Update 9/1/20. The Thrive shake mix, also called Premium Lifestyle Mix is part of the Le-Vel line of supplements and said to be the “first and only ultra-premium mix ever developed” and is designed to support lean muscle, weight management, and fitness. This review will focus on the Thrive Shake Mix ingredients and research on those ingredients to give you an idea if its right for you. If you have a question, leave a comment below. Also, see the reviews of Thrive W and the Thrive Patch for more insights.
Thrive Shake Mix Research
An information sheet I have for the product states that the Thrive shake mix is the “first and only ultra-premium mix ever developed.” Sounds impressive but are there were any clinical studies on the supplement? Searching medical databases for:
- Thrive Research
- Le-Vel Research
did not reveal any clinical Research on the Thrive Premium Lifestyle shake mix.
To better understand the shake, it's necessary to look at its ingredients. Let's do that next.
Thrive Shake Nutrition Facts
Each serving of the Thrive shake is 35 grams (about 1 oz) and has the following nutrition information. The percent daily values in the 3rd column of the table are based on eating 2000 calories per day.
Amount per serving | Percent Daily Value | |
---|---|---|
Calories | 110 | |
Total Fat | 2 grams | 3% DV |
Total Carbs | 9 grams | 3% DV |
Dietary Fiber | 5 grams | 20% DV |
Sugars | 2 grams | N/A |
Protein | 15 grams | 30% DV |
Vitamin A (beta carotene) | 2500 IU | 50% DV |
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 24 milligrams | 40% DV |
Vitamin D (cholecalceferol) | 200 IU | 50% DV |
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl acetate) | 10.5 IU | 35% DV |
Thiamine (thiamin hydrochloride) | 75 milligrams | 50% DV |
Riboflavin | 85 micrograms | 50% DV |
Vitamin B6 | 1 milligram | 50% DV |
Folate (folic acid) | 200 micrograms | 50% DV |
Biotin | 135 micrograms | 45% DV |
Pantothenic Acid | 4 milligrams | 40% DV |
Calcium (tricalcium phosphate) | 400 milligrams | 40% DV |
Iodine | 60 micrograms | 40% DV |
Magnesium | 100 micrograms | 25% DV |
Zinc (zinc methionine) | 6.75 milligrams | 45% DV |
Selenium (selenium chelate) | 14 micrograms | 20% DV |
Copper (copper chelate) | 1 milligram | 50% DV |
Manganese (manganse chelate) | 600 micrograms | 30% DV |
Chromium (chromium polynicotinate) | 60 micrograms | 50% DV |
Molybdenum (sodium chelate) | 38 micrograms | 50% DV |
Looking over these ingredients, the things that stand out to me are the 5g of fiber and the 15 grams of protein. My guess is the fiber in the shake is a combination of oat fiber and bran (see the tables below) although it's possible that the maltodextrin and xanthan gum provide some fiber too.
Thrive Shake Protein
Each pack of the Thrive shake has 15 grams of protein. The protein comes from a combination of:
- Soy protein
- Pea protein (click to read review)
- Whey protein concentrate
Here's a quality protein powder I like
The ingredients are listed in order as they occur in the “other ingredients” table below. This tells us that there is more soy than whey since soy is listed before whey in the table. I mention this only in case it matters to anyone.
There are a lot of vitamins and minerals in the Thrive shake mix but I don't think most people are lacking in these.
One interesting thing observed in the Nutrition Fact label concerned the last ingredient, Molybdenum. In the Nutrition Facts label above, in parenthesis, they say molybdenum comes from “sodium chelate.” I wonder if this might be a typo? I say this because I don't understand how sodium chelate is a source of molybdenum?
The word “chelate” means to attach one thing to another to increase its absorption. For example, in the table above, we see the mineral manganese is present as “manganese chelate.” We see the same thing with copper (copper chelate) and selenium (selenium chelate). With Molybdenum we don't see molybdenum chelate, but rather sodium chelate.
Thrive Shake Proprietary Blend Ingredients
The table below lists the ingredients in the Proprietary Blend of Thrive shake mix. We are not told how much of each ingredient is present, but they do tell us that this proprietary blend adds up to a total of 1595 milligrams. That's about 1.6 grams. Putting things in perspective, 1 oz equals 28 grams.
Read the table from left to right and this will tell you which ingredients are present the most and least. For example, since garcinia fruit extract is listed first, it makes up most of the proprietary blend.
Garcinia fruit extract | Oat fiber | Natural caffeine from black tea |
Lactobacilius acidophlius | Rice bran | Amalase 5000 |
Bromelian 600GDU | Cardomon seed extract | Cellulase 1000 |
Ginger root | Lipase 1000 | Papain 6000 |
Protease 1000 | Protease 5000 | Cinnamon bark extract |
Let's now go over some of the ingredients on this list.
Garcinia Fruit Extract
While they don't tell us what extract of garcinia fruit is present in the Thrive shake, I think this is a reference to Garcinia Cambogia. I say this because there have been studies of Garcinia Cambogia and weight loss. Some of these studies show it works while others show it doesn't work. When I reviewed the research on garcinia Cambogia, I noticed that many studies used between 500 mg and 2 grams per day.
The Thrive Patch also has Garcinia Cambogia.
While Le-vel doesn't tell us how much garcinia is in the shake, we do know that all the ingredients only add up to 1595 mg (about 1.6 grams). Garcinia makes up most of the proprietary blend, it's probably in the 1/2 to 2 grams range that many studies use, albeit on the low end.
See my review of garcinia Cambogia research for more insights. There is evidence it may be linked to liver failure in some people.
Probiotics In The Shake
The Thrive shake has Lactobacillus acidophilus. This is a common probiotic bacteria. If you eat yogurt, you may have seen it listed.
One thing they don't tell us is how many colony-forming units (CFU) the product contains. If you have any probiotic supplements, you might notice that companies often list how many CFU the product has. For example, you might see “1 billion CFU.” In probiotics, CFU is kind of like potency of the product.
I don't know the CFU number for the Thrive shake. If anyone does, let me know and I'll be glad to update this part of my review.
Another thing we don't know is what strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus the shake contains? Just saying”Lactobacillus acidophilus” does not tell us which particular strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus the product has. For example, does it have:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14
- Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92
or others?
Different strains of bacteria can have different effects. For example, one strain might help diarrhea while another might help urinary tract infections. Currently, makers of foods and supplements don't have to tell us the strain of the probiotic bacteria they use.
Caffeine
I don't know how much caffeine is in Thrive Shake mix. They do tell us it contains “natural caffeine from black tea.” I don't know if natural caffeine is better/different than synthetic caffeine in regards to its effects on the body.
Natural caffeine is the 3rd ingredient listed (out of 15 ingredients) so it's presently more than most of the other ingredients. It makes up a good amount of the 1595 mg of total ingredients in the proprietary blend. How much caffeine is in the Thrive Shake? I'm not sure.
The Enzymes
The Thrive shake contains the following enzymes:
- Amylase 5000
- Bromelain 600GDU (GDU=gelatin dissolving units)
- Cellulase 1000
- Lipase 1000
- Papain 6000
- Protease 1000
- Protease 5000
Basically, these are enzymes that break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates. If you are healthy, then I don't think they add anything to the shake. Notice the numbers behind the enzymes. I think adding numbers behind the enzyme names makes the ingredients overly complicated for the average person. I would disregard the numbers.
Other Ingredients
Thrive shake mix also has these other ingredients also
Maltodextrin | Soy protein | Pea protein |
Whey protein concentrate | Cellulose | Sun flower oil |
Natural flavors | Xanthan gum | Sucralose |
Stevia |
Read the table from left to right. Ingredients are often listed from most to least.
Thrive Shake Sweeteners
The “other ingredients” table above, tells us that the sweeteners in the shake are provided by both sucralose (Splenda) and stevia, in that order. The table also tells us there are “natural flavors” present too, but companies don't have to tell us the names of natural flavors so I can't comment on those.
Is It Gluten-Free?
Yes, the Thrive shake mix is gluten-free. That's good for people with gluten intolerance and/or celiac disorder. According to the FDA, gluten-free now means products must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten to be called “gluten-free.” See the FDA gluten-free rules for more information on this.
Does It Contain Soy?
Yes, the Thrive shake mix has both soy and milk.
Who Makes Thrive Shakes?
The company is called Le-Vel LLC. They are located at 9201 Warren Pkwy #200, Frisco, TX 75035. As I pointed out in my review of Thrive W, this address corresponds to a postal service called “Going Postal.”To contact the Thrive company, call 888-557-0005.
The Better Business Bureau gave Le-Vel LLC a rating of A+ when this review was updated. The Better Business Bureau has had complaints regarding refunds and the creation of accounts. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
SiteJabber, another consumer website gives Le-Vel a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. There were 298 reviews and of those, 126 gave the company 5 stars while 145 gave the company a 1-star rating. See the Sitejabber file for updates and more information.
Thrive Shake Mix Side Effects
I think in healthy people the Thrive shake is safe. Here are some things to consider. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than recommended for the first week to see how you react
- The shake has caffeine. Using the product too close to bedtime might keep you up at night.
- Stop the shake -and all over supplements not prescribed by your doctor – at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Speak to your doctor/pharmacist if you take any medications.
- If you have any liver issues, talk to your pharmacist regarding Garcinia Cambogia.
- See the garcinia Cambogia review for why.
Does The Thrive Shake Work?
The claims made for the Thrive shake mix are pretty vague, which makes answering the “does it work” question difficult to do, but I'll try. Since the shake has protein and fiber, it makes some sense that it would be able to “help support” lean muscle and perhaps maybe weight loss, just as other things protein shakes and fiber would. So, I would not be surprised if some people told me it helped them lose weight.
The bigger question though is does the Thrive shake do it better than other foods/supplements that also have protein and fiber? Without research, I don't think we can say either way.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Al says
History – thanks for your comment. Assessing the gluten-free status of a product simply based on one’s reaction isn’t a good thing. Lack of outward symptoms does not account for the low level inflammatory process that could be triggered by trace amounts of gluten.
I’d like to know what type of gluten tests are done, the reported results and the frequency of testing. Are the raw ingredients tested as well as final product?
Thanks.
Jessica says
Does anyone know if you can take THRIVE with a prenatal vitamin?
Joe says
Hi Jessica, if you are pregnant, I’d recommend you show the ingredients to your doctor and get their thoughts. Do this for any supplement you are taking while pregnant/nursing.
Jessica says
I’m not pregnant, wondering if you can take thrive with a prenatal vitamin.
Joe says
Hi Jessica, Then, I personally don’t see a problem with it. Prenatal vitamins are basically a multivitamin although some give you more folic acid and iron. Some others might provide other things like calcium but generally I dont think there would be a problem if all you were taking was the shake.
History W/ health says
The shake has 25mg of caffeine and natural is completely different than synthetic. You can do some research on this. They look very similar chemically but have a very different molecular bind this alliviating most side effects you get from a synthetic stran.
Also, note that this company uses the highest, raw ingredients available and as a reviewer you should now that only 2% of all health and wellness companies actually put there money in ingredients. That’s been proven.
Lastly, this is a 3 step system. Each having different nutrients in them and working together in our bodies. Sorry, but your review does t seem very deep on the research end.
Joe says
Hi History w/health, thanks for sharing. I have a couple of questions:
1. can you share with me the reference that states only 2% of all health and wellness companies put money into their ingredients.
2. Can you share where the company gets its ingredients from? I just need the company name and/or website. Since they are the highest quality, Ill be glad to add that to my review.
Doreen Arminio says
It’s not necessary to take extra probiotics. The Thrive has a lot of probiotics between the tablet and the shake. I start people off 1/2 dose as well. Always best to be conservative, I believe, when introducing new products into the body
Doreen Arminio says
Yes, the tablets have a lot of probiotics. The first several ingredients in the proprietary blend are probiotics
FAYE says
HI, I JUST STARTED TAKING THE THRIVE THIS MORNING AND THE REP. IS STARTING ME OFF HALF OF EVERYTHING… 1/2 PILL AND THEN 30 MIN. LATER 1/2 SHAKE (ON EMPTY STOMACH) AND THEN 1/2 PATCH.
WELL, I HAVE IBS AND I USUALLY TAKE MY PROBIOTICS IN THE MORNING BUT SHE TOLD ME TO JUST DO THE THRIVE PILLS NOT PROBIOTICS. MY STOMACH HAS BEEN UPSET ALL MORNING AND CRAMPS REALLY BAD… I’M THINKING MAYBE I SHOULDN’T DO THE SHAKE. MAYBE MY BODY CAN’T TOLERATE THIS.
I’M ALSO WONDERING IF THE PILLS CONTAIN PROBIOTICS TOO? I WANT TO GIVE THIS A GOOD TRY AND I DON’T LIKE THIS FEELING … RUNNING TO THE BATHROOM! 🙁
THANKS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE
Joe says
Hi Faye, I can appreciate the conservative approach that the rep took with you, although I’m not sure why she said you couldn’t take your probiotic with the thrive products. Based on your reactions, maybe they are not right for you? Not sure what caused your reactions. hopefuly you are doing better now than this morning. Let us know.
Jo Ann Fowler says
I also just started Thrive. I had to stop the shake. I only took.1/2 the package but it caused cramps and terrible diarrhea.
History W/ health says
That can happen when it states to clean out your gut. However, it usually doesn’t happen and make sure you had your shake on an empty stomach. What a lot of ppl fail to realize is that you are taking something to get healthier or feel better-being overweight or having unhealthy habits didn’t happen overnight. The change won’t either.
Also, something to note. Did u ever get cramps or diarrhea prior to the shake? It takes approximately 24-72 hrs to digest food through our colon.
Some of that may be a reaction from food you had the night or even days b4. Especially with people that have IBS. Not saying you may be sensitive to something In the shake but look back over time and see.
History W/ health says
I have a history w/I’ve myself and that’s not something you want to Rock the boat with. I will say I’ve done/do the thrive experience and it’s helped me but if your body is very sensitive to anything and you are having success w/your pro/pre biotics.
I would continue them w/the 1,2,3 experience. At least until your body is more acclimated to the additional nutrients you are giving it. Often times it’s not that our bodies can’t handle it but that they are just “shook” up a bit whe you introduce something new to it.
Think of it like a baby having solids for the first time. It’s done slowly and according to what there bodies can handle at that time. I would not use milk for your shake only water unless almond milk is something you can do. It really tastes good w/water. Milk will give Ibs a run for its money-so does citrus juices but I’m sure you know all this. Best of luck!
Leigh Richards says
Joe,
My son-in-law says his wife did great on this shake and so I gave it a try. I just started drinking the shakes, while actually trying to lose weight, so I can’t say if the weight loss thing works. It has 15 grams of protein, so I presume if made with 8 ounces of skim milk the protein count is 23 grams per serving, and the calories, including the milk count is 190 per serving.
I’ve only had the vanilla because that’s what they sent, and typically I only really drink chocolate shakes so I wasn’t looking forward to the first taste. But WOW! This stuff is good. It kind of tastes like cake batter. Not protein-y or gritty, and I was unbelievably pleasantly surprised as it was not even close to what I was expecting.
Oddly, the first time I drank one of this shakes, I actually did feel “energized” as soon as I drank it. It surprised me as I was not expecting that to happen. I don’t know if it was a fluke, or my imagination, or what, but it did seem to make me feel more “peppy”. Can’t say I’ve noticed that every every time I’ve had one of these shakes so, but I do actually look forward to my daily shake, and if I could afford it, I might even drink 2 a day….
The thing is, I personally think it is pricey. I order 2 boxes of 16 packets monthly (a total of 32
packets) in order to have one a day and with shipping, the powder alone is $93. Then of course you have to add in the price of the milk. This particular protein shake thing though, is a bit of a pyramid deal (and they sell supplements, etc as well), so if you get several others to purchase using your name, you get free products. Well I can’t sell a bucket of water to a person on fire, so that’s not going to happen…
Joe, if you know of a more affordable REALLY good tasting, protein drink with higher protein count per servings (that is at LEAST 23 grams), I wish you’d let me know. Of course personal taste is everything, but I’ve had protein powders before and wasted a lot of money because they come in a huge bucket, and after I get it home I find I can’t get past the stuff that tastes like protein and that really won’t mix up.
I would just like some samples, or something, or some “normal people” reviews. I’m not a hard-core work-out person who doesn’t care what they eat or drink to get a fab body. I’d like to have a reasonably nice body, but with am not willing to drink stuff that doesn’t taste good, etc, and breaks the bank, so I’d like to hear reviews from like-minded people.
Thanks Joe,
Leigh
Joe says
Hi Leigh, have you ever thought of making your own shakes? You can save money doing it this way and since you make it with food, it will be healthier. Here is a smoothie recipe I like to make.
DANY says
Hey Leigh, I agree with you 100% of typically loving Chocolate so I was skeptical when I got vanilla but I love it! Unfortunately I just cannot keep dishing out the money. I have been drinking EAS lean 15, chocolate for quite some time. It is tasty. I’ll admit, I haven’t done a lot of research on all the ingredients but I know it has to be better than eating a donut for breakfast! 😉
Joe says
Hi Dany, I can tell you that EAS is owned by Abbot Labs (a pharm company). They bought EAS years ago. This may have been due to the success EAS was having with their “Body For Life Challenge where if you won the challenge, you got a million dollars. I think their book – Body For Life – was a game changer and was the inspiration for all the other supplement challenges that have since come about. Hope that gets you started on your research 🙂
RACHEL GATES says
Arbonne has amazing vegan , non-gluten, non-sucralose, non-GMO, non-dairy, non-soy, non-whey protein shakes that are WAY healthier! 20 grams of VEGAN protein only, more fiber, and NO artificial sweeteners! It’s superior and less expensive than anything in the market!
Joe says
Hi Rachel, here is my review of the Arbonne shake.
turnaroundchurches says
I’ve had good luck with Reliv. Yes, I’ve started selling it, but only after taking it consistently for 18 years. It’s a balanced blend of protein, vitamins, minerals and herbs. I’m almost 60 and take no prescriptions. My wife at 64 has started running, to train for Senior Olympics. We’ve both regained our health using the products.
It’s powder but mixes with any liquid (not hot, to retain vitamin value). Normally Vanilla flavor, but there’s a kid’s version in Chocolate and the one for blood sugar management is cinnamon. We mix and match based on what we’re doing. It’s not cheap, but considering how little we visit the doctor, it’s a good value. If you google it, you will find some negative reviews, but most just don’t like MLM companies or are selling something else.
History W/ health says
Leigh did your friends tell you you save 25% when you buy on auto ship and you can go in a pause it right away? You paid retail right out of the gate.
The reason they allow ppl to get it for free is if you do the entire experience (not just the shake) it’s a capsule, shake and dft patch that all are made to work harmoniously -you share you experience w/friends, family, co-workers etc. you don’t try and sell it. That won’t work.
If 2 of your ppl out of that group wanted to have the experience then your 2 referrals qualify a you for free product each month. Super simple. But I would suggest doing the entire process bc it’s made to go together.
That’s bed my experience and I’ve been w/the CEO’s and I e heard them share the importance of that.
Best of luck!
Joe says
History,,, “have the experience”…. did you make that phrase up? Its very good marketing.
History w/health says
No, that is what it’s called. Again, if you did your RESEARCH YOU WOULD KNOW WHY. Smh.
Joe says
History, well, its still very good marketing in my opinion. why are you so angry (caps)
Christine williams (Keplinger) says
I absolutely love Thrive!!
My mother, cousins, personal friends, a lot of FB friends and I are thrivers! Fountain of youth!
Joe says
Hi Christine, glad it is working for you. I noticed that there is someone online with your name who is also a Thrive ambassador. Is that you?
Al says
You have a typo in your article…
“According to the FDA, gluten free now means products must contain less than 200 parts per million of gluten to be called “gluten free.”
It should read “less than 20 part per million”.
Thanks!
Joe says
Hi Al, you are so right and I thank you for catching that! I corrected my error and much appreciate you bringing that to my attention 🙂
Al says
Thanks! You appear to be the kind of guy who strives for accuracy, so I thought you’d appreciate it.
I’d still have question their manufacturing processes to know if this stuff is truly gluten-free. Even ingredients that are naturally gluten-free can contain high levels of gluten thru cross contamination through harvesting, transport, processing, or packaging. The FDA’s gluten-free labeling regulations are rather toothless anyway.
Do you know which country Le-vel sources their ingredients from?
I went down this rabbit hole because someone had been “promoting” their products to an unwell individual online. Personally, I’d never touch this stuff.
Thanks for your work!
Al
Joe says
Hi Al, yes I do and I thank you again for your help! Honestly, I have no idea where Thrive supplements are made. Are there any ambassadors here who could help Al with this question?
Dana says
Good question about the gluten free. I have celiac and so this was a big concern for me. I have done quite a bit of training with Le-Vel and heres what I know… THRIVE by Le-Vel is plant derived WHOLE-FOOD NUTRITION, sourced from Non-GMO farms across the United States.
Also Joe…. The Lifestyle mix is NOT meant to be taken on its own… It is step two in a 3 step system… All three steps work together… Just thought you should know.
Oh… also… there is 65 grams of caffeine in the 3 step system.
Joe says
Hi Dana, thanks for the feedback. Is there any evidence the 3 step system works better than just using the shake? What are the other 2 supplements in the 3 step system?
History W/ health says
Yes. Step 1 are the capsules they have pro/pre biotic in them along w/vit & minerals
Step 2 the shake
Step 3 the dft patch.
A time release wearable nutrition that has antioxidants and other minerals in it. Each have something different & different amounts so they blend together. The body can’t absorb a ton at one time.
U just bought expensive urine if you take 6 capsules right when u wake up and go about your day. At the same time the body doesn’t need a huge amount to be taking something every 2-3 hrs all day. It’s incredible the results u get when putting them all together.
I was VERY skeptical until it eased my discomforts and my doctor told me not to stop! Very happy now! If you want additional protein they have a plus line that can give you extra protien theoughout your day. It’s one of kind itself.
History W/ health says
Everything is from the USA. I have to be gf or I get violently ill. Trust me-it’s gf.
Nancy Yuckert says
I am wondering if there is anything in the Thrive products that could add to my depression. I am trying Thrive and had a bad bought with depression, which occurs often, but couldn’t tell if It was just what happens or if this product added to it. I am also trying to figure out if there is too much caffeine for me using all 3 products. I have had some positive reactions from it also.
Joe says
Hi Nancy, I cant think of anything in the shake that would cause depression. Why dont you only stick to one product first and see how that works, before adding in the others. that might help you get an idea of which products might be right for you.
Ashley Reed says
I have tried thrive and I can honestly say that it works!It is one of the best products I have ever tried and I stick by it that it does help with weight loss and overall health.I understand people’s concerns Bt don’t be concerned it does work!And it is an amazing product!
Laraine says
Hi Joe…I wouldn’t consider the Thrive products because they put Sucralose in their ingredient list. I do know of a great protein smoothie called EN43Smoothie by Yevo International. Would you do a review on that Smoothie? Thank you
L.
Joe says
Hi Loraine, I went to your website. I couldn’t tell what the ingredients were. Is there a place where I can see the Nutrition Facts and ingredients in the EN43 Smoothie?
History w/health says
It’s stevia that is used. It’s listed on documents w/in the website.
Jennifer says
I am 39 and I live with chronic pain. a family member sells thrive and has been trying to get me to try it for over a year. I finally said ok because if it worked even a little then AWESOME. She sent me a 2 day supply sample pack. I had stomach cramps and everything went right through me. I couldn’t eat unless I was near a toilet.
She told me that was normal and that my body was just in detox and give it a few days. Then she asked, but don’t you feel great? I had only taken it that morning. How could I already feel great from a vitamin filled product already? Caffeine, caffeine, caffeine…that’s how. And she was right, I had more energy and at 3 p.m. I crashed. My caffeine (I don’t drink coffee so I felt the caffeine more than others) had worn off and it felt like I hit a wall. She told me that was normal but I would adjust (meaning my system would get use to it and I wouldn’t feel like that any longer.
I went into this with no opinion one way or another. I had done zero research, so I didn’t know the negative reviews. I went into thinking if it works great, if not, oh well. I went ahead and ordered what I thought was a month supply (everything but the shakes are but I didn’t realize that, I assumed they would all be a month worth, esp at the price) and my auto shipment is due to be sent tomorrow and so yesterday I canceled it.
I know 2 people who sell this and each have told me different ways I should be taking this and I have seen no change in how I feel other than that spike I had from caffeine that I no longer have because my body adjusted to it and I still am using the restroom A LOT, just not as much as the first week.
After a month of using this my opinion is this, I didn’t workout once starting this product because I physically can’t. But I was told even without exercise I would feel a difference. I did not, even though I really wanted to. I have been in constant pain for 10 years of my life and I would have welcomed any relief. That never came. You can take any multi vitamin, supplement shake, and get a b12 shot and take a 5 hour energy drink, eat better and get in the gym and guess what, you will have more energy, your blood pressure, cholesterol, etc will go down, your health will improve. This is a pyramid scam, simply put.
When I told my family member that this product did not work for me, the response I got was, they just knew it would work for me and they are glad I tried it…..well, you were wrong. It didn’t work for me, I am just out over $200 for the same result of a redbull. I think people want it to work and so it does. Its totally the placebo effect. But hey……if you think its working and its getting you to exercise and eat better and your health is improving then for you it is a success. But to the rest of you……SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!
Joe says
Jennifer, thank you for sharing. May I ask the cause of your 10 year battle with chronic pain?
History w/health says
Why 8 weeks?
WHY 8 WEEKS?
this great explanation of what Thrive is doing and why you should continue if you aren’t feeling anything in your first few weeks.
Someone ask me this morning…after Thriving for a month and not feeling anything they wanted to know….”what exactly is this nutrition going to do for me and why should I continue”.
It didn’t take me long to respond, but I gave it my best shot!
So why 8 weeks?
There are 3 major processes the nutrition in “Thrive” is working on to restore your body to a place it can function optimally in the area of energy, metabolism and overall health.
Energy cycle: Specific nutritions in Thrive help to restore the “energy factory” of your cells. Many peoples energy factories are burned out. They don’t realize it, but this greatly impacts “Thyroid & Insulin” behavior. These are key to a normal metabolism function.
Digestion – the nutritions in Thrive help to restore the gut. It restores the healthy “good” Bacteria in the stomach. Cleans out the slug which allows your body to have optimal absorption of the nutritions you are feeding it.
Inflammation – the nutrition in Thrive helps to reduce inflammation which allows your immune system to function more optimally so the body can repair, restore, and rejuvenate. When inflammation is not present, you are more likely to be more active and have the desire to be more physically motivated.
A depleted & inflamed body, along with a poor gut….can slow results. So, for some…. It could take “8 Weeks” to Experience optimal results. For some, it may take 6 – 8 weeks to reboot and clean up the pathways that allow the body to transition into a stronger…more functional person.
I would say…it’s only “fair” to give the “8 Week Experience” the appropriate time to repair years of beating it down with poor nutrition, bad lifestyle habits, and lack of physical care!! Not to mention most adults are over worked, over stressed and don’t get enough sleep. If you don’t give the 8 weeks as the company advises and then stop you only do an injustice for yourself.
If your doctor said take this pill every morning for 8 weeks and you didn’t feel anything by week 4 would you stop? Probably not because your doctor said so. I’d rather put something natural in my body (that my doctor actually approves of and I too suffer from chronic pain going on 8 years now) than anything the pharmaceutical company makes. That simple. Yes, I still have scripts I take but less of them.
I’m sorry you didn’t give it 8 weeks, I’m sorry there are ppl like joe that write these “reviews” knowing nothing about the company just look at the ingredients and start blogging. For ppl that do suffer from chronic pain like myself I needed more information in the beginning. I needed to know the background of the founders, where there beliefs lie, do they care about making a buck or also truly helping ppl? They do. They’ve been burned in the DS market b4 so they created a company that is free to be involved w/ and only source clean, raw, pure ingredients from the USA!
So if it didn’t work for you that’s one thing but if you didn’t give it a fair shot to work-that’s entirely different. However , that is the attitude of society. Fast results and no patience. We didn’t get in the place we are over night or in a month. To think we could start fixing it in 2 months is pretty remarkable !
Joe says
History, If we know the research on the ingredients in a supplement, we can make a more informed decision about the supplements we take. I believe I gave the Thrive Shake a fair review. Overall I see no issues with it although it does have caffeine and Id like to know how much.
I can sense your anger toward me. That’s fine. we can all have our opinions. But you have not refuted anything I’ve said in my “review.” In my review of Thrive W you said you didn’t know it had stimulants and no one informed you about this. That is why I write reviews – so you will know. Believe it or not, I’m really trying to help.
Jennifer says
Do you know if there are other supplements that offer almost the exact thing that thrive offers?
Joe says
Jennifer
there are some things that do have some evidence that they may help. Here is a link to my personal site where I discuss these and other things too: http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
Mike MItchell says
For the past 17 years I’ve taken Reliv products (yes, I started to sell last year, but only after a long history of personal use and great results). Not WalMart cheap, but not too bad – $55+shipping for 30 servings. It’s a full-strength multivitamin in a non-GMO soy base, fully bioavailable and starting to see double-blind clinical trial results. Real science from a factory in St Louis, Mo, not a virtual storefront and products sourced from who-knows where. I’ve heard good testimony about LeVel and I’m sure it works – I just think Reliv is better at lower cost.
Joe says
Mike, thanks for sharing. Question. Do Reliv supplements have any human clinical studies that show they work? By human clinical studies, I mean those published in medical /science publications. Just curious.
turnaroundchurches says
There are starting to be some human clinical studies. Not many – its a testimony business model, and doesn’t want to claim cures. A few studies show it’s well tolerated to add stamina to cancer patients undergoing radiation, or in moderating cholesterol and blood lipids. Duke is starting a clinical trial on using the products plus Lunasin as a treatment for ALS. Mostly it’s word of mouth with no warning labels and no health advisories for all but one or two in the product line.
trial summaries – https://reliv.com/view-reliv-clinical-studies
Duke ALS study – https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02709330
Joe says
Turnaroundchurces, thanks for the links. I did look at them. The first link was to a study but it doesn’t appear to be published in a medical/science journal as far as I could tell (if I’m wrong, let me know). the second link, shows a clinical trial that is just getting off the ground. Its a 1 year study. we wont have results until at least April 2017. I dont think doing studies means claims of a cure. Studies only show that something might/might not help. Studies can be done without implying anything.
Jenny says
Do you have recommendations for a similar product or a line of products that would be suitable for preform out that are not filled with artificial products? We love the Thrive Lifestyle shake for preworkout, however 16 single pack servings for $52 dollars seems a bit steep?
Joe says
Jenny, are you open to making your own shake? I know if you make it yourself, I know it will have natural ingredients and you can make it for less money. Here is my shake recipe.
If you are looking for something pre-made, I’ve heard good things about the Raw Meal.Its less expensive too.
stilettosong says
I’m on Thrive (for several months) and I like it a lot. I really want to know what your take is on the pills and the patch too! I”m doing my own research, because I’ve decided to join the movement and want to be completely sure it’s safe. thanks so much!
Joe says
Stilettosong, I’m working on a review of the thrive patch now. Here is my review of Thrive W:
https://supplementclarity.com/thrive-w-review/
Read the comments there too.
History w/health says
They post every ingredient on the website. You can see all of them. Nothing is hidden. Glad you are seeing awesome results!
kim Kimball says
Hi Joe, What’s out there that has you so impressed that you think may be THE thing to look at?
Joe says
Kim, It depends on what the issue the supplement is supposed to help is. Overall though, I really try to stay away from recommending things. I prefer to present the research and let you decide for yourself.
Kelli Vannicola says
I just want to thank you for all of your research and work you do and most of all thank you for making that available for free to the public via this website. I come back here over and over to check out the ‘next greatest thing’ in weight loss. I would recommend you to add a button where those of us grateful readers can donate to you and your work. Maybe paypal? Anyway, look into it.
I know you wrote a book, but you seem to share most everything from your book on your site, so it only feels right to pay you for all your work and saving me the time of doing it. Thanks again for all your do!
Joe says
Hi Kelli, you are very welcome! I’m happy you are finding my words helpful. Others have asked me about the donate button too and it’s something to consider. Tell you what, here is my Amazon Link. If you use that link when you go to Amazon, they will kick me back a little bit when you buy something. Hows that sound 🙂
Much success with your Tupperware business too. I have a friend who does it too and she loves it 🙂
Rob Valdez says
Hey Joe, I’m an avid follower of yours and I was wondering if you have ever reviewed LifePlus “Daily Bio Basics” yet. Apparently the company has been around since 1940 and is based out of Batesville, Arkansas. Any info on this would be greatful.
Joe says
Rob, I’ve never heard of them but will add them to my list of things to look at.
shaunabrewer says
I would be interested in hearing your review of the Thrive patch and maybe something that summarizes how the Thrive W, Thrive Shake and Thrive Patch all work when they are used at the same time (as is recommended).
Joe says
Hi Shauna, I see no evidence that all the different Thrive products work better together than separately. When I wrote this review it was eluded that the Thrive shake worked better /complemented the thrive capsules but I saw nothing to back up this claim. As for the Thrive Patch, for it to work, the ingredients would have to penetrate the skin. I’d like to see proof they do this.
PS, those are some neat pictures on your website 🙂
Mary Stewart says
Have you reviewed Juice Plus Complete yet? I would be really interested in your opinion
Joe says
Hi Mary, not yet. is there something specific you want to know about it?
betsy ross says
Juice plus is another multi level marketing. Main ingredient tapioca. Think it is a glorified fruit chewy. High pressure sales needs your review.
Joe says
Hi Betsy Ross, Here is my Juice Plus review
I also have a review of Juice Plus Questions too.