Read this honest Le-vel Thrive Review by a holistic nutritionist before you invest in weight loss patches, capsules and shakes!
Before it’s asked, this is the protein I use and recommend. I couldn’t find one good enough on the market, so I made my own. Grass-fed collagen with six organic superfoods: kale, spirulina, wheatgrass, broccoli, spinach and turmeric. I drink it in my daily smoothies and it gives me LIFE. Aka a healthy gut, glowing skin, strong digestion and energy for DAYS. Use code 10OFF for 10% off!
What is Le-Vel Thrive?
Out of all the review requests I’ve received recently, Le-Vel Thrive has been at the top of the list.
I get more requests to review this company than any other, and I can see why. They’re exploding.
The company started in 2012 and has made a billion dollars in the past five years. That’s pretty impressive. But I have to be honest, something about this company rings really dishonest to me.
Le-Vel is a direct selling company offering a so-called “health and wellness experience”. Thrive is a three-step regimen consisting of Thrive capsules, Thrive Lifestyle Mix and Thrive DFT.
The whole thing is meant as a premium lifestyle plan to help individuals reach peak physical and mental levels.
My Le-Vel Thrive Review – Is this legit or one big scam?
Let’s take a closer look. Starting with the customer service experience.
You have to comment on their Facebook page, be contacted by a rep, and only then can you be invited to create an account – and only after that can you reach out to customer service to ask any questions.
I would have just looked at the information provided by the company on the ingredients they use, their practices, the benefits of their products – but there is next to none. Which is incredibly bizarre.
I first asked if the products were certified GMO-free and was told not that they were certified but that they were “GMO-free.”
First impression of Le-Vel Thrive – something is fishy!
This is a huge difference.
I’m not saying the products contain GMOs. But I am saying I do have legitimate doubts about this claim without a certification. Because ingredients contained within these products are some of the highest genetically modified foods, upward of 90% of soy and corn are GMO and both are contained in these products.
The customer service rep went on to tell me,
We source all our ingredients from fruit and vegetable farms from around the country. Some of these are farms certified organic and some are not. (emphasis mine)
Wait, hold on a minute. You source all ingredients from fruit and vegetable farms? That is a flat out lie.
First, not every ingredient, in fact I’d say majority of the ingredients in Le-Vel Thrive products – are not from fruit and vegetable farms.
I mean, last I checked, synthetic vitamins, MSG and artificial sweeteners don’t grow on trees.
I probed further, asking the following:
- Are you certified GMO-free?
- What about the ingredients you don’t obtain from farms because they simply don’t come from farms, like caramel color, maltodextrin, sucralose, natural flavors, etc? These are not made in farms. They’re made in labs.
- Is the hydrolyzed collagen from grass-fed, organic animals?
The information I received about the ingredients didn’t seem accurate at all.
I was again told that Le-Vel Thrive products are GMO-free but no mention of certification. And without a certification – I don’t blindly trust that anything is GMO-free, whether it’s Thrive products or a bag of chips.
I was told that the whey is non-GMO and therefore organic and grass-fed. Clearly, this person had no idea what they were talking about.
Just because whey is non-GMO does not mean that it’s grass-fed and/or organic. In fact, the majority of non-GMO whey in the US comes from cows in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) being fed non-GMO soy and corn.
Just because something is non-GMO (which I question the validity of in the first place) does not mean it’s grass-fed. There’s a HUGE difference. Again, it’s possible that it’s grass-fed, but this person didn’t seem to have any actual idea what grass-fed means.
I was also told that nothing synthetic is used in these products. Word for word, that is what I was told.
So in the same breath, you’re telling me that the products are non-GMO, that the whey is grass-fed and organic just because it’s non-GMO, that you can’t disclose where the corn is sourced from and that not a single ingredient is synthetic?
That’s simply false and it makes it extremely difficult to believe anything I was told during my research for this Le-Vel Thrive review.
Splenda is synthetic. Folic acid is synthetic. Caramel color is synthetic. Natural flavors are synthetic. Potassium sorbate is synthetic. Modified starch is synthetic. The list goes on and on.
These products weren’t made in nature. They’re man-made in a lab.
Last time I checked, nature doesn’t make patches that help you lose weight or foam that delivers vitamins.
What’s really in Le-Vel Thrive capsules and patches?
If you take away one thing from this Le-Vel Thrive review, let it be this:
You’re consuming these products, you’re consuming carcinogens, preservatives, additives, artificial sweeteners and MSG (among other things).
For a brief overview without getting into the studies, scientific literature and my getting pissed off about people applying patches to their arms thinking it’s a healthy and effective way to lose weight:
- these products are not certified GMO-free – if you’ve grossed a billion dollars in five years, you can afford the certification
- these products contain probable carcinogens, aka ingredients that have been shown to cause cancer
- these ingredients contain processed food-like products (potassium sorbate, caramel colors, maltodextrin, natural flavors, etc)
- these products contain artificial sweeteners (sucralose aka Splenda!)
- these products contain MSG (modified starch, natural flavors, modified food starch and potentially corn starch)
- these products contain synthetic vitamins that have been linked to cancer (folic acid)
As part of my Le-Vel Thrive review, I will share a few of the ingredient labels and then delve into the specifically harmful ingredients contained within these products.
Ingredients of Le-Vel Thrive Lifestyle Mix:
Ingredients of Le-Vel Premium Lifestyle Shot:
Ingredients of Le-Vel Thrive Boost Premium Greens Beverage:
Wtf is gluten-free wheat?
Ingredients of Le-Vel Thrive Collagen Protein Gel:
Ingredients of Le-Vel Thrive The women’s multivitamin:
Ingredients of Le-Vel Thrive The men’s multivitamin:
My honest opinion about Le-Vel Thrive Multivitamins :
A quick note about these multivitamins before we delve into the horrible ingredients in these products: the vitamin and mineral makeup of these multis isn’t even good.
There are SO many better multivitamins on the market that contain more vitamins and minerals and are made of organic food!
Compare the above multivitamins to the one I take, which is an organic, food based multi. It has a ton more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and herbs!
Also – the Thrive vitamins are $60 for a month-long supply – that’s insane. They’re incredibly overpriced – especially considering how few vitamins and minerals you get – and not to mention the one I use is made up of organic food which provides vitamins and minerals that are actually bioavailable and easy to digest!
The multivitamin I personally use, seen below, is $32.89 for a three month supply! You can see it here.
7 Reasons why I DO NOT recommend Le-Vel Thrive Products:
Folic Acid
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which has proven to be particularly problematic.
Folate is a naturally occurring water soluble B vitamin. Folic acid, however, is a synthesized form of folate that the body is unable to properly absorb or utilize.
In fact, folic acid supplementation has even been linked to cancer.
…in the Journal of the American Medical Association — suggesting that all the extra folic acid might increase your odds of developing cancer. “The more we learn about folic acid, the more it’s clear that giving it to everyone has very real risks,” says folic acid researcher David Smith, PhD, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Oxford in England.
Another study out of Chile linked folic acid supplementation with an increased risk of colon cancer.
And yet another study out of Norway linked folic acid supplementation with a 21% increase in lung cancer.
Folic acid and B12 supplementation was associated with a 21% increased risk for cancer, a 38% increased risk for dying from the disease, and an 18% increase in deaths from all causes.
While folate is a necessary part of a balanced diet, folic acid has actually been linked to increased rates of cancer (another source for ya).
It’s been estimated that 40% of the population has an MTHFR gene mutation which makes people completely inept at absorbing folic acid! Dr. Will Cole has a great article on MTHFR you can check out here.
Sucralose
These products contain the artificial sweetener, sucralose, also known as Splenda.
From the mouth of the beast,
Sucralose is made through a patented, multi-step process that starts with sugar and selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but without sugar’s calories.
That’s right, it’s chlorinated. Sucralose destroys beneficial gut flora, thus impairing immune function and promoting obesity.
No. Sucralose is not a natural product – it is not found in nature. Although sucralose is made from sugar, the sugar molecule is chemically modified to make sucralose which is classified as an artificial sweetener.
Soy
This study from Harvard found that men consuming the equivalent of one cup of soy milk per day had 50% lower sperm count than men who did not consume soy (even accounting for other factors like age, caffeine and alcohol intake, etc.).
From the study,
There was an inverse association between soy food intake and sperm concentration that remained significant after accounting for age, abstinence time, body mass index, caffeine and alcohol intake and smoking. In the multivariate-adjusted analyses, men in the highest category of soy food intake had 41 million sperm/ml less than men who did not consume soy foods.
Several studies have also linked soy to cancer.
…this pilot study indicates that prolonged consumption of soy protein isolate has a stimulatory effect on the premenopausal female breast, characterized by increased secretion of breast fluid, the appearance of hyperplastic epithelial cells, and elevated levels of plasma estradiol. Source
as well as,
We have demonstrated that the isoflavone, genistein, stimulates growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells in vivo…Here we present new information that soy protein isolates containing increasing concentrations of genistein stimulate the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. Source
Maltodextrin
I reached out to Thrive (or Level? what do I call them? the branding is NOT clear at all) about their maltodextrin and was told it’s made from rice, which is better than corn but is still an overly processed additive that should be avoided by those with high blood sugar, insulin resistance, obesity and/or diabetes.
There is evidence that maltodextrin can alter gut flora and suppress beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Corn Starch and Modified Starch aka Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Corn starch and modified starch are two names that MSG masquerades under. There is no legal reason to disclose this information as the FDA does not require companies to do so.
Glutamic acid is found in foods like tomatoes, beef, walnuts, peas, etc. Monosodium glutamate, however, is manufactured glutamic acid that takes on an entirely different chemical composition and reacts differently in the body.
Studies have linked MSG to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as well as type 2 diabetes, inflammation and obesity. From this study,
We previously reported that injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in ICR mice leads to the development of significant inflammation, central obesity, and type 2 diabetes. To directly address the long-term consequences of MSG on inflammation, we have performed serial analysis of MSG-injected mice and focused in particular on liver pathology. By 6 and 12 months of age, all MSG-treated mice developed NAFLD and NASH-like histology, respectively. In particular, the murine steatohepatitis at 12 months was virtually undistinguishable from human NASH.
Meanwhile, this study linked MSG to cognitive decline, learning disability and impaired memory function. This study linked MSG to headaches. This study linked MSG to pancreatic dysfunction and diabetes.
Caramel Color
Caramel color, not to be confused with actual caramel (made of cream and sugar), is made using ammonia and sulfites under high pressure.
Caramel color is most notably added to soft drinks, like Coke or Pepsi.
Johns Hopkins did a study on the caramel color found in these drinks and determined that it is indeed a carcinogen.
“Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added to these beverages simply for aesthetic purposes,” says Keeve Nachman, PhD, senior author of the study and director of the Food Production and Public Health Program at the CLF and an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health “This unnecessary exposure poses a threat to public health and raises questions about the continued use of caramel coloring in soda.” Source
Potassium Sorbate
PS is a common chemical made in a lab that serves as a preservative, to extend the shelf-life of food. Because why shouldn’t food sit out for months, even years at a time without going bad?
From Fooducate,
However, two studies have shown that potassium sorbate has the potential to mess with our DNA. In one study, PS is clearly seen to be genotoxic to the human peripheral blood lymphocytes (white blood cells). In another study, potassium sorbate mixed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C, which is present in many foods), caused mutagenicity and DNA-damaging activity. the risk demonstrated in the studies is very low, but it is statistically significant.
THE CONCLUSION OF MY LE-VEL THRIVE REVIEW:
So let me sum up my Le-Vel Thrive review:
This scammy company has made a billion dollars in five years by selling carcinogens, additives, preservatives, synthetic vitamins and overall unhealthy, overly processed, trendy products to unsuspecting people who don’t know what they’re actually consuming.
To people who want to get healthy. To people who want to make an income and put their kids through college.
This is not okay with me and this is why I wrote this Le-Vel Thrive review.
People need to know what they’re selling and what they’re buying – because
I’m willing to bet the majority of the people who sell and consume these products are good people who are completely unaware that folic acid and caramel color have been directly linked to cancer.
These people don’t know that they’re consuming preservatives linked to altered and damaged DNA.
They don’t know they’re consuming artificial sweeteners that damage gut health. You deserve to know the truth.
Health does not come in a patch. It doesn’t come in a meal replacement shake.
We have overcomplicated the key to health which is real, organic, unprocessed food, good sleep, low stress, exercise and a fun lifestyle.
Think about it. You’re applying a patch to your arm to lose weight. That’s nuts.
(Side note: I asked how these work and was told directly from the company “Support is not able to explain the science behind DFT Duo.”).
I mean, we’ve come so far away from the simple truth: real food is the key to health.
Not shakes, not patches, not gel foam derma technology.
For more unbiased reviews, check out my:
- Review of Flat Tummy Tea
- Review of Beautycounter
- Review of Monat
- Review of Doterra
- Review of It Works
DID YOU ENJOY MY LEVEL THRIVE REVIEW? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW! AND LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM!
300 Comments
The Boost Premium Greens Beveragecontains gluten-free WHEAT??? Is that possible? Great analysis. Thank you!
I literally have no idea. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
Thank you!!
Actually yes it is because gluten and wheat are NOT the same thing! So many people are confused on what gluten is. Gluten doesn’t grow in the ground and it doesn’t just happen to be in wheat. It’s a chemical reaction that happens when grains, sugars and other specific items like oil or fats and eggs ect are manipulated together to form a dough. It is what happens when you make a dough mix and then begin kneading it together. It takes at least ten minutes before you begin to make gluten. It’s actually not that easy to make which is why in America we have synthesized gluten in manufacturing plants and special machines that overly agitate these ingredients to make extremely gooey and extremely high amounts of gluten in our common breads and pastries. Homemade breads and pastas typically contain very low amounts of gluten and some of them don’t contain any gluten at all. If you’re using fresh milled grains the chances of creating gluten in homemade dough are even lower. Gluten is NOT the same thing as wheat. Gluten can be made in other sources despite what many “sources” these days may try to tell people. That’s why you’re seeing so many people unable to eat breads and pastas now. It’s because it’s all synthetic none of it is natural and the wheat used is also no longer natural either. However i do agree with the rest of this review of products.
Yum! More GMOs!!!
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-genetically-engineer-a-form-of-gluten-free-wheat/
There is a such thing as gluten free wheat. They process the gluten out of it. You can buy this in almost any grocery store now.
There is literally no such thing as gluten free wheat.
Many incorrect or misinformed information/opinion in this blog! Your nutritional facts are mostly true although not about the company!!
So I googled it, and it’s 100% scientifically made in a lab. I don’t know why they would do that, rather than using non wheat product???? Gross!
https://wholegrainscouncil.org/blog/2014/08/gluten-free-wheat-qa-details-intriguing-research
Your posts are spot on, well researched and the best! I get asked about these products all the time so I was so happy to be able to share this with my audience! Keep up the great work!!! 🙂 thank you!
You compare the multi vitamin you take to the Thrive capsules, but you fail to note the cost of the probiotics in them. From what I can see, yours doesn’t contain any. Have you seen how much a good multi-strain one costs?
How can you explain the outrageous amount of people who are experiencing all the incredible benefits of Thrive? Some of your info is extremely fabricated and even untrue.. it’s quite a shame to use didn’t dig deeper than speaking with one person and ended I personally with such a hateful, uneducated review of a product proven to improve MILLIONS of lives. I’m sad for you
Yes gluten free wheat is 100% possible. Wheat is not itself gluten. However most wheat contains the protein gluten. Gluten free wheat means they have taken the gluten protein out. Often i will pick up a food label and it will say in the allergies box contains: milk, eggs, wheat, and gluten. It will not always list them as separate allergy’s because most often people who don’t eat gluten, don’t eat wheat as well to be on the safe side. However it still stands that gluten free wheat is in fact real.
Thank you so much for your review. I have been “Thriving” for a week and 1/2 and have felt nothing good at all since starting. Apparently, I’m detoxing and my body is getting used to all the high quality ingredients. I do not have a good feeling about these products which is why I started looking online for reviews. This was super helpful…Thanks again!
You’re welcome!
I’ve been Thriving for over 1 year. Most of what you put in here is just not true. They call it an 8 week experience because we all feel things differently. I started feeling immense amounts of energy after 5 days! My mom full 8 weeks. My cholesterol has been a struggle for 2 years prior to starting Thrive. For the first time my numbers were down! I have changed nothing except taking these 3 simple steps every morning. So for whatever it’s worth it totally has changed my life! I think there are a lot of companies out there not happy because Le-Vel has come up with amazing products that have taken nutrition and made it easy for us. Not taking 20 plus vitamins, enzymes, pro-biotics etc. everyday. You should really give it a try.
All of the information I provided is backed up by legitimate scientific sources. You’re clearly unwilling to accept that, which is fine, but it is in fact, true.
Your entire story is anecdotal, but I’d recommend not relying on supplements for your health and overall wellness. The best option is a healthy diet.
Dani,
I have friends, that so believe in this product and have for years. I keep seeing all these Thrive conferences they go to and all the money these unsuspecting people are making… so I googled reviews on Thrive and came across yours. It’s refreshing and something I felt in the back of my mind. What you’ve laid out is true. The ingredients can cause cancer. How are so many people being brain washed by this? So this couple The Easterlings, go to all these conferences and are boasting about the 200K plus their MLM team mates have made…. how do we get these brainwashed people to understand they are taking in cancerous toxins?
I ate clean pre thrive. I even did fitness competitions so I know healthy lifestyle. However I simply was not getting what I needed through food. You can have your own opinion on Thrive as we have ours. It is clearly up to the individual on what they want. People have no problem eating fast food without even thinking twice but then omg…vitamins lets dissect this. I’m not replying to get into a match back and forth. Good for you for doing whatever research you did on Thrive. Hope you find whatever it is that you needs for vitamins.
Have you reviewed the new Le-Vel CBD skincare product? They are sharing results like it is a miracle worker.
Dani
I can only speak from my own personal experience. I have been using the vitamins and patches (BURN) for a few years. I feel great. For the first time in a long time I have managed to control my cravings for sugar and have taken off 20 pounds, and KEPT IT OFF! So even if it is true that all of the ingredients are not non GMO and organic, the weight I have taken off and my better eating has reduced my CRP levels, my fasting glucose and my cholesterol. We all have to make our own choices about what works best for our bodies and where our priorities lie. Thank you for the review. Hopefully my personal experience (I am not a promoter) can show you another perspective.
Hi Melissa,
I’m right there with you girl!!
I feel amazing and will not change a thing. If it doesn’t work for someone,don’t take the product. Plan and simple!
Way to go! Keep thriving and feeling great! I’ve been thriving two months now and I feel so much better than I used to!
Keep thriving miss. It’s work wonders for many…
Keep thriving miss. It’s work
Great for me and many others…
You are correct. This review is 100% false. Maybe if she knew how to research our system she would understand. Plus we put out ingredients on all the packages. We have nothing to hide. Furthermore. She has no clue as how the 3 step works. Smh.
I’m not really sure what you’re suggesting is misinformation or false in the article. You didn’t articulate your point well and strayed off topic. Dani’s providing concrete evidence and resources. I just scrolled up again through the article and couldn’t even tell you how many links to real medical, scientific, and government agencies that she’s provided; it’s a lot. Have you ever read Consumers Digest Magazine? Dani is essentially doing the work of what you might find in a CD Report.
Because the FTC isn’t effectively regulating companies like Thrive and the FDA is lax when it comes to potentially dangerous substances, we, as consumers, are not being encouraged to properly educate ourselves and sharpen our critical thinking skills.
I’m glad you’ve found success in Thrive, but the information Dani’s provided does not correlate to what your comment implicates. In fact, there is a stark difference in the argument that Dani’s crafted and to what you’ve expressed: anecdotal evidence, at best. At worst, it’s deceptive advertising… And weren’t you advertising in a sense? You don’t just illustrate your entire individual experience without hoping someone will see it and say “wow, I want what she’s having.”
Despite the fact that these products have (possibly) worked for you in the WAYS that you wanted, such as losing weight, it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality or type of ingredients used in the product. Cocaine is a hell of a drug that can kill you and help you lose weight in record time…. That’s the comparison you’ve just made for the product you claim to love.
Melissa….I started Thrive 2 weeks ago. I’m down 12 pounds, excellent energy levels now…was previously sleeping 7-9 hours a night and taking a 3 hour nap EVERY day!! And STILL felt tired. I’m not sure about all the ingredients, but I will say I do feel so much better since starting this. It may not be for everyone….but I do agree with you that it’s a good product if you are wanting to lose weight. It has given me my life back.
I agree with you..i LOVE Thrive..i thought it was a joke until I tried it for 3 days..i feel ALIVE again..you cant criticize something you haven’t tried for yourself..
When you are pumped up on caffeine and pain-killers, of course you will feel great! I have lived a healthy lifestyle for a long time and I tried Thrive. The first couple days is pretty much a caffeine overdose (and the naive reps tell you it’s “detoxing) and trust me, I know what a caffeine overdose feels like. I think it’s hilarious how Thrivers brag about quitting coffee and are full of energy– they obviously have no idea what they are consuming.
If you are taking appetite suppressants, of course you are probably consuming less of the crappy food you were eating before so your tests would show better results. I don’t think it’s the supplements itself, you basically made a change in your lifestyle which could be done without over-priced ingredients. 😉
I agree Thrive did wonders for me, and my doctor told me when I had my twins that I probably never would have made it to 36 weeks and 4 days if I wouldn’t have been taking it. My doctor also told me THRIVE was better then my prenatal vitamin. And that was a high risk doctor due to complications with my first pregnancy before I was ever on THRIVE!
For the record I was induced at 36 weeks and 4 days because of the kind of twins we have! Me being induced had nothing to do with Thrive!
methamphetamine also gives you energy. does not mean it’s good for your body.
I’m sure some people might have immense amounts of energy due to all the caffeine. You would get the same effect from exercise and eating healthy, but unfortunately they both don’t come in convenient patch form and don’t make you feel like your part of some exclusive “club”.
AC your arrogance is insulting. If someone has a personal expertise from Thrive that has improved their life who are you to down play that experience. I’m a RN and triage patients all day who take multiple vitamins supplements prescribed by their MD. How is that any different.
You are feeling “immense amounts of energy” from the guarana and caffeine in the products, not because your body is getting things it actually needs.
Everyone has their own opinion of thrive and their reviews. Are you doing Thrive correctly? Nothing is a quick fix.
I took the product for 1 week and just didn’t feel well. I was told I was detoxing but it just didn’t feel right so I searched for reviews. My sister has taken it and is down three dress sizes and seems ok but I have stopped.
I had my 1st day yesterday taking Thrive. The shake was so gross, I was gagging. I felt ok in the morning, then I was super I’ll by afternoon
The stomach pains were do severe I thought of going to the hospital. I was vomiting and feeling horrible. In bed for an entire day.
They keep telling me that it’s a coincidence. I’m scared to death to take again and have the same reaction.
Is it possible these products can actually make you GAIN weight and feel SLUGGISH….and if your allergic to MSG what are the signs to look for? I been on this for one month and DO NOT feel the GREAT effects I was told would happen
That’s probably a good indication they’re not working for you.
Wow. Different things work for different people. There may be facts in here, but your review is NOT unbiased whatsoever. I used to thrive. And it did work for me. But the “friend” I went through royally pissed me off and didn’t want her making money off of me. There is nothing out there that is 100% good for you. Hell, most meats are AWFUL for you. And that’s regular food. Issue again is you are extremely biased, rather than just providing information.
It depends. I know this comment was made 3 months ago but I hope you stuck to it. This product is highly dependent on following the directions to be taken properly. Depending on your lifestyle prior, it can take up to the 8 full weeks to get the full benefits which is your body trying to clear out all the bad stuff so it can fully get the benefits.
This product does what you want and need from it. We have had people on both sides of the weight scale if your goal is to gain weight it will help you, if your goal is to lose it it will also help you. I have been thriving for 3 years. ? no opinion is ever unbiased. I’m sorry but it just isn’t.
Hello, I thrived for 2 months and felt absolutely NOTHING. I felt really tired(cold symptoms) and it also made me gain about 7 pounds!!! constipation was awful (and was supposed to do the opposite) and I also had some bleeding! I know (TMI) Truth is, I freaked out and stopped. my extra heart palps also stopped .Simply wasn’t for me.
1 month? nothing is a quick fix…if you expect great results in 30 days then you need to re think things. It takes time to fill in our nutritional gaps.
I just took my first vitamins, shake and patch. I feel incredibly awful!! Nausea that won’t quit. Im glad I got free samples from a friend before I invested my hard earned money into it. My theory… if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Rita, I think YES! I felt terrible after taking this crap. I was duped into thinking this was good stuff. The more I took them the worse I felt. I believe they caused me to gain weight and have anxiety issues which I NEVER had before.
Horrible stuff!! I’m sad I ever Tried it and wanted my time and money. Thankfully it was less than a month and I feel Like I’m detoxing from it now.
Angelina, agreed. I took most of these products for over a year. Adding and adjusting the product line only lead to anxiety that I didn’t have previously. It took nearly 6 -12 months for my body to stabilize after stopping.
Nootropics are the scariest part of this system.
Doing more in less time, or having more energy to do more shouldn’t be the goal for a happy life. This systems sales vanity and pride instead of peace and humility.
Eat healthy, see a doctor regularly. Manage your life with some really honest self assessments.
I’ve been on it for almost 3 weeks and actually feel like I’m putting on weight and having an increase in GI upset. I wish I hadn’t wasted my money either.
Thank you and well done!
I’ve been thriving for almost three years and was a nutrition snob prior to thrive. After having my babies, I couldn’t get myself back. I decided to give thrive a try and forever thankful I did. This review is great but please don’t knock it till you try it. I love my morning thrive and forever thankful I didn’t look too much into it. All of the three steps work together and it has helped me tremendously! I could easily tell you that the amount of sweetener that is in it is so small that it bypasses and isn’t even digested into your body, but you’ll think otherwise. All my digestive issues are gone thanks to thrive and my kids have a happy mama!
I was given a 3 day sample kit. Today is my last day using it. I have to admit that I do have a lot of energy, however, I am concerned about the amount of caffeine that is in it. I found myself more restless at night even thought I start it at 5:30am. This cannot possible be good for anyone with or with out heart issues. I would say consult a REAL doctor before starting any program that can possibly throw your body a curve ball it wasn’t expecting, because it can be fatal.
This review is one reason I would NEVER follow you or anything you say.
The truth hurts, huh?
I might have believed some of what you posted here if I hadn’t come across an advertisement for YOUR vitamin choice toward the beginning. Unbiased? Hardly.
There’s an old saying; follow the money and we see how you came to your conclusions. That’s probably the “Truth that hurts”.
Truth hurts?? Really… sorry you couldn’t make the money Le-vel did by a super awesome products
I have been on the Thrive for 3 full weeks and I have seen remarkable changes in my midsection which hasnt happened in the past 3 yrs. and I have not been to the gym in months or even following a very rigid diet
Your AWWWsome !!!Great Integrity and great review!
This is your blog and your content and I’m just a passerby. I am not a seller or consumer of thrive, but I was looking at some reviews on the internet and came across yours. I felt the article seemed rather biased. I can understand the frustration with with these types of supplement selling companies and their ethics, however the “review” did say unbiased… also I did read the entire article and it doesn’t seem like you even used the products. I’m just not sure how you can write any type of review on the products, biased or unbiased, without actually experiencing the products. All that to say the title was very misleading. I did appreciate the thorough product research 🙂
I entirely agree with you Mike. This review was repetitive, long and boring. Needless to say I didn’t read the whole thing for those reasons. As someone looking for an honest review, yes looking into all the info is great. But i am looking for someone who has actually tried the product as well.
Mike, why? It’s a great article, hell, most of the facts are from Le-vel Support Tickets. Stop with your third grade response.
How come you won’t follow org trust him? Did the product work for you? I talked to a recruiter today and it sounded good but almost too good
I’m new to this site. Mike I’m curious why you say that about this review? I’ve just started looking into thrive and like to do my research before trying anything new. What do you know that Dani doesn’t? And no I don’t know her either I just stumbled onto her review while researching. Thanks
You might be taken a little more seriously Mike, if instead of posting an insult, to post an explanation of why and what she said was untrue and back it up with science and facts. Seems to me that this is exactly what she did for her review…it was clear, concise and backed up with facts, science and common sense. Thanks Dani for your honest and unbiased review!!!! Great Job
Biased
Well… when you use words like “scammy” goes to show how knowledgeable you are. Also MSG stands for monosodium glutamate which is not part of the ingredients of these Thrive products. All of your negative claims are based on “may cause” “possible” as well… I do agree with you that sucralose is unhealthy but to go to say folic acid which is naturally found in oranges will give you cancer is a stretch. Also how do I know that the doctors and studies that you quote are legitimate? What proof do you have… I see this blog is trying to get attention with negative review and make money with ads and redirecting to another supplement website. Personally I and trying this product for myself and have not invested any money into it, I got a one week sample for free from my friend and I must say I feel great, energized and motivated. To me this is great, and priceless. That is the truth.
I have to agree; while I totally agree with what you are saying about thrive, there’s a few times you tip the scale too far the other way with your bias opinions. Example – when you mention your multi is $35 for a 3 month supply – this is incorrect and misleading. It’s for a one month supply of the garden of life as you are meant to take 3 capsules a day. If you click your link it takes you to the product page and it literally says on the picture of the ingredients 30 servings per package. Not 90 (3 months). Also the folic acid debate is still out with no definitive prof that it has been for sure linked to cancer, and it’s subject to genetics and predisposition as well. Some links to back up your statement from reputable university studies would be appreciated any time you claim something has been linked to cancer.
Folic acid has been well established a problematic ingredient as evidence by the numerous legitimate articles I provided.
I am curious – you say your multi-vitamin is $32.89 for a 3 month supply. Maybe it has gone up in price? The link posted lists the price as $32.89 for 90 tablets with a suggested usage of 3 tabs per day. Maybe I’m off on my math – but I’m pretty sure that is only a 1 month supply. Or maybe you take it differently than what is recommended. I only point this out because if you are going for credibility, you want to make sure all your facts are straight. Even with this said, I understand that the price listed is still significantly less than the Thrive price. Also – where do you get your pro-biotics? What brand would you recommend?
Thank you for your diligent work here, Dani. Exactly what I was looking for and suspected I would find. As you said, a healthy diet is the best but many people don’t have a healthy diet to begin with. For some, this is the best they’ll get. I appreciate all the info on the GMO and synthetic ingredients. I am on the same page as you. Thanks! And I’m going to bookmark your site… 🙂
I truly find your unbiased review completely full of sh**.
You’re basing your review off of scientific reasearch that doesn’t support the facts. The facts are this: Thrive is making thousands upon thousands of people feel better, help them LOSE weight, improve their gut health and increase their mental clarity… So I find it ironic that they should be feeling quite the opposite according to your opinions… This isn’t a placebo effect dear misled scientific spouter!! Eggs are still bad for me and cause cancer right?? You don’t have to ride this train but you are extremely mistaken by your facts. The proof is in the people, the people taking it who feel more amazing than you will ever feel!
I started Thrive 2 weeks ago to “start kick” weight loss after my baby. I’m 45 years old, so the baby weight has been harder to come off. So far I’ve dropped 4lbs and feel great. Truth of the matter is, in addition to Thrive, I’m eating better and walking my dog 5 times a week. Is that maybe the reason for my weight loss and not Thrive? Is Thrive simply a placebo and my lifestyle change is what is really doing it…probably. Obviously I had questions about Thrive or I would not have read your entire review. I’m going to continue thrive for the 8 weeks, then stop it and save my money toward better things…maybe a new bike now that the weather is getting warmer ?. Thanks for your review
Thanks for the Truth, and well done. Nothing better then eating properly and exercise.
I’m on day two of thrive and idk if it’s the process but I feel so bloated and blah I love the patches and the vitamins in the morning but the shake makes me feel so bloated. They have a better flavor than some drinks I have tried. I have 4 more days if my sample packet but I’m unsure if I’ll purchase I can spend way less to feel bloated I was just hoping to find something for energy and maintain health I work well over 100 hours a week and need a boost but I don’t think I found it.
These people at Le-Vel use the word “Thrive” for their product. There is already a popular “Thrive Life” product on the market. Seems Le-Vel is profiting off their name? Also, another company is using the term “Thrive Market”, which I also believe to have no connection!!
I heard somewhere(?) that these products contain caffeine. Have also heard that certain ingredients (about 150 of them) are not required to be shown on an ingredients list – is caffeine one of them?
I had not done research into the product. Yes my fault for being lazy and going by word of mouth. A coworker mentioned that he started to look into it and taking a multi vitamin eas better then thrive. Alright now I’ll check things out. I cannot believe I’ve been paying this much for 3 months when had i dont the research would’ve known sooner. Thank you for taking the time and doing the research. I will definitely be switching.
I really appreciate this article! I was pretty skeptical and Thrive just sounds too good to be true. Like they say “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. Thank you Dani!
Okay, what ypu list about carmel color and a few other ingredients is true and backed by science, so for the folks that question your statements I think they should do research on the individual ingredients. Knowing thrive or Le.vel had a few questionable ingredients I still purchased it as a “supplement” and NOT to lose weight, I have a 90% heatlthy diet and I excersise, but I work 10 hour shifts and heard from friends this Thrive helps them and made them more energetic and feel better…..Well Im on week 3 and font feel anything good happening, I actually feel more tired and questioned my Thrive “dealer” and she said give it the 8 weeks…Well I dont think so because in my life before Thrive I avoided MSG, carmel color (dont consume any soda), fake sugars, and a few other things and now I read that all these things I totally avoided begore are now being consumed really unknowingly by taking this product, now Im thinking there is a correlation to all of a sudden just not feeling as good as I did 3 weeks ago to the tiredness Im feeling 3 weeks on Thrive regimin….I think it makes sense now and I think your reveiew is actually very good…Maybe Thrive is good for folks who had poor diets to begin with whos bodies are already use to putting fake sugars, corn syrup, carmel color, soy, etc in their bodies but not so good for those of us who totally avoided all that crap before Thrive/Le.Vel…I guess I should have found the ingredients list 1st before spending $165. Thanks for this review all you did was point out the rest of the ingredients I had overlooked and now unhappy Ive reintroduced them to my body after years of avoiding consuming them!!
I was almost going to try Thrive after reading this I am so glad I didn’t
I started thrive March 13 2017, I am in the military and was on my 2nd PT test after was retesting in May. I am 5:9
and was 237 pounds. I took my test May 10 and I was 203 pounds and scored 82 on the test (1.5 run, push ups,situps and waist measure) I can say thrive gave me the jumpstart and energy to run after I got home from work instead of sleeping, I did feel more energy and focused during the day. I don’t believe thrive is a miracle as most people do or expect. You want to be healthier get off your ass and put down the burger and run, run and run more! I hated running and I believe thrive gave me that energy I needed to start, and a year later I am still at 200 and still running. Thrive may not work for everyone and its not a life long solution. It can be a jump start for some and may not work for others. You want to look good and be healthy, you need to get off the diets and the slim fast scams and make better life style choices and make life styles changes! I am currently looking for cheaper/better vitamins and get off thrive, it is expensive however, its working for me and really not ready to stop my daily regime yet. But, I have no regrets, Just my thoughts .. good luck
Love the amount of research and hard work that went into this review. Thanks for saving me the leg work.
Why do you take prenatal vitamins?
I do have a few things to comment on. And of course this is my opinion and probably doesn’t hold much weight but anyone is welcome to comment. I have a pretty extensive medical background. I suffer from inflammatory arthritis and severe IBS. Doctors have put me on a ton of medication which of course a lot of them can have major side effects. That’s why I’ve been searching for something that can help me out with my fatigue, pain and other major issues. I read every word and one of the things that bothered me the most is the information on Folic Acod. Folic Acid is one of the ingredients promoted for pregnant woman. It has also been precribed to me by my doctors to help with my hair loss issue. Of course I’ve contacted all my doctors about starting Thrive and recieved the go-ahead. Yes anything in high amounts can cause serious affects on a body but that’s where the question comes in… What are the amounts that the products listed will cause cancer and all the harmful side effects? Personally, I’ve been on Thrive for 4 days and honestly this is the best I’ve felt in YEARS! I’m 31 and haven’t been able to do half of what I’ve done in 4 days on forever. And truly if this product helps me so much o can start getting off all the medication I’ve been taking that has much much worse side effects. So in that aspect I’m very much looking forward to Thrive and how much it can help. Again this is my opinion and my point of view. The side effects of Thrive is SO much less than all the medication I am on so in that aspect I am all for it.
What do you think of 310 shakes
Thank you for the review. A friend has been trying to get me to try Thrive, and no, nope, no thanks.
A review page FILLED with paid advertisements…. sold your soul I see
Thanks for your info. I did look up your vitamins though and the serving size is 3 tablets a day so that bottle is just a one month supply. I have a Facebook friend just start thrive and I wanted to do some research. Just seemed too good to be true. Sounds like it actually is. I appreciate your review.
I think this review is awesome. Love how it is backed by science. PubMed ?
Pingback: AN UNBIASED REVIEW OF LEVEL THRIVE: Yet Another Nutrition HOAX - The Science Of Eating
Lets start this at the beginning. For starters this is in no way unbias… You as an “unbias” reviewer, who forgot an unbias tone, were unable to find 1 positive to the product? This is clearly a biased slam piece, which sites an old scientific study that was proven flawed a few years after it was published and you include a study of correlation not causation and either didnt fully read the medical journal but decided to throw that garbage study in there.
From the medical journal
“Cancer and cardiovascular hospital discharge rates were compared using rate ratios between two study periods, 1992-1996, before folic acid fortification and 2001-2004, after the flour fortification with folic acid was established in the country…” this is the premise of the study… This only shows in a 10 year period cancer went up in the country and tries to accuse folate as a study when there are an unlimited amount of studies. I could produce an identical study linking the increase in production of electric cars and an increase in gasoline consumption in the past 10 years and say well these factors are causation and be as correct as this garbage study that could have been conducted by 6th graders.
You’re MSG sources are also heavily outdated. There are literally 2x as many medical studies that have been done in more controlled environments and have been unable to reproduce any of the results. I linked a publication by Harvard medicine which is 5-10 years newer than every source you sited that says all those studies are false. (It is Harvard medicine so I wouldn’t declare it 100 truth but it does site more credible studies done)
You were half-right about carmal coloring, splenda, soy and potassium sorbate. Although potassium sorbate is in a vast majority of processed foods, suppliments and protein powders, and our far advanced friends throughout Europe with there incredibly strict food laws haven’t banned it, nor any ingredients in thrive. None of the studies on any of these have yet to prove themselves as toxic when tested in a completely controlled environment. Not saying they arent bad for you, but remember when they sad fat was bad for you, and we should eat the food pyramid. Those were all based of poorly controlled experiments, very similiar to these. Splenda when consumed in huge quantities compared to a rodents body size on a daily bases, causes gut flora decline. I’m pretty sure if your eating that quantity of splenda you have absurd issues. Since its the last listed ingredient (the lowest in volume) that risk is not a risk at all.
From all of my experience in nutrition through college nutrition and biology courses I have rarely seen products that have no positives.
We should all know enough about nutrition to realize our bodies arent designed to absorb stand-alone nutrients. We are designed to absorb nutrients with food, as they come with the enzymes to trigger the digestive track to absorb them. I can site the scientific journals that show we excrete the ma’s majority of nutrients from multivitamins but I’m sure youre aware of this.
So I take it you don’t think its a good idea that they included the 3 most valuable and effective digestive enzymes with the lifestyle mix that frantically increases absorption? Not a lot of products come close to that. I dont need to go into the pro and prebiotics.
For a well rounded product designed to fill nutritional gaps, this product is probably the easiest out there to use, with a full range of nutrients and a small amount of questionable at worst ingredients. For even the above average health enthusiast, this product is a big step forward to better gut health and general health.
Although the patches I’m not sold on, but if you understood human biology (you may) but you should know our skin is able to absorb many nutrients. The science is there, whether Or not they have it right, I’m gonna sit that out.
Maybe this product doesn’t deserve an A but a B+ for sure. If you’re giving this an F, its clearly because you have a bias and aren’t looking at the full picture. Searching for any flimsy, old or outdated information to prove your point.
MSG truth according to Harvard medicine
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/8846733/sing05.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwjDvLTVq67bAhUBHjQIHc6yAQoQFjAEegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw3WiZxVsHWKOPaCSmzfiG2U
I recently ordered this very pricey combo. Right off the bat, it made me sick….not nauseous, but it felt like there was something stuck at the top of my stomach and I felt awful! The people I purchased from are decent, good people, but they kept telling me how good they are feeling and their relatives are feeling since starting on the products. Their teenage daughter had so much energy…..it made me wonder – especially after reading your review – just what is in this that could make people buzz around and feel really great. I have been kinda wondering if they could be putting some drug that they are not listing on the label in them. These days you just never know!
Hi. Thanks for this review as I was considering this product, not so much for weight loss but for energy. One question though, one of the pieces of info you posted in the folic acid section said vitamin B12 has been know to cause cancer? Is that true? Thanks.
Unfortunately it seems you are more upset by the fact that the company has been so extremely successful. Additionally, much of the information you have provided is simply untrue and your personal opinion. The Le-Vel company would not have grown as large as it has, as fast as it has, by lying to people and selling products that don’t work. NUMEROUS doctors, nurses, nutritionists etc not only encourage the use of Thrive but use the products themselves.
I could seriously go on and on about what you wrote here, and about your “opinions, and “feelings”, but I do believe it would fall on deaf ears. I have been in health, fitness and nutrition for 30 years now and have NEVER felt better. I am 49 years old and feel better than I did when I was in my 20’s. And yes, I use Thrive. For over 2 years now consistently. My blood work is spot on every time I go to the doctor and he cannot believe how healthy I am.
BTW: Your multi-vitamin is a PRE-NATAL multivitamin!!! LOL Seriously? Are you pregnant?
I admittedly take thrive. Mostly the shakes because the pills feel like speed to me. I think they need more warning labels because they are not for everyone. My daughter is in College and it helps her get through studying effectively. The products [although insanely over priced] have a positive purpose. Also, you cannot reach a “real” person to answer any questions. Very suspect
Thank for doing this blog! My husband just ordered us a month supply of this “junk.” His friend promotes this and well…my husband fell for the sales pitch. His friend claims with Thrive you don’t have to work out and can eat what you want….that did not sit well with me. Anyone knows if you want to be fit an healthy you have to eat the proper foods and exercise. It’s all about correcting bad habits! Makes me a little nervous to even try this but ready or not gotta be the supportive wife right? Stay tune for my month update, I’ll definitely come back and let you know. BTW, I am not an unhealthy person. I work out 5 times a week for at least 2 hours, I’m 5’7 and 135 pounds.
I just feel that I should mention some of your claims are incorrect but one in particular about folic acid caught my eye. I’m in a bachelor of science at a university, have taken human anatomy, and received 100% overall in organic chemistry (which has the highest failure rate at the university). That statement is not to boast, but to emphasize that I was able to understand the complexity of the organic chemistry and biology that takes place in the human body. Folic acid is a vitamin B complex and a coenzyme in nucleic acid and amino acid metabolism (DNA and protein metabolism). Folic acid is one of the B vitamins necessary for normal DNA synthesis, therefore deficiencies in folic acid hinder cells that rapidly divide, such as developing erythrocytes (red blood cells) and can cause anemia and other issues. Doctors have been providing pregnant women with vitamins containing folic acid to prevent anemia and birth defects (such as spina bifida and anencephaly), through their gestation period. Why would doctors be prescribing folic acid to these women if it causes cancer? Furthermore, we as humans do not synthesize folic acid; our natural flora synthesizes folic acid from p-aminobenzoic acid (also known as PABA, which I have worked with in a lab, completed a lab write up on, researched peer-reviewed journal articles to do so, and had to have an understanding of the reaction mechanism to complete the write up). Because our bodies cannot synthesize folic acid without an initial source, we must obtain it from our diets. Sources of folic acid include: green vegetables, oranges, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. Since vitamin supplements are not green vegetables, or any other aforementioned source of Vitamin B9, they are in pill form, it appears that yes, they are synthesized in labs to fit into this tiny pill for convenience purposes. Since the organic vitamin that you mentioned you consume is also not a green vegetable or any other mentioned source, yours would also be synthesized in a lab to fit into that pill. My point is not to argue, my point is to simply state that it is hard for everyone to be 100% accurate, including yourself. I may also not be 100% accurate, but all of the information I have written here has come from the organic chemistry and human anatomy and physiology textbooks that I have studied with and they have been published by numerous experts in their field with PhDs and supported by decades of scientific research and experience.
Hi Dani, I have a question. I was thinking about getting the multi vitamin you suggested. But I noticed it’s a prenatal vitamin. May I ask why?
Sincerely,
Angie
Very informative; had a vey sweet lady talk to me about using this for energy reasons, and have had very little luck finding out anything about the products so thanks for this. As for people, including herself, having seen results and better numbers cholesterol wise and such at their doctor visits, she and a few others told me they had to quit consuming caffeine altogether while using these products and 2 of them said they’d eliminated aspartame and soft drinks altogether as well which I thought was more likely the reason behind their improved health
Thank you for taking time to put together review and citing sources.
Well just had a friend post a video about thrive. See unlike most people, i always google when people post those pryamid scheme companies, like bod fit and etc. They’re scams!
That friend that had posted a video that i had liked just messaged me today about it, wanting me to be on her team. I dont want to be on her team or spend 60 effing bucks. Ridiculous!
Shes a really nice person but this is why i googled “is thrive bad”. Because i knew there would be some good truth out there that this company is bullsxxt! (^X
So thank you!
-A
What is the vitamin shop you are using called! It looks fantastic.
I agree! My mother in law wanted me to try it. Im a herbalist and I know better than to use stimulant herbs when your adrenals are stressed and nervous system is overactive. She keeps pushing me, and its obvious that “support” knows nothing but to quote testimonials. Im not used to that, im used to companies providing clinical studies, which Thrive does not do. On top of it all, they don’t warn people who are allergic to aspirin not to take this product, as it contains white willow bark. And all that caffeine? Not good. It will make people think its enhancing cognitive function, but its not. I could go on… but I’ll stop there.
A physician from Georgetown University told me before I started, it had nothing that could harm you. No appetite suppressant No Phentermine, nothing that could harm your heart, or your Brain in the long run. Anything that you abuse could at the long run harm you. I don’t sell Thrive and I don’t promoted either, but I used it to give me energy. Pretty much everything we eat could cause as Cancer, genetics don’t actually lie. In the US most foods contain GMOs unless you have the money to spend at Whole Foods. I may be intaking a small amount of GMOs but the rest that go in my stomach is not. It works well for me and I am sorry it did not for you. Thank you for the info
Instead of being so hostile everytime someone voices their opinion just accept that other people have different views…. whether or not you think it’s right it’s always good to have a nice debate, not an all out argument because you think only you are right.
If this product contains wheat, it CANNOT by gluton free. ALL wheat contains gluton. That’s a blatant LIE, and can be incredibly dangerous for someone with celiac disease. I can’t believe they’re allowed to mislabel like that. And that lie alone makes me distrust the entire brand. What a joke. I hope someone sues their asses.
Thank you for your review and your recommendation of a cleaner, healthier supplement option.
Patches, we don’t need no stinkin’ patches!
It blows my mind how promoters and Thrivers turn a blind eye to facts. Honestly, I’d like to know where they get there info from. They never really seem to refute anything, just go on a marketing rant. Usually if you think something isn’t true, you would counter with facts, but that never seems to happen. The dangerous thing about this company is that a monkey is qualified to sell this stuff. It takes absolutely no background in health what so ever.
Thank you so much for this review. I was getting ready to make the mistake of ordering this. I cannot have soy or corn and did not realize it contained these ingredients not to mention all the other harmful junk we have no business putting in our bodies. Kudos to these other people that want to junk up their bodies with it.
I would just like to point out that “soy” and “soy isolates” are VERY different. Soy isolates are linked to cancer, not the whole food soy bean. Soy isolates are like you explained with the sucralose—a cancerous alteration of a natural food. You are fine to eat tofu or tempeh—soy in its whole form. Mock meats on the other hand are made with soy isolates.
That being said, I was solicited by one of these reps and immediately felt the same way you’ve written about. So, soy isolates or soy aside, supplements like this aren’t the way to health.
You might want to update your note on your vitamin. You say it’s a 3 month supply, it is 90 pills but the instructions say to take 3 a day. So it’s really a one month supply, and if you only took one then the amount of vitamins delivered is 1/3 of the screenshot you posted of the nutrition label.
Listen up twinkle toes. Thrive works for me/others… Arthritis, blood pressure, back pain. Etc. So out of 5 ppl who try 4 come back postive…the others, well, they don’t take it like their supposed to…unbiased my left nugget.
people are eating bacon and drinking alcohol!
Clearly the person who did this review has no clue on how the 3 steps work and the importance of how the vitiams enter the body. Lets correctly do the research and contact a rep for information.
What multivitamin do you use? My friend uses Thrive and she loves it. I looked at the ingredients listed on the back on the pills and the lifestyle mix, and it just looks like a lot of caffeine to me. I’m looking for something that won’t give me heart palps lol
Thank you! I was beginning to consider trying their products. I won’t after reading this. I’ll still be looking for a supplement to boost my energy. I’m always so lethargic.
Curious if you ha e any protein shakes that would be better than theirs
Been taking for almost 2 months I have GAINED almost 20 pounds- opposite of what it claims! I have always been iffy about it, but I knew I wasn’t eating right (I forget to eat) so thought the thrive would help. & know several friends who have been doing for years and when I think about it – lost about 20 pounds at first but not any since.
Great way to boost your own company!! All of our competitors are trying, but we are still growing by leaps and bounds!!!!
Your article is full of lies. Thrive on!!
I’ve been thriving for about 2 months today u had a horrible reaction which lead me to your review. I feel stupid I never looked before starting this stuff it was scary and when i told the company they said it wasn’t thrive and i must just be sick but as soon as I took the patch off and the shake and what was left of the pills came up I started to feel like myself again thank you again. For you review
I was on thrive day 2 and mid day had terrible headaches and exhausted. But was told I am adjusting and it’s not doing great because I was finishing a period. Isn’t this stuff suppose to help get you through that?! That’s when I was like let me find something else…..
I’m not sure if this is your area of expertise, but I notice that a lot of products mentioned on your site contain collagen and other related ingredients, like biotin. I’m curious about skincare or “lifestyle” products that contain such ingredients and claim it results in healthier skin, hair, nails, whatever.
From what I’ve read, these claims MIGHT be bogus because humans aren’t able to easily absorb said ingredients through manufactured or processed products. Processed collagen molecules, specifically, are too large to settle into our tissues. At least that’s the simplified explanation I’ve encountered.
On the contrary, I also see other sources that claim this to be a myth and that it simply depends on the form of the ingredient (ex: magnesium oxide vs. magnesium glycinate).
So I guess what I am asking is, what is the truth when it comes to supplemental ingredients in processed products? If you don’t know, do you happen to have source for where I might find this info?
Also, since Thrive contains collagen and sooo many other things, has it been determined if ingestion has a different success rate of absorption than with topicals? I hope this made sense.
Sounds like a bunch of whiny hippie mumbo jumbo to me. Literally EVERYTHING can cause cancer. The sun, the air, blah blah blah. I thought you were actually reviewing the product effectiveness, Not an ingredient analysis. You’re telling people to get their nutrition from foods, yet you take a multivitamin yourself. Hard to take this seriously when you contradict yourself.
What a CROCK. Interesting to read; I was thinking maybe I was doing THRIVE blindly. I have been THRIVING for 2years; down 65 lbs. DFT’s are incredible!! I truly gave you the benefit of the doubt her, until you exposed “ my vitamins”… this is all about buying from you. Makes you sad, and extremely SMALL.
Please change your font to a more eye friendly typeface. Thanks for the information. I am reviewing this product.
I noticed a lot of cooked meat on your blog site… maybe read this? I mean there is someone who always thinks absolutely everything is bad for you!https://nutritionfacts.org/2013/07/04/avoiding-cooked-meat-carcinogens/
Dani – good review on the base ingredients. Your going up against an established almost cult like following here. Its a giant pyramid scheme in all actuality. I have a cousin that spews this all over FB. It very sad these people think a pill or a sticky tape will make you fit/happy/healthy/free from disease/or whatever the latest buzz word they are using. You cannot be more right that what you put in your mouth leads to how your body feels. Eat a ton – you get fat. No exercise? You get sluggish, maybe even fat. People are just inherently lazy overall and want magic to happen. And your right about the price but this is to support the lavish trips they give out and of course lining their pockets with. I’m all for good business but this is not one of them.
Just curious, you posted that the vitamins you take cost 30 some odd dollars for a “3 month supply”, and yet the dose of said vitamins are 3 pills a day. 90 pills a bottle at 3 pills a day make for one month’s supply. What am I missing here? Thanks.
Thank you so so much for your review. Really appreciate it. I feel better educated now.
This product has never been a meal replacement program. They encourage a good healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. That $60 for the 30 day supply most of us don’t have to pay because it is entirely EASY and POSSIBLE to get this product entirely FREE.
No opinion or review is ever unbiased especially one coming from someone that is in the field and has their own things to promote. We have customers take the packages to their doctors all the time. I’ve yet to hear one say not to take it.
Your entire review is biased you picked a couple ingredients out of how many that you could say negative things about. What about the GOOD ones? You said nothing about those. So much for your unbiased review and shouldn’t an unbiased review include TRYING the product. This is just laughable.
MSG occurs naturally in many foods, such as tomatoes and cheeses.Nov 19, 2012
Food Additives & Ingredients > Questions and Answers on … – FDA
https://www.fda.gov › Food › ucm328728
MSG occurs naturally in many foods, such as tomatoes and cheeses.Nov 19, 2012
Food Additives & Ingredients > Questions and Answers on … – FDA
https://www.fda.gov › Food › ucm328728
This is In response to your article:
You said:
Wait, hold on a minute. You source all ingredients from fruit and vegetable farms? That is a flat out lie.
And then you said:
I mean, last I checked, synthetic vitamins, MSG and artificial sweeteners don’t grow on trees.
AN UNBIASED REVIEW OF LEVEL THRIVE
SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
https://ancestral-nutrition.com/an-unbiased-review-of-level-thrive/#comment-87306
You should have checked HARDER about your statement including MSG. Sounds like MSG Occurs NATURALLY IN TOMATO. And considering the fact checking I did for you is 5 years prior to your article. Shame. On you.
Thanks for the review!! I’ve been thinking of taking thrive because I have 3 kids and and sooooi tired all the time I’m a generally healthy person. I don’t eat processed foods or anything high in sugar I work out multiple times a week and I still can’t loose weight
Hey there,
Thanks for this review! I see the multivitamin you take is prenatal, congrats! Do you have a recommendation for a healthy multivitamin for a male, aged 31 from that same company? Thanks in advance!
-Curt
Dani: Thank you for telling the truth and backing it up with scientific data.
A friend sent me the link for this review, and as I’m reading I got excited about the supplement you were talking about, at such a reasonable price! Then I remember hearing about Garden of Life recently, so I looked it up, and wanted to let you know, in case you didn’t, Garden of Life has been bought up by Nestle! So you might want to rethink that. I’m disappointed, cause I’m looking for a great supplement, still looking I guess.
So what about when you are pregnant and hey are telling you to take supplements with folic acid?? When I was pregnant I was told to take a vitamin with folic acid because it is a necessary vitamin?? I feel so confused.
Products are good to use then for energy and weight loss
I have found this extremely helpful, thank you! I did compare the vitamins you suggested with the vitamins from Thrive. The only thing I see missing from the vitamins you suggested is vanadium. And it would not be a big deal but I have PCOS and the description on I found online for vanadium is “Health Benefits. Preliminary research suggests that vanadate (a vanadium compound) may help improve the body’s metabolism of blood sugar (also known as “glucose”). … However, one of the few human-based studies found that vanadyl sulfate (a form of vanadium) had some beneficial effects on patients with type 2 diabetes.” I use to take Metformin, which also is for diabetics but was found to help with PCOS because of insulin resistance is a symptom. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking because it caused other issues. What are your thoughts on Vanadium? TIA
Dani, thank you. I’m a multi-sport athlete and sampled the product through a friend, was contacted by a nice (though uninformed) ‘rep’, and was investigating the shake and supplement products. Your ethos and approach lines up with mine (and research, and good sense), so thank you large for saving me time, money, hassle and health. Love your stuff.
Thank you so much for doing all of this research for us! I looked at products and their ingredients on their website and, to me, it just looked like a bunch of caffeine and probiotics. I had no idea about all these other ingredients and am so happy I read this before putting money into this product. You just saved me a bunch of money and from putting a bunch of CRAP in my body!
Thank you for the review. I was really considering giving this product a go, because my friend was talking amazing things about it and I also wanted to help her make a sell. I just could find enough information about product in their own website. It didn’t make sense how you could lose weight just by putting a patch, drinking shakes and taking vitamins. Sounds too good to be true and from my experience that’s always a lie. Anyway, thanks for the info.
I’ve tried Thrive off and on for about a year with exercise and without and have never seen results. The patches left bruises no matter where I put them, the vitamins gave me heart burn that I’ve never had, the shakes made me hungry and the boost did not give me energy! I liked Balance because it made me more regular but I have learned that I just needed to drink more water! Ha The two consultants I ordered from have not stayed in contact with me to make sure everything is ok and did not have any answers for me about the bruising! So now I have a basket of products that I don’t use…waste of money!!!!!!
I know I’m a year late to this post…but can we also talk about why everything has green tea caffeine, green coffee beans, and other types of caffeine?? Why would a vitamin need caffeine in it? People in thrive boost about how much more energy they have now and gosh maybe it’s because suddenly your body has just as much caffeine in it as a pot of coffee? (I don’t know it it’s that much, but I did have a friend start taking it only to have the shakes all the time because she is very caffeine sensitive.)
Excellent information!!! I made a long post similair to your blog breaking down all their ingredients. Apparently I offended many people in the buy sell trade of FB because they came at me like a bandwagon of animals! It was insane but I stood my ground and never backed diwn. They say other markets are “jealous” of them whatever keep putting this poison in your body! A natural healthy diet with exercise is what our bodies need not all these “miracle” drugs/protein shakes and patches! Thank you so much for writing this. I sure hope people will read and do their own research if they have to. Maybe thats when they will accept the truth.
Came across this article while researching Thrive. Thanks for the info. Just wanted to mention, though, that your prenatal vitamin for $32.99 is NOT a three month supply, but a one month supply. 90 pills and a 3 per day dosing. I’ve made this mistake with Garden of Life, too. Figured you’d want to know so you can get the right amount of vitamins you’re expecting during pregnancy.
Thanks was getting ready to try it not any more
Hey what’s your thoughts on a possible connection between Chris Watts the husband that was on THRIVE and killed his wife and children and the dangerous supplements? Maybe his defense lawyers will be looking into this as a defense.
I wonder if this product had some serious side effects since the murder of Shanann Watts’s husband was taking this product for a while. Could be a defense pitnon by his lawyers.
I am a one month Thrive for men user. It took about 3 weeks for me to feel the effect. I have diabetes (type 2), CHF, and celebrated my 62nd birthday this year.
I was extremely suspicious of the Thrive program and still not pleased with their lack of available, legitimate, research.
I agree with much of what you write but I’m uncomfortable with your almost “hateful” review. Your writing doesn’t read as “unbiased”.
I went to the site you promote and didn’t find a “complete” daily supplement. Perhaps I missed it and you can add a link.
I have no plan to be impregnated so maybe the pre-natal supplement isn’t for me or men in general… Or is it?
The cost of Thrive is ridiculous and I want something like it but more natural.
Thanks, Rob T.
P.S. The pop-ups on you site are very distracting.
Hello, I appreciate your review. I have a few questions though, as I agree with you that getting any straight evidenced based answers from this company is a challenge. First, if folic acid is so bad for you why do we give it to pregnant women to support healthy development of her baby’s neural system. Second, are these products not also contained in our everyday products that we buy anyway? And third, doctors give patients patches to where that contain life saving medicine in them. The patch is a way to have a consistent slow release of the medicine absorbed into our body. What is wrong with having a slow consistent release of vitamins and minerals? I am on day 4 of the thrive experience and I should have done more research before starting but here I am now. So I really genuinely want to know these things. For me I have felt ok, a little surprised that I have managed to go 3 full days without a coffee. This coming from a 25 yr coffee addict, is a big benefit for me to continue. The cost of my coffee habit every month is about the same cost as my thrive product. I am unsure which way to go and thank you for any feed back you may have.
There are several gluten free wheats.
Thank you for the information. I was “talked” into Thrive by my bf co-worker who he and his wife are top level producers (scammers) I was skeptical of the entire MLM platform but when ahead and tried it. So a packet of vitamins (2 capsules) in the am – followed by a shake – and application of DUO Burn EFT patches. All these people on the producers FB page were raving about dropping pants sizes with no change in diet or exercise pattern. I started the “Thrive” experience, watched by eating patterns and dietary intake AND also increased my exercise routine well 3 months in and I have noticed NOTHING. Do not post that on any of the Thriver’s fb pages – NO negative comments or questions are tolerated by these cult followers. I am a very straightforward person. I do not believe that unicorns are running around farting gold dust like the Thrivers I encountered so therefore I was not accepted in their cult err I mean circle. I commented that the only thing that shrunk was my bank account and that comment was removed over and over from posts on social media. Needless to say I am no longer a “Thriver” so i.e. I am no longer ingesting overprices chemically imbalanced garbage at the expense of my body, health and bank account.
Dani! Haven’t seen you in forever! I got messaged on fb about this product and now get all these emails, so finally I thought I would look up real reviews and you were the first that came up! I will unsubscribe from them asap (I typically have a hard time believing most gimmicks like this, but their website was super shady and hard to navigate). I will however make sure I am subscribed to you 🙂 Fay
Thank you so much for this. I have been taking it for 8 weeks and I’ve had my questions that have been getting vague answers. I went looking for something else because $250 a month is way too much for a vitamin program. The $250 is only if you get put on auto ship, it’s more if you don’t and that’s only using a half scoop of the shake powder a day instead of the full scoop. I am going to get the multi that you suggest. I just want to give you a little info from someone that has taken it. The first week all I did was shake. I was told it was my body adjusting to the healthy benefits after not having the nutrients it was lacking. I haven’t slept well for the whole 8 weeks. I was told it’s because Thrive gives you energy. When I eat I feel famished after I eat. I was told it’s because my metabolism is working so much better I need to eat more. The patches make my skin itchy and leave a yellow residue. So, yeah, that’s my “Thrive Experience” and I’m sure I’m forgetting things.
I honestly like your “brutal honesty ” as I myself can be very blunt and desire that in return. However, one of the posted quotes, (Folic acid and B12 supplementation was associated with a 21% increased risk for cancer, a 38% increased risk for dying from the disease, and an 18% increase in deaths from all causes.) confuses me after reading the label of your personal vitamins. B-12 supplementation? Cancer? Surely you don’t believe this, seeing as how your vitamins contain a great deal of one of the most bioavailable forms of B-12 available.
I have no problem with the review itself and I will continue checking out your site for further nutritional information on various topics because, you seem to know what you’re talking about. I just feel like there was a contradiction of sorts here.
Wow. You get top review award! Thank you.
You say it’s scientific proof, but it’s funny out of the 100s of doctors not one has come up with any conclusions that come close to your “unbiased review” we Le-vel made it very simple to become healthy and happy with 3 very simple steps. It may not work for everyone but it works for 98% of the people that have used it. I’m so sorry that you couldn’t come up with a product this simple to make people healthy and happy and make lots of money while doing it. Jealousy sure is a killer ….
It is clear that those who are dismissing the scientific facts are part of the Thrive cult. Many MLM devotees are like those in Scientology. They don’t want to hear anything that will conflict with what their leaders tell them. If you dare point out clear facts, you are a Suppressive Person.
I agree with your analysis. It is a pyramid scam. I just went to an event where they told almost 200 people that the first 200 people to sign up would win a $75,000 yeah right ! Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
You can micro analyze this to death but our grocery stores contain all of the these “dangerous” ingredients in 99% of the
products we buy! I’m all for organic, but
you can’t completely avoid non-organic
items! I’ve tried just about every organic
food, vitamins, super foods, etc…( for years) and it didn’t resolve the problems. I’ve been using Thrive for 2 months and it gave me life
back! I don’t care that it contains a few “unhealthy” ingredients- I feel great, it’s working, and I’m going to die at some point anyway. Death and Taxes people!
Death and Taxes.
Glad I stumbled across this. Not because I take Thrive but I do know plenty of people who have tried it.
I did not know that about folic acid!!
Thank you for the link to a good multi vitamin, too. I will be ordering me some and chunking my current cheap stuff.
Thank you for This! I wanted to try a supplement so badly cuz I deal with my weight, chronic fatigue, and brain fog so badly with 2 small children at home and not working. I know I need a diet and exercise overhaul, I’m just kinda stuck until the baby gets bigger. This one seemed the “best” option cuz it was a lot of vitamins. Even though I know folic acid is garbage. But then I saw PEA on the ingredients list. Every single diet supplement on the market has a super unhealthy stimulant. At 34, I can’t knowingly put myself in harm’s way not knowing how it’ll affect me and long term effects. Thank you for clearing everything else up for me! I’ll stick to my (super strong – naturally steeped) organic unsweetened green tea and juice plus for now. I can’t wait to at least get back to the gym. My body is in desperate need of exercise!
Regardless of the ingredients did you even try the product ??
I made the dission to STOP thrive this morning. I suffer from depression and anxiety and depression and it’s just gotten worse. I Thank you for writing this article! And to those who are on it and it works for them that’s great BUT IT DOESN’T WORK ON EVERYONE like they want you to think.
I chose to get back on my multivitamins and start eating more healthy…
Just my opinion…
Excellent review! Informative and accurate. I found your review when I searched for the ingredients in the Thrive products. As you say, nothing on their website. This company smacks of Herbalife – same dangerous ingredients and multi-level marketing scam. So sad because so many people are desperate to lose weight and make an income. Unfortunately, they aren’t educated in certified organic, certified non-GMO, grass-fed, humanely raised, sustainably farmed real foods so they buy into the dangerous hype. Ten, twenty years from now they will all be overweight, diabetic, have leaky gut, dementia and won’t have a clue how that happened. Thank you for putting out truthful and helpful information. I hope that everyone who is buying this garbage (Thrive) reads your post and finds a better, safer & healthier way to accomplish their health goals.
It appears the Garden Of Life multivitamin that you posted a link to would last one month at the recommended amount. “Suggested Use: Take 3 tablets daily. The gentle organic formula can be taken with or without food.” So, ~$33 for a one month supply.
Hey at least thrivers don’t have to bash others to be successful. Haters gonna hate that we are the best. All we can do is smile. Thrive on! ?
Hahaha I have to laugh bc I have done extensive research on thrive before beginning it. Including talking to my doctors sharing the ingredients with them as well as internet research which was difficult bc they all say unbiased however it’s almost always (due to further research) a lie. Which is the case here as well in case anyone cares the person who wrote this “unbiased” opinion of thrive is actually not at all, as you are promoting in a company that competes with Le-Vel. I won’t argue about it though my results speak for themselves. It’s funny to say to someone above not to rely on a product for health yet you yourself said you take vitamins??? Oh well like I said I won’t argue I just thought I’d share an shed light on some actual truths. You don’t become a billion dollar business by lying, or “harming” your customers clearly many more would have come out and said so, versus reading something someone whom has never taken the product has to say. I wish you the best though!
So good to know! I was so close to trying it. Thank you!
I’m looking at my thrive ingredients and not one label matches what you’ve pictured here. Either you made up these labels, used another product to prove your point, or flat out faked your own “lie detector test”. Another proof that most things you find on the internet are a sham, including this review. Check your facts people. Interested in Thrive, contact the company directly. Want to know about ingredients, look them up in a book.
I tried the 3 day mini several months ago, they were having free shipping or something, and the thought of little work on my end was enticing. The first day I felt pretty good and enthusiastic about the possibility of this cute little patch getting me out of bed earlier. 2nd and 3rd days, nothing and definitely no weight loss. Then again I didn’t really watch what I was eating. I also asked questions about gluten and soy free ingredients, also dairy. Didn’t think to ask about GMO’s because really? I didn’t even think about that, this is supposed to be good for you! Anyway, when I talked to the gal I ordered from she said some people need to be on it longer before they feel a difference and suggested I try a longer run with it next time. The shipping is pretty high from what I remember. Now fast forward a few months and there was another FB live with a different person than I saw before and she stressed that you really have to stick with it a while to see the best effects. I asked her what she considered a while? She said “at least a good 30 days or more”. Well that’s $150.00 a month plus shipping! Seriously?! I was considering being a consultant since my friend just signed up but I wanted to give it a serious try again, that is until I found out how much a month cost and the worst part? THERE IS NO MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!!!! I thought I would look up some reviews about the product and the company and reading Dani’s very thorough comments and research confirms to me that I don’t want to mess with this company or it’s products again. I can’t do that to my body or anyone else’s. It’s terrible that millions of dollars are being made at the expense of people’s health. I remember when that new sugar replacement (can’t think of the name) was all the rage and being added to “healthy” supplements until people started dropping dead from racing hearts. Somehow I have to break this to my friend before she gets in too deep 🙁
Thanks Dani!
The link your suggesting is prenatal and three pills a day with 30 pills is only a 10 day supply. I’m looking for something to compare and this is not it.
Dani, thanks for the review. My coworkers are all going crazy over thrive, and I am glad for your information. Question: The multivitamins you suggest sound great, but they recommend taking 3 per day. Is that your recommendation, also? That would mean a one month supply for $32.89. Do you take one per day, and thus get a 3 month supply? Also, my goals are weight loss and improved nutrition as I feel I lack essential vitamins and minerals in my diet (I’m working on it!) Would adding Acai supplements be in line with my goals? Thank you for any suggestions you may offer
Marion
Very interesting and insightful. Thank you for using sources to back up claims!!! My biggest concern wasn’t the folic acid: the vitamin you take also has 200% folic acid in it. Thrive with he shake + capsules has 250%. I’m not viewing this as a major difference between the two supplements. Any thoughts on that aspect?
Great info! Thank you so much for your thorough review!! When I detox I do the 21 day Clean Program by Dr Junger. I have read both his books. It is a GREAT program although expensive. Excellent ingredients and well researched. I can’t see Thrive even in the same ballpark!
Thanks for the review and I like the Garden of Life supplement you recommend. You say it is $33 for a 3 month supply but they recommend 3 tablets a day and there are 90 in the bottle. Am I missing something? Not being critical just making sure I am not missing something. Thank you.
If Folic Acid is linked to Cancer like you say then why do doctors recommend it when your pregnant? Folic Acid is in prenatal Vitamins??
I’ve been “thriving” for 6 days. The only thing I’ve noticed beneficial is the desire and craving for coffee has disappeared. Maybe because there’s caffeine somewhere in these carcinogenic filled capsules? I’m super paranoid that almost everything in front of us these days is cancer causing, so I’m surprised I didn’t find this review before I started thrive. 6 days and I’m out! Thanks for the info! I hope it’s helpful to others too!
What do you recommend that helps with general energy & soreness like thrive ?
The supplement you take is prenatal. Would you recommend myself, a 50 yr old non pregnant woman to take these as well or do you suggest another? I don’t take any sort of supplement right now and with so many out there it is confusing to me.
The vitamin you refer to that you take lead me to a prenatal vitamin. Is that correct? And is it ok to take if not pregnant? I’m a 61 year old female.
I think its great you are helping people to think about vitamin supplements more critically- but the science is not in agreement on your points above. Using scientific findings to validate your points as truth is misleading and could cause harm, especially when the product may be doing people some good toward weight reduction. A truly unbiased article, for example, would also present studies showing no obvious correlation between folic acid and cancer since they have also been published- here is a recent ref.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29132834/
And GMOs are often beneficial. The DNA added is usually done to produce a targeted protien in the organism with a goal to make the organism better at something- providing a vitamin or making it less susceptible to drought. I never understood the nonGMO movement.
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-gmos
I agree with you 100% that it is best to get your nutritional needs fulfilled through a healthy diet wherever possible.
Hi Dani – I love all the information you’ve given us! I am, however, a bit confused about the multivitamin you mentioned that you use – GARDEN OF LIFE – MYKIND ORGANICS PRENATAL MULTIVITAMIN – 90 VEGAN TABLETS. Why prenatal? AND – the cost is $32.89 for 90 tablets, but it says to take three tablets daily. That would then bring the cost for
ninety days to $98.67. Am I missing something?
I was wondering about this and I really do appreciate your posting this! I am 76 and I dont feel I need thrive or anything else except maybe the vitamins you are taking!!! I know people that are really sold on this!! But I feel it is another Hadicol except for the dangers of cancer!
HAHA this is funny, it doesn’t sound like you understand the product at all. Its more about the bioavailability If them rather than the amount. You say you take a multi with more but what’s it says on the bottle is not what you are actually absorbing. That’s what Thrive does best. Extremely high absorption rate of premium nutrition.
Sounds like the person evaluating the Thrive products have severe bias or maybe jealousy? The thrive product works super well and that is why they make a billion dollars people like it and they stay with it because it makes them feel good. Like me
Wow, someone that knows what the f*** they are talking about. Refreshingly scientific analysis.
I feel sorry for people who get roped in to this crap. If one is not a doctor, food scientist or highly qualified nutritionist – one should not be selling anything that people put in their body with the potential for harm. Just my humble opinion. Great article.
This entire review is obviously completely biased. The very first thing I read was a straight up LIE. You do NOT have to comment on the Facebook page to y’all to customer service. EVERY SINGLE PERSON has the means to send a support ticket, and ask any question they want. I have done my own research, and found the exact opposite findings as you. This company would have been shit down a long time ago if all of what you say is true. You’re clearly smart enough to pull random facts off of google, but absolutely ignorant and un-informed when it comes to this company, what it stands for, and how their products work. My wife and I have used it for the last 4 years. I’ve been to school for nutrition and exercise and certification through NASM. It worked wonders for my wife, and I won’t ever stop using it.
Do you make any money off of the links you shared?
Unbiased? Then why are you mentioning your own multivitamin? “The multivitamin I personally use, seen below, is $32.89 for a three month supply! You can see it here.” You even added a link! What’s up with that?!
Dani Iv never read anything on your page before until this and I instantly LOVE you!! Thank you for keeping it real!! The only ones trashing your review clearly are stuck selling the bullshit product. None of what you wrote is even an opinion. That’s the best part. It’s just basic facts. Even if someone likes the product and believes it’s woking for them it still doesn’t change anything you just said or even mean it’s actually in reality the reason why they are losing weight. I wish you could do reviews for everything I contemplate buying! Xo
Thank you for the review, a “friend” who sells this sent me a sample and I was skeptical to say the least. Not only does the company seem like a pyramid scheme but I’m always skeptical of “life supplements”. Just got the samples tonight and I’m tossing them in the trash. Thank you!
After what happened to the Watts family in Coloradoi looked up Thrive….Chris Watts was on this stuff and was actually taking a double dose of the patches…..I am wondering could this have contributed to his insane behavior.
I think this is great info. I took Thrive for a few day trial, and something didnt sit right with me. On day 3, my skin had a reaction to the patch. I have Celiac Disease, vitamin deficient, and low platelets all due to Celiac. This product could hurt people like me, yet its “gluten free” yeah right! (Gluten free wheat..Haha!)
Ever sense the TRAGIC Murder OF Shanann WAtts (a faithful representative of THRIVE)& Her 2 Beautiful Children..The LE VEL Trive Product has been Highlighted All Over Main Stream Media not only the for “Positive” (?)Life Style Changes(self-esteem, weight loss, better memory & attention span) claims occurs after taking this product BUT Also the Tremendous Financial Success that could bring to Anyone..Especially Those Stay-At-Home Moms that are wanting to raise children & spend a great deal of quality time ALL while making a substantial amount of money in the process. But Unfortunately this Unsolicited Advertisement of this DANGEROUS PRODUCT has Peaked the Interest of Men & Woman Nationally looking for the Next AMWAY but for Health &Weight Loss & Unfortunately They Are buying into A Dangerous Pyramid Scheme.. so thanks to yours as well as other non-bias reviewers maybe these will save others from getting involved or taking this potentially risky product!!
great review, I learned so much. Not just about Thrive, but how many things are renamed to fool you.
The biggest deterrent for me is the amount of caffeine in all the products. I’d have a ton of energy too if I had a steady drip of caffeine in my arm.
Hey Dani! Thanks for this post. Looked into your vitamins, excited about a 3 month supply for $33, but turns out you take 3 a day, making your 90 tablet bottle a 1-month supply. Still interested in checking them out, though! Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to put together this review to hopefully raise awareness. I was not aware that folic acid and B12 were linked to those kinds of risks. I have been using them in a supplement in hopes of ridding any grays that come my way. I’ve recently hd a more difficult time keeping off the weight and ran across this review. I noticed in your post the multivitamin you use is a prenatal multivitamin. Do you think it would be equally beneficial to just take the regular women’s multivitamin? Or is there a difference? I noticed the contents were very similar.
I have a “queen” of a saleswoman of the scam at work. Funny thing, she does 20k in sales monthly and everyone including herself has gained substantial weight over the past six months!
Oh wow.
So thrive’s focus is about complete health and weight loss is not the focus. I’m a consumer not a promoter. I’m 120 pounds and haven’t lost any weight however I find it easier to get up and go, my sleep has improved and my workout routine is enhanced. Not to mention my hair and nails have never been healthier and my skin looks great! I have seen personal stories of those I know who this product has changed their life. A personal friend was on disability from chronic pain who was over weight and it has changed her life. She is no longer on disability, she did lose weight and now is able to workout at the gym. I’m okay with your review but insulting those who have had life changing experiences with thrive just makes your review less creditable.
Listen, first and formost I can GUARANTEE that this person is getting a kick back from the vitamin company they use and posted the link in this review secretively. Nice trick. Second, not a single thing he posted here is factual. He looked up and googled ingredients that are not listed. There are natural and synthetic versions of everything. Thrive uses only natural versions. If you create an account you can go and ask support your questions yourself. They are cloud based, so everything done is online. The CEO’s care more about people than any person out there. It is NOT a weight loss program. I have been Thriving for over 4 years. My doctor and everyone in their office thrives. Please if you are considering Thrive, listen to the millions of people that are loving it and your friends over some person that has a hidden agenda to try to get you to think something is bad. The company is 6 years old. They have done almost 2 billion dollars in sales and paid out over 1 billion in commissions. Even the promoters that do not have huge businesses or even the ones that stopped promoting, still swear by the product! You can FEEL your vitamins work. By the way, I have an extensive health and wellness and fitness background. So to the CEO’s of the company. So you can either listen to someone who is posting a link to a different vitamin while trashing one without actual factual information or you can listen to the millions of people who have had their lives changed by this product and company!
And yet, I’m the only one who provided numerous studies and scientific information to back up the information I provided. Also, you’re the one selling Thrive. Pot, meet kettle.
Haha please read the entire study. Control F does you no favors
OK so where is the proof of these studies you say you have? Because I’ve personally looked for medical studies and time and time again using multiple avenues I get the same results….not enough studies have been conducted on the thrive products. So I total call BS on your so called review. BTW I don’t even use thrive products just been studying different SUPPLEMENTS and clearly thrive has way more and better ingredients than others. Lol all I can say about your OPINION is KICK BACK MUCH??!!!!
Reminds me of monavie, $ounds like a triangle opportunity
Anyone taking something that we don’t know the long term effects, is a complete and utter idiot.
You obviously are a salesman for the crap.
Yea I’m sure you can really feel the low dosed and low quality form of vitamins work wonders…..oh and let’s not forget it’s missing alot if key vitamins, but why would that matter, but wait theres more! Its also way overpriced. So get yours now while we can still RIP you off!
Your review is total garbage! You’re “unbiased” review is clearly bias due to the fact that this dumpster fire of a blog is chuck full of ads promoting your $35 watered down excuse of a supplement. You are listing ingredients as toxic and cancer causing when all it takes is a simple search to disprove everything you say. Every claim you make is FALS!! Don’t be mad that Le-Vel owns the market for nutritional supplements and wellness products. You’re nothing but click bait honey and I wish you all the best. 2 billion dollars and 10 million happy thrivers in 6 years. You definitely missed the mark here. But have fun collecting your $0.60 per click you get spreading lies and disinformation.
I just went on google to see what the ingredients were in the Thrive products.
And I ended up here. I have researched and studied since my mom died of cancer when I was 17. When I was 40 I was given 2 months to live from chemical poisoning. I am now 67. I am very educated about these ingredients. Without this review looking at the ingredients I would NEVER put any such things into my body. This review is absolutely correct. You have to be pretty healthy to start with to even take this stuff. Over years time though your body will begin to breakdown from it. Your liver has to work hard to filter these poisons out of your blood and when it gets too full and tired they all spill into your blood and are carried to all of your organs. The free radicals go out of control and will grow a tumor in the weakest spot in your body. This review is absolutely correct. Eat real Organic food and save your money. Soy is not real food It makes you estrogen dominant. Caffeine is dangerous promotes breast lumps. Many things in these products are thyroid suppressive and hard on your kidneysetc. I have no connection to this person nor any agenda. I just happened across this.
I only weigh 99 lbs. so obviously I wouldn’t use Thrive any way, a friend started using it and selling it and a lady asked if it would be okay to use while nursing. I stepped in and said no because of all the caffeine that her baby did not need. This took place on Face Book. I wish my friend all the luck in the world with this but personally think she needs to investigate more, that’s how I found you! Thank you
I have looked at Thrive in the past and been unimpressed with their program. I found Ariix a few years ago and they were much more forth coming with what I dealt with, while trying to get ingredients and information. Anything that is that hard to find isn’t on the “up an up” in my opinion.
Could you site these studies so I could read them? I’ve seen a lot of REALLY bad studies in my healthcare career and I would REALLY love to see the studies that you used for this article.
I’ve been Thriving for over 2 yrs and work in the Medical field and my Physican monitors my labs and my numbers have never been this good so Thank you Dani I will take your so call opinion to the garbage. If people that read your post can’t figure out that you are promoting your vitamins then maybe they can take your so call non synthetic vitamins, but Thrive will stay in my household.
I think since the Shannan Watts case there has been an interest in this company. It is exactly why I chose to read a few reviews on the company. Your review is not the only negative one out there.
I appreciate your review being backed up by science. That rings true to me. Thank you for your awesome review.
I never trusted Thrive. Nor do I trust your info.
Wha I do trust is myself who says, “I’m not sticking something on my arm that has not even been around for ten years”
I don’t care what the “salesman” claim.
Screw off Thrive and ancestral nutrition.
I find you incredibly difficult to believe. You are pimping out your own vitamins. you make money from Each purchase..for a blog that’s supposed to be “unbiased” you are stretching arguments to fit your Narrative. Good marketing ploy. Buy this chics vitamins Y’all this is certainly unbiased….sure
Have you tried it? How are you u biased? It is not a weight loss program. There is no material that says that it is. Millions of people drink “protein” shakes, and spend millions in vitamins. How is this different? It works for some and not for others? So do diets, exercise, etc. I don’t want to take something that causes cancer, but so far everything seems to have that possiblity. I don’t sell it, haven’t taken it for 8 weeks but I can’t absorb regular vitamins due to an intestinal medical issue and I’m so tired that I will try anything. I already take meds that have the worst side effect pamphlet…pages of side effects! I guess trying is really the only way to find out for myself. If it works yay! If it doesn’t…I’ll try something else. I’m unbiased and looking for something. What your taking isn’t going to work for me…wish it would. I’d take easy and leas expensive. Until then I’m going to try this and see what happens. And if it doesn’t show bloodwork improvement then I’ll change up. That’s really unbiased.
I second with Dani, I’m sick of these thrive promoters being so one sided and acting like this is a magical pill for for you. If anything Dani you have given me waay more proof and science then I’ve felt about thrive. All the promoters sounds the exact same because well guess what they’ve been taught that by others who worship thrive and are ignorant to it.
Anyone that truly is backed by science or whatever crap you mentioned doesnt bash another company and throw in oh by the way since these ones suck have a look at the one I take….sale tactic…I’m sure I’ll get a defensive reply like everyone else. Not someone I would want to follow,you should learn to relay info without trying to bash someone else.
Not bashing, I’m providing scientific information. You don’t have to agree or follow me. The science I provided speaks for itself.
Hi there, thought I would add my story to these.
I purchased a month’s worth of the 3 step product to help my cousin get hers for free. Dumb, but that is what I do.
Tried the drink mix for 2 days. BLEH! Plus it had milk proteins and whey in it, which I cannot (should not, but I love a good bowl of ice cream or a grilled cheese. I digress) do due to allergies. Gave up on that. Tried to post to the FB page to sell at or below cost to someone that actually likes the stuff. 3 times. My posts were never approved and my cousin was contacted by Le-Vel to “speak to me” about the issues and convince me to continue the product. Not gonna happen and now she is embarrassed.
Took the capsules with some mixed results. More energy, yeah, a little. No jitters, but expensive for what they were and I have a multi vitamin supplement to fall back on when they are gone. No harm, no foul for me there.
Now on to the patches. Try your inner arm they said. Okay, left some sticky icky residue and a red spot. Eh, I’m sensitive they said. It will stop after a few days. Try a different spot. Okay, tried a different spot. Each day for 5 days. Same results, only now all of the red spots have developed painful blisters. Well shit! I tried to post photos to the FB website, and again none of my posts were approved and my cousin was again contacted to tell me to try someplace else, like the bottom of my feet, since that skin was tougher and would not blister. What?? She contacted me and apologized profusely for getting me into this mess and promised to refund my money. She doesn’t have it to refund, so I am not going to let her do that. But yeah, lesson learned. Don’t try to help someone out, then try to be honest with others using the product. I have posted on my own FB page about it but not named the cousin. STAY AWAY from this stuff!
So sorry you had to go through that. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this! I was looking for this sort of breakdown. It’s crazy what people claim ‘healthy.’ I’m just now learning about the dangers of these ingredients and it’s scary. The first day I took this I felt like CRAP. My blood pressure shot up and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. This is absolutely not for everyone and people need to be careful.
I applause you for this review thank you this product is crap. I used it my first day and almost rushed to my nearest emergency room I can’t even imagine one of my kids accidentally grabbing one of my patches and using it as a sticker. I grabbed the whole thrive box all $300 worth of it and it’s sitting in the trash!!! I live in Colorado where the whole Chris watts murders happen I saw a picture of Chris wearing the double duo patches. I wouldn’t be surprised if this product pushed him to the edge of doing what he did!
I was honestly believing this article until I read the comment section. An author who cannot handle a different opinion without being rude or snarky is not someone that I will ever trust.
You don’t have to trust me. The science I provided speaks for itself.
This is month 2 and the product has been life changing! I guess it effects everyone differently! I have so much to say but… the product is worth a try for yourself. I don’t sell anything… simply a customer.
I started Thrive last year in November 2018..and yes the first 3 days were great…now here is the problem I had…so they tell you its an 8 week experience..ok fine I tried to do the 8 weeks…first of all the cost was a joke…almost 200 a month for then “whole experience”..second after 3 days I felt NOTHING even though I was down 4 lbs…ok so I told my promoter and he said blablabla make adjustments so we did ..now keep in mind I was EATING CLEAN AND HEALTHY AND DOING EVERYTHING THE WAY I WAS TOLD…I GAINED 10LBS by the time I was 6 weeks in…not to mention a horrible rash on MY FACE and bumps on my entire body (had to see my doctor for it and she was all stop the Thrive NOW) as soon as I stopped the rash cleared up in a week…so my conclusion on this whole thing is that this product IS NOT for everyone..I do not care how many people it made feel great or made thin…it does not work for everyone no matter what you do…so now cut to this year…2 weeks ago I found out I have to have my gallbladder removed…hmmmmmm funny never had a damn problem with my gallbladder before???? Also it dropped my sisters blood sugar so low when she was using it she ended up in the hospital..so while it may be ok for some of you there are those of us that it SUCKED for and now have problems that did not exist before…I wish there was a way to get my money back but I am pretty damn sure there isn’t.
Hello Dani.
Thank you for writing this review. I tried “Thriving” for a week….it was horrible! I am a very active person and I try to take care of myself as much as possible. 1st thing I noticed, so much energy! But it wasn’t the type of energy I was expecting. I was told it was natural caffeine, and it might be but wow!! I was completely jacked up and wired for almost the whole day at work…to the point where I noticed I couldn’t focus and concentrate on a single task. At one point, my heart rate was reaching about 150BPM. Then, by 9 PM, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I was told to keep using it and I will eventually level out. I couldn’t and didn’t want to keep using it…I hated the way it made me feel. In my opinion, one week was too long.
Wow, that’s incredibly dangerous! Glad you’re okay and off of the stuff!
So I’m curious… Are you still using Garden of LIfe now that they are owned by Nestle?
I wish I would have found this first. I thought thrive did something for me, but in fact my paleo life style is what worked. The patches left horrible stains on my skin. I had to use pumice stones to get them off. I won’t make the mistake again. i will read closer and look up sites like yours to get the real information. Thank you.
I wanted a review as in if it works, I do MDMA sometimes smoke weed and try to stay healthy I wanted to know if it works not a dissertation on the components of this product, continue reading if you want to fall asleep through this nerdy ass review, goodnight ?
Haha. Fair.
But I’d encourage you to not do drugs and instead eat a healthy diet.
I have someone trying to convince me to try Thrive. I have been reading for hours tonight to learn about it. I wasn’t considering on taking it knowing it was a MLM. I have read it causes one’s blood pressure to elevate and heart palpatations. The scary thing is, I have had a stroke and I’m not old. I have treated Afib and high blood pressure. I could have had another stroke if I had been stupid and taken this crap. Thank you so much and keep up the good work!!
Thank goodness you researched! Definitely unsafe for someone with high blood pressure.
I actually am a Thriver. I would just like to point out that your recommended vitamin that you linked to this article is not 32 dollars and some odd cents for a 3 month supply. It’s 90 capsules yes but one serving is 3 of them at one time
So it’s actually only a 1 month supply and yours also contains maltodextrin as well. From tapioca. Guess that’s considered better than from corn or rice. Right? And that is two things I debunked about your recommended product within the first 5 min uyre of looking at it. The point is, we live in an imperfect world and NONE of us are gonna be completely free of every little thing that may or may not be harmful if used for the next 20 years consecutively. Point is no product is perfect. Not even yours.
… thrive made me feel like I was on a amphetamine… It was a horrible feeling.. ..I ended up. In bed as it made me feel that bad… Does it have amphetamine type drugs In the product?I wonder?
I have been on Thrive since February 1st. I am down 20lbs, my blood sugars have decreased immensely, my overall cholesterol (checked last week) has gone from 180 to 126. I am 45 years old and work 2 jobs (65 to 70 hrs a week). I have never had more sustained energy. I’ve tried other diet programs. Paid the money. None worked for me like Thrive has.
As for your “scientific proof”, anyone can Google. But unless you are a well known scientist that actually knows what they’re talking about, you really shouldn’t bash it.
I’ve been a practicing nutritionist for ten years. I don’t have to be a scientist to be able to decipher unhealthy ingredients. This is literally my job.