The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (2024)

Back Story:

In late September, I was having a conversation with my best friend about Plexus. It seemed like we both knew at least 3 people who sold it, and they all made convincing arguments about its validity, had amazing before and after pictures, and had hundreds of testimonials about it. Because we both had gained a few pounds and were feeling a little lethargic in day-to-day life, Plexus presents itself as a miracle cure and magic bullet.

For those of you who are not super familiar with Plexus, it is a MLM (like Herbalife, ItWorks!, Arbonne, etc.) who markets supplements on the basis of fixing your “gut health” as the key to overall wellness.

Because I actually do believe in the validity of gut health, Plexus seems intriguing to me. I’ve been hearing about it on acquaintance’s Instagram stories for well over 2 years now, but to be completely honest, I’ve never truly looked into the products.

In the conversation with my friend, we both made the conclusion that “hey, maybe if someone we know is selling some of the stuff on promotion, we should both try it and see what happens”.

*insert one week later* and a girl that lived on my dorm my freshman year of college was promoting a discount on Plexus. I messaged her on Instagram and she promptly sent me her recommendations and some literature about the products. I think it’s pretty standard for the Plexus ambassadors to recommend the Plexus Triplex to new buyers as it is their three best selling products, which is what she recommended to me. It is a 30-day supply of BioCleanse, Plexus Slim (affectionately known as “pink drink”), and ProBio.

I expected this stuff to be like $75 but a 30-day supply is roughly $130!!!!

(!!!!!!!)

I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t have the kind of money to be dropping once a month on supplements.

Being the prudent person that I am, I researched some of the ingredients in the products and came to the conclusion that it could be legit, but I also did have some issues with some of the ingredients (more on that later).

So naturally, I immediately googled alternatives to Plexus Triplex.

Unfortunately, I did not find a lot of blog posts anything that seemed legitimate. There were a couple of holistic websites that listed a few valid alternatives (like this one), but the supplements that they recommended as alternatives, did not always contain the ingredients that would actually promote a significant benefit. Plus the posts never actually said if the author tried them and liked them….

….so I decided to find my own alternatives to share with the Internet, in case anyone else was looking for ideas.

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (1)

I spent all of a Monday and Tuesday night reading about each of the Triplex products, their ingredients, scholarly journal articles on the ingredient’s validity, and other supplements that exist on the market.

My Results:

(9/25/2018) Weight: 138 lbs – Felt bloated and heavy. Felt lethargic and tired consistently. Mood sucks.

(10/18/2018) Weight: 136 lbs – I genuinely feel like I have more energy (could be a placebo effect though). Feel less bloated.

Minor Disclaimer:

I want to remind anyone reading this post that supplements will NEVER replace healthy eating and regular exercise. There is no such thing as a magic pill to burn fat (trust me, if there was, obesity wouldn’t be such an epidemic in this country)!

In the studies that Plexus conducted on their products that showed some weight loss versus the placebo group, all of the participants were on a Mediterranean diet. Aka they were eating healthy, lean meats, vegetables, and whole grains. But also, the placebo group (the one’s not using Plexus, but eating a Mediterranean diet) lost some weight too! If you’re eating pizza, candy bars, and fried foods every day, you are not eating a diet that is good for your digestive health in the first place, and you should probably reconsider your diet choices before looking for a quick fix to your weight or digestive issues.

I work out (~3 times a week) and eat healthy 90% of the time, yet was still feeling lethargic and gaining a couple pounds which is why I looked into this.

I also took my daily prenatal vitamin with all of these supplements.

UPDATE 3/26/2024: I have now posted a update with what supplements I take these days 🙂

The 5 Supplements I Take: A 6 Year Update

The Plexus Triplex & My Alternatives

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (2)1. BioCleanse:

Let’s be honest. This is like a laxative. I think the purpose is to “cleanse your colon of all the bad stuff” so that good stuff can grow. I’m not sure if there is science to back that up, but for the sake of this “experiment”, we will roll with it.

Magnesium is what is doing all the work in this product– you’ll find some laxatives are high doses of magnesium to relax the smooth muscle of the GI tract to produce a bowel movement.

The tolerable upper intake of magnesium supplements (you can’t really OD on magnesium that you get through your diet), is 350 mg for males and females >9 years of age. Some sources even recommend a max of 280-300 mg for women.

Bio-cleanse recommends 2- 380 mg twice a day, so a total of 1520 mg a day.

In most cases you can’t really OD on magnesium (unless you have kidney issues). Most excess gets excreted through your urine, but I just don’t think it is healthy to be taking a laxative every single day. It can throw your other electrolytes out of whack! I’m also cautious about high doses of magnesium daily because it competes with calcium, which is not great for us ladies who are already predisposed to osteoporosis.

So the main ingredients in BioCleanse are bioflavanoids, magnesium, and vitamin c (as citric acid).

Bioflavonoids are something found in some fruits, but especially in the rind of certain types of citrus. The research I found said it was known to help reduce inflammation and help absorb vitamin C.

My Alternative

-Magnesium 250 mg, once a day [Lower dose than BioCleanse]. You can get 100 soft-gels for pretty inexpensive on Amazon.

Quercetin BioFlavonoid Complex, 1 capsule a day (90 capsules in a bottle on Amazon)– Quercetin is a type of bioflavonoid known to help reduce inflammation

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (3)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (4)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (5)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (6)

For around $20, you can get three times more product than you get with BioCleanse. Plus the BioFlavonoid Complex I use has way more bioflavonoids in it than in Plexus.

2. Plexus Slim / “Pink Drink”

So the main ingredients in the pink drink that could have some benefit are green coffee bean extract, Xylooligosaccharide (XOS), and chromium.

To be honest, the only ingredient that I think might have some validity is XOS. Green coffee bean extract always seems to be the ingredient in fat burners that are advertised on TV and to be honest, I’m both skeptical and nervous to put anything in my body that markets itself as fat burning. Apparently chromium may help with blood sugar regularity, but clinical trials haven’t shown any significance, so I choose not to go with it.

Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) does have some serious potential though. It is a prebiotic (versus a probiotic) which essentially means that it is stuff for the bacteria to feed on (read more about why I think prebiotics are important here).

My Alternative:

XOS Prebiotic, 2 capsules before lunch or dinner [60 capsules in a bottlewhich is equal to a 30 day supply]– I normally take my two before lunch!

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (7)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (8)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (9)

3. ProBio

ProBio is probiotics + enzymes

I am a believer in the importance of a balanced gut microbiome (aka the bacteria in the gut)– but it is a part of good diet and genetics. There is one study that looked at sets of twins in which one twin was obese and the other was a healthy weight. They transferred the gut bacteria from the twins into mice and then watched the result. The mice that received the “obese” bacteria gained weight, and the mice that received the other bacteria stayed the same weight.

I’m skeptical of the generalization that “yeast overgrowth in the gut” is the cause of the world’s issues like Plexus claims. Scientific literature says that “only a handful of case reports in the literature describe presence of Candida albicans [yeast] in the gut of otherwise healthy subjects who were older adults and presented with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (Singh & Mullin, 2017). It is, however, an issue with patients with IBS, chronic ulcers, and autoimmune diseases/those who are immuno-compromised. There is no doubt that yeast overgrowth in the gut causes inflammation and disturbs the gut ability to absorb nutrients in that population, butttt if you are an otherwise healthy person, the science says that you probably don’t have yeast overgrowth. (This is a really good article about yeast overgrowth and that it might not be as big of an issue as Plexus reps claim https://www.self.com/story/candida-overgrowth-problem-too-much-yeast-no-too-little-science)

My Alternative:

365 Daily Probiotic, 1 tablet, twice a day (I take one with breakfast and one with dinner) [100 tablets which should equal a 50 day supply]

(P.S. make sure you refrigerate this probiotic!)

UPDATE (6/11/2019):

Because the 365 probiotic is constantly out of stock, this is the probiotic I’ve been using that I’ve been liking! Garden of Life Primal Defense Probiotic (60 capsules for under $30)

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (10)
The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (11)

The Math:

Magnesium 250 mg, once a day

Quercetin BioFlavonoid Complex, 1 capsule a day

XOS Prebiotic, 2 capsules before lunch (or dinner)

365 Daily Probiotic, 1 tablet, twice a day

= ~$40 (And most of these products will last you longer than 30 days)

That’s about 70% less than Plexus

UPDATE: OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:

General Prenatal Vitamin (under $15 for 110 capsules)

So if you have tried Plexus and like it, but not the price tag, maybe give this a try. Or if you’re like me and seem intrigued by Plexus, but not spending $130, give this a try first.

I think I’m going to continue on with it, because I actually do feel lighter and more full of energy 🙂

Fun Legal Disclaimer:

I am not endorsing or defaming any products in this post. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Reliance on any information provided by theregularfolks.com is solely at your own risk.

The author of this site encourages you to consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition. No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis, or determine treatment for a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Opinions on this site are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.

If you buy from my direct links, an Amazon Associate I will earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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Have you tried Plexus? Thoughts? Share below!

Related

The Supplements I Take / Cheaper Alternatives to Plexus Triplex - The Regular Folks (2024)

FAQs

Who should not take Plexus? ›

Due to a lack of research on the safety of the products, Plexus supplements shouldn't be consumed by children or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It's also important to consult a healthcare professional before trying any new supplement.

Why did I quit Plexus? ›

Concerns regarding product effectiveness, financial viability, and ethical controversies have contributed to the exodus from Plexus. Individuals are increasingly seeking alternative wellness solutions that are backed by scientific evidence, offer fair financial opportunities, and operate ethically.

What is the best way to take Plexus TriPlex? ›

Adults take 2 capsules with 8 ounces of water daily. As part of the TriPlex Weight Loss regimen — adults take 2 capsules with 8 ounces of water twice daily between meals, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie weight loss diet plan.

What is Plexus TriPlex? ›

SKU K2-TP01-0623. Support your wellness when you Weed with Bio Cleanse to help relieve irregularity, Seed with ProBio CA to help support your intestinal health, and then Feed with Slim or Slim Hunger Control to support healthy glucose metabolism.

Why was Plexus banned? ›

Historically, Plexus was called out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for making unsubstantiated health claims.

What are the long term effects of the Plexus? ›

As with cases of brachial plexus injury in adults, there are many long-term effects of brachial plexus injury at birth. In severe cases, these can include issues with balance and coordination, arm strength, lower body strength and severe range of motion limitations.

Is Plexus really all natural? ›

Are Plexus product ingredients natural or synthetic? Plexus formulates with natural ingredients, and does not use artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

Does Plexus cause joint pain? ›

Many mild brachial plexus injuries heal over time with few to no issues. But some injuries can cause short-term or lasting problems, such as: Stiff joints. If you have hand or arm paralysis, the joints can get stiff.

Can Plexus cause elevated liver enzymes? ›

Both the fruit extract itself as well as HCA have been postulated as a potential cause of hepatotoxicity when consumed in sufficient amounts. This serves as a potential cause of the elevated liver enzymes observed in this patient.

When to take TriPlex? ›

When is the best time to take Plexus TriPlex™? You should use the Plexus TriPlex system every day. Bio Cleanse should be taken twice daily–2 capsules in the morning, and 2 more at lunch. ProBio 5 should be taken in the evening, ideally before bedtime, and you can take up to 4 capsules.

Is Plexus good for liver? ›

Aid the body's natural recovery process, while providing joint support, relief from occasional muscle soreness, and fortification of liver cell vitality, allowing healthy cells and tissue to thrive.

Does the Plexus help with inflammation? ›

Anti-inflammatory Herbal Medicine. Plexus Ease contains natural ingredients that can help ease the occasional discomforts of an active lifestyle, like joint pain. Maintain your good health and relieve discomfort, with Plexus Ease.

What is the plexus Worldwide lawsuit? ›

Plexus Worldwide, LLC, Agrees to Pay $600,000 to Resolve Alleged False Claims Violations for Mailing Packages With Underpaid and Duplicate Postage. PHOENIX, Ariz. – United States Attorney Gary M.

What is triplex medication used for? ›

Triplex 25 MG Tablet is an antidepressant medicine. It is used in the treatment of depression and other conditions such as nerve pain and migraine. It works by increasing the levels of chemical substances in your brain and improving your mood.

What are the side effects of plexus gut health? ›

Safety of Plexus Boost

However, some mild side effects have been reported, such as constipation, nausea and stomach pain. There are no major safety concerns related to the remaining key ingredients in the amount contained in this supplement.

Can Plexus cause stomach problems? ›

Stop use if you experience irritability or insomnia. Some people may experience drowsiness. Some people may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Can Plexus raise blood pressure? ›

Substances within Appendix C are of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use. Risks associated with its use include high blood pressure, psychiatric disorders, bleeding in the brain and stroke.

References

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