Plexus Slim products

I have been seeing a good many posts on various social networking sites regarding the Plexus products.  I decided to do a bit of research.

One of the key words I look for is ‘organic’.   I did not  see that in any of the product ingredients listed.  I did see chemical words explained, as in ‘another term for…..’.   What is Glycemic Index Maltodextrin?   The website says it is a grain sweetener:  Maltodextrins are made from natural corn, rice or potato starch. The starch is cooked, and then acid and/or enzymes are used to break the starch into smaller polymers. This process is similar to how the body digests carbohydrates. Basically, it is an easily digested form of carbohydrate. It comes in a white powder with a mildly sweet taste and is used in processed foods as a thickener, or a filler since it’s fairly inexpensive. It’s often used to create additional volume to a food product (such as in confections or some packets of artificial sweeteners) without altering flavor.

Maltodextrin is a natural product. It is not dangerous and has been approved as safe for consumption. However, it is a carbohydrate with a high glycemic index and can have an impact on your blood sugar and insulin levels. It is important that you are aware of this as maltodextrin is a very common ingredient in food products.

At this point, I wouldn’t say that you have to totally avoid products with maltodextrin. Just be aware of the carb content of that product. And very importantly, pay attention to how you feel after consuming these products. Do they make you hungrier? Do you find that you are gaining weight? If so, you may want to avoid or at least limit them.   http://www.pcosupport.org/newsletter/articles/article121008-3.php

Oxypregnane Steroidal Glycoside –P57 is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside isolated from the African cactiform Hoodia gordonii. P57 is thought to be the main active constituent from this plant that may be responsible for the possible appetite suppressant activity of Hoodia extracts.^[1][2][3]   The key here is that this glycoside is isolated from the plant.   Plants are food, and are meant to be used in their entirety.  When you isolate an ingredient, it does not have the co-factors which are built into the plant to make the food healthy for the human body.  So, while the makers of Plexus say that their product is all NATURAL not all the natural ingredients are in an unadulterated state.

Fiber is a good dietary ingredient, but the only named fiber I could  find in Plexus products was a beet root fiber.  Polydextrose is touted as a fiber, which is a synthesized from glucose and sorbitol, a low-calorie carbohydrate.  Synthesized is not organic.  Most people think that fiber is good.  Most of the time it is.  However, synthesized fiber is not normally good, and can have horrible side effects such as bloating and gas.   Constipation may also be a factor.

Not having tried Plexus Slim or the Accelerator myself, I searched for someone who had.  Please look at Deanna’s blog:  She actually gained weight using this product.  http://langshipley-deannasworld.blogspot.com/2013/06/plexus-slim-experience-my-first-16-days.html

Having earned post-graduate degrees in natural health, I am disturbed with the forward motion of this type of product.  These products are being marketed by individual business owners, who are motivated by financial rewards.  They are not qualified to make health care decisions.   I have watched many of these people lose weight initially, only to find the rebound effect of synthetically produced products in the form of insulin resistance and obesity.

Ironically enough, I just completed a conference call with a client of mine who has lost 42 pounds since October.  Yes, in just eight weeks, he has made a drastic change in this eating habits, and the only side-effect is that he no longer takes any blood pressure medicine.  His blood pressure is now 126/70.

Until next time,

Dr. Polly