Is Plexus A Decent Option For Weight Loss?

Plexus has been present for quite a long time. Despite reviewing it twice, it is necessary to provide an update. I am continually receiving messages about it, indicating its enduring popularity. You’ll understand why after concluding this Plexus evaluation.

Given that many of you are interested in Plexus’ weight-management items, this Plexus assessment will focus on those, along with Plexus Triplex.

What exactly is Plexus Triplex?

Triplex consists of three products: Bio Cleanse, which will be discussed below; ProBio5, a probiotic; and Slim Microbiome Activating, an alternative version of the Slim Hunger Control product mentioned below.

Here’s the catch:

The scientific community is still uncertain about the ideal microbiome for any individual.

There are no identified microbes that, when present in high quantities, lead to weight loss.

Most individuals do not require any probiotics at all (I have discussed this in detail here).

Gut health is a major industry, but the majority of gut health products, particularly those claiming to ‘heal the gut’ or promise weight loss, lack supporting evidence. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of these products for these purposes.

Companies like Plexus utilize ambiguous marketing terms such as ‘calorie-smart fiber,’ ‘nourishes beneficial microbes,’ and ‘supports X’ – without further clarification, subtleties, or evidence, these terms carry no significance. Therefore, exercise caution.

Plexus weight loss products

What is Plexus Slim? Otherwise known as Plexus Pink Drink

Plexus asserts that this product:

• Clinically proven to aid in weight loss*
• Aids in reducing hunger*
• Supports improved satiation and satiety*
• Encourages increased water intake for hydration*
• Supports healthy glucose metabolism*

Slim Hunger Control is principally composed of polydextrose, a fiber that may enhance the feeling of fullness. It also contains the usual suspects of green coffee bean and garcinia, as well as chromium.

The meaning of ‘clinically proven’ in this context is unclear since there is no research available on Slim. As for polydextrose, similar to any fiber-rich food, it could have an impact on curbing appetite if consumed prior to meals. However, claiming that Slim is ‘clinically proven’ to deliver these effects? No convincing evidence has been found.

Chromium is a mineral utilized by the body in insulin regulation. However, unless there is a chromium deficiency – which is rare – it will not significantly enhance ‘glucose metabolism’. There are frequent claims of this nature, but they are unfounded.

The dosage of chromium in the twice-daily Slim Hunger Control is a total of 400 micrograms. For appetite effects, the dosage shown to be effective in studies was 1000 micrograms. See the significance of dosage?

Despite this, you are paying a premium for these and other ingredients, which may not be effective in these quantities, and no, I do not recommend increasing your dosage two or threefold. 

Regarding the ‘Plexus Slim Blend’ of green coffee bean and garcinia, there is no compelling evidence to substantiate the notion that these substances have any impact on appetite or weight. I am unsure why companies continue to use these ingredients at all! 

Plexus Bio Cleanse

It is precisely as it sounds: another nutrition MLM cleanse that essentially functions as a laxative.

Plexus claims that Bio Cleanse can:

• Assist in cleansing the gastrointestinal tract*
• Help reduce occasional gas, bloating, and GI discomfort*
• Promote regularity*
• Help reduce unwanted microbes and substances*
• Relieve occasional constipation*
• Source of antioxidants*
• Contains Vitamin C to support immune function*
• Studies indicate that Magnesium supplementation, as found in Bio Cleanse, may be associated with improvements in sleep quality in older adults*

Let’s be clear: unless you are undergoing a colonoscopy, there is no need to cleanse your GI tract. Your body’s normal functions handle ‘reducing unwanted microbes and substances’ effectively.

Additionally, the claim about vitamin C? It is unlikely that you have a deficiency in this vitamin, which can be easily obtained from food.

Bio Cleanse is comprised of magnesium, which stimulates bowel movements. Ever heard of Milk of Magnesia, the unpleasant white liquid that your grandparents likely took for constipation? It is magnesium hydroxide, the very substance that Bio Cleanse contains. 

The recommended daily dosage of this product is four capsules, totaling 1520mg of magnesium. The maximum dose of magnesium for constipation is 2 grams, indicating that the Bio Cleanse dosage will almost certainly induce a laxative effect for most individuals. 

Harmful microbes may be present in feces, but the purpose of defecation is to eliminate waste from the body. Defecation itself detoxifies our bodies, so unless you are chronically constipated – a condition that applies to very few people – you do not require Bio Cleanse at all. Absolutely not. 

Plexus Meta Burn.

Plexus claims that Meta Burn can “Reduce stubborn fat from hips, thighs and waist, and help support healthy energy and mood. Apparently, ‘MetaBurn delivers a fat-burning metabolism boost to help you achieve your weight management goals. You’ll notice better-fitting clothes and not to mention a mild energy lift, more positive mood and sharper mental focus.*'”

No substance specifically targets fat reduction in specific areas of the body, and none of the ingredients in Meta Burn have ever been proven to elevate metabolic rate.

Consider this: if fat burners were effective, the weight loss industry would not exist. If all it took was a pill to burn fat, everybody would be doing it, right?

BECAUSE IT DOES NOT WORK. NO FOOD, BEVERAGE, OR SUPPLEMENT BURNS FAT.

Plexus Lean

Lean is a meal replacement shake that satisfies all of the latest trends: Non-GMO; vegetarian; devoid of soy, gluten, and dairy; ancient grains (QUINOA!); and without carageenan. However, none of these attributes make Lean healthier in any way, nor do the abundant vitamins and minerals it contains. These are all things easily obtained from whole foods. 

Despite containing 20 grams of protein (plant-based), 7 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of fat, Lean lacks any further substance. They have incorporated some digestive enzymes (most people do not require them), in addition to the usual vitamins and minerals.

The shake contains 7 grams of sugar, as well as stevia for added sweetness. Most shakes of this kind are not particularly palatable, but I have not personally sampled Lean. Plexus asserts that the shake “Provides energy for an active lifestyle”, but 230 calories for a meal will not be adequate to sustain you for an extended period. 

Substituting meals with 230-calorie shakes will certainly lead to weight loss, but is that a wise choice? 

NOTE: it is not. Drastically reducing calorie intake may result in initial weight loss, but it often leads to subsequent overeating and weight gain. What will you do when you eventually need to transition from shakes back to real food?

Plexus Block

Block is Plexus’ supplement aimed at ‘metabolizing carbohydrates’. Their website indicates that this product can help you ‘enjoy more’ because it is your ‘secret weapon’, yet they do not explicitly declare that Block ‘blocks’ anything. A shrewd move on Plexus’ part. 

The recommended dosage is two caps before a carb-containingmeal. So theoretically, assuming you consume carbohydrates with every meal, you’ll be ingesting 6 capsules daily. It includes chromium, a brown seaweed mixture, and white kidney bean extract. 

Studies indicate that brown seaweed has an appetite-suppressing impact, however, there’s a significant difference as the mentioned study administered 4600mg of the seaweed before meals while Block only provides 500mg per serving. Even with 6 capsules a day, it only totals 1500mg, thus the effect is unlikely to be cumulative. 

We have already discussed chromium, and there’s nothing more to say except that it’s ineffective.

White kidney bean extract is recognized as a starch digestion inhibitor. However, each serving of Block only offers 200mg of this ingredient, whereas human trials used 1.5-6 GRAMS of it, and even these studies did not demonstrate statistically substantial effects on fat loss. Considering its long existence, if it truly aided in fat loss, it would have been widely used as a bona fide weight-loss treatment. The fact that most people are unfamiliar with it is for a good reason.

Plexus Accelerator+

This product is essentially ANOTHER fat-burning supplement. It purportedly ‘boosts metabolic rate’ with a proprietary blend of yerba mate (stimulant), 5-HTP, higenamine (stimulant), and hordenine (stimulant). The only ingredient here that might be effective is the 5-HTP, which could potentially suppress appetite. The other components may briefly elevate metabolism without burning a significant amount of calories for weight loss.

Once again, it’s another dubious product. As the exact quantity of each ingredient in the blend is unknown, it’s impossible to determine if the 5-HTP dosage is effective.

Plexus Boost

Boost contains caralluma fimbriata, a cactus-like plant traditionally used to curb appetite during periods of scarcity. Though one human study suggested its effectiveness at a dose of 1g, another study didn’t show any significant weight loss effects due to its short duration. Consequently, the data is not particularly impressive.

Boost includes this ingredient but in combination with other substances like green tea extract, yerba mate, and citrus, totaling 608mg. 

As expected, even if the maximum daily two-capsule dose is taken, the total intake is slightly over 1200mg. However, the exact percentage of caralluma in this total remains unspecified, which seems to be a recurring pattern with Plexus.

It’s also noteworthy that Plexus advises against combining Boost with Accelerator+ due to their mutual stimulant components. 

The Research Behind Plexus

Plexus seems to lack any research substantiating the efficacy of their products. If I had an exceptional product, I would at least conduct some research to validate my claims. 

Is Plexus Worth It?

If this Plexus review hasn’t convinced you, Plexus is akin to other nutrition MLMs: offering supplements with ingredients that are either unsupported in their efficacy or, if they are, not provided in the concentrations claimed. 

Always remember: If it worked, everyone would be at their ideal weight.

Cleansing yields no results. Carb blockers do not fulfill expectations. Stimulants may energize momentarily but don’t expend adequate calories for efficacy. There are a couple of potentially effective ingredients, but their exact quantities remain undisclosed.

Plexus is also exorbitantly priced. 

Verdict: 

Not recommended.

Considering trying the Modere Lean Body System? Read my review first.