Have you noticed what appears to be the ever increasing number of health products offered via Multi Level Marketing (MLM). It seems we all know a friend who is promoting and selling products claiming to deliver miracles.
MLM has been about for years. It used to be “parties” held at a friend’s house. You got to see and try the products and order if you wanted. Now with the event of the internet and social media this method of selling seems to have boomed.
Plexus Slim is one product that is being marketed this way. It claims to:
Feed your gut beneficial prebiotics, support a healthy glucose metabolism, and lose weight – all with one great-tasting pink drink.
Let’s get things underway and look at what this product is. Read our review.
What Is Plexus Slim?
The company that produces this is Plexus Worldwide. Founded in 2006 the company is based is Scottsdale Arizona. They produce a range of health and beauty products.
The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. This is despite having 677 logged customer complaints. They also have 190 reviews, 67% of which are negative.
In 2014 they were issued a warning letter from the FDA. This was in respect of misbranding and incorrect marketing language.
This applied to some of their other products and not Plexus Slim.
The product is a fruit flavored powder that dissolves in water to form a pink drink. It claims to contain:
A premium microbiome activating formula that contains ingredients clinically demonstrated to improve your gut health and promote weight loss!
Time to see what is in it.
Plexus Slim Ingredients
Plexus Slim contains:
Chromium
Some studies indicate this may reduce hunger, cravings and binge eating. It may not be effective in promoting meaningful weight loss if you are overweight or obese. It may be even less effective if you are not overweight, even when combined with exercise.
Xylooligosaccharide
May benefit intestinal functions and health
Green Coffee Bean
This is raw, unroasted coffee beans. It is claimed that this extract can offer a variety of health benefits. One of these apparent benefits is an an aid to natural weight loss. Studies suggest that it may help weight loss but more investigation is needed.
Garcinia Cambogia
This is a fruit extract which contains hydroxycitric acid. This has been thought to promote weight loss and control appetite. It is present in a lot of dietary supplements for weight loss along with other ingredients. Studies indicate that more investigation is needed to prove its efficiency for weight loss or appetite suppression.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
This is an antioxidant thought to have potential as a weight loss aid.
Mulberry Extract
This may aid weight loss.
How Does Plexus Slim Work?
The product claims to increase your digestive health. It also says it will support healthy glucose metabolism.
When it comes to weight loss benefit the company quotes a clinical study. It states:
Participants in an independent, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human clinical study, who used one pack of Slim twice a day lost an average of 5.45 pounds in 8 weeks, while the placebo group lost an average of 3.12 pounds. There was a trend to weight decrease with Slim group (p=0.059).
Further research found a linked PDF file.
This states that the study was done by an:
Independent Contract Research Organization in accordance with Harmonization Guidelines on Good Clinical Practice.
Despite searching, I have been unable to find this trial published.
There is some indication that the ingredients in this product may help weight loss. It is not clear how much of these ingredients this product contains. So it would seem impossible to know if they’re available in the right amounts have any effect.
Plexus Slim Side Effects
There are no side effects listed by the company.
It is not recommended for use under the age of 18. It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
Some users have reported side effects. These include bloating, gas, nausea, stomach ache and constipation.
Plexus Slim Reviews & Complaints
We have already mentioned the complaints, reviews and rating with the Better Business Bureau.
The product has a 3.3* customer rating on Highya.com and a 2* customer rating on timetocleanse.com.
With MLM products it is sometimes difficult to find out how independent the reviews are. They could be from “ambassadors” who are paid for promoting and selling the product.
Some people love the product and the benefits it provides.
Cindy writes:
I have been using the Plexus products for a couple of months now. I feel better than I have in a long time. I am losing weight and the products have allowed me to discontinue my arthritis medicine. I am totally satisfied with the results I am getting and LOVE the Plexus products!
There are many issues in respect of customer service. They include refunds not being processed and difficulty getting reponses. This also seems to apply to their ambassadors.
Paula M writes:
In Nov. 2016 I became an ambassador for Plexus- over the next 3 months I had poor service and many problems resolving issues. Finally in Feb. 2017 I called the company to cancel my ambassador status and asked them to remove all information and close my account. Today Oct. 2017 learned the pay portal on Plexus is a separate company-Paylutions. They were given all my info. and Plexus did not instruct me to close them out too. Not happy with this company.
Some people find that the product does not work for them.
Dunia Molina writes:
Not satisfied with the product did not work the way they advertise. Did not lose weight. I wanted refund, company never call back. I just let it go.
Plexus Slim: Packages, Prices & Where To Buy It
See below how the official site looks like.
Return/Refund Policy
The company offers a 60 day money back guarantee on your first purchase.
To request a refund, contact Customer Service. This guarantee can only be used once per product.
It excludes certain promotional items. If you have purchased a product directly from an Ambassador, they will issue a refund to you.
Pros & Cons
Plexus Slim Review: Final Verdict
In my experience the “ambassadors” for products sold by MLM tend not have had a huge amount of training. They may be passionate about what they are selling. After all, they gain financially from the sales they generate.
It’s a matter for you at the end of the day to make an informed decision. This product may well work for you as it has for others. Some of the ingredients may benefit your health and help with weight loss.
You may want to consider the alternative of a healthy diet and exercise. This is a proven way to lose weight. It will also not lighten your bank account.
We laid out the facts, will you buy Plexus Slim? Comment below and tell us what you think!
Could I take the plexus slim drink , while also taking a prescribed Benzo?
Im curious to use this with a healthy diet and exercise, but Ive had Lyme Disease for years and have taken a benzo( ativan) for years daily . wondering if in your opinion, it could help me.
thanks! =)
Please speak to your doctor. We can’t give you a medical advice.
I am on day four of the triplex, plexus slim, bio flush , and pro bio. I was skeptical and wary. I have already lost 5 pounds though. It seems to be working. Not crazy about the cost, but seems to be working….
I have a friend who became an ambassador for the product to get a discount. She used it for several months, loved it, and now sells it. She really thinks it would help me in so many areas that I’m more than a little suspicious of the product. I too take a benzo and I avoid caffeine because they don’t do well together for me. (Why take a downer for nerves only to drink caffeine and be nervous again?) I have been able to put together a similar product for a lot less money through other online retailers and avoid the things I don’t want like caffeine and ingredients banned in other countries. I just found a good meal replacement shake, probiotics, DHA and liquid multivitamin. Sure it’s a little harder than shake & drink but not by much and it’s 80% less expensive. I use Vitacost but shop where ever you like. I even added biotin and my hair and nails are so much better than they ever have been. You will lose weight when you replace meals and/or exercise so I would rather pay less and know exactly what I’m getting than more and have to deal with the awful return policy.
I’m an ambassador with Plexus since 4-19. Have not had ANY problems with customer service, whether I’m asking for info for myself or someone else. Online chat can be a little slow to connect, but it is a good option if you don’t want to call or it’s after hours for the customer service line. Since starting in April on Plexus Slim and Metaburn, I have lost 15 lbs and 9” overall. Very satisfied with product. I feel better physically, I LOOK fantastic and that makes me feel better mentally/self esteem. I like the way I look, the way I feel and how others have noticed. I’ve had to buy smaller clothes!! Plexus is not for everyone. Cost as an ambassador is very reasonable. Even as a preferred customer it’s hundreds less than frozen, boxed meals from Nutrition-System or Weight Watchers. Who wants to eat frozen food from a box they pulled out of the microwave all the time? And Optima meal replacement bars? No thank you. I highly recommend Plexus. Not everyone will have incredible results. Not on Plexus, or ANY OTHER products, for that matter. There are NO MIRACLES. But if you’re consistent and work at it, you will see positive results. Better health starts from within. Plexus does healthy from the inside out. Try it.
I am an ambassador for my husband strictly for the sake of the discount. I do not take the products, my husband does. He does NOT TAKE THIS FOR THE WEIGHT LOSS CLAIMS. He started taking it in Nov 2018 with the ‘pink drink’, probio5 and bio cleanse on the premise that it would help with his allergies. He has asthma and seasonal allergies that almost always result a biannual sinus infection and biannual steroid shot. He changed nothing else. Spring allergies came and went. He didn’t require a steroid shot this year and also managed to avoid the sinus infection. He is a farmer and he farms wheat. The dust from the wheat during harvest is a major player in his allergy game. He is a man of few words but he told me one evening that he actually felt like the plexus was helping his allergies. He didn’t feel like he was nearly as stuffed up and he couldn’t believe he didn’t have to go get his steroid shot this year. I wanted to post this as a review from someone who is an ambassador but also doesn’t take the product. I am also a nurse and had a horrible time looking up and researching the product to make sure it wouldn’t interfere with his actual medications. I feel like it is lacking in scientific evidence. I would like to be able to look up the product in a drug guide and be able to see the exact chemical makeup, contraindications, etc just like you can with every medication on the market, but you can’t.