tea leaf, oolong tea leaf, black tea leaf, and pomegranate rind powder extracts
- Cell-U-Loss (Weight control): Corn silk (134 mg), parsley herb (10 mg), dandelion leaf (10 mg) and asparagus root extracts (5 mg); sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium
Supplements:
- Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex (Healthy diet): Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and B12; thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin and pantothenic acid; calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium zinc, selenium, copper, manganese and chromium; potassium, vanadium, lycopene, and proprietary“herbal blend”
- Formula 3 Cell Activator (Healthy diet): Alpha lipoic acid (150 mg), aloe vera concentrate (52 mg), shiitake mushroom (15 mg), pomegranate rind extract (11 mg), Rhodiola root extract (10 mg), dried pine bark extract (2 mg), resveratrol (0.9 mg)
Heart Health Products:
- Tri-shield (Heart health): Vitamin E (2 IU), Neptune Krill Oil (300 mg), Omega-3 fatty acids (45 mg).
- Core Complex with CoQ10 Plus (Heart health): Vitamin D (600 IU), E (18 IU), B6 (4 mg) and B12 (12 mg), marine lipid complex (fish oil: 1.5 g), phytosterol esters (1.3 g), omega-3 fatty acids (717 mg), Neptune Krill Oil (300 mg), hawthorn fruit extract (30 mg), coenzyme Q10 (100 mg)
- Herbalifeline (Heart health): Vitamin E (8 IU), marine lipid complex (fish oil: 758 mg), Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish Oil: 336 mg)
- Niteworks Powder Mix (Heart health): Vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (200 IU), folate (400 mcg), calcium (66 mg), proprietary protein blend (L-arginine, L-citruline: 5.2 g), L-taurine (300 mg), lemon balm extract (50 mg), alpha lipoic acid (10 mg)
- Mega Garlic Plus (Heart health): Vitamin C (70 mg), calcium (44 mg), phosphorus (34 mg), garlic power (600 mg)
- CoQ10 Plus Softgel (Heart health): Vitamin D (600 IU), coenzyme Q10 (100 mg), docosahexaenoic acid (from Algal oil: 100 mg), Hawthorn fruit extract (30 mg)
Women's Health Products:
- Xtra-Cal Advanced (Women’s health): Vitamin D (134 IU), calcium (334 mg), magnesium (67 mg), zinc (2.5 mg), copper (.33 mg), manganese (.33 mg), boron (167 mg), herbal blend (20 mg) [tumeric root and rose hips powder]
- Woman’s Choice (Women’s health): Soy isoflavone (150 mg), kudzu extract (75 mg), chaste berry extract (40 mg)
- Triple Berry Complex (Women’s health): Cranberry Powder (510 mg), bilberry extract (51 mg), blueberry powder (51 mg)
- Tang Kuei Plus (Women’s health): Vitamin C (8 mg), Tang Kuei root extract (200 mg), passion flower extract (30 mg)
Men's Health Products:
- Ultimate Prostate Formula (Men’s health): Vitamin E (12.5 IU), selenium (12.5 mcg), saw palmetto lipid extract (160 mg), pumpkin seed oil (50 mg), lycopene (tomato extract: 0.5 mg)
- Male Factor 1000 (Men’s health): Vitamin C (50 mg), calcium carbonate (96 mg), male factor blend (380 mg): [Green Oat, Nettle Leaf, Sea Buckthorn Juice, Clycine, Dextrose, Asian Ginseng, Eleuthero Extract]
- Prelox Blue (Male sexual performance enhancer): Protein (2 g), L-arginine, aspartic acid, L-taurine, pycnogenol (dried pine bark extract)
Children's Health Products:
- Kid’s Shakes (Children’s health): Soy protein, fructose, sugar, maize dextrin, whey protein. Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc
- Multivites (Children’s health): Vitamins A (2500 IU), C, D, E, B6 and B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc
- Kindermins (Children’s health): Vitamin A (1500 IU), C, D, E, B6 and B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron (7.5 mg), magnesium, zinc
Other Products:
- Joint Support Advanced (Joint health): Selenium (23.3 mcg), copper (0.33 mg), manganese (0.67 mg), glucosamine (500 mg), Scutellaria baicalensis extract (160 mg)
- Ocular Defense Formula (Ocular health): Vitamin A (1250 IU), C (80 mg), and E (7.5 IU), selenium (22.5 mcg), copper (0.45 mg), lutein (6 mg).
- Active Fiber Complex (Digestive health): Sugarcane fiber, maize dextrin, maltodextrin, citrus fiber, soy fiber, inulin, carboxymethycellulose, silicon dioxide (total 5 g of fiber)
- Herbal Aloe Powder & Concentrate (Digestive health): Aloe vera concentrate (inner leaf)
- Florafiber (Digestive health): Cellulose powder, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, stearic acid, apple pectin, psyllium seed, lactobacillus acidophilus
- 21 day Herbal Cleansing Program (Digestive health): Calcium (150 mg), herbal blend of milk thistle extract, insulin, beet root, lactobacillus acidophilus, hesperidin complex, apple pectin, lemon pectin, chamomile extract
- Garden 7 Phytonutrient Supplement (Immune health): Vitamin A (1676 IU) and C (65 mg), calcium, riboflavin, garlic, carrot, broccoli and spinach powder, Hesperidin, quercetin, grape skin and cranberry extract, allicin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin
- RoseGuard (Environmental toxin defense): Vitamin A (2500 IU), C (30 mg) and E (15 IU), calcium (33 mg), Astragalus root (510 mg), rosemary leaf (210 mg) and turmeric root (80 mg) extracts.
- Schizandra Plus (Immune support): Vitamin A (2500 IU), C (40 mg), E (20 IU) and B6 (10 mg); calcium (16 mg) and selenium (35 mcg).
Cost of Herbalife Products
Herbalife products vary in price depending on the products you use and whether you buy them as part of a program.
Here are the costs of some of the company’s top-selling products (3):
- Formula 1 Select meal replacement shake: $43.30 for 30 servings
- Formula 2 capsules: $26.40 for a 30-day supply
- Formula 3 capsules: $28.95 for a 30-day supply
- Protein Drink mix: $53.10 for 30 servings
- Herbalife24 Enhanced Protein Powder: $81.60 for 20 servings
- Herbal Aloe Concentrate: $121.95 for 1/2 gallon (1.89 liters)
- Active Fiber Complex: $30.30 for 30 servings
- Protein Bar Deluxe: $27.70 for 14 bars
Here are the average monthly costs if you opt for one of Herbalife’s weight loss programs:
- Quickstart Program: $125.05 per month
- Advanced Program: $189.40 per month
- Ultimate Program: $240.95 per month
Keep in mind that you may need to purchase another Formula 1 container each month (an additional $43.30) if you have more than one serving per day.
Read also: Benefits of Herbalife
Potential Benefits of Herbalife
There haven’t been any studies on the full Herbalife weight loss program, but the meal replacement shakes may help with short-term weight loss.
Herbalife meal replacement shakes
The Herbalife Formula 1 Select shakes are intended to replace a meal or snack. Herbalife recommends mixing the shakes with nonfat milk or soy beverage, which will further increase the protein and nutrient content.
One serving (2 scoops, or 25 grams) of Formula 1 Select shake mix contains (3, 4):
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 10 grams
- Fat: 1 gram
- Carbs: 13 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Sugar: 6 grams
When mixed with 8 ounces (240 mL) of nonfat milk, the mix provides 170 calories and 17 grams of protein per serving.
Research on meal replacement shakes presents some considerations that you may want to keep in mind:
- They may contribute to weight loss, especially in the short term: Studies show that meal replacement shakes may help with weight loss when used for up to 1 year. Research suggests that they may be more effective for short-term weight loss than traditional low calorie diets (5, 6).
- People on Herbalife may lose 1 pound per week, at least early on: Herbalife sponsored one 2009 study on the effectiveness of Herbalife shakes. The researchers found that people who replaced 2 meals per day with Herbalife shakes lost an average of 12.5 pounds (5 kg) in 12 weeks (7).
- Research on the long-term benefits and drawbacks of meal replacement shakes is lacking: However, one review suggests that they may help prevent weight gain over several years (5).
- Limited research has found that people may maintain weight loss: Another study found that people who used meal replacement shakes for 3 years lost 5-10% of their initial body weight and maintained that loss. The authors note that if participants had discontinued the meal replacement shakes, they would have needed to pursue other weight loss and maintenance strategies, such as low calorie meal preparation and behavioral counseling (8).
Overall, research suggests that meal replacement shakes can help people to lose weight in the short term, but additional diet and lifestyle strategies are necessary for long-term weight loss and maintenance.
Herbalife supplements
The supplements recommended in the Herbalife weight loss programs include:
- Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex: a standard multivitamin with several minerals for general nutrition
- Formula 3 Cell Activator: a supplement with alpha-lipoic acid, aloe vera, pomegranate, rhodiola, pine bark, and resveratrol that claims to support nutrient absorption, metabolism, and mitochondrial health
- Herbal Tea Concentrate: a powdered drink mix with tea extracts and caffeine that’s meant to provide extra energy and antioxidant support
- Total Control: a supplement containing caffeine, ginger, three kinds of tea (green, black, and oolong), and pomegranate rind that claims to boost energy
- Cell-U-Loss: a supplement containing electrolytes, corn silk extract, parsley, dandelion, and asparagus root that’s meant to reduce water retention
- Snack Defense: a supplement containing chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract that claims to support carbohydrate metabolism
- Aminogen: a supplement containing protease enzymes, which are said to improve protein digestion
While these supplements contain ingredients that may help with energy, metabolism, or weight loss, there have been no studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these Herbalife products specifically.
Convenience
In addition to aiding weight loss, the program is popular because of how easy and convenient it is to follow. Here are a few reasons the brand appeals to some people:
- It’s not time-intensive: Meal replacement shakes like the ones used in the Herbalife diet can dramatically cut down the time required for meal prep. They don’t even require a trip to the grocery store.
- The products are easy to prepare: To make the shake, all you have to do is mix 2 scoops of powder with 8 ounces (240 mL) of nonfat milk and enjoy. You can also blend the powder with ice or fruit for a smoothie-style drink.
- Herbalife has options for people with allergies and sensitivities: Herbalife offers an alternative meal replacement shake called Protein Drink Mix Select that’s made with pea, rice, and sesame proteins, which could be an option for those with allergies or sensitivities to soy or cow’s milk (9).
- The products are made without genetically modified ingredients: Herbalife works for those who wish to avoid GMOs.
Potential Heart Health Benefits
Some research suggests that eating soy protein may lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease (10). However, most of the benefits are linked to soy products high in isoflavones, a type of health-promoting polyphenols. Highly processed soy products such as soy protein isolate may lose as much as 90% of their isoflavone content (11). Therefore, it’s unknown how much benefit these shakes will actually provide. It’s likely that you’d need to include additional soy foods in your diet.
Downsides of Herbalife
While the Herbalife diet program has some benefits, it also has quite a few downsides.
Highly Processed Shakes
Herbalife meal replacement shakes are made with highly processed ingredients, including protein isolates, added sugars, gums, artificial flavors, and emulsifiers (12). They also contain a variety of added vitamins and minerals to make up for the nutrients these processed ingredients lack.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that the Formula 1 shakes are very high in sugar - 40% of the calories in each serving (before adding milk) come from added sugars, primarily fructose. In fact, fructose powder is the second main ingredient (12).
The World Health Organization recommends getting no more than 5-10% of your daily calories from added sugars, which equates to roughly 25-50 grams (6-12 teaspoons) per day for the average adult (13). Two servings of the Herbalife shake provide more than 20 grams of added sugar, leaving very little room for other sources throughout the day (12).
It’s generally advisable to get your nutrients from less processed foods, such as high quality proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Low Calorie Content
Although Herbalife shakes are described as meal replacement shakes, they don’t contain enough calories to constitute a true meal. When mixed with nonfat milk, each shake has just 170 calories, which will likely leave you feeling very hungry throughout the day and could make sticking to the diet difficult.
Blending the shake with fruit can help increase the calorie and fiber content but won’t add any protein or fat to keep you satisfied.
Cost
Each container of Herbalife meal replacement mix contains 30 servings and costs $43. Consuming Herbalife’s recommended 2 shakes per day equates to roughly $86 per month for the shakes alone, not including the cost of supplements or additional groceries, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Depending on what you usually eat, replacing two meals per day with shakes might save you money on groceries. However, these savings may not be significant enough to justify the additional expense of smoothies and supplements.
Potential Liver Damage
Herbalife weight loss programs recommend several supplements that contain a myriad of ingredients. It’s important to watch for symptoms of negative reactions to supplements, as they can happen.
Supplements such as those from Herbalife are usually not tested for effectiveness, and no government agency regulates their quality or purity. Herbal products account for up to 20% of liver injuries in the United States (14).
There have been several reports of suspected liver damage attributed to Herbalife weight loss supplements, sometimes requiring liver transplants or even resulting in death (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). Some Herbalife products have been contaminated with an overgrowth of the bacteria B. subtilis, which is also linked to liver damage (21).
Nonetheless, claims about Herbalife causing liver damage should be taken with a grain of salt. Many people consume Herbalife products without adverse effects, and other products, such as over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements, can also cause liver problems. One older study funded by Herbalife showed that protein-rich diets supplemented with Herbalife Formula 1 didn’t adversely affect liver function (22).
A 2011 review also cautioned against unsubstantiated claims that Herbalife products cause liver damage. The authors noted many limitations in liver toxicity cases - such as concurrent use of other herbal supplements or medications - and emphasized that there’s insufficient evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship (23).
Considering that herbal products account for up to 20% of liver injury instances in the United States, it’s unclear whether the risks associated with Herbalife products are any greater than those of other supplements (14).
Ultimately, it’s unknown whether Herbalife products pose any greater risk than other herbal supplements. Therefore, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before taking Herbalife products.
Not Suitable for Everyone
The Herbalife diet program is not appropriate for everyone. People with allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances to the ingredients in the shakes or supplements should not follow this program.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid the program, because many of the products’ ingredients may not be safe during these stages of life. Plus, the shakes are nutritionally inadequate to support the demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Finally, if you’re taking medications or have a medical condition, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional.
Herbalife: MLM Controversy and FTC Fine
Herbalife is one of the biggest weight loss brands in the world and has been around for more than 40 years (1). While many people enjoy Herbalife products, the brand has come under tremendous scrutiny for being an MLM company.
MLM models are not illegal, but they are predatory and often make false and extravagant claims about participants’ profit-making capability. In addition, Herbalife’s doesn’t have a completely clean track record. It has been fined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC fined Herbalife $200 million in 2016 for deceiving consumers into believing they could make large amounts of money from selling Herbalife products. The company was also required to restructure its business design to provide fairer compensation (2). Because of Herbalife’s poor reputation with the FTC and research that shows MLM companies are financial liabilities for 75% of the people who participate in them, Herbalife failed Healthline’s rigorous vetting process.