Plexus is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that has gained popularity for its “pink drinks,” such as Plexus Slim Hunger Control or Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating, marketed as powdered supplements meant to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss. Over the past few years, the company’s product line has greatly expanded to include items like the Plexus Block, which is purported to help metabolize carbohydrates, and Plexus MetaBurn, which claims to boost metabolism and burn fat. This article delves into the ingredients, effectiveness, and safety of popular Plexus weight loss products.
Plexus: An Overview
Plexus is a supplement company that sells a variety of products designed to help improve overall health, with a focus on weight loss regimens and bold health claims. Plexus grew in popularity thanks to its “pink drink.” In recent years, Plexus has expanded its offerings to include products for gut health, weight loss, and skin care. Even more recently, the company has begun offering Plexus Pivotal, a 90-day program that includes weekly tips, recipes, workouts, and motivation designed to help customers stay on track with the products.
Plexus operates using a multilevel marketing (MLM) structure. This means that products are largely marketed and sold by brand ambassadors. Like many other MLMs, the company makes extravagant claims about brand ambassadors’ profit-making capability. This can be dangerous, as brand ambassadors often recommend products to new customers despite lacking proper education on nutrition and supplements. The company is also known to make bold claims regarding the effectiveness of its products without clinical evidence or third-party testing to support them. Furthermore, in 2020, Plexus received a letter of warning from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in regards to social media posts that claimed that Plexus products could help treat or prevent COVID-19.
Plexus Weight Management Combos and Products
Plexus offers three weight management product combinations, including Weight Loss Basics, Weight Loss Plus, and Weight Loss Advanced. The cost varies depending on which combination package you purchase and whether you’re a VIP customer. Plexus weight management combos are designed to provide 30-days-worth of product and vary in the types of products included. VIP customers pay a $9.95 sign-up fee along with an annual $19.95 annual fee in order to receive up to 25% off products. Additionally, all customers have the option to sign up for a monthly subscription with a 10% discount after the first two consecutive subscription orders.
Here are the products found in various weight loss combos:
Read also: Is the Plexus Diet Safe?
- Plexus Lean: Lean is a protein powder that comes in both chocolate and vanilla flavors, as well as either whey or vegan protein. These powders come in a variety of flavors and are recommended to be mixed with water and consumed 30-60 minutes before a meal twice a day.
- Slim Hunger Control: Slim Hunger Control is a delicious blood orange, lemon, lime flavour. Slim Hunger Control is purported to suppress appetite. Plexus® uses flavours that are extracted from actual fruit. Typically, the proteins that could cause an allergic reaction would be removed during extraction.
- Slim Microbiome Activating: The Microbiome Activating powder claims to support gut health.
- MetaBurn: These capsules claim to support fat burning and boost energy levels. Individuals are encouraged to take one capsule, twice a day.
- Active or Hydrate: These drink mixes are included in the Plus and Advanced combos and are claimed to help boost either hydration (Hydrate) or energy levels (Active). They’re designed to be mixed with water and be consumed at any time.
- BioCleanse: These capsules are included in the Advanced combo and claim to help reduce gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort. Individuals are instructed to take 2 capsules with 8 ounces (236.6 mL) of water twice daily between meals.
- The ProBio 5: These capsule are also included in the Advanced combo.
While there are instructions on how to take each of the products, and even recommendations for decreasing meal replacement shakes once you reach your weight goal, there are no guidelines for how long to continue taking these products for.
Ingredients and Nutritional Information
Here’s a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts of the main Plexus weight management products, including Plexus Lean, Slim Hunger Control and Microbiome Activating, MetaBurn, and Block.
Plexus Lean
Plexus Lean is designed to be used as a meal replacement for 2 meals per day for weight loss, or for 1 meal per day for weight maintenance.
Nutritional Information:
- Chocolate Lean Whey (2 scoops, 40 grams):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated fat: 1.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Sugar: 3 grams (includes 1 gram of added sugar)
- Protein: 21 grams
- Vanilla Lean Whey:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Saturated fat: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 11 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Total sugars 3 grams (includes 1 gram of added sugar)
- Protein: 21 grams
- Chocolate Lean Vegan (2 scoops, 48 grams, prepared with water):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Saturated fat:.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 11 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
- Vanilla Lean Vegan:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated fat:.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Sugar: 1 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
Key Ingredients:
- rBGH-free whey protein: The Lean Whey shakes are made with a combination of whey concentrate and whey isolate proteins and are meant to support lean muscle growth. Research supports the use of whey protein, or other complete sources of protein, like chicken or beef, for supporting muscle mass and benefits in body composition.
- Vegan protein blend: The vegan variety of the Lean shake contains a protein blend made from pea and almond proteins, rather than whey protein, which is derived from cows. Research shows pea protein to be beneficial for supporting lean muscle mass, and some studies have found it to be comparable to whey protein for improving body composition.
- Digestive Enzymes: Research shows that some individuals, such as those with a lactose intolerance or cystic fibrosis, may benefit from digestive enzymes . However, it’s unclear if digestive enzymes offer the same effect in those without lactose intolerance or another gastrointestinal condition.
- Other ingredients: Lean also contains 21 vitamins and minerals. Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce the risk of some disease, such as heart disease, cancer, and some neurological disorders . Both the whey and vegan Lean products are sweetened with coconut sugar and stevia leaf extract.
Plexus Slim Hunger Control and Microbiome Activating
All weight loss combos come with a choice of either Plexus Slim Hunger Control or Microbiome Activating powder. The main difference between the two is that the Hunger Control contains polydextrose, a type of soluble fiber, while Microbiome Activating contains prebiotics called xylooligosaccharides (XOS).
Nutritional Information:
- Plexus Slim Hunger Control (1 packet):
- Calories: 15
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 8 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Plexus Microbiome Activating (1 packet):
- Calories: 5
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Key Ingredients:
- Slim Hunger Control (Polydextrose): Plexus claims that Slim Hunger Control is designed to help individuals feel full, thanks to its polydextrose content. Polydextrose is a soluble fiber that’s commonly used as a bulking agent and thickener in commercial food products . Some research suggests that polydextrose may improve postprandial blood sugar levels (blood sugar levels after a meal), decrease overall caloric intake by enhancing satiety, and improve overall bowel function . However, the review includes both animal and human studies. Furthermore, there’s currently no research supporting the company’s claim that green coffee bean extract decreases the body’s absorption of sugars.
- Chromax Chromium Picolinate: Also present in Slim Hunger Control and Microbiome Activating, chromium picolinate is an ingredient that’s often found in weight loss supplements due to its role in nutrient metabolism. While some research supports the use of chromium supplements for aiding weight loss, more studies are needed .
Plexus Block
Plexus Block is marketed as supplement that can lower the glycemic index of food and reduce the absorption of carbohydrates. Plexus recommends taking two capsules a day, ideally before your highest carbohydrate meal.
Read also: Plexus Side Effects: What to Know
Key Ingredients:
- Brown seaweed blend and white kidney bean extract: Plexus claims the brown seaweed blend and white kidney bean extract in Plexus Block reduces the glycemic index of foods, thereby helping reduce blood sugar spikes after eating. Some test-tube studies suggest that brown seaweed may help in the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome, as well as other diseases, by aiding in blood sugar management. However, human clinical trials are lacking in quality and have shown varied results . White kidney bean extract contains alpha-amylase inhibitor, which blocks the absorption of carbohydrates. However, it’s unclear whether white kidney bean extract has a significant effect on carbohydrate absorption and weight loss . Lastly, it’s important to note that this is a proprietary blend, which means the exact amounts of ingredients are not disclosed.
Effectiveness of Plexus for Weight Loss
Plexus may be effective for weight loss, particularly because it encourages you to consume fewer calories each day. However, it’s likely too low in calories for adults. Most adults should consume at least 1,500 calories per day, and prolonged low calorie intake can harm your metabolism . Even if you see initial weight loss on this type of diet, it’s most likely from water loss and you’ll likely gain the weight back once the diet ends.
According to Plexus, participants will receive weekly content that educates them on building healthy habits.The program could be helpful for someone who is independent and feels confident tackling weight loss on their own or has already sought other support.However, research shows that strategies such as keeping a food diary, maintaining a good support system, and setting goals are some of the most effective methods for successful weight loss. So, for someone just getting started, this program may not be enough .
Additionally, diet and lifestyle sustainability are important for success. Research shows that adherence to a diet, rather than the specific diet itself, is important for success . Anyone considering Plexus should also consider whether it’s financially feasible long-term. The packages are relatively costly, and the company provides few guidelines on how long to take the products. Therefore, you may find this weight loss approach difficult to maintain over time.
Safety and Side Effects
There’s no research supporting the safety of Plexus supplements. Some customers complain of side effects after taking Plexus products, including bloating, gas, nausea, stomach ache, and constipation. There have also been reports of more serious negative outcomes, including one person who developed a blood disorder known as secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after consuming Plexus Slim . However, Plexus products haven’t officially been proven to be the cause of more serious side effects, such as ITP.
Due to a lack of research on the safety of the products, Plexus supplements shouldn’t be consumed by children or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s also important to consult a healthcare professional before trying any new supplement.
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FDA Approval and Regulation of Supplements
The FDA regulates supplements differently from foods and medicines. Foods and medicines must be proven safe before manufacturers can make them available to consumers. However, the FDA does not have the authority to approve supplements for safety before they are widely sold. This is true of all supplements, not just Plexus products . This is because there are no legal provisions for the FDA to approve supplements before they reach consumers.
Alternatives to Plexus
If you’ve been trying to lose weight without success, you might consider seeking the opinion of a healthcare professional, such as your doctor, or a registered dietitian. Because no research-based evidence supports the use of Plexus supplements for weight loss, you may have more success working with a professional who can help you set realistic goals and build sustainable habits informed by your needs and dietary restrictions.
Additionally, some individuals have reported experiencing side effects after using Plexus supplements. If you’ve been using the products and are noticing any side effects, such as gas, nausea, or other stomach discomfort, it’s a good idea to stop using the supplements immediately and consult a healthcare professional.