Written by Kathleen Jade, Naturopathic Doctor.
A number of people who have seen advertisements and anecdotal reports for Plexus Slim®, a weight loss supplement, have been smartly asking, “Is Plexus safe?” To answer this question, this article briefly reviews the known information about Plexus Slim ingredients, their amounts, Plexus Slim side effects, and any known dangers.
Is Plexus safe based on testing and research?
When evaluating the safety of a dietary supplement like Plexus, it is important to know whether the supplement itself has undergone any testing and, if so, what kind(s). Ideally, for evaluating safety, it would be best to see that Plexus itself has not only undergone testing in humans, but that the testing was done in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which both safety and efficacy were evaluated and the results were published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
While this level of research certainly exists for many supplements and natural ingredients, it was not done for Plexus. Plexus Worldwide states, “Its effectiveness has been clinically proven.” However, they do not reference this claim and they do not provide any additional information on their website to support it. A search of all the general databases for published medical research, including PubMed and Google Scholar, does not turn up any citations for studies on Plexus Slim® or on any product containing its proprietary blend of ingredients.
Since no published, human clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of Plexus Slim seem to have been conducted, there are some additional important questions that must be asked when evaluating its safety. First, are the Plexus Slim ingredients safe to consume at the recommended dosage level based on human studies? In other words, has each individual ingredient in Plexus been tested in human studies for safety? Second, if no human studies on the individual ingredients have been done, have there been any animal or laboratory toxicity studies done on Plexus Slim’s individual ingredients? And third, does Plexus contain what it says it does and nothing more/nothing less? In other words, Plexus could be unsafe if what is listed on the label does not reflect what is actually in the product because of contamination or adulteration.
Finding safe, effective supplements for weight loss
Ideally, individuals interested in supplements for weight loss should work with a practitioner trained in nutritional and botanical medicine who stays up-to-date with the scientific literature and has experience and knowledge with choosing and prescribing only the highest quality supplements. Supplement companies who take quality assurance and manufacturing practices very seriously will test all raw materials and finished products for purity and potency using scientifically valid test methods, and their supplements will be manufactured in FDA-inspected facilities and/or in facilities that exceed the FDA’s good manufacturing practices. They will also disclose the amounts of each ingredient or the total amount of a propriety blend.
On their website, Plexus Worldwide provides very little information about their quality assurance protocols or manufacturing practices, leaving questions about whether Plexus Slim is tainted or contaminated. Because of these issues and more, it is not easy to definitively know whether Plexus Slim is safe or not. Supplements can be incredibly effective tools for health and wellness, but it is best not to guess or take chances on supplements that do not disclose even basic information about ingredient sources, their amounts, quality control, and manufacturing practices.
Do your research and stay safe and healthy!
[1] Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2011; 2011: 382852.
[2] Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012; 5: 21–27.
[3] Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Mar;73(3):532-8.
[4] Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Nov;94(5):1171-81.
Plexus Client testimonials I've found who did not get the results they were looking for.
Deanna - "Day 16: Well, not going well ... I actually gained weight! So far, I'm up 2 pounds. Some serious dieting is now necessary, which when you read the Plexus docs, doesn't mention anything about. They just say, drink the drink, that's it. I missed taking the pink drink today, BTW, since I was in an all day meeting and just didn't have the opportunity to mix up the drink and drink it.
Nothing I've read has ever provided a realistic commentary on the experience. I've just seen people rave about losing 40 lbs in two weeks which just seems crazy! As an aside, about 4 years ago, I went through losing about 17 lbs which took me about 18 months to do with controlled eating and exercise. It was a slow and difficult journey, but the weight stayed off for a good 4 years. It's a slow process and I guess I'm just hoping for a short cut this time and I don't think this is it…"
From nola.com another plexus user who was not satisfied. "Although the ingredients in Plexus Slim have been shown to help with appetite control, blood sugar levels, and/or weight loss, the supplement facts label doesn't disclose how much of each of these ingredients are in a serving, so it's impossible to know if there's enough of each ingredient to be effective. Until there is more research (or a better disclosure of what is actually in the supplement), I wouldn't spend nearly $115 a month on this product."
Sandie Horton from Tupelo, Mississippi posted "I took Plexus Slim for an entire month and only lost 3 pounds... did I forget to mention that after starting it, my sleep was gone! After six days with no sleep, my ability to reason diminished and my patience with everyone and everything was turned into an "inability"! After the 7th day, I had insane diarrhea with almost zero appetite. Did I mention, I still had not slept.
Two weeks in, I was like a caged animal... foaming at the mouth and gnashing of teeth. Sleep... very little.
Three weeks in, my husband accused me of being on meth and threatened to leave me unless I sought immediate inpatient treatment for amphetamine addiction.
Probably because for THREE weeks, I paced the floors day and night and drank water like I had not seen a cool drink for days. I was exhausted to the point of no longer being able to dial a telephone number, drive my car, or carry on a conversation.
I did begin to worry (was it too late?) and honestly questioned the "advice" I got from my ambassador. She literally laughed at me and said to just give it another week. After all, they were "all losing weight" by the double digits... so, I continued.
Week 4.... I entered what I have described as a "fog". You know you are there but can't see your hand in front of your face. I had uncontrollable muscle twitching, loss of bladder control, sex drive what's that, I became light headed and dizzy, experienced loss of balance and motor skills, heart palpitations, swollen painful joints, could not wear a bra because my breast were too tender, hives across my body, and out of body experiences... probably from NO sleep! Then, I woke up 33 days after first taking Plexus Slim in the hospital at UAB!
My purpose for posting is not to put a bad spin on plexus but rather to warn others... Plexus Slim ruined one year of my life so do not think you'll get faster, better, results. For me, the junk in my trunk will have to stay!
Wendy states: "I got the trial pack after two friends of mine became ambassadors. I have had an allergic reaction, Swelling of hands and feet, itchy skin, acid stomach, and bloating so bad I felt I was having a heart attack. Now just trying to flush it all from my system."
The public needs to do their own research, do what is right for you! There are many good MLM companies out there with great products, some are not so great, take responsibility and do your homework before taking supplements or products with weight loss claims. Try eating clean and healthy with moderate exercise to get to a healthy weight and stay there... work with a healthcare professional, a registered nutritionist and trainer to help you reach your goal instead of relying on a product to do the work for you. Yes, there are supplements and powders you can use while living a healthy lifestyle to enhance your efforts, just be safe! Lynn Thier, RHN, Certified Cancer Coach and Certified Trainer
RSS Feed
