When you begin a weight loss journey, you might consider using products like Plexus Slim. However, it’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects. I tried Plexus Slim Hunger Control for over a month and noticed mild side effects like rashes on my arms, legs, and hips, as well as an itchy scalp. Plexus Worldwide says their products are safe and help with fat burning, blood sugar, cholesterol, cravings, and binge eating. But many online reviews, forums, and blogs mention possible side effects from Plexus Slim.
When I looked up the side effects of Plexus online, I found a wide range of experiences, from mild symptoms like feeling jittery, itchy, or dizzy to more severe ones like swollen hands and feet, explosive diarrhea, headaches, and muscle aches. In this article, I’ll discuss the common side effects of Plexus products based on people’s shared experiences in social media groups, online forums, and blogs. I’ll also explain what to anticipate when you stop using Plexus.
What are the factors influencing Plexus side effects?
The side effects of Plexus can differ a lot from person to person. They depend on things like your health, other medicines or supplements you’re taking, and lifestyle factors like stress and sleep, according to Professor Martin J. Ronis from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Ronis explains that other factors can also play a role in whether you have side effects or not. These include your genetics, any allergies you might have, your diet, how long you’ve been taking the supplement, and how your body responds to the ingredients in the supplement. This table with factors that influence side effects from Plexus supplements.
| Factor Influencing Plexus Side Effects | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual genetics | Your unique genetic makeup can affect how you react to certain supplements. |
| Age | Older adults may experience different side effects compared to younger individuals. |
| Gender | Men and women might react differently to the same supplement. |
| Overall health | Your overall health status can influence how your body responds to supplements. |
| Pre-existing medical conditions | Existing health issues can interact with supplements, causing varied side effects. |
| Medications being taken concurrently | Other medications can interact with supplements, leading to increased side effects. |
| Dosage and frequency of supplement use | Taking too much or too little can impact the effectiveness and safety of the supplement. |
| Interaction with other supplements or substances | Supplements can react with other substances, potentially causing harmful effects. |
| Sensitivity or allergies to specific ingredients | Allergic reactions to certain ingredients can lead to side effects. |
| Diet and nutrition | Your diet can influence how your body processes and reacts to supplements. |
| Hydration levels | Being well-hydrated or dehydrated can affect how your body handles supplements. |
| Lifestyle factors (e.g., stress, sleep) | Stress levels and sleep patterns can influence the effectiveness and side effects of supplements. |
| Hormonal balance | Your hormonal health can play a role in how your body reacts to supplements. |
| Duration of supplement use | Long-term use of a supplement might have different effects compared to short-term use. |
| Individual response to specific supplement ingredients | Individuals may have unique reactions to specific ingredients in supplements. |
The popularity of weight loss products, like dietary supplements, is on the rise. However, it’s important to know that there are risks involved. In her 2019 study published in the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dr. Ronis points out that approximately 20% of liver injuries caused by drugs are connected to dietary supplements. For instance, consider the Plexus Slim Accelerator 3 Day Trial. It did lead to some small weight loss results, but it contained a substance called 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA) that posed significant health risks. As a result, this product was eventually banned due to these potential adverse effects.
What are the side effects of Plexus?
The side effects of Plexus depend on the specific supplement you’re using because each product contains different active ingredients. For example, Plexus Slim Hunger Control may cause digestive problems because it contains a soluble fiber called polydextrose, which can lead to bloating or gas, especially if your body isn’t used to it. Taking too much Plexus Reset may cause discomfort in your stomach due to polydextrose. This can result in side effects like gas, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Plexus Active contains natural caffeine sources like green tea and yerba mate, potentially leading to side effects such as jitteriness, increased heart rate, or sleep disturbances in sensitive individuals. Plexus Triplex may result in digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas, or altered bowel movements, due to its high fiber and probiotic content. The side effects of Plexus XFactor, which includes ingredients like aloe vera inner leaf fillet powder, may include skin irritation, hives, cramping, or diarrhea, especially in individuals allergic to plants in the lily family, such as onions and tulips.
Plexus MetaBurn contains L-theanine and caffeine to boost alertness and mood, but it may also bring caffeine-related side effects like jitteriness and sleep disturbances. Moreover, its use of Rhodiola for mood support might lead to hormonal imbalances, causing dizziness or hormonal fluctuations in some people. Plexus Block may result in digestive problems like bloating or gas, mainly due to the White Kidney Bean Extract, which can disrupt normal carbohydrate digestion. Other potential adverse effects of Plexus supplements include headaches, nausea, constipation, stomach ache, or elevated blood pressure.
Headache
A headache is when you have pain or discomfort in your head, scalp, or neck. It can happen often or not so often and can be caused by different things like stress, migraines, sinus problems, or other health issues. In Plexus Slim, there’s an ingredient called Garcinia Cambogia, and it was mentioned in a 2020 study by Hyun-Kyung Cho from Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital. The study talked about someone who had a headache and other problems because they took too much Garcinia Cambogia, which is found in some Plexus Slim products.
Nausea
Nausea is when your stomach feels uneasy and you might feel like throwing up. Plexus Slim contains Garcinia cambogia, an ingredient that can cause nausea. This ingredient is often found in weight loss supplements, but a study by Keri E Lunsford from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2016 linked it to potential liver damage.
In one study published in the “World Journal of Gastroenterology,” a 34-year-old man experienced symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dark urine after taking Garcinia cambogia capsules for five months. So, be cautious of potential nausea if you’re using Plexus Slim Pink Drink or other supplements containing Garcinia cambogia.
Bloating
Bloating is when your belly feels full, tight, or bigger than usual. It can happen for different reasons like having too much gas, trouble digesting food, being constipated, or having stomach problems. In Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating, Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) is an ingredient that might make you feel bloated. XOS is a kind of prebiotic fiber used in sweeteners or supplements. Most people can handle it fine, but some might get bloated as a side effect, as mentioned in a 2014 study by Caroline E Childs from The University of Reading.
Gas
Plexus products, like those containing Polydextrose, might lead to gas as a possible side effect. Polydextrose is a type of sugar that doesn’t get fully digested in the upper part of your digestive system. Instead, it slowly gets broken down by bacteria in your large intestine. This process produces small amounts of gas and other substances like short-chain fatty acids.
Constipation
When you start using Plexus or embark on a weight loss journey with new supplements, it’s common for your bathroom habits to change. However, whether Plexus directly causes constipation is not a straightforward yes or no. Constipation is when you have trouble going to the bathroom regularly or passing stools easily. It usually involves having hard, dry stools, which can be uncomfortable and make it harder to go.
Stomach pain
Plexus Slim products contain chromium, which has been linked to stomach issues, including abdominal pain, according to a book by Sharon Wilbur called “Toxicological Profile for Chromium.” Specifically, when people are exposed to a lot of chromium trioxide fumes (a specific form of chromium), they have reported having belly pain. Abdominal pain as a side effect means feeling discomfort or distress in the belly area, caused by various factors like substances, medications, or treatments. This pain can vary in how it feels and how long it lasts.
Increased blood pressure
Plexus contains various ingredients like chromium, xylooligosaccharides, green coffee bean extract, Garcinia cambogia fruit extract, and alpha lipoic acid. Among these, green coffee bean extract may raise blood pressure in some people due to its caffeine. However, we don’t know the exact amounts of caffeine and chlorogenic acid in Plexus’ green coffee bean extract.
How do the side effects of Plexus change once you stop taking it?
When you quit using Plexus, the side effects might go away, but it varies from person to person. For example, I had itching and skin pimples, which I thought could be bed bugs. But when I stopped Plexus for a few days, the itching and bumps went away. So, the time it takes for adverse reactions to vanish can differ for everyone.
But remember that I’ve only taken Plexus Slim and Plexus Triplex, and I haven’t tried Plexus ProBio 5 or Plexus Reset, so I can’t speak to their side effects. Based on online forums and reviews from people who stopped taking Plexus, there seem to be various experiences and potential after-effects, including blurry vision, joint pain, muscle aches, cramps, severe headaches, and fatigue.
What happens to your energy levels when you stop taking Plexus?
When you stop taking Plexus, your energy levels may drop, a common side effect due to the absence of stimulating ingredients like caffeine and green tea extract. From personal experience, I felt a significant decrease in energy, particularly in the early afternoon. I was never someone who took naps, but after I stopped using Plexus, I started feeling sleepy around noon. But to be honest, to know exactly what happens when you stop taking Plexus in the long term, it’s hard to tell, as experiences can vary.
Do Plexus reviews mention energy crashes as a side effect after stopping the supplement?
Yes, several Plexus product reviews and online comments report experiencing energy crashes as a side effect after discontinuing the supplement.
