Update 8/21/19 The Plexus Slim Accelerator Plus supplement (Accelerator +) is said to have “Synergistic benefits help increase the effectiveness of Plexus Slim.” The product is also claimed to “increase energy”, “suppress appetite” and “speed up weight loss and fat inches.” Sounds good, but does it work? Is it safe? Accelerator Plus is a new formula that is significantly different from the original Accelerator formula. It contains new ingredients. By the end of this review, you will have a better understanding of whether Accelerator Plus is right for you.
Who Makes Accelerator Plus?
The Accelerator Plus supplement is a product of Plexus WorldWide Inc. which is located in Arizona. I cover the company and other things in my review of Plexus Slim so do read that for additional information. When this review was created, the Better Business Bureau gives Plexus WorldWide a rating of A+. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
Plexus Accelerator+ Ingredients
According to the bottle, Plexus Slim Accelerator Plus has the following ingredients:
| Niacin (Niacinamide) | 20 mg 100% DV |
| Vitamin B6 | 30 mg 1500% DV |
| Folic acid | 400 mcg (100% DV) |
| Vitamin B12 | 500 mcg 8334% DV |
| Calcium (Calcium glycinate) | 16 mg 2% DV |
| Chromium (Chromium picolinate) | 150 mg 125% DV |
| Proprietary blend, composed of: | 950 mg |
| Yerba mate leaf extract | |
| Higenamine | |
| Hordenine | |
| Hawthorne leaf extract | |
| 5 HTP | |
| Green tea leaf extract |
mg=milligrams. mcg=micrograms
DV=Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie per day diet.
Other ingredients listed
- Hemicellulose (vegetable capsule)
- Rice flower
- Magnesium stearate
- Titanium dioxide
Previously, the product also contained NuFlow which was used to stabilize the powder in the Accelerator and prevent it from clumping. NuFlow is no longer listed.
Accelerator Plus Research
I searched the Plexus Slim website for research on the Accelerator but did not find any. The product website has stated that:
“When taken with Plexus Slim, the Accelerator + helps speed up weight loss or helps people overcome weight plateaus.”
But, they offer no proof that the combination of these products provides any added benefits over Plexus Slim alone. If we go back to the In the non-published clinical trial on Plexus Slim, it appears that the 8 people in the trial did not use the Accelerator but rather only Plexus Slim alone.
Tip. For more on the Plexus Slim clinical trial, see my review of Plexus Slim New Formula.
So, where is the proof that the Accelerator Plus adds any benefits to Plexus Slim alone?
Since the Accelerator Plus supplement appears to have no published peer-reviewed studies on it, let's now analyze the product by its ingredients and see what we can learn. I will show the weight loss research on each ingredient ―with an emphasis on the Accelerator's proprietary blend ―and in this way, hopefully, shed some light on what might be going on.
The Vitamins and Minerals
The Accelerator Plus supplement contains these vitamins and minerals:
I don’t believe any of these ingredients contributes significantly to the product. That said, I do want to touch on a couple of the ingredients because they show up a lot in other supplements.
1. Niacin
The form of niacin used in Accelerator Plus is niacinamide. Some people report flushing of the face after taking niacin but niacinamide should not do this.
Niacinamide is getting very sexy in the anti-aging world. See the Nicotinimide Rriboside review for more insights.
2. Vitamin B12
The Accelerator Plus supplement has 500 mcg of this vitamin which is 8334% more than people need to be healthy. In some circles, vitamin B12 is thought to help people lose weight ― despite any proof that it does. For more info see my review on Vitamin B12 and weight loss.
Vitamin B12 might also be found in weight loss supplements because some medications that treat diabetes can deplete B12 levels. Since people who take weight loss products may have type II diabetes and take these types of medications, on the surface, it might seem logical to add vitamin B12. That said since we store vitamin B12, it often a couple of years for a deficiency to show up.
While the lack of B12 may make people feel tired (due to anemia), vitamin B12 supplements do not boost energy levels in those who are not lacking in this nutrient.
2. Chromium Picolinate
Chromium is often used in weight loss supplements because of some evidence that it might help insulin work better, and in this way help reduce blood sugar levels. This is actually somewhat controversial because not all research supports that chromium works. For example, in this 2012 study, insulin was less efficient (in other words, insulin didn’t work as well) in those who received chromium picolinate.
For more information, see my review of Chromium Picolinate and Weight loss.
Accelerator Plus Proprietary Blend
I will list the relevant weight loss research on the ingredients in the proprietary blend in order as they appear on the Accelerator Plus label. This is because ingredients are often listed in order of abundance. In other words, since yerba mate is the first ingredient in the list, the Accelerator Plus likely contains the most of this and the least green tea extract, since this ingredient is listed last.
Yerba Mate
Its scientific name is Ilex paraguariensis. In some studies, it's also called “yerba mate.” I searched the national library of medicine for:
- “Yerba mate and weight loss”
Most of the studies I saw involved giving yerba mate to lab rats or mice. Since I'm not a big fan of mice or rat studies as the sole basis for the use of supplements, I'll only briefly list them here:
What about people? I didn’t see any human studies showing that herba mate helping people lose weight. What's up with that? Herba mate contains caffeine and this may be why it's in Accelerator Plus.
In this 2001 study titled, Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients, a solution containing yerba mate, guarana and Damiana, was noted to help people lose weight. But this study isn't relevant to our discussion because it involved the use of other herbs that are not found in Accelerator Plus.
Higenamine
This is a phytochemical that is also a heart stimulant. It is also sometimes called Norcoclaurine. Searching for clinical databases for:
- Higenamine and weight loss
- Higenamine obesity
- Higenamine metabolism
does not show any studies showing this compound works.
In one investigation, researchers noted that a supplement that contained higenamine, given to 16 healthy people, increased calorie burning and the amount of fat being used for fuel. While this is an interesting study, the supplement used also contained caffeine and Yohimbe. Since Accelerator Plus does not contain Yohimbe, this study is not relevant.
Tip. For more on yohimbe, see my review of the male sex supplement Androzene.
Another reason why I don’t feel the study is relevant is that the people tested were “healthy” and in their 20s. What about people who are not healthy and older?
Hordenine
Hordenine is also a phytochemical extract. It's derived from barley. It scientific name is Hordeum vulgare. Hordenine is a stimulant. Technically, compounds like this are called sympathomimetic because they mimic the effects of adrenaline. This means hordenine seems to have some stimulant properties. In an attempt to determine if hordenine helped weight loss, I searched clinical databases for:
- Hordenine obesity
- Hordenine weight loss
- Hordeum vulgare weight loss
- Hordeum vulgare obesity
I found no studies showing if hordenine helped weight loss in humans or lab animals. Granted, lack of evidence does not necessarily mean something doesn’t work, but it makes me wonder if hordenine was chosen to be an ingredient in Accelerator Plus specifically because of its alleged stimulant properties?
See this for more insights on hordenine
Hawthorne
The scientific name for this herb is Crataegus monogyna. Accelerator Plus actually lists “hawthorn leaf extract” as an ingredient, but they don’t tell us what extract of the hawthorn leaf they use. This makes evaluating the herb difficult because different extract might have different effects.
Hawthorn is said to make the heart pump better and because of this, the herb was used in some settings to help, a serious medical condition called congestive heart failure. How much it helps is open to debate. In one study, hawthorn appeared to make heart problems worse.
Warning: Do not self medicate with hawthorn if you have heart problems. Speak to your doctor first. See the side effects section for more information on hawthorn.
While there is no evidence that hawthorn helps weight loss, because of its effects on heart pumping, I speculate the idea behind why this herb is in Accelerator Plus is for this reason: A heart that pumps more blood also pumps more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, in the hopes that this will give people more energy. This is my guess given the premise of what Accelerator Plus is supposed to do.
I've seen hawthorn in other supplements I've looked at before such as:
- Zi Xiu Tang (weight loss supplement)
- Slim Trim U (weight loss supplement)
- Avalowerin (blood pressure supplement)
I've also written a review of Hawthorn as well.
5-HTP
The scientific name for this is 5-hydroxytryptophan. As the name suggests, 5 HTP is derived from tryptophan, a non-essential amino acid that we naturally make every day. 5 HTP helps us make a brain chemical called serotonin. Elevated serotonin levels appear to improve mood as well as reduce appetite.
In fact, some weight loss drugs such as Belviq, and the now banned drug, sibutramine, function by raising serotonin levels.
There is some evidence that 5 HTP might help weight loss in people. In a small 1998 study titled Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, 750 mg of 5HTP a day for 2 weeks, lost weight and reduced their intake of carbs and fats.
These results were similar to a small 1992 study involving 20 overweight women, where 900 mg of 5 HTP for 12 weeks resulted in weight loss and carb intake.
In a 1989 study titled, The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects, 19 women were given 5 HTP or a placebo for five weeks. In this study 5 HTP caused the women to lose weight and eat less food. The amount of 5 HTP used in this study was 8 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Tip. A kilogram is 2.2 pounds. So, for a 200 pound person in this study, this would equal 200 / 2.2 =91 kg and 91 kg x 8 mg = 727 mg per day.
How much 5HTP is in Accelerator Plus? They don’t tell us but I'm guessing it is less than used in these three studies. This because the entire proprietary blend of all the ingredients in Accelerator Plus only adds up to 950 mg, and 5HTP is near the bottom of the ingredients list. This says to me that there is probably little 5HTP. Maybe less would work just as well, I don’t know?
Green Tea Leaf Extract
Green tea contains many compounds and we are not told what extract of the green tea leaf Accelerator Plus contains. Could the extract used by caffeine? Green tea also contains other compounds such as theobromine and Theophylline which have some structural similarities to caffeine.
See the supplements and liver damage review.
Accelerator Plus Stimulant Ingredients:
- Herba mate
- Higenamine
- Hordenine (maybe)
- Caffeine (if it contains caffeine)
Summary of Ingredient Actions
Looking at the ingredients in the proprietary blend as a whole, they seem to fall into two categories:
- Those that act as stimulants
- Those that might raise serotonin levels
This is analogous to how some weight loss drugs work are supposed to work. That said, how effective the combination of ingredients in Accelerator Plus would be, I can't say since there doesn’t appear to be any published research on the product.
Ingredients With Evidence
Based on the research, it appears that 5 HTP has the most human evidence that it might help some people lose weight. That's not to say 5 HTP is a slam dunk because there aren't a lot of studies, but there is more in support of 5 HTP than the other ingredients.
Theoretically, is possible that weight loss benefits might be greater with the combination of ingredients in Accelerator Plus but without proof, it's hard to say.
Accelerator Plus And Plexus Slim: Better Together?
On the product website, the claim was made that Plexus Accelerator Plus has “Synergistic benefits help increase the effectiveness of Plexus Slim.” But the company provides no proof that this is true. Even in the clinical study used to tout the effectiveness of Plexus Slim, there is no mention of any Accelerator used.
Theoretically, if the Plexus Accelerator plus does what it's touted to do, there may be an enhanced effect, but until somebody tests the combination against Plexus Slim alone, it's anyone's guess.
Accelerator Plus vs. The Old Accelerator
Remember, Accelerator Plus is the new version of Plexus Accelerator. I cover the ingredients in the original Plexus Accelerator, in my review of Plexus Slim, so read that for additional information, but here is a quick side-by-side comparison of the old Accelerator vs. the new Plexus Accelerator Plus for those who were curious:
|
Accelerator Plus ingredients |
Old Accelerator formula |
| Niacin (Niacinamide) | Calcium |
| Vitamin B6 | Magnesium |
| Vitamin B12 | Dark chocolate |
| Calcium | Natural caffeine |
| Chromium picolinate | Green tea extract |
| Yerba mate leaf extract | Vanadium chelate |
| Higenamine | B-Phenylethylamine HCl |
| Hordenine | Gerana X* |
| Hawthorne | |
| 5 HTP | |
| Green tea leaf extract | |
*See my review of Plexus Slim for more about the ingredient called Gerana X
Comparing both old and new products side-by-side, it appears that the only ingredients that the Accelerator + has in common with the old formula are:
- Green tea
- Calcium
Buy Accelerator+
Plexus Accelerator is not available in stores like Target, Walmart, Costco, CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid. It can only be purchased by Plexus Ambassitors or on the Plexus website.
How Much Is Accelerator+?
The supplement costs $39.95 for a one month supply. This price is valid if you are only ordering for a single month. If you go on auto-shipments, the price is $33.95.
Here is Plexus supplements on Amazon
Accelerator Plus Side Effects
I'm not a fan of stimulant-based weight loss supplements. I think the risks outweigh the benefits. I feel the same way about stimulant weight loss drugs too. If you are have experienced any side effects from Accelerator Plus please leave a comment so others can benefit.
Here are some things to consider when taking this supplement. This list is not complete:
- If you have any problems with your heart, blood pressure, kidneys or liver, speak to your doctor first. Show them the ingredients. If they are not familiar with the ingredients, show them to a pharmacist or dietitian.
- If you take ANY medications, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian first.
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- The product may cause irregular heart beating
- Don't use if you take any blood thinner medications
- Don't take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Since Yerba mate contains caffeine, it might increase blood pressure in some people. In a 2013 review of Yerba mate and cancer research studies titled Maté consumption and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis, researchers noted that consumption of yerba mate was associated with cancer of the esophagus.
There is some evidence that hordenine might cause a false positive test result for opiate use. Because hordenine can have a stimulating effect, theoretically, it might increase heart rate and blood pressure, although I can't find any evidence that it does. See the Kratom review for more insights.
Some research suggests smokers who use yerba mate may be at a greater risk of cancer than non-smokers. Would capsules that contained yerba mate for short periods of time do the same thing? This is unknown.
Higenamine can accelerate heart rate, and as far as I can tell, it has not been adequately tested in humans for safety.
The Plexus Slim website has said this about the Accelerator Plus:
Warnings: Plexus Worldwide, Inc. products are not intended for expectant or nursing mothers. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or any other cardiovascular condition, please consult with a physician before taking this product. Not intended for children under the age of 18. Avoid taking Plexus Worldwide, Inc. products with cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, PPA, or products containing high amounts of caffeine. Before starting this or any other supplementation, consult a physician first. If unpleasant effects occur, discontinue use.
Given the ingredients in the product, I think these cautions are appropriate. Here is a shortlist of theoretical issues that occurred to me as I was writing this review.
Hawthorn can interact with high blood pressure medications. I believe people who have:
- Heart problems
- Blood pressure problems
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
or who take medications for these health issues, should speak to their doctor before taking hawthorn or supplements that contain this herb. Since many of those who take this Plexus Slim supplement may be overweight, it's possible they may have some of these health problems.
Some people have reported heart palpitations and dizziness after taking the hawthorn. Hawthorn can also interact with many types of medications such as those used to treat high blood pressure. Because Plexus Slim does not tell us the hawthorn extract they use, or how much is in the Accelerator Plus, it's impossible to know what side effects ―if any ―people might experience.
Because 5 HTP can raise serotonin levels, theoretically it might interact with antidepressant medications that also raise serotonin. This combination might ―in theory ―make serotonin levels go too high and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of this condition can include but are not limited to:
- Rapid heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Muscle twitching
I can't discuss 5 HTP without mentioning Eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome (EMS), which is a very rare disorder characterized by debilitating muscle pain and high levels of immune cells called eosinophils. This disorder was big news in the late 1980s because it resulted in the deaths of over 30 people. All of these people were taking the amino acid, tryptophan.
While it is still debatable what caused EMS ―tryptophan itself or a contamination product in the tryptophan ―I mention this because there is speculation that 5 HTP itself may also raise the risk of EMS. Given how many people have taken 5 HTP over the years, I think the risk ―if it really exists ―is pretty low. See the EMS Network website for more information.
Does Accelerator Plus Work?
I can't find any good proof that the Plexus Accelerator plus raises the metabolic rate in humans or that it causes extra calorie burning or weight loss. If you read the comments below, take note that some say Accelerator Plus doesn't work. Interestingly some say the same thing about the new Plexus Slim formula also.
Here are Plexus Supplements on Amazon
I have been taking Plexus slim and the accelerator for over a year. I lost 35 pounds! I started taking the new Plexus slim and accelerator in January and I have gained 10 pounds!! I crave sweets and am constantly hungry. The accelerator also makes me very sleepy. This is very depressing. The plexus company will lose a lot of money with the new formula because IT DOESN’T WORK!!!
Sally, I think you are the 2nd or third person to say the new accelerator plus makes you sleepy. That’s so odd…Im guessing its because of the 5 HTP in the product.
I have taken the new Accelarator Plus for two days. I have been drowsy the past two mornings within an hour. I take 2 on a full stomach with a Plexus Slim. I read your comments that there may be a melatonin connection, interesting.
Lisa, it is interesting. I would not be surprised if PS took the 5 HTP out of the Accelerator Plus
I tried the plexus slim and accelerator. I have type 2 diabetics, but don’t take meds for it. The accelerator made me feel funny… I could feel my heart beating, which probably meant it was racing. I quit the accelerator and tried just the slim for 2 more weeks. Too gassy for me, made me a little bloated feeling. I’m afraid there’s no sub for eating right in the first place!
I have a friend who just became an Ambassador and is trying to get me started on Plexus Slim and the Accelerator Plus combo. I have a few health issues and am on a number of medications as a result. My fear was if Plexus Slim had any ingredients that would increase Serotonin levels.
I have had Serotonin Syndrome before; it came on after starting Reliv, an all natural supplement, and DO NOT want to ever experience that again.
Thank you for your research; I now know I will not be starting Plexus Slim and I can refer her to your research.
Jenni, sorry that you got Serotonin Syndrome and glad you are better now. I think more people should be aware of this condition.
I was just curious how much Reliv you were taking. I’m researching Reliv and trying to keep a notebook of things. Was it after you’re first dose? Was it Classic or Now or something else? And how many scoops? Thank you!
Sarah, do you have a link to what the ingredients in Reliv are? I couldn’t find them when I looked.
If you go to reliv.com and click products at the top of the page it brings up links to individual product pages. Under the initial description an picture there’s a link that says “view nutritional panel” and it brings it all up in a pdf. 🙂 Here’s the link to Classic:
https://static.reliv.com/art/WebStuff/NutritionalPanels/US/Classic/Classic-web.pdf
I’ve been trying to decide whether to take it or not. Some of the testimonials are crazy, but if you think about it as just giving your body the nutrition it needs in a way that it can utilize it effectively I guess it isn’t really that surprising. Great nutrition can do amazing things. It seems like the people who benefit the most are people with autoimmune diseases that have tried everything else, and older people who are already getting health problems and general pains and were previously on a lot of prescription meds. It seems like some people only try it out for a few weeks and don’t notice anything, but all the reps INSIST on you taking it consistently for at least a month before you give up. But every body is different and I’m sure it doesn’t do much for some people.
The big thing that made me hesitant to try it was that most of their products are soy-based. Everyone on the internet says soy is a very very bad thing. So I decided to do some personal research instead of just taking all those popular blogs at face-value. First of all, EVERYONE agrees that GMO soy is very bad, and Reliv grows all their own soy and makes sure that none of it is GMO. So that’s good.
The bigger thing is that it is pretty much taken for FACT in most circles that the phytoestrogens in soy are huge hormone disruptors and cause all sorts of cancers. Turns out those early studies that scared people about cancer were using rats, and they now know that different species utilize the phytoestrogens differently, and in recent studies soy has actually had a mildly beneficial effect on breast cancer remission rates!
And one of the ways it DOES help people with hormone problems is because some parts of it CAN act like estrogen, and actually blocks excessive estrogen from causing damage. More recent studies have shown really great results concerning cholesterol, inflammation, and reducing the risks for other cancers like prostate cancer.
So in the past, studies have been confusing and yielded mixed results, but recent studies seem to be pretty darn positive. I mean, they still need to do more studies and aren’t sure about how much is dependent on the dose or the effect of genetics (race), and I still wouldn’t use soy infant formula if I had other options, and I’m sure there are people with other stuff going on that makes them unable to metabolize soy properly, but I think for most people the benefits WAY outweigh the risks!
So I’m gonna give it a try. I ordered some last night for my mom and I, and I’ll let you know in a month or two how it goes. 🙂
Sarah, thanks for the link. Ive added the product to my list of things to take a look at. Yes, do let me know what happens in a month or so.
Oh and I forgot to say that one study Reliv recently did (the founder is some big important scientist guy) showed that their soy products worked as well as (maybe better than? I can’t remember) statin drugs without all the awful risks and side effects. 🙂
Sarah, thanks for that info. I will definitely take a look at their study when I circle back to review it.
Hey again! 🙂 So I’ve been taking it for over a month – I’m really bad at being consistent so I was probably taking it for at least 3 weeks before I finally started taking it twice a day every day like I was supposed to. Within 3 or 4 days of taking it consistently my energy levels improved TREMENDOUSLY! 🙂 I had like 5 straight days of productive energy and I can’t remember that happening since I became pregnant with my now 19 month old twins. I suffer from depression and have struggled with anemia and it’s definitely helping. 🙂 I’m taking the Reliv Classic and the Lunasin capsules.
My 52 year-old mother caters and is has been very overweight most of her life so is starting to have some joint pain. She has chronic tendonitis in one of her arms that was beginning to make it difficult to work and carry relatively light objects. Within 4 or 5 days of taking the product, (I don’t think she was even taking it twice a day yet) her arm felt 100% better and it hasn’t bothered her since.
After being on it for a month and half she said she is starting to notice her knee pain is better most days. 🙂 She is taking the Reliv Classic and the Lunasin Capsules, as well as the Arthaffect for her joints. The Arthaffect DOES take a while to work because the joints have to heal somewhat. (It actually has some similar ingredients to a joint supplement for dogs we used to use at a vet clinic I worked at, and owners would start to notice improvement in their old limping dogs usually within 6 to 8 weeks.) I think the speedy tendonitis improvement had to do with the Lunasin capusles. She has started a healthy eating regimen and is trying out some of their weight loss products and I’ll let you know how those go.
I also have a great aunt that’s taking it and she was having a little trouble with restless leg syndrome and she hasn’t had any problems with that since starting it. 🙂
So that’s it so far. I’ll keep you updated! I think it IS hard to be consistent with it because unless you’re making delicious smoothies with it twice a day, you usually just end up mixing it with juice or water and the taste is really not something you look forward to! lol.
Sarah, thanks for the update. Im glad your mom is doing better. Reliv is still on my list to review. Thanks for the heads up on the taste 🙂
For the lady with arthritis … I could not lift my shoulders up enough to shave under them… One month of Cat’s Claw Root formula I could lift my arms over my head the first time in two years!! My brother-in-law with 16 years of Lupus swears by it. I know this is off the subject but hopefully will help.
I ordered the Plexis slim and accelerator tonight (a male friend of mine is an ambassador who lost 45 pounds) I have put on 20 pounds in two months due to a drug for allergies that works like the poison prednisone (I had no idea!!!) prednisone weight gain is the worst!!! I gained 11 pounds in 4 days which took me FOUR MONTHS to take off so I refuse to take it now. I had a gastric bypass in 2004 and lost 100 pounds so I watch for any weight gain and have successfully kept my weight at a steady 125/130 range since my goal until THIS!!
I just can’t seem to get off a pound now. (Side note in my experience only people with pear shapes do well with the gastric bypass…apple shapes seem to gain the weight back and then some). Anyway I’m going to give the slim plexus a month and ill try to report back for those like me who may be putting weight on due to prednisone type drugs (look out for those allergy meds!!! Do your homework!! I wish I had as one woman said the drug I was taking made her eat like a Clydesdale! I didn’t really eat much more but was hungry all the time and still gained!!! Grrr!)
Sorry this was so long!
I have lost over 60 lbs with Plexus. I really hope you see results but I have worked with over 250 customers. My experience has been that people with weight problems due to medications don’t usually see success. You have causes of weight gain that the ingredients of plexus do not address. I do wish you luck though!
Donna, your friend is most likely talking about plexus nerve pills. Plexus world wide carry other products as well as slim and accelerator plus.
Nerve pills? what are they?
It is NOT a nerve pill…. It is an all natural nerve health. Here is a link to the ingerd. in it
plexusworldwide.com/products/nerve-more-info.html
As far as the New Acc. I am highly disappointed in the difference. I too gained weight after switching to the new accl. There is a BIG difference and it has effect sells because the customers are not seeing the results that past customers saw.
Penny, I just looked at the PS Fast Relieve product in the link you showed. Question. Didn’t the fast relief formula used to have green lipped mussel extract?
Looking at the ingredients I can tell you there is nothing special in the product to promote nerve growth (as an aside that claim “Promotes nerve growth” I think is pretty specific and may get them in trouble withe FDA which forbids specific claims about supplements)
My instinct is that the product is being marketed to those who have diabetes- related nerve problems. This is called peripheral neropathy. There is some research on Alpha lipoic acid and peripheral neropathy and this is likely why its in PS Fast Relief. if it works, I think its the alpha lipoic acid that is the active ingredient.
My friend is selling this and is all gung ho. She says it helps with nerve pain. Thoughts?
Donna, the PS accelerator plus? I highly doubt it.
Why can’t you take the new accelerator with an anti depressant?
Amy, some anti depressant medications alter seritonin levels. The 5 HTP ingredient in the accelerator might also raise serotonin levels. this might cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Since I’m I’m not aware of any research of Plexus Slim Accelerator Plus and how it interacts with antidepressants (or any other medications either) so I felt this was worth mentioning. Im not aware of the accelerator being an issue for those with antidepressants but I feel its best to show the ingredients to your doctor if you take antidepressants just to be on the safe side.
Thank you for your extensive research. I’ve seen several testimonies with positive results. I wanted to look at the ingredients, the pros and cons so that I can make an informed decision. I certainly will be checking with my doctor before I make my final decision.
Sherry, thanks I’m glad I was able to help 🙂
I have been taking plexus/accelerator since last april. Lost 57 pounds. It was a life saver for me. Unlike some other plexus haters I have seen post on your reviews I actually appreciate them. You seem to be reasonably fair and factual. The old saying about something being greater than the sum of its parts may apply to Plexus. All I do know is at the age of 42 I have never been able to lose weight no matter what. For the first time since childhood my weight has gone down rather than up.
I am not happy with the company. They refuse to say why they changed the formula. I have asked if an ingredient became impossible to get, to cost ineffective or illegal. They only reply it has something to do with an ingredient but won’t say which one or why.
I can’t take the new accelerator. I am on an anti depressant. I will not risk the possible side effects. I still take the Plexus and still feel great. But I have not been happy with they way they handled the change over. As if the new product was new because it was better, not saying it was new because for some reason they couldn’t manufacture or sell the old.
I am not speaking bad about Plexus. It gets my highest praise. It has changed my life. But I stand by my observations mentioned above.
Bart, thanks for your feedback and I’m really glad for your 57 pounds of weight loss.
Bart, why do you say “I can’t take the new accelerator. I am on an anti depressant. I will not risk the possible side effects.”? Are there disclaimers somewhere that mention that?
Bart
57 lbs. GONE!! That is fantastic, keep it up. As Joe has mentioned in his review of the new PS Accelerator, the formulation changed because of controversy of DMAA (Geranax) that was in the old Accelerator. It was banned in the US.
Who knows why the formulation of the PS was changed. To my understanding the company was having success with the old. You are an example of that. Even at that, Joe, in his review of the new PS, states that the changes most probably did not make PS a better product. As you see in the review, some of the changes are the same ingredient, just utilizing a different name.
Joe, thanks for all your hard work. It is great info. While i agree with everyone here that diet and exercise are the key to weight loss and Plexus is not some magic potion. It is starting to help me with cravings and appetite control. Willpower is not as easy to come by with 4 kids under 4 and little sleep. So that is the benefit of Plexus to me. I am doing the Plexus combo and the only time i had any side affects was when i very ignorantly took two accelerator at the same time. About 30 mins jtdp i thought i was going to collapse or was having a heart attack.
Once i laid down and slowed my body all was fine again. So basically two a day does not mean at the same time.
Shannon, Im glad you are ok and yes I agree, its best not to take 2 accelerator plus pills at the same time.
Thank you for your hard work and for sharing.
Carrie, you are very welcome. Thanks for writing 🙂
I see a lot of information about weight loss, none about migraines or arthritis. I was told this is great for arthritis that causes headaches. Any information in this, thanks
Lorna, Ive never seen any evidence that plexus slim accelerator Plus helps migraines or arthritis. That said, there is some evidence that caffeine can help migraines. Accelerator Plus does have caffeine and other stimulants but so too does coffee etc. which is less expensive.
On the flip side, people sometimes get headaches when they abstain from caffeine after they get used to it. Here is a link that discusses this http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/migraine_headache/hic_migraine_headaches.aspx
If people lose weight with plexus slim (or anything else), then this reduces stress on joints and reduces joint inflammation. In this way, weight loss can help reduce arthritis pain. If plexus slim reduces body weight, then I can understand how people would report their arthritis feels better. But this is more about weight loss helping arthritis pain rather than plexus slim itself.
Any other questions, just ask 🙂
I started using the triplex combo this past August, which is the slim drink, probio, and bio cleanse. I started noticing a difference in how I felt in just a week. I no longer have chronic migraines, achy joints, and the chronic fatigue I always felt. My cravings for sweets has also gone away. My brother started taking the pain relief and nerve health support. He’s quadriplegic and suffers from chronic back pain. Many with paralysis suffer from pain and cramping below the site of injury. His pain is reduced and he said the cramping and burning that he had in his legs every morning is gone. I did try the accelerator and by the second day had a hard time getting to sleep so it does rev you up. I stopped taking it because I don’t like something that messes with my sleep pattern.
Debraot
I see where Joe allowed you to mention three products in your little, in my opinion, sales pitch.
Have you even considered, or thought about this:
If the products you mentioned delivered the benefits to you, and others, then why doesn’t PS have the research performed to prove it.
Here’s why. You, and other PS supporters need to read this carefully. 1) They don’t have the money to do the necessary research. (If they believed in their product, they could get a loan or work an agreement with an investor who does have the money. This is a poor excuse for a product if it actually “works.”)
2) They don’t want to have their product tested. In many cases these products are just common juices and spices and there’s no reason to expect them to do anything medically different than your orange juice or your Cinnamon Toast Crunch. However, as long as they are able to make a reasonable case to a gullible person that their product works, it is to their advantage to never formally test the product as they would be proven wrong. Such a move would end their business instantly.
This disappointing part is that there are gullible consumers who don’t realize that if the company truly believed its product worked for any medical condition it would likely make billions of dollars. The company should be extremely interested in doing these formal clinical tests as it would mean so much more money for them. Yet, I have never seen an MLM company perform these large scale tests with the goal of getting on the FDA list. It seems that these companies have very low confidence in their product.
My heart goes out to your brother (if real). Great that he is doing better, but don’t think for a minute it’s a result of PS, or the other products you mentioned. If you do, then go back and the read the GULLIBLE portion of the post again.
Pete,
I’m wondering if this is the person who put up the grotesque pictures of the quadriplegic holding a bottle of Plexus Slim on a website?
Michael
I never saw the information and picture of a quadriplegic holding up a package of PS, but I am hardly surprised. To bad the FTC, or FDA didn’t get wind of it.
My response to Debraot’s post:
QUACKERY exploits the dream of success by drawing numerous people into multilevel marketing (MLM) schemes to market dietary supplements, weight loss products, herbs, and other unproven health product, like PS. The post by Debraot, in my opinion, is just pure old “quackery”. PS relieves pain of a quadriplegic? I thought PS had a pain product!
Most multilevel companies, like PS that market health products claim that their products can prevent or cure disease. Some companies make therapeutic claims in their product literature, hoping the government won’t act until their customer base is well-established. PS, “guilty”. (FDA letter) Other companies make no claims in their literature but rely on their distributors to supply anecdotes, testimonials, and independently published literature. PS, “guilty” PS distributors usually encourage people to buy their products and then give credit to the product if the person “feels better”. PS, “guilty”. In my opinion, this what Debraot witnessed.
After all the issues above that concerns PS, Debraot wants us to believe her. There again, where is the proof of PS helping her quadriplegic brother
Americans waste a billion or more dollars each year on multilevel health product, like PS. Those that have nutritional value (such as vitamins and low-cholesterol foods) are without fail overpriced and generally useless as well. The products promoted as remedies are phony, unproven, or intended for conditions that are unsuitable for self-medication. Also, the people who distribute multilevel products are not qualified to give health advice. One more time, PS, guilty”.
Government actions against multilevel organizations have not been energetic. These companies are left alone unless their advertising is so flagrant and their sales volume so great that a regulatory agency is obliged to intercede. (PS FDA letter) Even then, few agency interventions have much of an impact once a company is well established.
No I am not the person who put up that picture. And yes my brother is real. Do the research on the New Zealand Green Lipped mussel which is the main ingredient in the pain relief capsules. My brother does not drink the slim. He only uses the pain relief and nerve health support products.
Debraot, Here is my review on Green Lipped Mussel.
Lorna, I began using Plexus to see if I could achieve some relief of the pain of arthritis in my neck. It was causing me pretty severe headaches from my neck pain. I refuse to take prescription medications as far as possible, but I had gotten to the point I was taking an 800 mg Motrin every day, sometimes twice, for the pain. I read a lot of customer reviews, specifically searching for arthritis. I noticed a huge improvement within a week of beginning Slim. I’ve been using the product for a year now and my neck still feels so much better.
Debraot
Whatever the case, I am glad your brother is doing better. But, I do have a question about the picture. Are you telling us that you did not know the picture of your brother holding up a bottle of PS existed, or the other party who may have posted it.? Uhmmm!! A picture promoting a product at the expense of someone’s illness is about the sleaziest thing I can think of at this moment. Especially, PS trash!
Joe can you elaborate on the DMAA association with Plexus Slim Accelorator? I was considering this product and in my research found this article where Australia has banned Plexus http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicine-plexus-slim-accelerator-capsules-130716.htm#.UsD3yee9KSN. If it’s not listed in the ingredients how is it in the formula? Great review thanks!
Hi AnnMarie, DMAA has been very controversial and whether it was in the Plexus Slim Accelerator Im not sure because they used funky/ made up words like Gerana X which some websites say is a reference to geranium oil. Some say geranium is a source of DMAA while others say its not. In my original review of plexus slim (here is the ink):
http://supplementclarity.com/plexus-slim-review-ingredients-side-effects/
I covered the PS accelerator and discussed the DMAA connection and included links about the issue also. I dont feel the new plexus slim accelerator plus has DMAA but it does have stuff that I personally would be cautious of. I dont feel Accelerator Plus is necessary if plexus slim works as well as they say it does.
Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
I am shocked at the difference in the ingredients of the first accelerator to the new formula. Before I read this I knew something was different. The sample packs 3-7day packs have the old accelerator. When you purchase the month supply, your accelerator is in a bottle and the capsules look totally different. Also the bottle says 1-2 a day.
What I have noticed so far is my appetite is not as suppressed as with the samples. I crave sweets again. Not as bad but still enough to be disappointing. Not sure it’s worth the cost with the Complete overhaul of ingredients. I have read a side by side of the slim yet. Will do shortly.
Denise, Do they list different ingredients on the sample packs? I had no idea the sample packs and bottle of Accelerator plus have different ingredients.
Denise:
I noticed the same thing, only not with the sample packs. I purchased a months supply and felt increased energy, suppressed appetite and lost craving for sweets. In the 1st month, I lost 10 lbs. I also stayed very aware of how I felt. Both of my parents have high blood pressure, and I am very borderline, so I have a blood pressure cuff and monitor my blood pressure frequently.
I noticed no negative side effects, only positive. Then they changed the formula and all of the positives went out of the window. I gained 4 lbs back, and am craving sweets like there’s no tomorrow (and I never craved them this bad before). I’m going to finish my supply and see if I just needed to get used to it. If no change, then I guess I won’t be purchasing Plexus anymore.
The original formula was testing positive in UAs it was literally a form of speed. You may gain some weight while your body detoxes the drug.. Like any detox you crave other things like carbs and sweets. I am an ex drug user and the trial pack was too similar to meth side effects that I couldn’t take it. When I found out they changed it due to people having hot UAs I was actually relieved I stopped. It can take months to detox naturally – be patient 🙂
Mommy what is a UA?
Joe
To Mommy’s post concerning UA’s. In her respect, UA would be an abbreviation for urinalysis.
Pete, thanks! I wasn’t aware of that abbreviation.
I am glad I came across this site and the comments. I too took the original accelerator for 3 months and lost 15 lbs. At the beginning of January I started the new accelerator plus. I am hungry all day and I crave, crave, crave sweets. I have gained 5-7 lbs back since Christmas. I could not figure out why these cravings were so bad. I guess I am not alone!
Terri, I’m glad you were able to find my review and I appreciate your feedback on how the new formula is working. I’m curious, have you mentioned how the new accelerator isn’t working to your PS ambassador or to the company? If yes, what did they say?
Please share my site with your friends so they know I’m out there. I currently have over 160 reviews on a variety of supplements with more coming.
While I’m as frustrated as anyone by the way the new accelerator has been handled, accelerator is not for long term use. If you took it 3 months then you had already taken it longer than it was intended. Plexus Slim is the only product designed for long term use. They are very clear about this
Bart, thanks for pointing that out. My ambassador told me to take it for the first 30 days then stop but may take after 30 days twice a week for maintenance but to make sure I stop for 30 days after 30 days of taking it..sorry too confusing..basically, she told me the body gets use to something to where it will not work as well, plus she said is to help you lose the weight at the beginning and not intended for a long term use.
What she did recommend is that I take the Plexus Slim every day and she has many followers in Facebook that swear by this product(Plexus Slim). She explain to me that Plexus Slim is more for health benefits and not so much for losing weight but more for maintaining it.
She herself takes religiously and has been doing so for a year and has customers that have been doing the same. She did ask me if I was taking any medications. She stated some medications can have an adverse reaction. I am glad she is one of the good ambassadors that actually explains things to me and was not trying to push a product.
Gabriela, if I can chime in for a bit, there is no evidence that the body gets used to the accelerator. Id ask your ambassador where shes getting that information – and let me know as Id like to take a look at it. They have significantly changed the accelerator ingredients since my review (I will update it I promise). The plexus is for “health benefits” is something ambassadors only recently started saying. If you look through the comments on my original PS review, you’ll see in the beginning – couple of years ago – people were not saying that. I take it all to be ‘talking points.” Regardless, I do hope it helps you.
Joe, thanks for replying and love the research you do. I believe the information was more her personal belief. Honestly she spoke more on a personal level than of a sales pitch. As stated, her and her FB followers swear by plexus slim drink as far how the drink makes them feel, the health benefits that they have achieve since taking it and these are not people she can make up, some of these people are my neighbors (which I did not know, they were on this stuff).
She did advise me of discontinuing it if I had any side effects and to let her know right away. She also advised that Plexus like any other dietary supplement is not for everyone, so not to be discourage is this doesn’t works and to continue looking for the right product. But I figure, I give it a try and see what happens.
Gabriela, that sounds like good advice and I wish you well. Keep me updated on how it goes 🙂
Gabriela, you state “I am glad she is one of the good ambassadors that actually explains things to me and was not trying to push a product.” Yet you state she tells you to take Plexus Slim every day. That is pushing a product. As Joe mentioned, the human body does not simply accommodate something like a stimulant to where you get used to it. Know what a stimulant is and the harmful effects it has on your body before taking these and any other “supplements”.
Additionally, just because people on FB “swear by this stuff” does not give any credence to it. I would bet that these folks are also ambassadors who have a vested interest in selling the products. Are we to believe they would put out negative comments? Do your own research. This stuff has been the subject of bans in other countries and the FDA has sent a warning letter to the company over claims it has made.
Michael,
People do get used to stimulants. That’s why drug users have to keep increasing their dose to get the same “high”.
You’re absolutely right, Molly. In order to get the same kind of “energy” that these Plexus folks speak about, they will at some point have to increase the amount of stimulant to get the same results. I’m saying that the human body does not simply stay static when stimulants are ingested. There are going to be side effects, whether it is withdrawal-like symptoms or damage when you constantly take them.
Artificially raising heart rate via stimulants is a very bad way to treat your body. I’m pretty sure that these Plexus ambassadors and their cult followers have zero understanding of what these chemicals do to their system.
Joe
One other point to bring to your attention on the link I provided on Hordenine. Under drug testing, high doses of Hordenine has been known to interfere with MORPHINE drug testing kits, and may cause FALSE POSITIVES on morphine in drug testing. One of the dangers of not knowing how much Hordenine is in the New PS Accelerator Plus.
Pete, yes that is something people may want to consider if they think they might be having a drug test. I think its only some drug types tests that might be effected but Im not sure.
Joe
This article refers to Hordenine being a component of bitter orange. And as stated in your former review of the Old Plexusslim Accelerator which was associated with DMAA, acts like ephedra, or bitter orange which are potent stimulants. We don’t know how much Hordenine is in The New PS Accelerator Plus, but do you feel as more is known about Hordenine,, and it becomes more widely utilized, we may run into the same issues as the Old PS Accelerator. http://examine.com/supplements/Hordenine/
Pete, thanks for that link I missed it in my hodenine research. there appears to be so little known about hordenine that its hard to say either way if it might act like DMAA or not. I think its in the PS accelerator Plus because of a theoretical effect rather than one born out of research. Given the lack of evidence, I personally wish they would take it out of the product until we know more.
Sorry, Joe, you had the WebMD link covered. As always on the ball.
Pete, no worries, thanks for having my back 🙂
I felt like I had taken a bunch of speed
Patrick, Ive heard that complaint before – people felt like they were on speed. While there are stimulants in the product, I didn’t find any that appeared to “look” like speed (methamphetamines). It is possible though that people would feel “reved up” when they took it though.
Joe, here is a link from WebMD that under Side Effects of Higenamine, states that it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1265-HIGENAMINE.aspx?activeIngredientId=1265&activeIngredientName=HIGENAMINE
Thanks again, Joe, for doing all the hard work for us. I had a bad experience with Plexus Slim and this Accelerator Plus sounds even worse to me. When I asked my doctor about Plexus Slim he just said, “Natural isn’t always safe!” He said he would not be knowledgeable enough about herbal ingredients to tell if they were good or bad.
He did say that calling Hoodia something else is very bad for people on BP meds. I notice now they call it Hoodia instead of the “natural” name. The person who sold me the product has always preached “no caffeine” for her and I see that both Plexus Slim and the Accelerator have plenty of caffeine in them. Yikes!
So far for her Plexus products are the be all end all of the universe. She said she does not listen to any negative about these products. Double Yikes! Thank goodness for you website. Keep on keeping on!
JackieC, thanks for writing and Id agree with your doctor that natural does not always mean safe. I think I understand what they are trying to get at when they reformulated the Accelerator because as I mentioned the ingredients reminds me of how some weight loss drugs appear to work. I wish they would remove hawthorn from the product. I believe 5 HTP is the “active ingredient” given the research I saw on all the other ingredients. I understand why some PS ambassadors might not want to listen to things that are counter to what they believe. That is their choice.
Thanks, Joe. Enjoyed your review of the Plexusslim Accelerator Plus. Obviously, it took a lot of hard work, and I for one, appreciate it.
Pete, thanks. It was a LOT harder to review than I thought it would be.
My sister just tried these pills. 🙁 her heart rate went to 160 and blood pressure dropped so low she had a seizure at work. She only took 1 pill and she is healthy with no allergies. They have a weight loss competition at her job now and then n she just wanted to loose a little weight.
She works at a doctors office thank god and they helped her flush it out of her system. She just called me tonight and told me a 21 year old girl had a stroke after using these pills as well. Do to confidentiality that’s all she could say.
They told my sister if she took 2 she could of had a stroke too. I tried to worn people and posted sites like healthycanadians.gc.ca on this stuff and sales people called me a liar and to get my facts straight and there has to be something wrong with my sister not the pill.
I want to say thank you for your research!
I work for the Taylor Hooton Foundation (taylorhooton.org) and we deliver education programs on the dangers of using dietary supplements and anabolic steroids. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through reviews and supporting documentation.
I am now well versed on Plexus supplements, it has been brought to my attention a couple times and I was not familiar with the company, products, or product ingredients. Thanks to you and your hard work I can now talk more intelligently about Plexus and have a source to refer people to if they want detailed information on Plexus.
Thanks again!
Damian, you are very welcome. I remember Taylor’s story very well and am glad something positive has come from such a tragedy.
I took the Plexus Slim with accelerator before they changed the formula and lost 30 pounds with no side effects. I decided to go back on the program shortly following the reformulation, and on the first dose (2 accelerator pills) I wound up in Emergency Dept with a heart rate of 170 and risk of stroke.
Luckily I work in a physician’s office and was able to check my stats before I was escorted to the hospital by a co-worker. This product is now dangerous, I have no idea why they would re-formulate something that was working so well.
They reformulated because it contained a harmful ingredient, DMAA. And if this company would irresponsibly have ingredients like that in their initial product, it should come as no surprise if they would do it again and again.
Angela as I was reading your post, why would you take two accelerator pills when it specifically says to take one after breakfast and if needed another one at lunch. I have only the done the 3 day trial. I didn’t feel anything except sleepy after taking the accelerator, but after reading Joe’s review, it makes sense, though I do not take any antidepressants. I am ordering a 30 day supply and will try it for 30 days to see how it does. I will let you know as soon as it comes in and will up date you 30 days after.
Hi Gabriela, first of all, I was taking two pills with the last formula, and managed to lose a lot of weight with no side effects. Second, the label states “In the morning take 1-2 capsules orally with one stick pack of Plexus slim per day”.