Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating is a weight management product sold by Plexus Worldwide. It’s actually an updated version of a previous product that was simply called Plexus Slim.
PROS
Good looking brand
Some good feedback
Some good ingredients
Easy to use
CONS
Could be better formulated
Some not so good feedback
Expensive
VERDICT
Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating is a seriously expensive product that does not offer much in return for all that money. In fact, some customers have left reviews saying it has nothing to offer at all.
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LOOK ELSEWHERE
There are now two products that fill the space – the second product being Plexus Slim Hunger Control
Like its predecessor, Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating is a drink-mix powder that has to be mixed with water. As far as ease of use goes, the product gets top marks.
It comes in pre-measured one-dose sachets. There is no need to messing around with spoons or scoops.
There are 30 sachets to a box and each box contains three flavours:
- Blood orange
- Lemon
- Lime
A mix of flavours could be seen as a good thing because it means there is no need to have the same taste time after time.
However, any customer who does not like one or two of the flavours is going to have a pretty hard time. It would have been a better idea to provide one flavour per box and let customers pick the ones that are most appealing.
Regardless of the flavour, the colour is always pink. This was also true of the original version. Plexus seem to like this color because it gives them an excuse to use the term “pink drink”.
Plexus states the formulation is “clinically demonstrated to help you lose weight”, but it doesn’t provide any proof that this is so. Though it does reference a couple of studies that apply to two of the ingredients.
If there really is clinical proof the formulation works, why isn’t the company providing any information? You can decide the answer to that one for yourself.
The other thing to know is, Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating is one of the most expensive weight loss products on the market. However, some customer reviews suggest it’s anything but a top-dollar product.
Alleged Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating Benefits
- Supports the growth of good gut microbes
- Increases Lactobacillus by 365 times and Ifidobacterium by 290 times
- increases the metabolism enhancing Akkermansia microbes by 250 times
- Supports healthy glucose metabolism
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-Free
- 100% Vegetarian
Who Is / Are Plexus?
Plexus is a multi-level marketing company and the original Plexus Slim was its flagship product.
After the launch of the Pink Drink, the company expanded the range to include many other health and wellness products. This is not uncommon with MLM companies because they like to make sure their distributors have plenty of products to sell.
If you are not familiar with MLM, the thing to know it’s a business that consists of two parts. The first part is general sales and it requires products to sell.
The second part of MLM is the business “opportunity”. MLM companies encourage people to become self-employed product distributors. When they do so, they have the opportunity to create their own team of distributors. In MLM speak this is called a “downline”
The people distributors recruit become part of their first level downline and these recruits have the opportunity to make their own downline. As do their recruits. In fact, everyone who enters MLM has the same opportunity.
People are attracted to this business model because MLM allows them to receive a small commission for their own sales and smaller ones for the sales made via their downline. The commission typically goes several levels deep. Hence the term “multi-level” marketing.
Needless to say, MLM comes with the promise of fabulous wealth and a few distributors make it. However, they are in the minority. Most MLM distributors don’t make enough to cover their running expenses and others slide into debt.
Typical MLM products tend to be expensive. More often than not, the quality is very poor so there is never much demand. This is but one of many problems with MLM.
Nobody is saying Plexus is not a reputable company, but the MLM concept has many flaws [SOURCE]
What Is Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating and How Does It Work?
According to Plexus, the formulation helps you to lose weight by supporting glucose metabolism and feeding your gut beneficial prebiotics.
Prebiotics are ingredients that nourish the good gut bacteria (probiotics) present in the gut. As their numbers increase, they overpower the bad bacteria that has a negative effect on the health and can slow the metabolism and make it hard to lose weight. [SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2]
Key Ingredients
Each one-sachet serving provides:
- Chromium (200 mcg): A mineral that can be found in most good diet pills. Chromium regulates blood glucose and insulin levels, thereby helping prevent sugar cravings. [SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2]
- Xylooligosaccharide (1,000 mg): Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are polymers of the sugar xylose. They are good for feeding probiotic bacteria, but the Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating marketing material exaggerates their abilities. The results of a pilot study suggest they may “reverse changes in the gut microbiota during the development of diabetes”. The data does not appear to show they increase Lactobacillus by 365 times or Bifidobacterium by 290 times. [SOURCE]
The rest of the ingredients are in a proprietary blend. The blend accounts for a further 531 mg of the sachet content.
- Green coffee bean extract: The chlorogenic acid provided by green coffee beans helps regulate blood sugar and insulin. It’s also got a good reputation as a fat burner.
- Garcinia cambogia: A tropical fruit. The active ingredient comes from the rind. It’s called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and its main value is as an appetite suppressant. In addition to this, HCA also helps prevent new fat cell formation.
- Alpha lipoic acid: Research shows alpha-lipoic acid can be effective for reducing body weight. However, it works best when it’s combined with cysteine as it is in the custom ingredient a-Lacys reset.
- Mulberry fruit extract: Presuming this is white mulberry, it’s a good ingredient. Although it lacks the power of chromium it has the ability to help balance blood glucose and insulin.
Although the proprietary blend contains four good ingredients, the lack of inclusion rates makes it difficult to see if they are included in effective doses.
Usage Instructions
To make the drink, Plexus suggests tearing open a sachet and pouring the contents into a 12-20 ounce bottle of water. After a quick shake, it’s good to go. The best time to drink it is 30 minutes before a meal.
For “optimal results” Plexus suggests using the product “up to twice a day”. That’s a contradiction in terms. The word “optimal” means the same as the word “best”. If it’s possible to get the best results with one sachet, why on earth would anyone take two per day? That would be doubling the cost of using the product for no good reason.
Plexus Slim Customer Feedback
It’s hard to find much feedback for this product. The feedback that is available online is a mix of good and bad. The problem is, with MLM products, distributors often leave fake positive feedback to help make their brand look better than it is.
However, a few randomly-selected customer reviews read:
“I love this wonderful product. It’s helped me lose inches and weight as well. I have my energy back too and can play with my children. I sleep better and eat less and don’t have inflammation or bathroom issues anymore. No more migraine or anxiety problems. Don’t listen to the people who say bad things about it. Plexus Slim really works. Email me and ask me anything and I will give you the real truth.”
“This product is total garbage. It doesn’t work. Please don’t be conned like I was. It’s just a very expensive pink drink and it doesn’t even taste good.”
“This is a great product. It works well. If you have any questions shoot me an email at…”
“Nearly $100 for probiotics is a joke. I was desperate so I gave it a go anyway. I felt no benefits at all. I’ve had pharmacy own brand products that work better than this.”
Side Effects and Health Issues
If Plexus is aware of any side effects, it’s not saying. However, the company states the product is not intended for children under 18-years of age. Pregnant or nursing mothers are advised to check with their doctor before using the product.
The aforementioned warning should also be offered to people who have existing health problems and to anyone who would need to use the product alongside medication.
Purchasing Options and Considerations
The two main options are to buy Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating directly from the Plexus website or via a Plexus distributor.
Customers who wish to make a one-off purchase via the official website will need to create an account first.
Buying from a distributor may be easier, but it may also be more expensive. Some distributors are selling products via their own websites. Others are using online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
At the time of this review, one distributor selling Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating via Amazon was asking USD $107.99 per 30-sachet box. The same product was selling for USD $89.99 on the official site.
The truth is, no matter where you buy it, this is a damned expensive product. It’s overpriced, it’s as simple as that.
Worse still, if you are taking two sachets per day, a box will only be good for a couple of weeks. Taking one sachet will make the box last for a month but will reduce the chances of seeing any benefit.
Guarantee
Plexus promises a 60-day money back guarantee. However, it excludes “certain promotional items”. That sounds a little confusing. How are customers expected to know which items are covered by the guarantee and which ones are not?
Customers who buy via a distributor will have to ask their distributor for a refund. Anyone who buys directly from Plexus will need to contact the customer service department via email or telephone.
Summary
Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating is a seriously expensive product that does not offer much in return for all that money. In fact, some customers have left reviews saying it has nothing to offer at all.
Although it seems likely the formulation may help prevent sugar cravings, it may not suppress genuine hunger. Garcinia cambogia can do this, but it seems unlikely the formulation will provide enough.
There is every chance that the formulation will increase probiotic bacteria, but probably not to the extent customers are told to expect.
Anyone who wishes probiotic benefits would find it much cheaper to eat probiotic yogurts. People who need to lose weight will fare better by choosing a superior product.