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 
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
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
Karen
The Silver Ambassador income of your sister’s is highly exaggerated. I was a Gold Ambassador (one level above Silver) at one time, and did not make enough income to pay for my products each month plus expenses.
If you can prove this income, please do. When someone approaches me with Multi-Level Marketing, and claim they make a certain income, I always ask to see their W2 forms. Not gross income, but, net, minus expenses. Amazingly, not one has ever provided this information. Don’t feel bad though, most MLMers deviate from the truth about their incomes anyway. Prove me wrong!
Karen, you are doing two things that are a no-no in respect to regulations set forth by the FTC, just one of the federal agencies that regulates MLM.
You are making income claims with no proof, and you are making false claims about PS. (Fibromyalgia,,etc).
Karen, I would be very careful in both these areas because “big brother” may be watching.
Pete, her testamonial is not a no-no nor is it illegal. Lying would be wrong, in a moral capacity. But there is nothing either legally or morally wrong with Karen (or me) speaking the truth about what we’ve experienced. What a crazy world we’d live in if that were something we could get “busted” for!
However, per Plexus compliance we certainly are not allowed to advertise products in ads, etc and say that they are FOR any conditions that Plexus did not market them for. What a disservice we would do if we were not honest in telling others – including those in corporate- about our personal results.
Fibromyalgia is as yet such a mystery to everyone that how could ANYONE presume to know what will or will not have an effect on this maddening, destructive disease that can’t be pinpointed by the experts? Neither cause nor cure is known to anyone, and yet you would flippantly suggest that a person telling her truth (or her daughters) is somehow engaging in dishonesty or illegal activity?
You have a lot of anger and it is pretty misdirected, obviously. On the topic of your level in company and your paycheck, it is clear that if you didn’t generate that kind of income that your downline was not working and neither were you. Something atrophied and it was probably because of your high strung and bitter attitude. Leadership skills are the biggest indicator of success and you probably didn’t even believe in the products (may I presume?) so how would you have built a strong downline? Not possible.
Only if you’d been fortunate enough to have some people sign on who were self starters and who themselves had the typical results would you then have benefited from a consistant income. I might have people like myself in my downline or I might have people who need more hands on leadership in how to do the business well. In a physical storefront or in an MLM there are guiding principles that can make or break a business.
Plexus is a fairly new product and company so whoever you recruited didn’t likely have anywhere to go but you for the how to’s and as the standard bearer, you flopped. As did your downline in some places as proved by the lack of a paycheck like Karen’s daughter gets. 🙂 I’m sorry you are so angry but please consider the way you are taking it out on people. Karen has no legal obligation to “prove an income” of her daughters that she has casually mentioned in a discussion thread on a blog. I think you need to talk to a lawyer for a better understanding of what you are proclaiming.
I am a nurse and I am also taking Plexus, all diets and supplements do not work for everyone but I have seen so many positive testimonials of how this product is changing lives, My daughter who had PTSD , anxiety, Fibromyalgia has lost 28 lbs and no longer has any symptoms of these problems, I feel better than I have in years and just because it does not work for everyone it does more good than bad, any supplement can cause problems but if we call got healthy and did not have to see doctors ,how would they make money, I would like to know your credentials.
Karen, I have a MS in exercise science and a BS in chemistry and biology. I’ve been writing about supplements for over 10 years and have written a book about them called Nutritional Supplements What Works and Why. My personal site Joe-Cannon.com has more about me also.
I don’t feel my background matters though.
Could weight loss be tied to less anxiety? I can see how that might be. As for reduced fibromyalgia and PTSD, I am not aware of any evidence for this.
Are you a PS distributor? Its fine if you are. I was just curious when you used the phrase “the product is changing lives” which are words I hear a lot of PS resellers say.
Hi Joe! I have Fibromyalgia and some auto immune issues. I also actually live a really, really comfortable life already. I have a solid business income and my husband has made 6 figures for many years. I live in and own a gorgeous home in a great neighborhood and we have enough money to pay all our bills, the mortgage on our new, spacious home, and for our teenagers to be in travel sports teams. (Between the two of them we spend well over 7,000 a year.).
We are not super wealthy but I was in NO way looking for another job or means of income. But my pain and severe fatigue due to my health problems made it so that it wouldn’t have mattered if I was a millionaire. If I had all the money in the world I would still have been careening into depression due to the overwhelm and the pain. Life was extremely hard, and it hit me like a ton of bricks out of the clear blue. I went from being an active, healthy, capable mom and wife to being suddenly and without warning at the mercy of these diseases. No amount of money would have made me a happier or healthier person. I was becoming angry inside. I had always been a positive person.
By some serendipitous chance, I was introduced to Plexus and it has literally given me back my life. I feel absolutely compelled to tell everyone I know about it, because there are so many it could potentially help. That’s just pure, unabated truth from my heart hopefully to yours. I don’t want to fight. I just want to present to you that it is important to consider that not all things in life will fit so neatly into a box and we don’t always know what we think we do in absolute terms.
I would never, never, never have thought I would ever be selling any products in this lifetime. And here I am. I hope that whoever reads this and is trying to figure out if they should take the leap will call their “ambassador” after sharing the ingredients lists with their doctors and just give it a chance.
I won’t make anything personally from telling this small bit of my story… but I will feel better knowing that maybe it will play a part in turning around someone else’s life too. I can’t tell you why it works and surely it’s not a miracle solution for everyone and everything.
However, it deserves to be given a chance and not have it’s feasibility destroyed via virtual judge and jury. Too many people could benefit from it for that to be acceptable to me, which is why I am commenting. Opinions about MLM aside.
Ang, thanks for writing and sharing your story. I’m really glad you have found something that works for you. I do agree that showing the list of ingredients to the doctor is a great idea so with that in mind, I’m wondering if you could tell me why the PlexusWorldWide website no longer lists the ingredients for any of their products on the site? I noticed this the other day and was curious.
Joe, new website is so AWESOME! Thanks for all your hard work, and allowing all of us to express our opinions on PS.
Pete, thanks for saying that! There is also a lot of modifications under the hood that will help me keep up with how the web is changing.
Hey Leigh Ann
I’ll have to disagree with you on the qualifications of the ambassadors to receive commissions based on auto-ship. This info. comes from the PS website, and from my experience as a former ambassador:
Qualifying to Earn Income:
In order to earn commissions and bonuses you must be Qualified. Being Qualified means that your Annual Membership as a Plexus Ambassador is current and that you have an AutoQualification order in place. If you fail to be Qualified, you will not receive bonuses and commissions.
Leigh Ann, if different from above, please show where you obtained the information.
And, you are right, you can cancel your auto-ship, but based on above, you forfeit your opportunity to earn commissions.
The annual membership is a once per year $34.00 fee- and it covers the cost of the individual Plexus websites we each have. Other than that, you do not have to do anything. If you turn off your autoship, nothing happens. If you turn it on, you can get paid commissions. If you do not pay the $34.00 when your year renewal comes up, I guess they assume you are not going to be using Plexus anyway, so it makes sense that you would not be qualified to earn commissions after that. I hope that helped to clarify!
Btw, three months and lost virtually nothing, even with watching diet and 4-6 hrs a weeks working out. Followed the rules, zippo for me except for heartburn. A week back on low carb and 7 lbs gone. I feel so foolish for wasting my money for so long.
And forget the money back guarantee. Just got run around on that. And my friend also on it developed liver problems. Maybe it works for some, but be careful. And their supporters are rabid so watch your back!
Anita, sorry to hear that but the good news is that you came out knowing more than before. Knowledge is power.
Anita, it took me about three months to receive my refund but keep at it. Even if it’s just the $89 for the Plexus Slim which becomes an $85 refund, it is still worth it. I called several times, e-mailed a couple of times and wrote a letter too.
At one point Plexus said they had credited my bank account but when I contacted the bank they told me they had never received anything from Plexus. I e-mailed them again and FINALLY got the credit on my account.
Just keep at it because you don’t want them to keep you money on something that did not work for you. That is what the money back guarantee is supposed to be about. Keep on keeping on, Anita.
Also, the autoship can be turned on or off at any time and the Ambassador is not required to have ANY product shipped to them. Some people choose to use this as a “inventory.” There are discounts given to the Ambassador of course when they DO keep the autoship ON above and beyond what the regular public receives. It’s not a rip off if an Ambassador is using the product for themselves.
Hello, Plexus Worldwide does not require that the 100PV required to receive commission come from the Ambassador. There is NO autoship REQUIRED. If someone places a $100 order, then the Ambassador become eligible to receive commissions on anything after that amount. Again, the 100PV does not have to come from the Ambassador. –LA in GA
Thanks Leigh Ann. I was going to try to clarify that as well. I don’t want to get into the debate with those here that clearly are against MLM’s. It’s not really worth my time. But I do think it’s important to have all the facts available to those who are reading and doing their due diligence before joining. You do not, as Leigh Ann stated, have to do anything to remain an ambassador. You just need to have autoship turned on and have $100 purchased if you would like to get paid that month. 🙂
It really is a small cost considering that if you tried to start up a bricks and mortar business of your own you would take on many costs and fees. Plexus corporate does have overhead costs and a physical presence, so it doesn’t seem fair to expect that we could get in on the profits of this fantastic set of products and take on none of the costs. But everyone has their own perspective. I just hope that most are able to view a lot of what has been said for what it is.
thinking about doing this. I will try the product out over the next couple of days and give feedback on the actual product.
To all:
Joe, if off subject, just ignore, but I thought this link could be beneficial to those who have, and continue to make unapproved claims in reference to PS. Most have good intentions, and may not even be aware of the repercussions that may face them when making false claims about their products.
Len Clemens is a pro-MLMer, that has been very successful in the industry, but one of few that play by the rules. His message is directed to those MLM companies, and distributors like PS, that sell healthcare products, since most of the dollars made in MLM, are from this area.
One of his remarks even refers to those companies that make claims of regulating blood sugar, and why you have to be careful and not step on the FDA, nor the FTC toes. Hopefully, this link will be a helpful tool for the PS ambassadors.
I got severe heartburn and I have never really had one before. After taking it to very little effect for two months, I started having such severe heartburn that I feared a heart attack. It start again after I ate or even drink water. I did this three days in a row and vowed never again.
And their lists are like a cult. All you read is drink water and do the spit test because if you weren’t losing weight, you must have a candida build up.
And heaven forbid anyone question or sound remotely negative!
I have been using Plexus Slim for 7 weeks now and have lost 16 lbs and 11.5 inches. I’m diabetic and my blood sugars have been out of control for many months – since using Plexus Slim, my sugars have come down significantly. It is a wonderful product. I can’t say enough good about it.
As for the MLM side. I am also a Silver Ambassador for Plexus and am so impressed with the income potential as well. I have made more money with this company than I have ever made in any MLM before. I am amazed at how easy Plexus makes it for their ambassadors to make money. They require a very small purchase per month of their ambassadors and pay weekly.
I have gotten a bonus check every week since I started. And I’m not talking pennies or a couple of dollars either. Plexus pays commissions on all sales – we even get paid commission on the products we purchase ourselves. I am finding the company to be top notch and their products really work. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join Plexus.
I noticed some people commenting who are vomiting BS all over your readers and have no idea what they are talking about. Just wanted to give you an honest opinion from someone who has experience with Plexus company and products.
celeneharrelson, thanks for writing. I had a few questions based on what you said:
1. Is a silver ambassador high up in the ambassador hierarchy of PS?
2. How much do plexus slim ambassadors have to purchase each month to be able to get regular commission payments?
3. Can you tell me how much the average PS ambassador makes per month?
Glad PS is working out for you! If you can help me out with these questions, that would be great 🙂
Silver level ambassador are the next level up from ambassador
100 Dollars
My daughter make 2000.00 monthly
Karen, Im curious, how much does the average PS ambassador make? I usually don’t delve too much into the MLM side of supplement businesses but I feel I must ask this question when people say they are making a lot selling various supplements. PS knows how much the average ambassador makes. Since most of us are just average people (not all star sellers or those who got in on the ground floor of the opportunity), knowing an average monthly amount would tell most of us what we might make “on average.”
Actually, you aren’t required to “buy” anything to get commissions. You are required to have $100 in sales value. Those can be on sales to yourself or others. Average commissions aren’t available, as they aren’t in most (or any) MLM company. MLMs are not allowed to tell people how much they can make, they can’t even allude to it, all an individual can do is say how much they made individually. Many people in any MLM make nothing.
In Plexus, many people sign up as ambassadors to get the discount on Plexus products they use themselves, never intending to sell. Some people will sell some when asked how they are losing weight but make no real effort to actively sell. Others will promote the product and do much better. Others will actively market the products and do better financially. And there are some that make really large amounts of money. And as the norm there are less people as you go up on each of those categories.
And it is actually better to keep someone as a preferred customer, rather than make them an ambassador, unless they are actually going to sell the product. Your pay will go down if they sign up and are just using the products.
I am a perfectly healthy 59 year old female who wanted to lose about weight. Let me rephrase that. I WAS a perfectly healthy 59 year old female. Why WAS? After drinking your Plexus POISON for two months, I am now diagnosed with cancerous tumors. CANCER. Can you comprehend the death sentence your POISON has inflicted on me. Who is next? I now have to go thru extensive and expensive chemo.
YES, I am blaming this on the poison you are selling. PEOPLE, STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT. I WENT FROM A PERFECTLY HEALTHY BODY TO ONE NOW DISEASED WITH CANCER. I will be reporting Plexus POISON to every federal law enforcement available.
Name Withheld, So sorry this happened to you! Can you tell me what kind of cancer you have? What symptoms lead you to go to the doctor to get checked for cancer? Did a doctor ever tell you the ingredients caused cancer? I’m wondering because Ive never heard of Plexus Slim causing cancer before. While I DEEPLY sympathize with what you are going through, I wonder if this diagnosis could be a terrible coincidence? In the end I dont know if there is or isn’t a connection. I’m just going to say a prayer for you that you get the appropriate treatment and beat this.
I use only Shaklee supplements and weight management products. Unlike the other MLMs mentioned here, they have peer-reviewed published research on their products–in fact more than other companies combined. The studies are available on shaklee.com. The Landmark Study is one of a kind. Most companies would be terrified to put their products through that rigorous of a test.
It amazes me that so many people will blindly buy expensive untested products to lose weight.
Nancan
I have a rapid heartbeat (PVC’s) and cardiologist doesn’t want me to take Plexus Slim because of the hoodia. Called the company and didn’t get any help. They told me to talk to the doc. I haven’t seen any info about the hoodia in this product causing problems. Any one have any info?
Nan, I mentioned in my review how hoodia might chemically resemble a type of heart drug. I’m guessing that may be why your cardiologist told you what he/she did.
I take PS and Probio 5 (my PCP believes in our overly-medicated-antibiotic-loving society that everyone should take some form of probiotic), have lost a lot of weight (35 lbs in 3 months), feel better, and can be more active.
I have a PVC and both my PCP and my cardiologist said that as long as my test results (stress test, CBC panel, and EKG) are normal, I can continue with the product. So far, so good. My PCP is impressed at the reduction of triglycerides and glucose levels (always “borderline” diabetic…never truly labelled as one, though.)
I am a researcher in the biochemical field for a major company based in STL and did A LOT of research before I tried the products. I was even allowed in the lab to do a chemical assay on the PS to see what was really in the substance.
As for “never making $$,” the woman I buy from earns enough money each month through her business to pay her mortgage and both car payments. I’d say she’s successful, and she isn’t even highly ranked as an ambassador.
So, let’s call it like it is…to each their own. If you don’t like the products, don’t buy them. If you don’t like the company, don’t buy from them or support them. Everyone is different and products will work differently for individuals.
wow, Sarah! That is really interesting that you were allowed to do a chemical assay on PS! What did you find? I have started taking the PS without the accelerator and have found it to give me more energy and clarity. I would be really interested to hear a reply from you as to what you found in your lab!
Regardless of all this research you’ve done, ppl have really taken to this product. My newsfeeds are overwhelmed with success stories from random ppl and friends that I actually know who are slimming down each day. So this research makes me wonder, is this a jab at PS or does PS really work? I’m holding off a bit longer only bc I am a skeptic (hence stumbling upon this blog) and I would rather see a success story that is years worth and not a few months in. This could be how Zombie Nation starts! haha
Marc
I will make one more post of rebuttal, then I am done with you out of respect for other people on this site.
We are getting way off subject. You are a new recruit in NU SKIN and responding just like other “brainwashed” new recruits in most other MLM companies. I can smell one a mile away.
Join Me? Why not buy my products, then join me? You just proved what your main goal is and that is to RECRUIT people, not sell products. The products are secondary to what the real driving force for most all MLM companies like NU SKIN. Recruitment of people, then getting them to recruit more people etc., is what fuels your company, and almost all other MLM
companies. You can talk product all you want, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s NU SKKIN 1.0, 2.0. or, NU SKIN 50.0, they are all the same, and will be operated under a proven “flawed” marketing system where only a few make a substantial income at the expense of many who lose money. I am sure others would like to know where are you in reference to financial success with NU SKIN. I would be willing to bet my mortgage, you are NOT in the 1% that may be successful. I would even bet that you never will be.
You may not know this and too “brainwashed” to understand at this point, but those positions at the top are already occupied.
You talk about how good your products are. They may be. I have some decent products in MLM, even though extremely overpriced allowing the company to pay the many levels of distributors, even though most just break even or lose money. Point is, if your products are SO good, why does your company chose to use the MLM method of distribution, putting those GOOD products in the hands of such inexperience people in sales and marketing. Why not put them out in the real market where the laws of “supply and demand” and REAL retail customers decide that fate of your product, or products. If good, they will survive. YOUR COMPANY KNOWS THAT COMPETITION IN THE REAL market will eat you alive, and they could not charge the ridiculous prices that they charge. They know you will pay whatever for their products just to qualify for commissions. Same information pertains to the new genetic weight-loss product you talk about. You compared this product to “Apple”.. That is a “joke”. “Apple” changed the “world”, and you are to tell me the genetic product will change the world, yet the company is to sell it through MLM channels, and put it again, in the hands of obviously inexperienced sales people like yourself.
Hard to believe!!
Marc, didn’t learn much in 33yrs in retail, did you!
Good luck in your journey with NU SKIN, or whatever your goals are. You are going to need it.
Keep ous posted on your success, or I”m pretty sure your failure. Like I’ve said before, most don’t.
Marc, I concur with Pete also; we are getting off topic so let’s end the discussion of Nu Skin.
Pete,
Why are you so angry all the time??? Geez. Isn’t this supposed to be a Plexus Slim thread???
Maria, it is a PS thread. no more Nu Skin talk
Joe, I have been taking Plexus Slim for almost 3 weeks. The jury is still out on whether or not it’s going to work for me. My question is this….Do you know if the Pro Bio5 that Plexus sells is better than most probiotics that you can get anywhere else? Just curious because I have noticed one thing about Plexus…they sure like to push their products. Thanks!
Dana, I have not seen any evidence that the plexus slim probiotic supplement (Pro Bio5) is better than any other probiotic supplement. Its marketed as a detox supplement but thats a vague term. What does it detox?
I went to its website and they say it has
Lactobacillus Sporogenes, L. Acidophilus, L. Plantarum, B. Longum and S. Boulardii.
Ive only seen research on Acidophilus but the other stuff might do something also. Either way, I didn’t see any evidence on the PS website that the Pro Bio 5 product works better than other product. Based on that I think you know what I’m going to say 🙂
Thanks so much Joe!
Marc
Has a video link tied to the new genetic weight-loss product in question. Post dated Sept. 24th, at 10:28 A.M.
Marc
Only question I would have for you would be how can you, or any one be involved in such a deceptive industry such as MLM, whether be PS, NU Skin, etc., responsible for massive financial loses each year.
First of all, you know very well that NU Skin has been brought to court about as many times as Amway, for performing as a “pyramid scheme”. Per Dr. John Taylor’s, “The Truth About MLM”, you have a 1 in 100 chance to just break even in NU Skin. That means 99/100 “distributors” are MLM victims.
Here is my rebuttal to your post:
There is a fine line between network or multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes, which are illegal to even take part in. The difference is entirely one of emphasis: in pyramid schemes, the agent makes his or her money primarily from signing up more agents, with gimmick product sometimes being used to try to make the scheme legal; whereas MLM schemes are basically pyramid structures that reward individuals for overall product sales.
Most people who sell products via MLM are good and honest people who genuinely believe in their products. Can you make money in MLM, yes you can, but highly unlikely. MLM, many yours ago, was a good system to get products in the hands of people who did not have access to them.
But like any system that has the potential to make a lot of money, MLM has quite a manipulative side. I have personally lost two or three friends who were distributors for network marketing companies because they insisted on bringing in the products to our relationship, so that every phone call became a masked sales pitch. If you are a distributor for this MLM company too, and especially if one of you is in the other’s downline, then a friendship around product sales can be sustainable. But if you have little to do with MLM, or if, like me, you want friendships that are non-conditional and that revolve around life rather than business, then you usually end up avoiding your entrepreneurial friend. The result is that most MLMers end up with a network of friends that includes many other MLMers
The reason why MLM can work so well is that people are much more likely to fall for a sales pitch from a friend or relative, or a stranger in a home setting, than they are from a stranger in a shop or market, or an advert in a paper, magazine or on the Internet. With the more traditional forms of selling, we are on our guard. However, with MLM, the sincerity and openness that we naturally resort to when that guard is down is exploited big time, with the result that the strengths of the product are less of a determining factor than the particulars of our relationship with that person, the setting, and our desire to make money ourselves by joining this scheme.
The last point is perhaps the most important: most successful MLM distributors tend to focus on selling the business rather than the products; the products are incidental to the business. In fact, some MLM companies can successfully trade in second-rate products because they have such a great payment plan for the distributors, and so the company can still do well, but usually only during the initial growth spurt stage, after which the company soon implodes. The problem when people are primarily focused on selling the business rather than the products is that the scheme looks more and more like a pyramid scheme whereby little actual product is being sold, and only those who have managed to get into the company early enough actually make any money. Pretty soon, most of those who are likely to fall for MLM schemes have either signed up or rejected the scheme, and it is much more difficult to recruit distributors. As the products aren’t good enough or aren’t seen as good enough to sustain the business themselves, the result is usually stagnation and then bankruptcy. The statistics speak for themselves: only 5% of start-up MLM companies will be around in just 3 years time. NU Skin is one of few exceptions. Why? This is a whole new book. Marc, you know why, based on the Amway lawsuit of 1979. That is a dismal success rate to bear in mind for all those who eagerly join new MLM operations.
Because MLM is such a hit and miss operation, and as almost all distributors are desperate to quickly sign up more distributors to ensure maximum return, the selling methods used by MLM distributors tend to be quite manipulative and/or high pressure. Most present images to the potential distributors of individuals who have made significant amounts of money using the particular MLM scheme, usually with pictures of cars and quotes of huge monthly earnings. By the way Marc, are you in one of those pictures. Odds say you are not. In this way, they appeal to our greed, without informing us that it is only a tiny percentage that actually makes it this big. Most people who join MLM companies (and we are talking about 97% or more) make less money than they put in purchasing products. But, like everything, it is a gamble, and most people are willing to take a chance.
MLM also tries to appeal to our innate herd mentality by giving the impression, invariably false, that everyone is involved in MLM, that it is the marketing method of the future, and that all the top business schools, business newspapers and futureologists are endorsing it. For example, many MLM companies have made the false claim that MLM is studied at leading business schools like Harvard, and that it has been praised by The Wall Street Journal. In fact, there are no legitimate business schools currently giving courses in MLM, and The Wall Street Journal has never endorsed MLM. Also, figures bandid around on the percentage of individuals who have become millionaires on the back of MLM are hugely exaggerated.
These sorts of exaggerations and false claims are made because the MLM market is so competitive. MLM companies present themselves as “caring and sharing” whislt most of them run sales courses for their leading distributors that trains them in the art and craft of seriously manipulative selling. Of course, they will argue that its okay to “encourage” individuals to purchase products that are really going to make a positive difference to people’s lives, but this is a specious argument because it makes the dangerous assumption that it is okay to manipulate others if we think we know what is best for them. (This is a justification for Big Brother if there ever was one!)
Oh, and your statement plugging the “new genetic weight-loss product endorsed by the investment advice company, Motley Fool, they did, or still do own stock in “Apple”. I’ll will wait for Joe’s review on the product when information is available. We know, and based on his reputation, the info. will be accurate, and more importantly, unbiased.
Pete, I have heard of Nu-Skin (you know more about the MLM stuff about it than I do) but dont know anything yet about their new weight loss product. I’ll just wait and see what happens.
Pete –
Regarding your question, ” …. how can you, or any one be involved in such a deceptive industry such as MLM, whether be PS, NU Skin, etc., responsible for massive financial loses each year.”, here’s my answer. Because Nu Skin 2.0 is unlike any MLM company in the industry, that’s why. I provide proof below. Compare and contrast to any other company.
In regards to your statement about being brought to court like Amway, and Dr. John Taylor, etc., you’re talking about Nu Skin 1.0, and that was a long time ago. It’s a while new ballgame these days, dating back to 1998.
In regards to MLM’s .. MLM is just a business model. Like any company, utilizing any type of business model, you’re going to find good ethical companies, and down right rotten to the core companies. Like I said previously, in my almost 30-years as a professional in the health & fitness (wellness) industry, I stayed away and challenged many MLM propositions not because they were MLM’s, but because they lacked science and credibility, and I didn’t buy into the anecdotal claims and celebrity endorsements.
My ethos has always been and will always be, “Keep it real and trust and verify”.
In regards to MLM companies, let’s use the analogy of an iceberg. Most MLM’s are only what you see and hear above the surface of the water. Look below the waterline where 3/4 of the iceberg resides, and you see nothing. That’s an MLM company that is nothing more than marketing spin, and a science team that consists of a few paid docs who hang their lab-coat on the back of an office door.
As far as I’m concerned, Nu Skin became a legitimate science research & development organization when they acquired Pharmanex in 1998. That’s when Nu Skin made it onto my radar. A physician friend of mine told me about this nutriceutical company that was started by a bunch of former pharmaceutical medical directors and research scientists who tired of treating diseases and wanted to lead in the prevention of diseases. They looked at the nutriceutical world and were horrified at what they saw – so they brought pharmaceutical manufacturing standards and processes to the vitamin world. And Pharmanex was not an MLM company when they launched in 1995. They had 7 products that were on the shelves of stores like Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. But they were acquired by Nu Skin three years later in 1998. Does that make Pharmanex an MLM company. No, they are a legitimate science based pharma grade nutriceutical company that now had their formulations distributed through the direct sales industry.
This link will provide you with a good look at the people behind Nu Skin’s world class science engine and the collaborating institutions that partner with Nu Skin.
(website removed)
Pharmanex 6S Quality Manufacturing Process Video:
(website removed)
So Pharmanex has command of Pharmaceutical grade botanicals, and then Nu Skin goes out and wins the acquisition battle for a genome company called Lifegen Technologies. Go to Pubmed and Google Dr. Richard Weindruch and Tomas Prolla. Lifegen Technologies has the largest genetic database in the world and has developed a “gene-chip”, that allows Nu Skin’s scientists to get a global perspective of the entire genome, in order to identify which genes in a particular organ are responsible for energy production. Then with the help of their partner Pharmanex, they screen hundreds of blends of botanicals, until they find the right blends, in the right ratios, to effectively reset the gene-expression of that cell. That’s the magnificence of ageLOC science.
That’s why Discovery aired and featured Nu Skin and LifeGen in that documentary last December. Here’s that segment:
(website removed)
And here’s a great presentation on what ageLOC science is all about by Rob Nagato-Needleman, a Molecular biologist, Biochemist, ACE Certified Trainer, and head Veterinarian at the Oregon Tiger Sanctuary). ageLOC Science Overview (website removed)
This is why The Motley Fool stated that Nu Skin is the “Apple” of the anti-aging companies, because their current meteoric growth is from acquisition and innovation, just like how Apple’s rebirth and current global position came about. Whether The Motley Fool owns stock or not in Apple has no bearing on the analogy because they were referencing how Nu Skin is scaling. Nu Skin will probably add 1 Billion to their sales in 2013, making them a 3 Billion dollar company, and they are projected to go to 10 Billion by 2020, or sooner, because of ageLOC Science. They are one of the fastest growing publicly traded companies in the world.
And Nu Skin recently acquired biotech company NOX Technologies that has some very promising molecules that will add to future innovations – a projected genetic pipeline of innovations that will release over the next decade. That’s why Nu Skin is unveiling next month not one, but two new 100 Million dollar each innovations centers that they’ve built for their future growth and development. One center here in the U.S. (Provo), and one in China (Shanghai).
You can’t make this stuff up. What other company has so much below the surface? No company.
Look below Nu Skin’s waterline and you’ll see things like a D&B 5A-1 rating (best you can get), Forbe Magazines #5 rated company in their “Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in the U.S.” report, winning “Stevie” awards, which is the Oscars in the business world, the accolades go on and on. Here’s Dr. Oz using our S2 2nd generation antioxidant scanner for a segment on antioxidants and cancer.
(website removed)
Pick up Joe Changs, “The Aging Myth” that made The new York Times best sellers last year when it came out. It talks about the runup and development of ageLOC science.
ageLOC science is a disruptive technology that will do to industries like the weight-management industry, what cell phones did to the telecommunications industry – change them forever.
Nu Skin Scientists Discuss Gene Expression and Weight Loss
(website removed)
Compare this genetic fat-loss innovation to all the other muscle robbing “me-too” weight-loss solutions. It’s time to get real!
Now you know why I’m involved with Nu Skin and why I’m building a team around these exclusive breakthrough innovations. And you know who’s joining us? Doctors, Pharmaceutical and medical device reps, savvy business professionals. Where are the trends going, and what company is positioned perfectly to capitalize on growing aging global populations. The answer should be obvious.
What more can I say. How about, join me.
Thanks.
Marc, does Nu Skin have a published, peer reviewed study on their genetic weight loss product to show it causes humans to lose weight?
Joe –
Clinical trials are under way (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01875354)
There is pre-clinical evidence that it does as advertised. My business partners wife was fortunate to have been part of the pre-clinical trials and she went from a size 14, to a size 6. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Here are some other pre-clinical trial result photos from different regions around the world. tr90.com/tr90/en/gallery.html
And just so you know, Pharmanex and their research collaborating partners have never released anything that did not work, or wasn’t supported by scientific evidence.
I’m developing a network around Pharmanex’s antioxidant scanner that enables people to baseline and manage their protective cellular antioxidant levels. There are plenty of bogus and non-efficacious supplements on the market and people don’t have a convenient way of monitoring their fruit & vegetable intake, and supplementation support. Now they do.
Here’s Dr. Oz using Pharmanex’s scanner for a show segment on antioxidants and cancer. The scanner was developed originally on a grant by the NIH to measure macular degeneration behind the retina. It measures the amounts of carotenoids, the protective class of antioxidants that correlates to the strength of the entire antioxidant network in the body. Pharmanex spent close to 100 Million dollars to adapt the scanner to do the same for the skin – the Fuze meeting link I posted yesterday ending in 2228049 provides the history of the scanner in case you haven’t seen it yet. doctoroz.com/videos/cancer-fighting-antioxidants-pt-1 – the
Getting back to ageLOC science, the first organ that ageLOC science was applied to was the skin in 2010. Then they went after the genes in organs that is associated with “energy & stamina”, something that wanes as people get older and is one of the most often cited problem associated with aging. Below is a video of ageLOC Vitality – the first nutritional supplement that takes ageLOC inside the body. A friend of mine who is 40 and is an ironman triathlete got on ageLOC vitality and after three weeks training with his partners for a marathon in Tucson was asked if he was on anything, because he started blowing their doors off in parctice and they noticed the difference – the ageLOC started to take hold and he started training longer and stronger. He took 1st in his age group there, and was something like 18th in the Tempe International triathlon, out of over 550 traithletes.
ageLOC Vitality: (website removed)
You can see a lot of the ageLOC science clinical and research data that was presented to the science community in 2011 with this link. Be sure to check out the “Nu Skin Anti-Aging Science Year in Review 2011”. (website removed)
Now you know why I have no problem being involved with Nu Skin 2.0. It should be clear that they are now unlike any other MLM company. What other company has a science engine of their magnitude? There isn’t one.
Joe, if I could ask, what is your background?
Thanks for the questions!
Marc
It sounds like an interesting study but it wont be dune until June 2014 as such, until the results are published its hard to say if the genetic weight loss supplement would work or not.
as for the antioxidant scanner, Ive heard of it but it only measures carotinoid levels not other antioxidants. So, based on having high carotinoids, the assumption is made that other antioxidants are high also. Im not sure we can make that assumption unitl its been tested in a wide range of individuals. I don’t know if that research has been done or not.
I have a MS in exercise science and a BS in chemistry and biology.
Marc
If you don’t mind telling us why you order well beyond the reasonable amount of your company’s required “auto-ship” program, and why PS “auto-ship” is feasible?
Hi Pete –
First of all, for distributors to earn a commission, my company’s required monthly ADR (“auto-ship”) requirement is only 50 PSV (personal sales volume). As an Executive Distributor it’s 100 PSV to earn commissions and Executive bonuses.
Let me also say that I originally got involved with Nu Skin because of their acquisition of Pharmanex, a nutriceutical company that was started by several former Pharmaceutical medical directors who got tired of treating diseases, and wanted to get into prevention. So they took the pharmaceutical model of sourcing, standardization, and manufacturing, and applied it to the nutriceutical world. At the time I owned and operated a chain of specialty fitness equipment stores and heard about Pharmanex from a physician friend of mine, and was looking for a company that I can trust and was clinically validated. LifePak was the first vitamin supplement that was accepted into the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR).
So, I take a version of their Lifepak that fulfills their minimum requirement by itself. This full-spectrum anti-aging product is formulated for efficacy. Pharmanex is the only supplement company in the world that has a money back guarantee that is tied to efficacy – that’s a lot different than one tied to just “satisfaction”. People in general need to increase their daily antioxidant protection levels. Low antioxidant rates are causal factors to the majority of chronic disease issues like cancer.
Then I also take a green tea supplement called Tegreen, that has the highest polyphenol content of any green supplement. Besides all the benefits of green tea, at the right doasge, it has a thermogenic effect as well.
Add in Pharmanex’s nutrigenomic energy & stamina supplement ageLOC Vitality. Nutrigenomic’s is the future of nutrition. This supplement targets and influences the identified genes that regulate
I also take Pharmanex’s Cortitrol because I don’t always get 8-hours sleep, and Cortitrol controls cortisol levels which is tied to the accumulation of belly fat in men.
I include (1) bag of Vitameal as a donation each month ($26). Vitameal is a specially formulated vitamin enriched meal that properly nourishes starving and malnutrition children around the world. Vitameal is sent to “hot-spots” of starvation and places of greatest need, whether it’s the aftermath of the tornados in Joplin, MO., or the earthquake in Haiti. One 5# bag nourishes 30-children. It’s a way to give back and it teaches my children that it’s not just about “getting”, you have to give back too.
There a few other products that my wife and I really like, so we add them.
In regards to Plexus, or any other weight-management program, I put them in the same boat – they all talk about weight-loss, but they don’t talk about fat-loss vs. muscle loss.
Pharmanex has a clinically proven weight-management program that includes a very high quality vegan protein. And as good as this program has worked periodically when I needed it to control my weight, it is nothing compared to the breakthrough fat-loss innovation that will hit the world’s stage next month. For the 1st time ever, over 200 genes that are responsible for the body’s metabolic system will be influenced and reset. People have varying degrees of metabolic dysfunction from years of dieting and caloric restriction abuse. This system will allow you to only lose-fat, while preserving muscle, and in some cases, even gain up to 15% of muscle tissue – as shown in pre-clinical testing.
This gene-expression innovation is so exciting, that last December Discovery aired a documentary that was titled, “DNA: The Next Wave”, and highlighted Nu Skin and genome company Lifegen Technologies leading gene-expression research. Nu Skin has also acquired Lifegen, so they now control the worlds largest genetic databank.
These acquisitions is why the Motley Fool last year called Nu Skin the “Apple” of the anti-aging companies. And yesterday commented on their performance and outlook. fool.com/investing/general/2013/09/22/these-returns-never-get-old.aspx
If you want to understand why Nu Skin’s (Pharmanex) fat-loss system is so much better than anything available on the market today, listen to Benjamin Lo, MD, a graduate of MIT and Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, explain why the world’s 1st and only genetic Weight-Management and Body Shaping System is so special and why it can dramatically improve your health. facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151914174548993&l=2513723084048064293
My ethos has always been “keep it real, and trust and verify”, and in a world of products backed by anecdotal claims and shallow supported science, Nu Skin’s world class science engine does it for me.
Let me know if you have any more questions about anything.
Here’s a very good explanation about the new genetic fat-loss system:
Nu Skin Scientists Discuss Gene Expression and Weight Loss
(website removed)
There are several “red flags” that go up distinguishing whether a MLM is a “pyramid scheme” or not. Per anti-mlm experts, one of the major ones is “auto-qualifications”. You are required, whether you want, or need the product, to purchase a certain amount. Also called “auto-ship” This, per the experts, is called, “pay-to-play”. PS operates this way. Your credit card is billed each month for one of the selections below. If you don’t choose one, you don’t qualify for commissions.
Per PS:
Our most popular Auto-Qualification has been preselected for you.
If you do not have your Auto-Qualification in place you will not be Commission Qualified.
You will have the ability to customize or change this order through your back office after you have completed the signup process.
Auto Qualification Options:
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 1 $100.00
The Breast Chek Kit (4 packs) comes complete with the Breast Chek aid, resealable heavy-duty foil storage pouch and monthly journal for tracking your results.
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 2 $100.00
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) of (3) bottles of Plexus Body Cream.
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 3 $137.95
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) of (2) 30-Day Supplies of Plexus Slim.
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 4 $109.90
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) of (1) 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim and (1) bottle of Plexus Body Cream.
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 5 $109.85
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) of (1) 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim and (2) 7 Day Supplies of Plexus Slim.
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 6 $119.85
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualificatio)n of (1) 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim, (1) 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim Accelerator and (1) 7-Day Challenge of Plexus Slim and Plexus Slim Accelerator. ***New Flexible Serving Size***
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) Option 7 $139.80
Monthly Backup Order (Auto Qualification) of 1- 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim, (1) 30-Day Supply of Plexus Slim Accelerator (60ct), (1) Bio-Cleanse (120ct) and (1) ProBio5 (60ct). ***New Flexible Serving Size***
Pay attention folks, especially to the auto-matic shipping, and billing to your credit cards.
An “auto-ship” requirement is really no big deal – that’s a small cost of doing business. There are much greater issues and red-flags to watch out for. I partner with the “gold-standard” in the MLM world that was rated #5 by Forbes in their “Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies” in the U.S. report. They are also currently the fastest growing publicly traded company in the world.
I order well beyond the reasonable amount of their required “auto-ship” program,. I would stay away from Plexus for other reasons – but not an auto-ship.
Pete. You are 100% correct. One must have the auto ship of $140.00 every month to qualify for commissions that one will never see. Ambassadors become citizens of the Walking Dead and are easily programmed to say and do anything to reach “The Dream.” Plexus = scam.
Richard and Pete –
Almost 30-years in the health & fitness industry (specialty fitness equipment store chain and health club & training facility owner) and I’ve been pitched by all the latest & greatest companies. The weight-loss and weight-management industry will be changed next month when the world’s 1st and only genetic weight-loss (fat-loss) system is released. The Motley Fool has been following this company that is being compared to “Apple” in its respective (website removed)
Pete, the majority of the months I have been associated with Plexus, I have not been billed for an auto-ship selection on a monthly basis. You make it seem like an individual gets charged regardless and this isn’t true. I have many preferred customers that automatically qualify me for a commission check. (This is usually the sign of a business that is working properly no matter what the product is) I was paid a commission check based on the total sales volume of my ambassadorship.
Compared to other business opportunities, such as a vitamin store for example, I think the odds of making a MLM work are actually better because you don’t have to pay rent, utilities, pay-roll for employees, and stock tens of thousands of dollars worth of product on the shelves while also paying thousands of dollars worth of advertising dollars to get people to that store. (I didn’t even include the Obamacare costs as a small business owner!)
MLM is simply a different way of distributing and marketing products and the advertising dollars that are saved are shared with the distributors or ambassadors that actually sell product. There are no get rich quick schemes in the MLM community and I’m sorry if someone led you down that path but those who work a MLM as a business and put forth the effort will undoubtedly be compensated appropriately.
Then Randy, you must not share in commissions with PS, because AUTO-SHIP IS A REQUIREMENT. Very simple proof here, just go to the PS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Randy, we have been through all of this before. Keep in mind MLM is not the problem, the people that perform it as of today are.
Pete,
You seem to be deliberately misunderstanding. Yes, to get commissions, you must have your auto-ship on. That DOES NOT mean that you actually get and are charged for an auto-ship each month. You can set your auto-ship to ship every month regardless of your sales if you want to make sure you get your products, or you can set it to send the auto-ship ONLY if your sales are less than 100 PV. And you also have the option, if your sales are less than 100 PV to turn off your auto-ship before it ships. You won’t get commission for that month, but if your sales aren’t more than 100 PV, and you don’t have any or many people under you, you wouldn’t have earned commission anyway. Then you can turn auto-ship back on the next month and try again to sell more to make commission.
James
Why is this so hard to understand?. You just said it, “to QUALIFY for commissions your AUTO-SHIP has to be turned on. period!
Randy
Qualifying to Earn Income
In order to earn commissions and bonuses you must be Qualified. Being Qualified means that your Annual Membership as a Plexus Ambassador is current and that you have an AutoQualification order in place. If you fail to be Qualified, you will not receive bonuses and commissions.
Read this carefully, from the PS INCOME QUALIFYING POLICY. What am I not understanding?
The only way Plexus auto-ships products is if an ambassador has not sold or personally earned 100 pts worth of product. What part of this don’t you comprehend because yes, we have been through this before. What you continually fail to understand is that if an ambassador has preferred customers, those sales count toward his/her personal volume each month.
Just because you are signed up for auto-ship doesn’t mean you are going to have products sent to you. But since you read the PS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES….you should know this, right? yea, just another reason why anyone reading this blog should take whatever Pete says the same way everyone took Obama when he told everyone they could keep their own policy. LOL
Randy
Just prove that you will get a paycheck, or commission if your auto-ship is NOT open and I will offer my apologies to you and everyone on the site. Unless they changed the policy recently, I stand by what I say. Again, I AM REFERREING TO COMMISSIONS.
Now, you’re in to politics!.. I thought at first you may had not taken your meds, now I believe you need to change your meds. lol
Joe-
Why in the WORLD do you allow Pete to be such a jerk? I have big respect for you, but I’m losing it when I know you are in total control of these posts and you allow Pete to continue degrading people. Randy has not been disrespectful once. Btw, I’m not getting auto shipment this month and I’ve already received 3 checks this month and I’m expecting another. 😉
Maria, I really try not to censor people as long as they dont directly insult others. I dont feel Pete is degrading to people but I know his discussions with Randy -who is also passionate about his beliefs – have gotten heated -as they were also in the past. Pete has experience with PS and his words do add balance to money claims made by PS distributors.
So, are you telling me that saying someone is off their meds is ok on this site? Ok then don’t censor this please because you indeed have already censored one of my posts….
Maria, If I remember right in your first comment to this site you basically called me a dummie and said I should study harder. That said, I think we should all take a breather from the MLM aspect of plexus slime because it really does detract from the science. I feel its lacking published peer reviewed research and while it may offer convenience, I believe I highlighted its active ingredients which are less expensive. I think we can all agree on that.
If I used the word dummy, I sincerely apologize. Respect regained. 🙂 I agree. Time to move on!
Thanks Maria, it wasn’t “dummy” it was uneducated but no worries. I’ve been called worse 😉
Mel
Thanks for the input. Very interesting. Then your parents must be quite aware of the failure rate pertaining to MLM. Based on data available, only about 10% of distributors ever get a commission check, and less than 1/2 of 1% (99.5%) ever make enough money to be considered high income and sustainable. You mentioned MLM being compared to gambling addiction. Actually, and based on research, your odds are much better at winning at the casinos than at MLM. Please don’t think I am disrespecting your parents, not my intention.
Pete, I was not aware of the statistics, but that does not surprise me a bit. No disrespect taken – I love my parents, but have chosen not to model my life after theirs. A decade post MLM, they’re still disillusioned & looking for the carrot.
I’m not into MLM, but i can defend it somewhat. IMO you must embrace it like a new religion, but my SIL does make about 10K USD per month (in the Philippines) selling some green barley crap.
If you believe, it can work – but you have to be able to sell it.
Just my anecdotal observation.
Pete says, “Actually, and based on research, your odds are much better at winning at the casinos than at MLM.”
Could you please give the reference citation for this research please? I’m very interested in the documentation of your answer. I know there are statistics that say many new businesses fail in the first 5 years but I have never heard of a MLM being compared or contrasted to a gambling addiction.
Pete usually comes across a little abrasive but you can’t argue with him in this case citing MLM industry statistics.
Most MLM companies are destined for failure, but people’s general lack of business acumen and training is also a major contributing factor.
There is one company that is the gold standard and continues to outpace all other MLM companies because their products and solutions are based on real science and results. And being a publicly traded company, they can’t hide behind anecdotal claims and celebrity endorsements.
I’m still waiting for the research evidence , please. IMHO, I think this is just another rant from Pete but please prove me wrong with proper reference to the research data showing gambling as better odds than making money with a MLM. LOL
Randy, May I also ask where is the research on Plexus Slim 😉
Randy, I was referring to the MLM industry’s historical high failure rates . Pete can own his gambling statement by himself.
Hey Randy
See you must be off your meds again, but nice to talk again anyways.
Here’s just a sample of the odds on gambling compared to performing MLM such as PS. This information comes fro Dr. John Taylor’s “The Truth About MLM”. There’s much more. Could not link, but I quote: ”
Consumer Awareness Institute
Non-profit Corporation
At least gambling is honest and does not require an endless chain of recruitment.
Gambling a safer bet than MLM/network marketing
It has been assumed by many that MLM or network marketing was a harmless home business. But careful analyses of company reports and mandated disclosures tell a different story. Product-based pyramid schemes have a much higher loss rate than naked, no-product pyramid schemes. And gambling looks like a safe bet in comparison with leading MLM programs. For example:
The odds of winning from a single spin of the wheel in a game of roulette in Las Vegas* is –
* 286 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Amway (Quixtar)
* 143 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Nikken
* 48 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Nu Skin
* 36 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Arbonne
* 29 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Reliv
* 22 times as great as the odds of profiting from enrolling in Melaleuca
For a more complete breakdown and comparison between the odds of success for gambling, as compared with no-product pyramid schemes and with gambling, read the chart “Which Does the Greater Harm?” (10 MLM programs) linked from the MLM Numbers page at – http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/statistics.htm
Other ways in which MLM or network marketing is worse than gambling include:
* Gambling is tightly regulated, while MLM is not.
* Gambling is honest. When one gambles at a casino, a person knows he or she is gambling and that the odds are slim. With MLM, the promise of “residual income” bears no resemblance to the reality of almost certain loss. If one counts required purchases of products as a cost of “playing the game,” approximately 99.9% lose money.
* Most games of chance are of brief duration. Serious MLM participants may spend all their spare time for years on a treadmill of promotional activity, endeavoring to recoup their investment and hoping in vain to earn the promised rewards.
* Recruiting MLM’s constitute is an endless chain of recruitment and thereby can act like a fast-growing cancer, with each recruit beholden to recruit at least ten people to earn enough in commissions to recoup his/her investment in products and services. Compulsive gambling, on the other hand, does not incentivize the recruitment of other gamblers.
CONCLUSION: The worst pyramid schemes are product-based – or recruiting MLM’s, such as the six listed above. One can do better in ’Vegas. (not that we are promoting gambling)”
This does not mean I support gambling in any way.
Sorry Joe, just responding to my friend Randy.
The statistics you quote are for “no-product” pyramid schemes. These are NOT the same thing as a MLM business and readers of this blog should be wise to understand this.
Pete, on a personal note, we are not friends because I associate with people that are winners. I don’t associate with people that spend their energy trying to tear others down. Please understand that your words are very telling of the type of person you are and paint you in the light that you reveal to the world.
Joe,
Dr. Oz recently suggested GLA, Chitosan, and Calcium Pyruvate as some supplements that can be taken to reduce mid-section fat.
Have you investigated those “supplements”?
I appreciate your effort to evaluate supplements but I really take offense to the amount of mlm bashing found within this blog. It primarily comes from people who weren’t able to connect the dots and make it happen. 😎
Randy, I think that because my website is about the science of supplements, it will attract people who are also critical thinkers. Some of those may also have strong feelings about MLM because it can be controversial and some of the people may have been involved with companies and have insights into what goes on in some of these companies. I wouldn’t say that all MLM companies are bad but they can attract people who only care about making money. Heck, Randy, you keep putting in your plexus slim website in your comments when you know I just keep removing it LOL 🙂
There is a fine line because letting people express their views and censorship and I do try my best to curtail the insulting of people while at the same time letting everybody express their points of views. Plexus Slim is not the only supplement sold via MLM Ive looked at. Here are others
Shakeology
Vemma
Protandim
Skinny Fiber
These products also have their supporters some of which leave a bad taste in my mouth. In the Vemma review I was threatened by by one zealot who didnt like what I said. if you go to my skinny fiber review, check out the comment near the top by “skinny fiber” an obvious robot as well as all the distributors who hated that I told what its active ingredient was. In my protandim review, read my conversations with the protandim distributor who would only give me the product to try if I let him tell me where I could get my blood tested and then balked when I said no way. Randy, its stuff like this that I think all MLM companies are going to overcome.
About those supplements Dr Oz mentioned – GLA, chitosan and calcium pyruvate.
I actually covered them all in my book about supplements. I was actually one of the first people in the US to review the research on Pyruvate in the 1990s and show their weaknesses. I think if you search my site for those words, you may see Ive covered them in other products.
Unless they are combined with eating fewer calories, don’t believe the hype.
Randy
Let’s stay on subject as much as possible. Joe makes a correct statement, and I reflect what he says. MLM is GOOD, it’s the people that have wrongly been placed as distributors to represent a potentially good and honest MLM company,.that. is the problem.
PS has two products in which they have changed the formulation. I would think that your conversation would center around that issue.
As a matter of fact PS is one of the better MLM companies I have researched. In my opinion, PS is trying to do change how people perceive MLM. (others are too) But, then I come back to reality, and realize that is never going to happen as long as people like you are offered a distributorship
. Believe it, or not Randy, you are making a mockery of yourself, and the Good company you represent. I know this would be hard to control because it is a revenue point, but not everyone should be offered a distributorship, without proper, and honest training, and some sort of certification.
There are good people in MLM that stick to following the rules, its the few that don’t that give MLM the bad rap it has had for a long time.
Randy
No-product scheme? Read Dr. Taylor’s information again. WOW!!!!!