Update 8/13/20. Thrive W (also called “Thrive For Women”) is a supplement touted to have multiple benefits ranging from weight loss to supporting muscle growth. Judging from all the emails I’ve been getting lately, Le-Vel supplements have been generating a lot of interest on the internet. This review will be specifically about “Thrive W” (not to be confused with Thrive M, the men's supplement). In this review, you'll learn about the research ingredients and side potential side effects. Does it really work? Let's see.
Other Thrive Reviews
Thrive W Benefits
According to the description of the product, Thrive W is touted to help with these areas:
- Weight management
- Cognitive performance
- Joint support
- Inflammation support
- Lean muscle support
- Digestive and immune support
It’s also said to contain an “anti-aging and antioxidant blend” of ingredients as well. There are a lot of ingredients in Thrive For Women. During this review, I’ll try to isolate which ingredients might be responsible for each of these claims.
Thrive W Research
The Le-Vel website states this about Thrive W: “From years of experience, science, and perfecting, THRIVE W is the only premium lifestyle capsule of its kind.” The words science and perfecting got my attention because it gave me the impression that years of research went into the creation and perfection of this supplement. But, when I searched online for:
- Thrive W research
- Le-Vel research
No clinical research could be located.
Searching clinical databases for:
- Thrive supplements
- Le-Vel supplements
- Thrive W
revealed no clinical studies either. Likewise, I saw no such clinical trials on the Le-vel website either.
If Thrive W has clinical evidence to support its effectiveness, that research could not be located.
But what about its ingredients?
Let’s now look at the Thrive W ingredients next.
Thrive W Ingredients List
According to the label, 1 capsule contains the following ingredients and it’s recommended to take 1-2 capsules per day on an empty stomach or between meals:
| Amount per serving | Percent daily value | |
| Vitamin A | 1500 IU | 30% |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.4 mg | 100% |
| Vitamin B2 | 1.7 mg | 100% |
| Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) | 12 mg | 60% |
| Vitamin B5 | 10 mg | 100% |
| Vitamin B6 | 2 mg | 100% |
| Folic acid | 800 mcg | 200% |
| Vitamin B12 | 100 mcg | 1667% |
| Vitamin D3 | 200 IU | 50% |
| Chromium (chromium AAC) | 200 mcg | 167% |
| Selenium (selenium AAC) | 90 mcg | 125% |
| Vanadium (vanadium AAC) | 25 mcg | N/A |
Thrive W Proprietary Blend
Each 1 capsule also has 257 mg of a proprietary blend containing the following ingredients:
| B. lactis | L. acidophilus | L. casei | L. helviticus |
| L. salvarius | L. plantarum | L. rhamnosus | Guarana |
| Green tea | Glucosamine | White willow extract | Glutamine |
| Green coffee bean | PEA | Kelp | Irvinga extract |
| BCAA blend | Theobromine | Ginger extract | Synephrine |
| Aspartic acid | L serine | Grape seed extract | Co Q10 |
| White tea extract |
Read this table from left to right. This will tell you which ingredients are present the most and least. For example, since B. lactis is listed first, it makes up most of the proprietary blend, while white tea extract makes up the last since it's listed last.
Other ingredients
The product also contains Stearic acid, silica, and gelatin. These other ingredients play no role in the effects or benefits of this supplement.
Thrive W Ingredients Review
Now let’s review each of the ingredients. There is not an overabundance of most of the vitamins or minerals in the product. I don't feel they add the benefits of the product and so I won’t discuss them, except to mention a few briefly.
Niacinamide
This is a form of the B vitamin, niacin. Niacinamide is different than niacin in that it won’t cause face flushing some report with niacin. This may be one of the ingredients behind the claim of “joint support.” There have been some studies on niacinamide noting it may help osteoarthritis pain. But, those studies generally use about 3 grams a day to achieve this effect. This is more than is in Thrive W (which has just 12 milligrams).
Among the ingredients, you may have noticed chromium, selenium, and vanadium are listed as:
- Chromium AAC
- Selenium AAC
- Vanadium AAC
The “AAC” refers to “amino acid chelate.” Basically, this means the minerals have been bonded to amino acids to improve their absorption. Whether or not this makes a significant difference is debatable. See the review of chromium weight loss research for more insights.
Proprietary Blend Ingredients
There are 25 ingredients in the proprietary blend. Each 1 capsule contains 527 mg total of all the 25 ingredients listed.
| B. lactis | L. acidophilus | L. casei | L. helviticus |
| L. salvarius | L. plantarum | L. rhamnosus | Guarana |
| Green tea | Glucosamine | White willow extract | Glutamine |
| Green coffee bean | PEA | Kelp | Irvinga extract |
| BCAA blend | Theobromine | Ginger extract | Synephrine |
| Aspartic acid | L serine | Grape seed extract | Co Q10 |
| White tea extract |
Supplement companies don't have to tell us how much of each ingredient is in proprietary blends. That said, remember the ingredients listed first are the most abundant, while ingredients toward the end of the list are the least abundant. For example, from the table above, the supplement has the most B. lactis (because it's listed first) and the least white tea extract (because it's listed last).
Probiotics Ingredients
Thrive W contains the following probiotic bacteria:
- B. lactis (the B stands for bacillus)
- L. acidophilus (the L stands for lactobacillus )
- L. caseri
- L. helviticus
- L. salvarius
- L. plantarum
- L. rhamnosus
In this list, the letters (“B” and “L”) represent the genus of the bacteria and the name (lactis, for example) represents the species of the bacteria used.
Different strains of bacteria might have different effects. One strain might do something great while another strain might do nothing at all. Without knowing the strain, it's not possible to know their exact function although it's possible they might be present for:
- Immune support
- Digestive support
- Weight management (maybe)
Probiotics are often added to supplements as a way to alter the microbiome – those bacteria that live inside of us. We now know gut bacteria can have big effects on our health. There are good bacteria and bad bacteria.
One question, however, is which bacteria are good and which are bad. There are a lot of bacteria in Thrive W but it's a lot less than the thousands of types that are inside of you.
When it comes to gut health, diversity is good. The more different types of bacteria we have inside of us, the better. Two ways that seem to alter gut bacteria is eating more fiber and exercise.
Here are 5 things that are bad for your gut health:
Thrive Premium Lifestyle Mix also contains probiotics. See that review for more info.
Guarana
This is a plant that contains caffeine. Is Le-Vel using the whole plant or an extract of the plant? They don’t tell us. If it’s an extract, then my guess is caffeine might be the extract used. If I am right, I can’t say how much caffeine is in the supplement. Can any Thrive promoters shed light on this?
See the Thrive Shake review for more insights on that supplement.
Green Tea
Green tea contains some caffeine (unless it's decaffeinated) so it’s possible this ingredient might also contribute to the stimulant effects of Thrive W. Green tea also has lots of antioxidants and so this may part of the “antioxidant blend” in the supplement too.
Green tea has been in several weight loss supplements I've reviewed previously but I don't believe it helps people lose weight. As proof, this study, found green tea supplements did not help people lose weight or raise their metabolism even after using it for 3 months.
As an aside, I personally wish companies would remove green tea from supplements. Drink the tea but leave the green tea supplements alone until we know more about their safety.
See the Supplements & Liver failure review.
Glucosamine
Since glucosamine is often used to help reduce arthritis pain, this likely is one of the ingredients responsible for the “Joint support” benefit in the product.
As mentioned in the review of glucosamine, there are 3 different types in supplements:
- Glucosamine sulfate
- Glucosamine HCL
- NAG (N-acetyl-glucosamine)
What type of glucosamine does Thrive W contain?
They don’t tell us.
The label only says “glucosamine.” I believe the strongest evidence is for glucosamine sulfate. Most studies showing it helps arthritis use 1500 mg per day. Remember, all the ingredients in 1 capsule of Thrive W only add up to just 527 mg.
Could the glucosamine combine with the other ingredients in the product to help arthritis pain? It's possible.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark contains an aspirin-like compound called salicylic acid. Some OTC pain relievers contain a combination of aspirin and caffeine. If people notice having less pain after using Thrive For Women, I think white willow bark might play a role in this.
Glutamine
This is an amino acid and is likely one of the ingredients behind the claim of “lean muscle support.” The body can make glutamine and this is why it’s also called a non-essential amino acid. That said, under stressful conditions or disease, we may not make enough. It’s for this reason glutamine is sometimes called a “conditionally essential amino acid.”
In other words, under some conditions, we need more than what we can make naturally. Because exercise is a stress, some feel glutamine can help support muscle growth, although not all research shows it works.
I covered some of the research on glutamine in a previous post so see that for more information.
While they don’t tell us how much glutamine is in Thrive W, I don’t think it's much, because all the ingredients only amount to 572 mg in 1 capsule.
Taking 2 capsules a day, would likely provide less than 1 gram of glutamine. That is less than many studies have used.
Green Coffee Bean
This supplement, also called Chlorogenic acid, is popular in weight loss supplements. I’ve written an entire in-depth review on the weight loss research of green coffee extract so see that too.
I feel green coffee bean needs better research. I believe this because one of the best studies on this compound was retracted after the authors admitted they could not verify the data used in the study.
This greatly reduces the believably of the hype surrounding this stuff. Green coffee extract is listed #13 in the ingredients list, so it doesn’t have much of it.
Green coffee bean is also in the Thrive Patch so see that review too.
Also, see the review of bogus weight-loss supplements.
PEA
The letters PEA are short for Phenylethylamine (Fee-nil-ethyl-A-mean), a type of amino acid. This ingredient might be linked to the “cognitive performance” claim made for Thirve W. Some interesting research suggests PEA might increase dopamine levels. This means it may be able to alter mood. It might help depression too. Exercise appears to naturally raise PEA levels.
PEA is also a stimulant which, according to WebMD.com “looks” like amphetamines.
Kelp
My hunch is kelp is in Thrive W because it contains iodine, a mineral needed to make thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone raises metabolism. This is why kelp is sometimes found in weight loss supplements.
Other weight loss supplements I’ve looked at which contained iodine include:
See those other reviews for additional information.
Irvingia Extract
This is also called African Mango. As mentioned in my review of African Mango, there are some human studies on this compound. As far as I can tell, the best evidence appears to stem from the use of an extract called “IGOB131.” What extract of Irvingia is in Thrive W? I don't know.
Even if it contains the IGOB131 extract, how much does it have? They don’t tell us that either, but it is # 16 in the ingredients list, so my guess is not much.
See the MBS 360 review for another African Mango-containing supplement.
BCAA Blend
The letters BCAA stands for Branch Chain Amino Acid. There are 3 of these amino acids:
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
- Valine
Thrive W contains a “BCAA Blend.” My guess is the blend is a mixture of all three amino acids. BCAA's also popular in muscle building supplements so I believe they are linked to the “lean muscle support” claim. Regardless, given how far down in the ingredients list they are, I believe you’d probably get more BCAAs in a can of tuna fish than in Thrive W.
Theobromine
Theobromine is one of the compounds in the cacao plant which is where we get chocolate from. Theobromine is a stimulant and a diuretic (makes you pee more). For more on this ingredient, see my reviews of:
Ginger Extract
Since they don’t tell us what extract of ginger they are using, it’s hard to figure out what it’s supposed to do in the product. Maybe it's supposed to be anti-inflammatory? Does anybody know?
Synephrine
This is a stimulant. In supplements, it goes by several names including bitter orange and citrus Aurantium. In my review of the weight loss supplement called PhenTabz, it was called octopamine. Because it chemically “looks” like ephedra, it may be found in supplements claiming to be “ephedra-free.” Some of the supplements containing synephrine I’ve looked at previously include:
Synephrine can raise heart rate and blood pressure and has been associated with some serious side effects including heart attacks in even healthy people. As such, I’m not a fan of it in supplements.
For what it's worth, I don’t think there is much synephrine in Thrive W because it's pretty far down in the ingredients list. That's good. What's bad is its presence.
Aspartic Acid and Serine
These are non-essential amino acids. We make both aspartic acid and serine every day. What role do they play in Thrive W, I can’t say.
Grape Seed Extract
The scientific name for grape seed is Vitis vinifera. While they don’t tell us what extract of grape they are using, my guess this ingredient is for “inflammation support” given that grape product (like grape juice and grape seed oil) might reduce inflammation in the blood vessels.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10 or Ubiquinone is found in just about every cell of the body. It helps our cells make energy, and as we age, we make less of it. There are many studies on CoQ10 which hint it might have multiple effects in the body such as helping lower cholesterol levels, migraine headaches, and blood pressure among other things.
While all this is nice, does the product have enough CoQ10 to be therapeutically helpful? I don't know. Most studies generally use at least 100 mg. Remember the entire proprietary blend in Thrive W only has 527 mg. There are 25 ingredients in the proprietary blend and of those, CoQ10 is listed 24th.
White Tea Extract
Even though they call it white tea, this stuff is similar to green tea in its anti-oxidant power. While that's good, I have to ask what extract of white tea are they using? They don’t tell us.
White tea does have some caffeine so could this be the extract? While tea is the last ingredient listed in the proprietary blend so if it is, I don’t think there is much present.
Stimulant Ingredients
Here they are the stimulant ingredients:
- Guarana
- Green tea
- PEA
- Theobromine
- Synephrine
- White tea (maybe)
Ingredients are listed in order as they appear in the proprietary blend to give an idea of which might be present the most and least.
Where To Buy Thrive W
Thrive supplements cannot be purchased at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Rite Aid, Costco, Sams Club GNC, Vitamin Shoppe or other stores like that. Rather, they can only be purchased directly from Thrive promoters. You can also go to the Le-Vel.com website and purchase them too although you'll be asked to provide the name of the promoter who referred you.
I liked this as it means the company is not in competition with those who sell their supplements.
How Much Caffeine?
Those sensitive to caffeine may wonder how much caffeine is in this supplement. They don't really tell us. In the comments section below, you will see a Thrive Brand distributor state Thrive W has 40 mg of caffeine while Thrive M has 50 mg.
She also said that Thrive Lifestyle Mix has 25 mg and that the Thrive Patch does not have any caffeine. While this is nice, I'd like to see a document that states this. Remember, several ingredients in this product contain caffeine. Also, caffeine is not the only stimulant in the Thrive W.
Thrive W And Thrive DFT Patch: Better Together?
As I was told, thrive W is part of a lifestyle program that incorporates the use of a weight management patch called the “DFT Patch.
While it's possible both work best together to promote a greater effect, at this time, I'm unable to locate any clinical proof to substantiate this.
Thrive W vs. Thrive M
While this review is mostly about Thrive W, there is also a men's version, called Thrive M. How are they different? The table below shows how they compare to each other:
| Thrive W (1 capsule) | Thrive M (1 capsule) |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A 1500 IU (30%DV) | Vitamin A 1500 IU (30%DV) |
| Vitamin B1 1.4 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin B1 1.4 mg (100% DV) |
| Vitamin B2 1.7 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin B2 1.7 mg (100% DV) |
| Vitamin B3 12 mg (60% DV) | Vitamin B3 12 mg (60% DV) |
| Vitamin B5 2 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin B5 10 mg (100% DV) |
| Vitamin B6 2 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin B6 2 mg (100% DV) |
| Folic acid 800 mcg (200% DV) | Folic acid 800 mcg (200% DV) |
| Vitamin B12 100 mcg (1667% DV) | Vitamin B12 100 mcg (1667% DV) |
| Vitamin D3 200 IU (50% DV) | Vitamin D3 200 IU (50% DV) |
| Chromium 200 mcg (50% DV) | Chromium 200 mcg (50% DV) |
| Selenium 90 mcg (125% DV) | Selenium 90 mcg (125% DV) |
| Vanadium 25 mcg (N/A) | Vanadium 25 mcg (N/A) |
| Proprietary Blend 527 mg consisting of the following | Proprietary Blend 526 mg consisting of the following |
| B lactis | B lactis |
| L. acidophilus | L. acidophilus |
| L. casei | L. casei |
| L. helveticus | L. helveticus |
| L. salivarius | L. salivarius |
| L. plantarum | L. plantarum |
| L. rhamnosus | L. rhamnosus |
| Guarana caffeine | Guarana caffeine |
| Green tea caffeine | Green tea caffeine |
| Glucosamine | Glucosamine |
| White Willow extract | White Willow extract |
| Glutamine | Green coffee bean |
| Green Coffee Bean | PEA |
| PEA | Irvinga extract |
| Kelp | Theobromine |
| Irvingia Extract | Ginger extract |
| BCAA blend | Citrus Aurantium extract |
| Theobromine | Glutamine |
| Ginger extract | L arginine |
| Citrus Aurantium extract | Grape seed extract |
| Aspartic acid | BCAA blend |
| L Serine | CoQ10 |
| Grape seed extract | Kelp |
| CoQ10 | White tea extract |
| White tea extract |
In the table, “NA” means no daily value established. mg = milligrams and mcg = micrograms.
If you scroll down the ingredients, you see both Thrive W and Thrive M are pretty similar all the way down to the white willow ingredient. After that, the ingredients shift their positions a bit.
Thrive W contains the amino acids aspartic acid and serine. These are not present in Thrive M. Instead, thrive M contains the amino acid called arginine. It's speculation, but this might be because arginine helps produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide plays a role in erections.
See the Super Beets review for more on nitric oxide.
The amounts in the proprietary blends are a little different – 526mg in Thrive M and 527 mg in Thrive W. I dont think this is significant.
Who Makes Thrive Supplements?
Thrive supplements are a product of a company called Le-Vel LLC. Another name for the company is “Le-Vel Brands LLC.” The listed address for the company is 9201 Warren Pkwy #200, Frisco, TX 75035. If you Google this address, you can see it's the same address as a company called “Going Postal” which is a post-office-like facility. The “#200” in the address may be the Going Postal “PO Box” number.
This is the same address as was reported to the Better Business Bureau.
To contact Le-Vel, the BBB lists this phone number: 888-557-0005.
The BBB indicates the Le-Vel business was created in 2013. The company website (Le-Vel.com) was registered in 2012. Le-Vel is a “cloud-based” company. In other words, there doesn’t appear to be an actual/physical building called “Le-Vel” where the supplements are made.
Here is BBB file Le-Vel LLC. The company had an A+ rating when this review was updated. See the BBB file for ratings and more information.
SiteJabber, a consumer website also has several reviews on Le-Vel. Here is the SiteJabber file. Interestingly, while many of the reviews left there said the same thing – “life-changing” what are the odds of different people using the same words? The problem with testimonials is we have no way of verifying them.
Thrive W Side Effects
Does Thrive W have any side effects? Here are some thoughts I had based on the ingredients. This list is not complete:
- Stop taking Thrive W at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Don't take Thrive W if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you take any medications such as those used to treat kidney or liver problems or high blood pressure or heart disease, show the ingredients to your doctor or pharmacist. In theory, some of the ingredients might interact with medications.
- In theory, glucosamine might raise blood sugar in diabetics.
Green tea-containing supplements have been linked to liver problems –including liver failure. While I think this a very rare occurrence and I don’t believe this product has a lot of green tea, If you have liver issues, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Here are some of the concerns/complaints people expressed in the comments section below. I'll be honest, some of these left below by people who've taken Thrive supplements have me uneasy. Here are some excerpts of the side effects people reported in the comments section below:
- I took it only five days and I also have high blood pressure and I felt like I had a heavyweight on my chest.
- I EXPERIENCED a stiff neck then a sick headache and I passed out. I stopped Thrive. been off of it for a wk. I feel better but my skin I jumpy at times.
- So I’ve been taking Thrive W for over a year now. When I don't take it I notice a loss of energy.
- My mind was racing, yet I felt too bad to do anything! I felt so sick from the caffeine overload! I never want to feel this way again!
- One thing I noticed is that Thrive makes me thirsty. I can’t get enough water.
- I was given a sample of Thrive, during a period when I was mourning the death of my sister. I just could not seem to pull myself out of a depressed state of mind. Thrive helped me with that, and did an excellent job of doing so.
- had a lot of energy , clear-headed, and my back pain went away as well as my migraine I have nearly every day. I felt somewhat jacked up, however , but at the end of the day it wasn’t so intense and I slept like a baby . But … I had heart palpitations before going to sleep.
Take these for what they are. Looking over the testimonials, many people do say they have more energy. I believe that's a testament to the stimulants in this supplement. Read the comments below to see what everybody else is saying.
Is Thrive Safe?
Because everyone is different it's not possible to say across the board anything is 100% “safe.” We all have differences. That said, it's good to keep in mind several of the ingredients in Thrive W are stimulants. While there is no clinical proof either way, for those who sensitive to stimulants or who are not “healthy,” in theory, this might be an issue.
Just a few conditions where stimulants might be a problem include breastfeeding, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, diabetes or stroke risk.
To be clear, there is no proof Thrive W is a problem for any of these conditions. Again, each person is different. As with all dietary supplements, to know for sure, show the ingredients to your doctor and/or pharmacist for more individualized information on this topic. This is always wise for those who have health problems.
How To Return Thrive W
If you purchased supplements via a promoter, they should be able to help with returning products. Here is what I could gather from the company website.
According to the Terms and Conditions page of Le-Vel.com, unopened supplements come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee minus a 10% restocking fee.
In other words, the company keeps 10% of the money spent to pay the cost for restocking the items.
Before returning items, people have to first contact the “Le-Vel Online Support Ticket System from within your account.” In other words, it appears you can’t do this over the phone.
Be sure to include the original packing slip or a printed copy of your receipt.
For supplements that are opened or partially used or damaged, the company will refund only 50% of the cost of the products.
Send the package to be returned to this address:
Le-Vel Returns
1545 S 4800 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
The return address, corresponded to “Pro Star Logistics.” This is a company that helps other companies with order fulfillment, packing, and warehousing. Their website is ProStarLogistics.com for those who wish to learn more about them.
While I’m sure Le-Vel promoters can help people with all of this, I feel the return process is overly complicated. I was also not satisfied with the company keeping a “restocking fee” on returned supplements.
Does Thrive W Realy Work?
Without clinical studies, it’s difficult to make a decision. On the surface, it would appear Thrive W has ingredients to support its claims but are the levels of those ingredients the same as used in clinical trials? I do believe some who take Thrive W will feel more energized and that's probably because several of the ingredients are stimulants like caffeine. As for weight loss? I think the results will vary.
Here it is on Amazon
I’ve tried the thrive for 3 days. I think there is crack in it. Don’t get me wrong…my workout are amazing and definitely gives me the energy to do some serious lifting…but..it makes me feel weird and I hadn’t been able to sleep at night since I started on it.
Not going to purchase this. Three day trial was enough. I will get my vitamins and nutrients from meat and veggies. Having good workouts is not worth my sleep. And i usually sleep very good too.
Hahaha! That’s so funny! I felt like that the 1st day. It did go away. I did 8 days, it did go away. I felt great, and bought pills, and the shake. I ended up having a very rapid heartbeat. So, as of now, I’ve stopped until I can ask my Dr.
I need to know if there’s any type of Ephedrine in it. I have Mitral Valve Prolapse, Ephedrine has a huge impact on that.
Hi Christina, there is no ephedra (ephedrine) in Thrive W but when I reviewed it there was synepherine which, chemialy speaking, looks like ephedrine. Here are the stimulants I noted in Thrive W when I reviewed it
Guarana
Green tea
PEA
Theobromine
Synephrine
White tea (maybe)
Given your mitral valve prolapse, show these to your doctor and pharmacist and see what they think.
I have been using Thrive for over 4 months now. I had tried it last fall for the 8 weeks and liked it but didn’t think it was doing anything for me until I went off of it around Thanksgiving.
I started getting aches and pains and just felt worn out. I started back up the end of January and have done it ever since. I had an issue with swelling due to my blood pressure meds here recently and went to the doctor thinking it was the Thrive. They did blood work and concluded that all of my labs were excellent.
I don’t know if I contribute all of this to Thrive, but I do contribute a huge portion. It also has given me lots of energy and I am in a better mood if I used it religiously. It didn’t automatically give me energy within a few days like it has done others, but by week 3 I was feeling good and by week 6 I definitely could tell the difference.
I am now off the blood pressure medicine that was causing my swelling and after a week of just Thriving and a switch of meds I feel good again and the swelling has gone down. One thing I do notice is that Thrive does give you an energy boost because of the all natural caffeine in the system. I like it because it is at least not like drinking an energy drink or drink soda which is horrible on the system.
But if you already have an fast heart rate, you might want to watch the Thrive, it will tend to increase the heart rate.
Yay for you!!! My dad quit taking it because he didn’t think it was helping and gained back 20 pounds that he lost!
I asked about ingredients as I was curious why it would be suggested to cut out all caffeine the week before starting with them. Here is the reply from there LV support person and they actually state a pinch of Sucralose (splenda) to remain diabetic friendly? if anyone knows anything about the dangers of artificial sweeteners then they know this is craziness. Stevia is just fine for diabetics and is all natural not man made artificial crap.
Here is the actual reply to my question from them. As you will see there is quite a contradiction to the all natural, non gmo and certified organic to a pinch of artificial sweetener??? I would love to know who there world renowned naturopath is that would put anything artificial into there product line.
Product info:
Thank you for the ticket. Every ingredient is listed on the package of each item, we make no effort to hide them. Thrive is an all natural vitamin mineral blend, produced in a FDA regulated facility. Our products are all non GMO including the Soy. Some of the formula is even certified organic. We source all our ingredients from fruit and vegetable farms from around the country. Some of these are farms certified organic and some are not.
The shake is sweetened with Stevia but has a pinch of Splenda to remain diabetic friendly. The amount is so small it doesn’t calculate to a percentage of the product or savings, so per FDA rules with it being that low of a percentage it is considered all natural.
Our formulator is a world renowned Naturopathic Expert, that specifically built formulas and products for almost all of Hollywood for the last 25 years, now he is exclusively with Le-Vel.
The one thing that you can always trust is there’s no one that knows better for what should be, or should not be in a product. His education and experience in Pharmacology and Naturopathic Medicine is unrivaled! As soon as our patents are completed we will be releasing who he is and more about our patent pending manufacturing processes.
Hope this helps,
LV SUPPORT
Hi Cindy, thanks for sharing that. Im not a patent expert but I cant think of a reason why they wont say who their naturopathic expert is.
I would worry when a company starts lying about their ingredients and use generic terms like “a world renowned Naturopathic Expert” which is usually shorthand for “they are known to us and our clients so… world renowned”.
This, by the way, is the lie:
” so per FDA rules with it being that low of a percentage it is considered all natural. ”
What does the FDA say about “all natural”:
—
From a food science perspective, it is difficult to define a food product that is ‘natural’ because the food has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth. That said, FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.
—
http://www.fda.gov/aboutfda/transparency/basics/ucm214868.htm
Basically the FDA doesn’t define what “all natural” is. -AND- since this is a supplement, it isn’t subject to FDA rules anyway, is it?
Thrive appears to be another “flash in the pan” non-scientific vitamin, mineral, and caffeine product.
And before their shills start claiming “third party testing”… name the third party testing company and where I can read the test results. Otherwise those are just words without meaning… just like “a world renowned Naturopathic Expert” and “all natural”.
There was another company, well known years back, that had similar claims. Their agents/MLM associates made all kinds of claims about how it helped their health symptoms and how the product had been through rigorous testing to prove its value. Turned out the company also owned the testing company. And the testing company only tested the companies products. Not real convincing. I don’t hear a lot about them these days though.
Day 5- THRIVING FOR LIFE! 60 years old, crashing everyday after work, physical job was too much. I am amazed at product. Agree may not be for everyone, absolutely check with doctor first. Excited to see what 8 week plan has for me.
Thanks for your reviews, would rather drink a yummy shake, wear a cute patch, than take GNC supplements by the handful and still feel old and done. I am THRILLED TO BE THRIVING ! I am excited to share, not to sell, but to let folks know for some not all this is a lifestyle change that can improve health and well being 🙂
If you are seeing results that quickly, then it is doubtful it is a -real- benefit. It has already been shown here that this product is high in caffeine or caffeine related products. *That* is your energy source.
Kind of like the whole “5 hour energy” drinks which are nothing but caffeine, which oddly enough has about a 5 hour life cycle in the body.
Yay for you! Me too! The FDA is killing us. People buy food all the time that they have no idea where it comes from, drink drinks that they have no idea where it comes from, but let a supplement blow up the market and people have an issue. Give me a break. I feel better than I have in almost 20 years. I will forever be Thriving!
I have fibrimyalgia and RA. My life the past 2 years has been barely making it through a day of work, come home to crash or do nothing at all..i slept all day on Saturday. I was drinking 4 cups of coffee every morning…diet coke too. I eat healthy but unable to exercise due to my pain. My husband has to pretty much run the household. It is heartbreaking when my own children cry because I’m too tired to play. Thrive has changed all of this…I’m cooking, cleaning, even went fishing after work today. I’m happy, I smile…I feel like my life is back! I hope it lasts…I’m not a promoter. I’m only on day 4. I dont regret this so far ..
Hi Toni, glad its working for you so far. What specific Thrive supplements are you taking? Is it just Thrive W? Just curious.
Hey Toni – my experience with Thrive and Fibro has been nothing short of amazing as well. I have been Thriving for 14 months. No Fibro flareup since I started. It has truly changed my life.
Diet pop was the last thing you should have been drinking. Artificial sweeteners cause so many health problems!!!!
I would be very concerned about what you are doing. Spectacular results in 4 days is not good. It suggests masking problems more than alleviating them.
I, personally, would like all these supplements to be proven, rather than as the situation is now that they don’t have to prove anything. Well other than they could be asked to prove that what is on the label is actually in the substance. They should prove that the ingredients are actually necessary or actually do something.
I went through all of this same “stuff” with my ex-wife and her Crohn’s disease. Several different “all natural” products which the MLM sellers made all kinds of claims on how it helped them, when there wasn’t one piece of actual evidence that it did anything more than help empty a wallet.
Could it help? -Maybe- but I doubt within a couple days. You might see some small changes, but nothing drastic or noteworthy.
Sorry if I seem a cynic, but I have seen, and researched, too many of these flash-in-the-pan MLM natural/healthy products during the time of my first marriage (20 years if anyone cares) that were all fluff and no substance, and have mostly all but disappeared now. I fully expect Thrive to be the same. Something “new” and “all natural” and “non-GMO” (whatever that means) and “buzzword” will come out and replace Thrive as the “new/better/good for you product.
All the while the tried and tested medicines, which are almost entirely derivatives of some natural product with the unnecessary components removed, are being ignored or relegated to the back of the mind because “it might work for you” isn’t as popular as “It’s NEW! It’s All Natural”.
I understand the desire to feel better, and to pin hopes on some miracle treatment. I also understand the deep disappointment when it ends up failing because it was more your hope/placebo_effect that made things better instead of the product, and in fact you got worse because you placed trust in the product rather than the tried and true medicines.
And that is probably longer than I wanted, but it really bothers me to see people getting their hopes up only to find them dashed apart later due to these untested, unknown benefit, products which are shilled in a manner suggesting “snake oil”.
Been there, watched it happen.
Interesting, I have a friend who sent me a 3day sample pack, I personally had my likes and dislike, since in my opinion the way it’s promoted is a bit vague, no one really gives you the info up front you do have to have questions and someone will always help you and since my friend is new to their MLM business I was just being supportive.
I don’t think the cost of this product is worth it, I usually take CELL FOOD which is great and it’s only $25/bottle and a bottle lasts like 3 months. if you’re taking it by yourself it’s pretty much the same ‘vitamins’ that are filling in the gap that they speak of, I’m going to stick with CELL FOOD it’s been around for 40 years I’m not sure about how long this Thrive Brand has been around.
What is cell food?
Brenda, if I can jump in, Cell food is an antioxidant supplement. Its on my list of things to look at. Stay tuned.
How about eating right and exercise??? It’s a money making scam marketed to people that don’t want to work on their health.
It’s not always that simple. I work 6-7 days a week and am a single mom to 2 boys. I absolutely love the simplicity of Thrive 3-step plan. I no longer crash and I have the energy to interact with my boys when I get home from work. My reason for sticking to Thrive is the results I’ve had for 5 weeks now. No other products have provided what I’ve been wanting. But different strokes for different folks lol. I’m a Thriver for life.
Hi Bridget I sent you a message on Facebook. Hoping you receive if not feel free to message me and if should appear. Thanks.
I’ve been considering using Thrive for the energy but I have a mild form of essential tremors so coffee is not good for me and I’ve heard that soy is not healthy. Love their testimonials but I am not comfortable with the incomplete ingredients and am a hound at looking/researching the possible health detriments.
It especially concerns me that there seems to be no corporate phone number for members to obtain clarity, how to handle shipping or other problems and that the training/info is just passed down and around. There are also several ingredients that I have read are not healthy, so as much as I really want to try THRIVE, I’m afraid to.
I do a different kind of Health MLM in which I researched 6 months before using and have total confirmation on it’s transparency/business ethics, corporate accountability and support and just as important total transparency on how and where the ingredients/constituents are gathered/grown/mixed for the purest of PURE in product quality. There is also over-the-top-required testing within the company and also with 3rd party testing and they do have the science to back up the constituents of the products. I love the products that I and my family use as I do see changes to optimal health.
As a research nut, I am still eager to find other natural/holistic therapies that make positive impacts to our health. Whole/holistic is of optimal importance to me – no chemicals/synthetics. I am impressed with the THRIVE leaders’ approach to marketing with such simplicity and the 3-product-punch which is an easy welcome to prospective users. I wish someone could convince me of the “healthy” in Thrive.
The only way to know if it will work for you is to actually try it. If you look into any type of prescription or supplement, there will always be some type of side effect. Haven’t you seen those commercials advertising for prescriptions, the list of side effects go on forever, might as well deal with the original issue you are having.
However these side effects may or may not happen. Le-vel goes through 3rd party QC as well, and as much as they try to present a good product, it does not always work for everyone. Some people do not want sucralose, well, don’t use the shake. Have skin sensitivities? Don’t use the DFT. I don’t use all 3 steps, my husband and I changed our products around.
You have to look at it from the prospective of what you are hoping to gain from it. Yes it has vitamins, lots of them. The probiotics in Balance has worked very well for me. My husband really likes Boost, from Le-vel.
Bridget there is no such thing as a miracle pill. Some work, some don’t. I’ve tried other supplements, the one I most regret was a little red pill which came in a women’s pack from GNC, called x12. It took me 2 full days to recover. My heart raced, I felt horrible. Everything is a risk or a gamble. You are going to have to decide what you are ready to try.
Hi Marie, its true about those drug TV commercials and side effects. But how do you think they figured out what those side effects might be? They tested the stuff on humans and animals first. That’s why we know about them. Don’t you think as a Thrive promotor yourself, your job would be easier if you knew what side effects your customers might have?
I looked up that x12 supplement you mentioned. It was a bunch of caffeine. Stimulants can have that effect on your heart you described. Thrive W also contains stimulants. I don’t think everything has to be a risk or gamble as you say.
Per the FDA, which I looked into as well before trying thrive, does not require testing on supplements. Since thrive does not claim to cure any type of symptom or disease. Only prescriptions specifically designed for treatment are.
I believe as a promoter it is our job to try to inform the customer as best we can with the information we either learn, or find out about from other people who actually tried thrive. I’ve learned of different experiences over time, I do my best to pass them on to anyone willing to ask me. Promoters are not perfect, some out there only wish to make a buck.
But there are good ones out there. I understand your side though, everyone would like to know what would happen if they tried thrive, or different products. I personally cannot use the patch. So yes I understand. Still, everyone is different and will experience different reactions. Whether good or bad.
Only…not onay. Autocorrect got me.
I got it 🙂
Hi Marie, you are correct, in the US, supplements do not have to have studies to back up their claims -but wouldn’t it be nice if the products you sold did? Yes, some studies can be costly to produce, but Id accept a well done study from a university. Give the product to a grad student and let her/him do the research and publish the findings.
I hear you about the distributors. I know there are good ones and not so good outs out there. I do like to believe most have their hearts in the right place, as it sounds like you do. That’s why I brought this up. I just want to help.
Can someone with high blood pressure take Thrive?
Hi Millie, which Thrive supplement are you referring to> Given your high blood pressure I would be cautious with Thrive W because of the stimulants it has. To get the best answer, show the ingredients of the product you are thinking about to your pharmacist and ask her/him what they think. Any other questions, just ask.
Disclaimer: I am a Thrive Promoter. That being said, I was a skeptic too! Then I gave in and tried a 4 day trial! WOW! By day 2, I have more energy than I have had in a long time. And I did not have that afternoon crash!
Sometimes, all the research in the world doesn’t answer the questions. You cannot research a feeling! I feel great, and will NEVER stop Thriving! (I have intermittent A-fib, and my Dr approves my Thrive use! But every body is different!)
If you are worried about caffeine, try the new Kids Formula!!
Sandy, I’d say for the people with Atrial fibrillation (A fib), please ask your doctor first before trying any supplement, especially those that have stimulants. Show them the ingredients to your dr and if they dont know, show them to your pharmacist.
I have a friend who is just all over me to try Thrive and I just really don’t like anything to do with shakes. He has given me a 4 day sample and literally, I have tried the shake 3 times now and it just is not my thing. Why do you have to do all three steps – why can’t you just take the capsule and use the DFT? Does anyone know the answer to this?
You don’t have to use the shake. I don’t. Neither does my husband. We tailored our products to fit our needs.
After reading this, I’m still satisfied with my 3-step Thrive. And I like that you are satisfied with your usage. I have a friend who utilizes the capsules and sticker but sticks to her own shake. People seem to forget that different plans work for different people. It’s all dependent on our body chemistry. Also, regardless of what the Le-vel return policy is, I guarantee my customers satisfaction myself. If any of my customers are unhappy, I purchase their product because I love it.
Vanessa, with respect, if the supplements do work differently for different people – based on their body chemistries – dont you feel research should be done on the supplements to best figure this out? I say that because if that research were done, it would make your job as an ambassador much easier. Don’t you agree?
Thanks so much for this. I have several friends that just love the energy Thrive gives them but like one other person who replied, despite my concerns about caffeine sensitivity I was encouraged to try it.
I didn’t end up in the hospital but I probably should have gone. I looked up caffeine overdose symptoms and the only thing I did not experience was an actual cardiac arrest.
Hi Stacy, I hope you are feeling better now?
This is exactly what happened to me! I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest and they told me that was the “detox”! I so never touch that stuff again and my guess is that people are addicted to it.
Thrive W put me in the hospital. The people who sell it aren’t knowledgeable enough about the ingredients in the proprietary blend (how could they be?) and how it can affect users. I specifically told the promoter that I has a caffeine sensitivity and I was assured that there is about the same amount of caffeine as a cup green tea, as the packaging states.
What they don’t know or warn you about is all of the other stimulants this supplement is packed with, including guarana which really isn’t good for you. My heart was kicked into overdrive and I had to be taken to the ER immediately. I was told by the nurse that I was not the first person to be admitted as a result of taking thrive.
DO NOT TAKE THRIVE IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO STIMULANTS!
I have to agree with the first commentor…there is no substitute for healthy eating and regular exercise. Thrive is an unregulated supplement full of unknowns. Your health inst worth that kind of risk.
I also have concerns about absorbing vitamins through your skin with that whole DFT patch thing. That can’t be good…
Hi Maria, so sorry that happened to you! I hope you are doing better today.
This was basically what I suspected. After hearing about the business model, I concluded that it was an overpriced caffeine supplement. Any one is going to feel “GREAT” if they are jacked on caffeine and pain killers. These companies pray on undereducated people who want a “quick fix” to become healthy.
There is no substitute for real food, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, and I’m sorry to inform you, that a healthy way of living takes time and a dedication to staying informed. Anything that gives you immediate results upon taking it I would be weary of, especially a supplement that has no known research.
Their business model states that you pay $150USD for your first month, and upon referring 2 new customers, you only pay your shipping and tax for your personal “Experience” each month. You would save money and feel the same by taking a drug store multi vitamin, some aspirin and drinking coffee all day.
My husband and I began in Jan 2015 trying to get fit. We changed everything! What we ate, we boycott WalMart and drive thru’s for fast food. We started researching vitamins, supplements, protein powders, probiotics, you name it! Even pre-workouts because I am NOT a morning person, but it was the only time I could go to the gym. We have a busy life!
Thrive was introduced to me by my niece. I trusted her. So we thought we would look into it. Everything, and I mean everything we were buying separately turned out to be in the capsules, boost and balance, (we recently adding in form). (We still incorporate fish oil to our routine.) We ended up giving it a chance.
I didn’t really like the DFT, it was the basic patch. It bothered me having a sticker on my skin. I have sensitive skin too, so in certain areas I broke out a little. It went away after I removed it and washed the area. I did notice that I wasn’t as sore when I used the DFT. We get told all the time that we are doing it wrong. We needed to do the 3 steps as directed or not do it at all. I did not buy into that, what were they going to do, stop us?
I don’t think it’s a bad product though. It worked well for my husband and I. I even began to focus much better at work. We decided to convert after we saw that we were spending the same amount of money on separate vitamins and supplements as we would with Le-vel. Yes, we decided to promote. This way it wasn’t too much money to spend on it anymore. I get a little off commissions and some credits to spend on our products. The pyramid scheme entered my mind of course, but then what isn’t a pyramid scheme. Pharmaceutical companies make a killing already! At least this way the actual customer/promoter makes a little back in return.
I also agree that some promoters can go way overboard. They can be pushy, and I can see the cult like aspect. But that’s really entirely up to their individual personality. I don’t really see it at as a realistic view of the company itself. That is also my second reason I started promoting, I wanted to get some real info out there.
I try to research and give a realistic prospective of what I personally use. I encourage people to try it out first, at least a day’s worth, if possible. I try to inform people what might happen. I’ve noticed diabetics complain with the worst side effects. Probably due to the increase in metabolism they are experiencing which causes their sugar level to go out of whack. I definitely discourage diabetics from using certain items.
The DFT is definitely a toss up. I don’t use it, but others like the black label for the energy boost it gives. I guess it’s really up to the individual to find what combination works best. I’ve also been confronted about the individual ingredients contained, such as sucralose. Thing to also remember is that EVERYTHING contains some kind of sweetener, or even preservative to give a good shelf life. You can’t get away from it.
We are a large population of people to feed, and things need to last. I’ve worked in the laboratory for many years, done first in-human research for big pharma companies as well, so when someone tells me it’s not FDA approved, I can honestly answer, supplements are not required to be. Only drugs which are advertised or committed to actually treating a disease are. Chances are we all have something in our medicine cabinet that is NOT FDA approved, or patent pending at the least.
All Le-vel products must however meet certain standards, in packaging, quality assurance, etc. This information can be found on the FDA website. I didn’t mean to make this such a long comment. My husband and I discovered that products from Le-vel worked well for us,thought this might give a little info for those who are curious.
Hi Marie, thank you for sharing. I’m really glad you and your husband are doing well with the products.
I am trying it out. But I really appreciate your research. Because I am concerned on what is in it. And that to me is the most important part. Which doesn’t seem to be promoted, Which should be because it’s better to know what u are eating or putting into ur body. To me this is very important, and knowledge is good.
It seems like u would want to promote what’s in it if it’s really healthy. So this does concern me that there is not very much knowledge on what’s in it. That just seems weird.
But I do feel good this is only my 2nd day. I have a friend who wants me to try zija, and another that wants me to try shakeology. I’ve tried herbalife too in the past. I think this company would be wise or smart, to give more information about what is in it. From health point of view. Not just the benefits. Because u need to know why u r getting the benefits. And is it healthy? And safe? Definitely a must for a health industry product.
I wish them the best and hope the will incorporate more health knowledge and information about their products. Great Luck to Level and Thrive. I hope u thrive more, to make people the healthiest and safest we can be. We need that more than ever in this day and age and society of unhealthy foods.
Blessings and Great Luck, and success, to be the best of what u can be and give to others Peace. Krystal
Hi Crystal, thank you for sharing and I hope Thrive works for you. Here is my Shakeology review if you want to take a look at that.
I’ve been on it for 2 months now. At first I felt great, had energy and was very happy. But honestly I did and have been getting serious rashes inside the patch areas. They are itchy and raised. I don’t have sensitive skin so this concerns me.
I now have a little energy in the morning but it fades quickly. Some days I actually needed coffee to feel ‘normal’.
One big concern which I’ll be visiting the Dr about, when I brush my teeth I have been noticing gritty black goo when I brush. I thought it was from the lifestyle shake, but it’s been everyday! I looked far back on my tongue and it’s black! Can be wiped away but it does come back.. My husband left his dft on a little too long one time and said it was black too.
We eat healthy meals, drink plenty of water, non smokers and exercise regularly but we’re feeling tired and wanted more energy and for me to maintain my weight loss I worked so hard for to have and keep.
Since Thrive I have gained 20 lbs!!! Eating exactly as I did.. So obviously this isn’t working for me. I hope the black isn’t something concerning..
Hi Nicole, I dont think anyone here has mentioned black stuff on their tongue before. Let me know what your doctor says about that.
The black stuff may be a yeast infection in your mouth… Thrush. If it is thrush You’ll have to take antibiotics to get rid of it.
Antibiotics increase yeast. That would be the last thing you would want to take. Probiotics and yogurt would help, but thrush is white. I’ve never heard of black thrush.
Thanks Joe
FANTASTIC RESEARCH ARTICLE —-good job and thanks for the time you put into the article!
I am sort of sorry to hear this, but instinctively when my DIL wanted me to try it my brain said NO.
not sure why but after reading all the “benefits” I just did not have a good feeling so I declined.
now a friend wants me to try Fabuless Fit vitamin & nutrition powder (She bought it at Costco) the powder makes a daily shake loaded with vitamins and other supplements…. sounds similar to Thrive but their list has probably 15 more ingredients. It is advertised more as appetite suppressant, whereas Thrive is supposedly going to help my arthritis and give me energy etc. Fabuless does not advertise any of that, just weight management, I am afraid however for my friend as she says the ingredients are all natural like her vitamins and she therefore wants to stop her vitamins!!!
I searched and searched for a printable list of ingredients and ended up having to call 1-800-301-0990 got transferred twice but finally got the list emailed to me.. loaded with ingredients
I take blood pressure and cholesterol meds and wanted to see what was in this product Fabuless product before I even considered buying it.
Have you done a research project on Fabuless? similar to this Thrive W research?
this powder at Costco I think she said she paid $35 for a month supply, if I recall the Thrive W
was a lot more expensive and sadly I also believe it is a pyramid scheme, but I am not going to burst my daughter in laws bubble and tell her….she has lost weight using Thrive and she says she has lots of energy from Thrive, but I still do not feel it is for me.
thanks again
Lynda
Hi Lynda, Fabuless nutrition powder, is that the weight loss shake made by Zena nutrition? If yes, I glanced at their website. I cant see what the ingredients are. If you can email me what they sent you, I can give you a better answer. Email me here
Great Article! I honestly appreciate it. I had concerns about the caffeine and you showed me that it has as much as a can of Coke, which has put me into an arythmia attack before. My sincere thanks for such detailed info. You will help a lot of people!
Lisa, you are very welcome and thank you for the nice words.
I tried it & the patches left bloody blisters on my skin. So I quit & never looked back. I agreed with cult like…
Emmy, A few people said they also has reactions to the thrive patch. Ive added something about this in my review of the patch
Here’s my Thrive Patch review in case you missed it.
I’ve tried it for two or three months at a time, (non committal) and never got blisters and known several people using, no blisters I think you may be unique…
there is some residue from the sticky stuff… i just use facial cleanser to remove.
not a thriver.
was reading reviews to learn more….
Thanks Deb. Good idea about the facial cleanser.
Legal speed is exactly what it is. Also, the users have a “cult” like attitude about the stuff. On one facebook post, I stated that I wouldn’t ever use it because of some ingredients, and the person who is at the top of the pyramid in this area (it is a pyramid scheme) tagged the big wig and had her go after me.
The girl didn’t make any sense at all. They tout themselves as health experts,when they’re just spitting out a sales spiel. I’m actually worried about people in my community who are using this.
It’s definitely a cult!! LoL! Ive lost a lot of friend because I don’t thrive. After the bloody blisters from the patches forget it!!!
LOL. Kathy and Emma if it didn’t work for you then move on and dont worry about the other people. Plus let me tell you that where you guys work at, is also a pyramid. who makes the big bucks, the CEO’s right, so lets talk about that for a min.
I’ve never used any of it before…I have a relative who sent me some samples that I’ve yet to try. Only thing I’m addressing here is THIS IS NOT A PYRAMID SCHEME. Multi Level Marketing (mlm) is different than a pyramid scheme. A pyramid scheme would be where a distributor/promoter/marketer etc takes money from you WITHOUT actually selling you a PRODUCT. Obviously that’s not the case here.
People can make an actual living off of stuff like this if they really go after it. A big company can be “multi level marketing”…it’s not a scam because it’s not a pyramid scheme. HOWEVER I’m not thrilled with what I’ve read so far, I mean I could definitely use an energy boost but if it’s all about being hopped up on caffeine then I don’t this is for me.
A product-based pyramid scheme is the same concept as a naked (investment only) pyramid scheme disguised as a legitimate direct sales opportunity. Here’s how it works:
A distributor recruits 10 salespeople who each pay $500 for a starter kit of products to sell.
The distributor gets 10 percent of each starter kit that’s sold.
The distributor also gets 10 percent of each product that any of his recruits sells, including more starter kits.
The recruits are told that the fastest way to make money isn’t by selling products, but by recruiting more people to buy starter kits.
The people at the top of the pyramid get commissions from everyone in their downline, the many levels of recruits below them on the pyramid.
The problem with most product-based pyramid schemes is that the products themselves don’t sell very well, or have very slim profit margins. So the only way to make money is to find more recruits.
Eventually (and surprisingly quickly), the market becomes saturated. There are too many people trying to sell the same unattractive product and there’s no one left to be recruited.
I don’t know of a single MLM or Direct Sales company where distributors get commission from new consultants or distributors signing up. Back in the day, Amway was that way and that was a true pyramid scheme. People could make tons of money just adding new recruits but didn’t need to sell a dime’s worth of products themselves.
I spent over 12 years in the same Direct sales company and I can tell you, building a team boosted my income, but if I didn’t meet my personal sales goal (set by me), I didn’t make the income I wanted. Why? Because the MAJORITY of my income was based on my own sales.
I never received commission for signing up new people. My overrides were usually an extra 2% on my own sales and about 1% on theirs, assuming we both met the thresholds for compensation. I received bonuses like $10-$30 or exclusive products that the company spent far less than that on.
Honestly, depending on what else you have on your plate, new recruits are a lot of work and time. I often opted to add one extra party (extra sales) to my calendar than focus on recruiting because it yielded more income for me that way.
And also, pyramid schemes are illegal.
As far as Thrive goes, I am VERY concerned at what I’ve been able to find on ingredients and potential risks to the users!