Update 7/10/20. Plexus Slim is billed as an “affordable weight management product” that boasts “no ill side effects” based on “extensive clinical research.” Impressive, but does PlexusSlim work or is it a scam? And does it really have no side effects? I was tipped off to Plexus Slim by one of the readers of this website. After looking at its ingredients, I wanted to write a review of Plexus Slim because of the words used to describe the product and because Plexus Slim seemed to have ingredients that I have never heard of before. Let's see what we can discover about this weight loss drink. Also read my review of the Plexus Accelerator Plus (Accelerator +) and Plexus Boost, Plexus ProBio5 and Plexus Hunger Control after you read this, for additional information.
Update: The formula for Plexus Slim was changed a bit since this review was written so also read the review of the new plexus slim formula.
Who Makes Plexus Slim?
According to the Better Business Bureau, the company that makes Plexus Slim – Plexus Worldwide Inc. – was started in 2005 in Arizona. The address of the company is 7440 E. Karen Dr. #400, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
Update. PlexusWorldWide.com, the company website, now lists this corporate address: 15649 N. Greenway Hayden Loop Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Googling this address shows a large building that says “Plexus Slim” on the outside. That's good.
Update. The Better Business Bureau now lists this address for the company: 9145 E Pima Center Pkwy Scottsdale, AZ 85258-4627
The BBB gives Plexus Slim a rating of “A+” See the BBB file for updates and other information.
To buy Plexus Slim it looks like you either have to buy it from the company or through a PlexusSlim distributor. They call Plexus Slim distributors “Ambassadors“. On the Plexus Slim website, they have a calendar of Plexus Slim events.
These events serve not only to sell Plexus Slim but also to recruit new Ambassadors. Plexus Slim has a multi-level marketing (MLM) aspect to it.
I have no problem with MLM. If the product is reputable, MLM allows people to make an income which can be significant.
Plexus Slim Nutrition Information
In an effort to keep this review up to date, here are the ingredients in Plexus Slim as they appeared in 2016. According to the label shown on the product website, each packet of Plexus Slim has the following nutrition information and ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount Per Serving | Percent Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 calories | |
| Total Carbohydrdate | 3 grams | 1% DV |
| Chromium Polynicotinate | 200 micrograms | 167% DV |
| Plexus Slim Blend (composed of the following) | 530 mg | N/A |
| Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract | ||
| Green Coffee Bean Extract | ||
| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
In the table above, N/A means no daily value established.
Each of the ingredients will be summarized below. I will leave in the summaries of the ingredients present in the original plexus slim formula too to help others doing their own research.
See the review of the new plexus slim formula too.
Plexus Slim Ingredients
Polydextrose
This is a type of soluble fiber. In theory, this might help weight loss since it has no calories and is a type of fiber. Polydextrose might cause gas and bloating.
Citric Acid
In some products, citric acid is used as a preservative and to enhance flavor. While it naturally occurs in citrus fruits, its use in foods/ supplements may be from natural or synthetic means.
Beet Root
If Plexus Slim uses the entire beetroot, the fiber content of the beetroot might help foster some weight loss because it adds bulk to the stomach contents. That said, I can't locate any evidence that beetroot helps people lose weight. The product label states the beetroot is to give the product color. Beets do have a red color. Beetroot probably contributes to the pink color of the product.
Beets and beetroot juice have gotten attention from the scientific community because of their ability to raise nitric oxide, a compound that can relax blood vessels, allowing blood to more easily travel through the body. See my review of SuperBeets for more on this topic.
Grape Skin Extract
Grape skin contains phytonutrients such as proanthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins which act as antioxidants. While this is very good, does grape skin extract help people lose weight? Other than having some fiber (which might act as a laxative) I can't find any proof that it does.
Update. I'm told Plexus Slim no longer contains grape skin extract
Lo Han Extract
The scientific name for this ingredient is Siraitia grosvenorii. This is also called “lou han guo” and “monk fruit.” By either name, it's often used as a sweetener. This ingredient, like steveia below, is likely added for flavoring.
Stevia
This is a sweetener. Some supplement companies may call it by another name -“rebaudioside A.”
Stevia is added to many low-calorie foods. In theory, using low calorie (or no-calorie) sweeteners might help weight loss but I'm not sure if this is the answer. There are MANY low-calorie foods and beverages on the US market, yet Americans are not slimmer than they were, say, in the 1980s.
Natural Flavors
They don't tell us what these natural flavors are. To be fair, most companies don't. They don't have to under the law. Regardless, I doubt any of them play a role in weight loss.
Green Coffee Bean
This is also called Chlorogenic Acid. One study published in 2010 noted that chlorogenic acid helped weight loss and increased fat burning when in rats that were fed a high-fat diet (37% of calories from fat).
This is interesting even though it's a rat study. Another rat study also noted that mulberries (which also contain chlorogenic acid) helped the weight loss. But was it the chlorogenic acid – or all the other stuff mulberries?
In one small study 16 overweight people were given either a placebo or different amounts of green coffee extract (which contains chlorogenic acid) at either 700 mg or 1050 mg day for 6 weeks (each person was given each treatment for 6 weeks).
People getting the green coffee extract (both dosage amounts) were shown to have significant reductions in body weight, body mass and percent body fat compared to placebo. The type of green coffee extract used in this study was supplied by Applied Food Sciences Inc.
Retracted
It sounds great BUT, the study has been “retracted.” This means it should not be considered as evidence due to errors with how the study was performed. In the words of the authors, the study was retracted because the authors could not “assure the validity of the data.” Click here to read the retraction.
See the Green Bean Coffee Review for more information.
See the weight loss supplement scam review.
Rosmarinic Acid
This is a plant chemical found in many herbs, including rosemary. This is probably where Rosmarinic Acid gets its name from. Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. I was unable to find any studies showing that Rosmarinic Acid helps weight loss in humans or animals.
Hydroxycinnamic Acid
This compound is an antioxidant but whether or not it contributes to weight loss needs further study.
Garcinia Cambogia
This was originally called “Citrin K” when I first reviewed Plexus Slim. Garcinia cambogia is found in MANY weight loss supplements because of some research that it might reduce appetite and help weight loss. Right now, I think all anyone can say is maybe it works or maybe it doesn't work.
In this study, 500 mg of garcinia Cambogia did not help people lose weight. I mention this because if this study is correct, then it might take more than 500 mg of garcinia Cambogia if it's going to work. The entire proprietary blend in Plexus Slim adds up to 530 mg. While Garcinia Cambogia is the first ingredient listed – which presumably means it makes up the most of the blend – how much that equates to, I cannot say.
See the Garcinia Cambogia review
Also, read the review of supplements linked to liver failure.
Alpha-lipoic Acid
This is an antioxidant and it helps it turn carbs into energy. It can also help regenerate other antioxidants, which is pretty snazzy.
There are a few studies of alpha-lipoic acid and weight loss. In one study, alpha-lipoic acid was randomly given to 360 obese people for 20 weeks. Half got a placebo and half got alpha-lipoic acid (either 1200 mg/day or 1800 
mg per day). Those getting alpha-lipoic acid lost more weight than those who got the placebo. Basically, people lose about 2% of their body mass.
In another study, 1127 overweight people were given 800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid a day for 4 months. This study noted that alpha-lipoic acid, at the dosage given, helped people lose about 8% of their body weight over 4 months.
So if you were 200 pounds, alpha lipoic acid might help you lose about 200 x .08 = 16 pounds. That is a significant amount in my book.
One possible problem with this study though was that it doesn't appear that there was a placebo group to compare the weight loss too. I was also unable to determine (because I only read the summary of the study) if people combined alpha-lipoic acid with eating fewer calories (I think they might have ).
Alpha-lipoic acid is the last ingredient listed in the proprietary blend. As such, it likely makes up the least of the 530 mg total.
Oxypregnane Steroidal Glycoside
This is a pretty fancy name but you have heard of this stuff before. Oxypregnane steroidal glycoside – is just a fancy way of saying Hoodia! Here is a study that proves that both names mean the same thing.
I think they call it Oxypregnane steroidal glycoside because they are trying to make the product sound different and special. In reality, it's just hoodia Gordonii.
The other fancy name for hoodia is P57AS3 – you have probably seen this listed in other supplements as “P57“.
I've already reviewed hoodia and weight loss. Other supplements that I've reviewed previously that contain hoodia include the
For at least 10 years, hoodia Gordonii has been in more weight loss supplements than you can shake a stick at – but there is no good proof that hoodia supplements help people lose weight.
Study. Researchers gave hoodia or a placebo to 50 overweight people for 2 weeks. The people in the study were allowed to eat as much as they wanted from a menu provided by the researchers. Results: hoodia did not cause any weight loss.
While no serious side effects were reported, researchers did note that people who got hoodia had higher blood pressures and heart rates compared to people who got the placebo. Hoodia also seems to cause elevations in bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. What caused these changes I do not know.
Update. Plexus slim no longer contains hoodia. See my review on the New Plexus Slim Formula for more info on how it has changed.
Chromium Polynicotinate
Plexus slim contains a type of chromium they call “amino nicotinate”. This is fancy talk for “chromium nicotinate”. (it is now called “chromium polynicotinate on the label).
You may have heard Dr. Oz talk about chromium polynicotinate on TV. I reviewed what Dr Oz had to say about this form of chromium and I am guessing that this is why Plexus Slim includes chromium nicotinate over the sometimes more popular, chromium picolinate.
Chromium may help lower blood sugar levels but as for its effects on weight loss, I am highly skeptical. For more on chromium, see my reviews of chromium weight loss research and chromium polynicotinate.
Blood Sugar Lowering Ingredients
As a quick reference, the following ingredients might reduce blood sugar:
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Chromium nicotinate (now called chromium polynicotinate)
Fiber Ingredients
As a quick reference, the following ingredients all might add fiber to Plexus Slim:
- Polydextrose
- Grape skin (no longer in plexus slim) See my review of the new PS formula.
- Hoodia (maybe. no longer in Plexus Slim)
How Much Does Plexus Slim Cost?
One of the slogans for Plexus Slim is “At last, an affordable weight management product.” I guess that depends on how you define “affordable”. On the Plexus Slim website, they have different prices depending on whether you want to buy it just once or be billed each month automatically.
If you want to buy Plexus Slim one time only, its $84.95. If you want to be billed automatically at the 15th of each month, Plexus Slim is $79.95/ month.
Is Plexus Slim OK When Breast-Feeding?
Some women have wondered if they can take Plexus Slim while they are breastfeeding? That's not something I would recommend because if any of the ingredients in Plexus Slim pass into breast milk, then their baby will be getting those ingredients too.
I don't know for sure if any of the ingredients do get absorbed into breast milk, so I do recommend that women take the ingredients in Plexus Slim to their doctor to see if they can get a better answer.
How Much Caffeine?
The Plexus Slim Nutrition label states that it has less than 2% of naturally occurring caffeine. My guess is that the caffeine comes from the green coffee bean extract because this statement is listed next to the green coffee bean ingredient on the label. I'm not sure how much 2% natural caffeine equals.
Plexus Slim and ADHD
Since writing this review I've heard that this product may be marketed to help Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A search on Google reveals several testimonials from people saying that it helps. I became curious and searched for “Plexus ADHD research.” I searched Google for this phrase and I also searched the National Library of Medicine too.
I saw no clinical studies on this topic. Therefore, whether it Plexus helps ADHD or not is unknown as far as I can tell. Nobody appears to have undertaken the chore of taking this stuff into the lab and actually tried to really see if it helps or not.
The same thing also seems to be true for bipolar disorder and depression. I cannot find any evidence Plexus Slim directly helps either of these conditions either.
Having said that, lack of evidence doesn't necessarily mean something does not work. Rather, it just means that it seems that, other than testimonials (from people most of us don't know), there doesn't seem to be any good proof for it yet.
How To Contact Plexus Slim
PlexusWorldWide lists this contact phone number: 480-998-3490 which people can call 6 AM-6 PM (PST) Monday -Friday and 9 AM-2 PM (PST) on Saturday.
How To Return Plexus Slim
Plexus Slim products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. For those who purchased from Plexus Ambassadors, contact that person for details on how to return the product, or call the company itself at 480-998-3490.
Does Plexus Slim Have Any Side Effects?
On the Q and A page of the Plexus Slim website (question 7) where it's asked: “Will Plexus Slim interfere or react with any medications or other supplements?” the makers say: ” No. Extensive clinical research has demonstrated no ill side effects with any medications or other supplements.”
Where is all the “extensive clinical research” on Plexus Slim? As far as I can tell, Plexus Slim has NEVER been tested in published studies to see if it interacts with any medication or health condition.
The only study I've seen on Plexus Slim is a summary of a study they show on their website. This is a study from 2008 where they gave the product to 8 people with type II diabetes. Yes, improvements were seen in blood sugar, body weight and other things, but this is not a published, peer reviewed study. As such, there is a lot we are not told about how this study was conducted. It may be the best study in the world, but if we can't see how it was conducted, then it can't be duplicated by other scientists.
That said, in healthy people, I think Plexus Slim (the pink drink product) is safe. Below are some theoretical side effects based on its ingredients.
Grape skin. Some components of grape skin might interfere with medications such as Coumadin (a blood thinner). I'm not aware of any human evidence of this, but because blood thinners can intact with many things, its best to talk to a doctor about this. Update. grape skin is no longer in plexus slim
Chlorogenic acid. This compound might raise homocysteine levels in humans. Homocysteine is a somewhat controversial molecule because some feel it might be linked to heart disease.
See my review of chlorogenic acid for more info.
Citrin K/ Garcinia cambogia. There is some controversial evidence that Garcinia Cambogia may be linked to liver problems. Personally, I'm not yet convinced it does this. For more info on this see my review of garcinia Cambogia.
Alpha-lipoic acid. This ingredient appears to lower blood sugar. Because of this, alpha-lipoic acid might interfere with insulin and other diabetes medications. Alpha-lipoic acid seems to reduce thyroid hormone levels. This can be a problem for people who take Levothyroxin for hypothyroidism (low thyroid).
Hoodia. As I reported in my book on supplements hoodia Gordonii seems to share some chemical similarity to a class of heart drugs called cardiac glycosides. In fact, if you Google “Hoodia and cardiac glycosides.” I don’t know the clinical significance of this. That said, if you have heart or blood pressure issues please see your cardiologist before using any hoodia supplement, just to be safe.
Chromium may lower blood sugar levels. While this can be a good thing, it also means chromium might interact with blood-sugar-lowering medications. This might – in theory – make blood sugar levels to too low.
As a general, blanket statement, I would be cautious if you have any problems with your heart, blood pressure, kidneys, liver, mental disorders, diabetes or digestive problems. I would not recommend Plexus Slim if you had bariatric surgery either. To their credit, the makers of Plexus Slim do say to see your doctor first if you are pregnant. I agree with this.
The Plexus Slim Accelerator
Update: The Accelerator formula has changed significantly and the product is now called Plexus Accelerator Plus (Accelerator +). Do read my review of the Plexus Accelerator Plus for additional information on the new product.
This is another product sold on the Plexus Slim website. The word “accelerator” is a tip-off that this product is a stimulant.
The Plexus Slim Accelerator contains trace minerals, calcium, and magnesium from seaweed (both are useless for weight loss) and vitamin B6 (useless for weight loss). The accelerator also has a “proprietary blend” of:
- Dark Chocolate – won't help weight loss, unless it has caffeine
- Natural Caffeine – natural or not, it's caffeine!
- Green Tea Extract – probably has caffeine or EGCG
- Vanadium Chelate. This is the fancy name for Vanadium. It won't help weight loss.
- B-Phenylethylamine HCl – might act as a neuro-chemical. Avoid if you take antidepressants.
The Plexus Slim Accelerator also has an ingredient called GeranaX. GeranaX is a reference to geranium oil. Geranium oil is controversial in some circles because it is thought by some to be a natural source of a stimulant called Dimethylamylamineor “DMAA. ” It's scientific name is 1,3 Dimethylamylamine and its also called Methylhexaneamine.
The name “GeranaX” is a made-up word. In other words, the name GeranaX holds no scientific meaning.
Geranium has been the subject by scrutiny by the military, whose research finds that geranium does not contain DMAA. Oddly, the supplement 411 website still lists “geranium” as an alternative name for DMAA in its listings. Currently, it is controversial if geranium is a source of DMAA or not.
As of July 2013, the Australian government warned people about the Plexus Slim Accelerator because they say it had DMAA. This link goes to the Australian government website that discusses the Plexus Slim Accelerator and DMAA.
- In April of 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter about DMAA.
- Here is a New York Times article on DMAA for more information.
The ingredient DMAA seems to act like ephedra or bitter orange (synephrine) which are potent stimulants. As such, it may raise blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels. Here is a case report of a 21-year-old man who suffered a stroke after taking 2 DMAA pills.
This does not mean plexus slim will do this. It would depend on whether DMAA really is in geranium and also which part of the plant was used (root, stems ect).
Di methy amyl amine “looks” like amphetamines (“speed”). This may be why question 6 of the Plexus Slim Q and A page mentions that this ingredient may cause a positive result on a drug test for amphetamines. Here is a study showing that dimethylamylamine causes false positive drug tests for amphetamines.
Plexus Slim Bio-Cleanse
This is a laxative. Always remember, the word “cleanse” means laxative. The Plexus Slim Bio Cleanse supplement lives up to its laxative name because it contains magnesium, which is indeed a laxative. Remember “Milk of Magnesia.” Either way, laxatives don't cause any weight loss other than mostly water (and of course, poo). The Plexus Slim website lists 2 prices for this product – $29.95 or $39.95 -both of which are too pricey for me.
Plexus Boost
Here is my review of Plexus Boost. I cover a lot of information in this review and I also compare it to the ingredients in Accelerator Plus as well.
Plexus Slim Fast Relief
The Fast Relief product appears to be a pain relief formula that exists in both a cream
and capsule form. One of the ingredients in Fast Relief is Lyprinol. This compound comes from the green-lipped mussel, hence the slogan “Full Body Relief, From the Sea-Naturally.” You may know this product by its other name – as Omega XL which is advertised on TV with Larry King.
For more information, see the review of Omega XL.
Will Plexus Slim Work?
Honestly, I'm not if it works because Plexus Slim – itself- has no published proof. If you read the comments below, you'll see some people do say it's helped them lose weight. If it works, is it because of the unique blend of ingredients in Plexus Slim or is it because of just a few key ingredients alone?
Here are Plexus Supplements on Amazon
anyone heard from Jamie W on how the alpha llipoic acid worked?
Steve
Here we go, another one of those so called ambassadors uneducated in all respects getting defensive because they have run out of crap to say. i was just waiting for that to happen, not once, every time. The points you have made are so dumb founded they don’t deserve to be responded too.
First off, you defend GNC as legitimate and can charge whatever they want. So Plexus is overpriced but GNC is not because you view them as legitimate… Makes sense since I can buy most of their products for 1/2 the price elsewhere… Wait, that’s right… As a consumer I have that choice, just as a Plexus customer has the choice to buy or not. Your argument makes it seem as if Plexus is some type of monopoly in its supplement field.
Nobody said anything about being healthcare providers. As a matter of fact I recall talking about some negative experiences that I have been directly connected to. So, when I stumble on someone who wants to try it and they fit a similar mold of those who have had negative experiences then I actually deter them.
I talk about sales, I’m guessing you’ve never had to deal with direct cold selling to a customer who didn’t come in for what you had to offer… I do it everyday in my little retail world. It has some benefits but they didn’t come for the offered product, what do we do? We sell ourselves, our personality, our friendliness and then a little about the product. What is the return?
Generally a 20% return on something the consumer never intended to buy. It’s called creating the demand. Supply and demand is commodity based, we aren’t talking about selling something that someone needs to sustain living. Nor are we talking about the next best electronic devices. We are talking about a supplement that makes the same claims as nearly every supplement of similar type.
Differences are in personal experience… I can sell based on my experience and guess what…? You can’t convince me that my results weren’t real. Sure, much of it was probably more psychological than physical but nonetheless it worked for me when other things have not.
At this point I would venture to say we won’t agree on this subject matter… Evidently we both have strong opinions. You try to label me as the cultish MLM and that is the tone of your comments but I don’t push this on anyone. Those who have come to me saw what changes have happened to me. That’s where 90% of my base is from.
Alright, I’m finished. I accept our disagreement and will move on with life as usual. I do hope you enjoy your time blathering about how much you know…
Oh you tossed out that large 6 billion customer as to trump my little comment about my sells history… Well, my company was a 100 billion dollar worldwide retailer. I guess that makes me more special! Ha… Have a good day sir Pete.
Much love!
Steve
Hey Steve, hope you are doing well.
Congrats on all your successes. But, I found out long ago people on line don’t really care, they just want information. To make myself credible, and I apologize to those online, I retired with over 33 yrs as Director of Marketing to the second largest pharmaceutical company in the nation, then went to work 4 yrs as VP of Marketing to a large bank. On the pharmaceutical end, We had 10 major products, one did over $6 BIIION a year, the others $1 BILLION,or more.
Steve, you mentioned you and your father examine each person to determine if they are a good fit for PS. You didn’t say anything in your post about being healthcare providers, who you know would be the only ones to determine this. You admitted some of your customers have admitted getting sick on PS and considered going to the hospital. I have had reports of people actually going to the hospital. I, had to go to my Dr. after experimenting with it. Steve what if by chance you give this product to some who has medical issues and they die. What do you tell the family? Oh. I’m sorry about that, but just send the unused portion back to PS and get a refund. And, I guest just carry on until the attorney’s come.
Steve you know PS is tremendously over priced, it has to be to be able to pay all the different levels. I believe there are 7. Sounds good, but really isn’t. Whole different chapter. As far as Gnc, they are a legitimate company, and can charge whatever the competition and market warrants. People don’t have to buy their products at GNC, unlike PS where you either buy their products, or not be involved in their comp. plan. Big difference!
Again, you do not own your product, no matter how much you buy. I am sure you have heard about supply and demand. You, or your father have no control over. An example: what if you anticipate you are going to sell 1 million packages of the “pink drink” but the demand is for only 500 thousand. You are stuck with 500 thousand of product you cannot sell. Same thing goes for the company. In other words, bad marketing decision, WHAM, you are out of business. Now, you hopefully understand the pressure a true marketing person is under.
Have a great day Steve.
I never questioned Joe’s thought’s and opinions. Most of my response was based on the comments that came after the article rather than the article itself. It is just my observation, with any supplements, that they work better for some than others.
Now, the question of it being some type of medical treatment… I don’t buy into 100%. I have sold to many people who have given me very negative responses to how the product worked for them. Some of them became very sick to the point of vomiting and nearly going to the hospital. This is why I don’t market to everyone that I meet and my dad is the same way. If we come across someone who is interested and we find out that they may not be a good candidate for the product, we won’t sell it.
My dad has been in PS since August of 2011… not exactly a founder and he makes well more than those who recruited him. I’m not speaking from years of research obviously, as I stated I’ve only been around this for a few months. I have watched a company he was working with go bust and he was outted pretty large. The time and energy he put into it pretty much went south.
When I speak of the business… I’m not speaking of PS as a company, I am speaking as him personally. He manages his own as if he owns a company and it works. Evidently, personal ownership is needed in any type of business. Product can be owned in PS, you just buy it from the supplier… Just like any retail business, you don’t own it until you buy it. And just as in any sales type of business, 90% of your success relies on selling yourself and not the product.
Again, I have been in General Store Management for 2 of the largest retailers in the world. I ran a 46 million dollar big box retail store at the age of 24 yrs old. I know plenty about how selling works. There are thousands out there that have the same complaint about retailers because of prices compared to the products they get. What’s better is that if you go to places like GNC and other nutritional supplements shops, they will sell products at twice the price of its real worth. How many complain about that? Who is getting all the money there?
Well, it’s life that there are lots of workers and a few successful people out there. Not everyone is going to be in the top of everything. In my big box store, I made nearly 100k a year, my assistant managers made 45k-50k, dept managers between 12-17 an hour and associates would make right down to minimum wage. My manager made nearly 250k and I’m confident that his managers were raking in the cash.
This is how business works. There is always a hierarchy that makes more than those below.
The problem with MLM is that people hang their hopes and dreams of get rich quick on it. Which is far from realistic. My dad and I have a mindset that we do not sell unrealistic hopes. It is quite easy for someone to profit $500 a month. I do very little in order to get $500+, whereas my dad spends 70hrs a week or more to make 10k+ a month. I personally work a full time job, have a wife and 3 kids. This is not a business for me, its a hobby that brings me a little extra cash when I can fit it in.
So, you aren’t talking to someone trying to sell the dream of traditional MLM… You’re talking to someone who says that you should have a real job and if you want to dabble in something else… give it a try but don’t hang your life on the MLM dream.
Thanks for your response though!
God Bless,
Steve =)
Steve
Your post has so many holes in it concerning MLM and Plexusslim, I don’t know where to start. But, lets start here. First of all, I don’t if you know this or not but Joe Cannon, the author of this site, is a nationally renowned figure in the physical training world. Can’t lists all his credits, but a couple, worked as an advisor for NBC Dateline, and has written several books on physical training and nutrition. Based on your remarks concerning physical trainers, etc., set back relax, and take your foot out of your mouth.
Steve, you mentioned you made $500.00 last month selling PS direct to consumers. (don’t quit you day job just yet) Selling a product- based deal is fine, but the idea of marketing a business opportunity to prospects when the numbers are not ethical for us,in its purest form. In other words, as you stated MLM is crap, it is not if done ethically, more focus on selling direct than recruiting.
If recruiting is the main focus you are simply a member of an illegal pyramid disguised by a product. Selling the dream of financial independence with MLM is a mirage for 90+% (some experts say more like 98%) of distributors. The MLM industry statistics are that on average only 10% of distributors get a commission check each month. Of that 10%, 80% do not make enough to sustain themselves as a full-time income. Industry wide statistics show that 90% of distributors drop-out of each company within 1-2 yr. period. The distributor churn rate is terrible.
Anyway you cut it, MLM statistically does not work for 90-95% of those involved. And those who make the big bucks are in a more elite group- usually 1/10 of 1% of all distributors. Meaning no disrespect, but your father hit the jackpot. I can almost say for sure he was one of the first to get on the PS train. Most will stay on until it crashes, and by marketing design it will. Distributors at that level are what consumer advocates call “at the top of the food chain” being fed by those at the bottom.
Steve, in MLM you do not own your own business like most are deceived to believe. You do not own the products, and you are not in control of your destiny. The company holds all the strings- product supply,computer tracking, commissions, collections, customer service, order fulfillment, publicity, compliance, public relations, comp. plan, EVERYTHING. All you own is a position in a long line of distributors. Steve, you are smart enough to know that you are at the MERCY of the company, upline, downline, media, and government.
In my research, many ex MLMers, some at the diamond level, told me they could no longer ethically sell the MLM dream of financial independence for all. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. They could no longer make the big incomes they were making built on the backs of the users, consumers, and LITTLE PEOPLE-the one’s who buy their $100.00 a month of whatever and don’t get a check, or make enough money to breakeven.
There again, I mean no disrespect to your father, but those people making $300.00, is that a real # or one before all expenses are deducted I was in PS, and believe my total expenses were at least $300.00. Basically, the money flows upline to distributors and back to the company from people who don’t make the monthly qualifications. By the way, MLM is not a business, it is a strategy.
I have written enough about MLM. As posted before I have nothing against PS,, just the channels through which it is distributed. The product will fail on its own weight through product saturation, and people saturation. Doesn’t matter how great the product is. This is the “law of marketing”.
My final note is, and my .05 of advice based on pure research, if you go to any business opportunity meeting and you hear the words upline and downline, jump out of your chair and RUN as fast as you can.
Today will be my 4th day on PS. For the first two days I took only the PS and then yesterday I added 1/2 of the accelerator in my PS drink. The accelerator made me really, really sleepy. I have heard you can take the PS without the accelerator and still get results. I am 5’5″ and weight about 165. I am down a couple pounds as of this morning.
Thanks Joe. Sorry for the accusation, just use to others filtering out supporter comments to create a completely negative slim site.
And yes, the accelerator does have an ingredient that may cause extreme energy surge. The main slim website has in the QnA section relating to its similarity to speed. This is why they tell you to use the accelerator as a start up or break through cycle and not use it all the time. Problem is that Reps market it as of you must use both products to get results, when in reality you don’t.
I currently use just the drink and its going great. Not as much weight loss but I’m okay with that.
I apologize again for coming at you in the wrong context earlier.
God Bless,
Steve
No problem Steve, Thanks.
So let me get this straight. It’s a non biased website until I make a long post in rebuttal of some accusations here. My post goes unpublished. Feel free to email me and explain why so I can know better for next time.
Thanks and God Bless,
Steve
Steve, I believe this is the first I have seen a comment by you. It’s possible that your original post went to spam by mistake. This is a very rare occurrence but it may happen if your comment contained a number of hyperlinks.
Update: Steve, I found your original comment and have posted it to the website.
Rebecca
i know people get tired of hearing from me, but every-time i hear of someone having an experience like yours it makes me sick, just like PS did to you. it’s very clear in Joe’s analysis of the Accelerator due to the GERANAX, it is more potent than 1 cup of coffee. It is very close chemically to being or acting like EPHEDRA, THAT MY DEAR IS SPEED!! AGAIN, WHERE IS THE DATA? Read able DMAA and people possibly dying of strokes. For some reason people do not pay attention. The company does not, for some reason, disclose how much Geranax is in the Accelerator. This is scary in itself.
Rebecca, i was an Ambassador at one time, and could no longer do it for moral reasons.
I tried Plexus for a few days… I was given a “free 3 day sample” by an Ambassador of the company, because I “liked” it on FB. So, even though several people in my area are taking it and selling it, and trying to get me to sell it….NO ONE bothered to tell me to “research” nor to “check with my doctor”, nor to cut OUT caffeinated drinks while taking Plexus Slim.
NO one told me that I didn’t have to take the Accelorator. (my fault for NOT researching, and reading reviews like yours) Thank you by the way…
I took the Accelorator, and within minutes; I felt as though I had been slipped SPEED. My heart raced, my skin was flush, even hot to the touch. I became extremely nauseated, which resulted in losing my breakfast. I had to leave work that day.
I have heard that it “works” for people, but I have also been told that those same people have cut out caffeinated drinks, drink tons of water each day (they say that they feel they HAVE to, because they stay so thirsty)…I have even seen proof with my own eyes that people have lost weight.
But here’s my thing….if anyone drinks liters/gallons of water a day, and because they are FULL of water—they don’t eat as much—it stands to reason that they WILL lose weight with that alone. I surely can afford the price of water — over the price of Plexus Slim by the month. Who’s with me on that?
Not to dis on them or anything…but I just don’t see how they can say “in good conscious” that there is NO CAFFEINE, NO STIMULANTS, and NO SIDE EFFECTS…that is a truckload of cow manure. I lived thru the side effects, ONLY to find out that there is enough caffeine in the accelorator to match 6-8 20oz cups of coffee. All wrapped up in a convenient little pill…. 🙁 and until I read this article, I didn’t realize that one of the other ingredients was similar to speed. YOU made my point! Thanks
I have been taking the product for nearly 4 months and have lost 50lbs. Began selling it and in the first month of selling I have made over $500 in retail sales alone. My upline, which is my dad, has had several months of nearly 10k a month income. Nearly everyone in his direct downline makes at least $300 in extra income without needing to do much.
This is because he actually treats it like a business. He personally assists everyone he touches and has created his own Plexus Slim Directory (web link removed)
Sure MLM is crap, if you treat it like something that is suppose to work for you rather than you work for it. What company, business or career out there gives you everything with you putting nothing into it? None!
I work as a retail Store Manager and have done so for nearly 10 years. In order for me to make a pay check, I have to ensure customers come in and out of those doors and buy something. I get a very small portion of what the company gets… Does that mean I work for a fraudulent company that is an international retailer? Of course not, it’s call business.
I tried Plexus Slim for 3 months before joining in and we recommend that everyone tries before they join. I personally give away free 3 day samples out of my own pocket. My dad gives everyone personal websites, not the company website but ones he creates out of his own pocket. It’s called building a business and people work for their managers, not for a company. So, if you have had a bad experience in dieting or in sales… Chalk it up as loss and move on, don’t try and ruin it for others because of your negative opinions.
I personally know diabetics who have been able to stop taking their medicines, people with high blood pressure who have been off their scripts for months and people (such as myself) who have been overweight for years and finally have been able to drop a large portion of weight with very little effort.
While no, that is not what I propose to others, rapid weight loss. For me… It has given me a jump start to living healthier. If you look at any of the success stories out there, they got a boost in confidence after using Plexus Slim and then began to live healthier lifestyles that they were unable to do on their own.
Picture it like paying for a personal trainer, does anyone actually need someone to tell them how to work out? No! I worked at a major fitness gym when in college and one of the most popular personal trainers said, “Steve, after the 2 free visits we give, they don’t need us anymore. People just need an incentive to work out because they can’t do it alone. In the first 2 visits, they get all the info they need but what keeps them coming back is the fact that they are paying $60+ a visit to have a personal trainer.”
Basically, people have a hard time doing things for themselves and need a little extra push. That’s what Plexus Slim did for me.
Thanks for allowing me to post my experience and opinions. Since most of the comments here are opinions, nobody is right or wrong. We can only base our opinions off of personal experience and I am sorry if you have had a bad one with Plexus Slim.
God Bless,
Steve
Joe, thought this to be an interesting article on “FAD” diet products. Even our friends in Malaysia know better. Yahoo, “THERE IS NO “SHORTCUT” TO SLIMMING”
Michelle
Hope you are better. If you read my post on PS promoting the product as having no ill side effects, it’s obvious you know the truth. That is a statement that should NEVER be on the packaging of any product without any proof. I would say report it to the company, but I doubt anything will be done. You can report your experience to the FDA, FTC, or the Attorney General’s Office of your state. People need to get more active in matters like this before someone is injured. Sorry Joe, hope I wasn’t out of line stating this, but you know my stance on this. Not the product, just the way it is promoted.
Pete, not at all. Speak away 😉
It continues to be amazing to me how the promoters of PS can say with honesty that “PS offers no ill side effects”. My experience tells me that a side effect is any negative experience a person may have with a product. EVERY PRODUCT ON THE MARKET HAS SIDE EFFECTS!
Have you ever read the product information sheet for aspirin, if you did you probably would not take it. I have read many testimonies (PS) that people have had dizziness, become nauseated, lose their sense of balance, high-blood pressure, low-sugar, these are all side effects that with any other industry except MLM would have to be reported to the FDA. Oh, one more side effect, some people report weight-gain.
To lose weight for my wedding I exercised four to five hours a day and counted calories. I lost 30 pounds in three months, but after the wedding the weight came back on. Not wanting to go through that again, I tried Plexus Slim.
The accelerator made me sick. I would have cycles of hot flashes then chills within minutes of each other starting about an hour after taking it and they would last for about 3 hours. My muscles felt fatigued like I had just ran a marathon, I felt physically drained and I even fell asleep at work once.
It also gave me dry mouth and I was constantly drinking water. I stopped taking it after a week, but the following week I tried it again for a few days only to get the same results. I totally skipped my period that month and had two the following month. I keep drinking the mix and only lost two pounds that entire month. It just wasn’t worth it.
I have a question for the ones of you that got sick from PS… By chance do any of you have amalgam fillings? Just curious because I read an artical that said when Alpha-Lipoic Acid was used by someone with amalgam fillings … Well here is the link it’s the comment at the bottom of the page. Let me know what you guys think. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-nicholas-perricone/the-top-10-weight-loss-su_b_227618.html
Elise, I cant speak about the mercury fillings and ALA connection (but the comment by Dr Mankovitz was very interesting) but I noticed Dr Perricone also mentioned DMAE in that article too. Here is some stuff I wrote about DMAE in my book about supplements :
apparently you are only listing partial or personally biased information here: concerning ALA… here is the gov’t report on using it as a safe and effective antioxidant in diabetics to assist in lowering blood sugar naturally….
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21666939
Lisa B, not at all, in fact I did report on research showing where alpha lipoic acid did seem to cause some weight loss and even mentioned that that loss was “significant.” In the study you linked to, researchers gave people 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid. How much alpha lipoic acid is in plexus slim? I dont know the answer to this but if its not the same as this research then it may not do the same thing. I would also point out that exercise would also likely do much of the same thing as the study found.
Some supplements have a BUNCH of research on them. Alpha lipoic acid is one of those. I try to be as unbiased as I can while providing research that is relevant to the topic I’m reviewing. Doing an exhaustive review of each ingredient in a product would bog most people down and I think dilute from the central topic of the review. I do appreciate you listing that research study.
Joe,
I am curious as to why you would not recommend this product for people who have had gastric bypass. Could you please go into detail here and explain why you feel this way and what you think the possible side effects might be in this instance.
Thanks
Lisa B, sure thing. If people have already had a gastric bypass, I dont think they need a supplement to help them lose weight. The gastric bypass should do all of that for them.
Also, Plexus Slim has a fiber in it called garcinia Cambodia which swells in size in the stomach. Since people with gastric bypass already have very small stomachs, my concern is that the fiber swells so much that it damages the stomach. I have no proof that plexus slim does this but Plexus slim cant prove that it doesn’t do do this either because as far as I know they have never given the product to 100 or so people who’ve had gastric bypasses to see what happens. I’d bet that if you asked the Plexus Slim company if it was ok for people with gastric bypasses to take, they would probalby say no.
People with gastric bypasses often have problems getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy (because the stomach is so small). Taking a product that makes them feel full – like Plexus Slim – may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Hey CP, enjoyed your post. In my opinion the reason you haven’t read any. negate post on PS is because most postings are from the Ambassadors. There is plenty of negative post on PS, just need to find an unbiased site like this one by Joe Cannon, his is completely unbiased.
As far as the Accelerator go back to Joe’s description of the PS Accelerator, and pay special attention to the ingredient in it called Geranax. If you do your research on Geranax you will see why PS may be more potent then just the caffeine in one cup of coffee.
Keep in mind CP there are no clinical data supporting PS, or the Accelerator. I had to go to the doctor after taking it, have blood pressure of 180/110, and pulse rate of 126. Both very elevated for me. I don’t take it or PS anymore, and would never ask my friends or relatives to either.
In my opinion, you are going with the correct formula, eat right, and exercise. It may take awhile, but sooner or later the fad will be gone, just like the Acai Berry. Good luck CP, and God Bless.