Plexus is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that has gained popularity for its range of dietary supplements, particularly those marketed for weight loss. Among their offerings are the well-known "pink drinks," such as Plexus Slim Hunger Control and Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating, as well as products like Plexus Block and Plexus MetaBurn. This article delves into the ingredients, potential benefits, side effects, and safety concerns associated with Plexus weight loss supplements, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering these products.
What is Plexus?
Plexus is a supplement company that sells a variety of products designed to help improve overall health. Over the past few years, Plexus has expanded its offerings to include products for gut health, weight loss, and skin care. Plexus operates using a multilevel marketing (MLM) structure. This means that products are largely marketed and sold by brand ambassadors. 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.
Plexus Products for Weight Loss
Plexus offers a range of products marketed for weight management, often sold in combination packages. These include:
- Plexus Slim Hunger Control/Microbiome Activating: These "pink drinks" are powdered supplements designed to be mixed with water and consumed before meals to suppress appetite and support gut health.
- Plexus Lean: A protein powder available in chocolate and vanilla flavors, as well as whey and vegan protein options. It's designed to be used as a meal replacement.
- Plexus MetaBurn: Capsules that claim to support fat burning and boost energy levels.
- Plexus Block: Marketed as a supplement to lower the glycemic index of food and reduce carbohydrate absorption.
- Plexus Active/Hydrate: Drink mixes intended to boost hydration or energy levels.
- Plexus BioCleanse: Capsules that claim to help reduce gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
- Plexus ProBio 5: Capsules included in the Advanced combo.
Ingredients and Nutritional Information
Let's take a closer look at the key ingredients and nutritional information of some of the main Plexus weight management products:
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.
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Chocolate Lean Whey (per 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 (per 2 scoops/40 grams):
- 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 (per 2 scoops/48 grams prepared with water):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 11 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
Vanilla Lean Vegan (per 2 scoops/48 grams):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Sugar: 1 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
Key ingredients in Plexus Lean include:
- rBGH-free whey protein (Whey shakes): A combination of whey concentrate and whey isolate proteins to support lean muscle growth. Research supports the use of whey protein for supporting muscle mass and benefits in body composition.
- Vegan protein blend (Vegan shakes): A protein blend made from pea and almond proteins. 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.
- Flax seeds: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce the risk of some diseases.
- Vitamins and minerals: Lean also contains 21 vitamins and minerals.
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).
Plexus Slim Hunger Control (per 1 packet):
- Calories: 15
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 8 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating (per 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 include:
- Polydextrose (Slim Hunger Control): A soluble fiber that may improve postprandial blood sugar levels, decrease overall caloric intake by enhancing satiety, and improve overall bowel function.
- Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) (Slim Microbiome Activating): Prebiotics intended to support gut health.
- Green coffee bean extract: Some studies suggest that green coffee bean extract can promote weight loss in the short term, but the amount lost has been insignificant.
- Chromium polynicotinate: An essential mineral that plays an important role in breaking down carbs, fat, and protein.
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.
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Key ingredients include:
- Brown seaweed blend: 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.
- 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.
Reported Benefits
Plexus ambassadors often claim that the products offer various benefits beyond weight loss, such as:
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Less pain
- Stabilized blood sugar levels (originally developed for diabetics)
Scientific Evidence and Effectiveness
While Plexus promotes its products with various claims, it's crucial to examine the scientific evidence supporting these claims:
- 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.
- Individual Ingredients: Some individual ingredients in Plexus products have shown potential benefits in studies, such as green coffee bean extract, alpha lipoic acid, and chromium. However, these studies often have limitations, and the effects may be small.
- Lack of Clinical Research: Importantly, no clinical research has evaluated Plexus products as a whole for safety or side effects, except for the company's own testing.
Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns
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.
Case Report: Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia
A case report highlighted a potential link between Plexus and drug-induced immune thrombocytopenic purpura (DITP). A 30-year-old female presented with easy bruising and thrombocytopenia after taking Plexus-SLIM® as a weight loss supplement. The supplement contained garcinia cambogia fruit extract and chromium polynicotinate, both of which have been implicated in thrombocytopenia.
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The patient was diagnosed with ITP and treated with Prednisone and IVIG, which improved her platelet count. While a definitive link between Plexus and ITP wasn't established, the case underscores the importance of considering dietary supplements as potential causes of DITP.
Other Potential Side Effects
- Garcinia cambogia: Has been postulated as a potential cause of hepatotoxicity when consumed in sufficient amounts.
- Chromium polynicotinate: Has been linked to potential pathogenic side effects, including renal failure, thrombocytopenia, liver toxicity, and hemolytic anemia.
Safety Concerns
- Lack of FDA Approval: Health and weight loss supplements - like Plexus - are not regulated by the FDA, which means they don't have to prove they're safe or effective to be on the market.
- No Third-Party Testing: No specific research supports the safety of Plexus supplements, and they are not third-party tested.
- Contraindications: 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.
Plexus and the FDA
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. 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 (2).
Cost and Sustainability
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. 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.
Customer Reviews and BBB Rating
Plexus Worldwide currently have a high rating on the Better Business Bureau, but only because it seems that they created a new profile, leaving past negative reviews under a previous listing. Overall, the company has mostly mixed reviews. Some customers report positive experiences with increased energy and improved stomach issues, while others report ineffectiveness and negative side effects.
Recommendations
Before taking any Plexus products, it is essential to:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Discuss the ingredients and potential risks with your doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
- Be aware of potential side effects: Monitor your body for any adverse reactions and discontinue use if you experience discomfort.
- Consider alternative weight loss strategies: Explore evidence-based approaches to weight loss, such as diet and exercise, and consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
- Be wary of exaggerated claims: Approach Plexus's marketing claims with skepticism, as they are not always supported by scientific evidence.