Herbalife is a global nutrition firm. It manufactures weight management and nutrition products exclusively from more than 2.3 million independent associates in more than 90 countries.
Herbalife manufactures various quick weight loss products that have got high popularity in recent times. This multi-level marketing company creates meal replacement shakes that helped many people to lose weight and feel confident with their appearance.
This article will provide detailed information about the pros and cons of Herbalife products.
How Does It Work?
Table of Contents
Connect With An Independent Herbalife Distributor
As Herbalife is a multilevel marketing company, their products are only found by Herbalife’s independent distributor.
You will get the option to connect with the distributor on the Herbalife website or via a personal connection.
Choose Your Weight Loss Program
The next step is to choose the Herbalife program for weight loss that is suitable for your health. Here are three types to choose from:
The Quickstart Program has shaken for meal-replacement, which is a powdered multivitamin, tea drink, or mineral, and metabolism promoting supplement.
The Advanced Program
It includes everything from the Quickstart program, adding two more supplements for promoting energy and lowering fluid retention.
The Ultimate Program
This has everything from the Advanced program, with additional supplements for blood sugar control and digestion. These programs range in cost from $121–234 per month.
Begin The Herbalife Diet
Following the Herbalife, diet is very easy. Try to replace two meals every day with Herbalife shakes and have a supplement that comes with the program you purchased.
There are no dietary limitations on the Herbalife diet, but it is commonly advised to consume a lot of water and eat small and frequent meals. You can also include snacks with vegetables and fruits.
There is not official advice for how much time you should follow the Herbalife diet, but most people keep following till they reach their goal.
Can It Support You Lose Weight?
The Herbalife diet is created to help people with weight loss by lowering calorie consumption with meal replacement shakes and promote metabolism with supplements.
There has not been any research on the complete Herbalife weight loss program, but the meal replacement shakes do help for weight loss.
Replacement shakes for Herbalife meal
Every serving that is 2-scoop or 25 gm of the Herbalife shakes for meal replacement mix consist of the following:
Calories: 90
Fat: 1 gram
Protein: 9 grams
Carbs: 13 grams
Sugar: 9 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
When combined with 8-ounce of nonfat milk, the mix provides around 170 calories per serving and is designed to be a low-calorie meal replacement. Generally, meal replacement shakes can benefit to reduce weight when continued using for one year.
Research shows that they may be more effective for weight loss plan in a short time than the common low-calorie diets (Source).
Only one study sponsored by Herbalife, that has tested the effectiveness of shakes manufactured by Herbalife. This research discovered that people who replaced two meals every day with Herbalife shakes reduced an average of 12.5 pounds that is 5 kg in 12 weeks(Source).
Research does not have proof of long-term benefits in meal replacement shakes, but at least one study advised that they may benefit to prevent further weight gain for many years (Source).
According to the second study, people who used meal replacement shakes for three months before transitioning to a reduced-calorie diet weighed less after four years than those who only followed the diet (Source).
Overall, research shows that meal replacement shakes can benefit to reduce weight in the short term, but extra diet and lifestyle changes may require for long term weight loss and weight maintenance.
Herbalife Supplements
The supplements suggested in the Herbalife weight loss programs include:
Formula 2 Multivitamin
It is a standard multivitamin with many minerals for general nutrition.
Every day multivitamin is tablet contains 20 essential antioxidant and nutrients, including folic acid, iron, and calcium. It has a detailed scientific formula to nourish the body for optimal metabolism, repair, growth, and reproduction of cellular level. This formula is a core product for cellular nutrition. It provides vitamins and minerals, supports healthy weight management, and good for overall health.
Ingredients
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Natural Mixed Tocopherols
- Croscarmellose Sodium
- Maltodextrin
- Silicon Dioxide
- Stearic Acid
- Betaine Hydrochloride
- Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
- Magnesium Stearate
- Calcium Phosphate and Glycerine
This supplement also promotes the immune system and bone health.
Usage:
It is advised to take 1-tablet three times a day with your meals.
Formula 3 Cell Activator:
This supplement has alpha-lipic acid, pomegranate, aloe vera, pine bark, Rhodiola, and resveratrol, which claims to help nutrient absorption, mitochondrial health, and metabolism.
Key Benefits
- Alpha-lipoic acid helps restore antioxidant activity in the cells.
- Aloe vera may help boost the micronutrients in the body.
Herbal Tea Concentrate
This supplement is a powdered drink mix with caffeine and tea extracts, which increase extra energy and antioxidant. It can be best for starting metabolism in the morning and promote revitalization. For a good experience, mix some half teaspoon water. This low calorie and refreshing tea are available in different flavors.
Key Benefits
- Kick-starts metabolic(thermogenic) activity
- Promotes the feeling of energy
- Gives antioxidant support
- Flash and low-calorie
Total Control
HERBALIFE TOTAL CONTROL 90 TABLETS is a supplement consisting of ginger, caffeine, and three types of tea that is black, green, and oolong, and pomegranate. It claims to increase energy.
Ingredients
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Maize Dextrin, Maltodextrin
- Coating Sodium
- Silicon Dioxide
- Calcium Stearate
- Carboxymethylcellulose
- Dextrin
- Dextrose Lecithin
- Stearic Acid
- Contains Soy and Wheat.
Directions
Consume one tablet times a day with your breakfast, lunch, and post-lunch snack. For effective results, use the shape works program for weight loss.
Possible Side Effects
Upset stomach, Nausea, Jitters, and High blood pressure.
Cell-U-Loss
This supplement helps to lower water retention and promote weight loss. Whether you struggle with energy, snacking, fluid retention, or digestion, it supports weight loss. Its content of plant-based ingredients and minerals helps to balance fluid in the body.
Ingredients:
- Corn Silk Extract
- Dandelion
- Electrolytes
- Asparagus Root
Usage
For effective results, Herbalife suggests providing on the tablet of Cell-U-Loss 3-times an in a day with or before meals.
Fast Facts
- Lower water retention liked normal tissue swelling, by boosting fluid loss from healthy removal of water.
- Its benefit to lower subcutaneous buildup of water, which promotes skin appearance.
- Help with natural detoxification processes.
Key Benefits
- Lower the appearance of deformed dimple skin.
- Promote excess body fluid.
- Reduce in inch-loss.
Snack Defense
This supplement consists of Gymnema Sylvestre and chromium extract that claims to help carbohydrate metabolism. It supports the weight management program and regulates the post-meal blood sugar.
Key Benefits
- Chromium and Gymnema help regulate blood sugar levels under normal range.
- Great source of chromium.
- It increases the blood sugar response to carbohydrates in snacks and meals.
- Additionally, this variety of botanical and mineral ingredients without caffeine, so you can consume it anytime in day or night.
Usage
Adults are recommended to take one tablet twice every day.
Aminogen
This supplement consists of protease enzymes, which help to improve protein digestion.
Key Benefits
- It is formulated with enzymes to help protein digestion.
- Enzymes help to break down the protein chains into little peptides, which are smaller molecules that are absorbed by the body.
- Aminogen supplement helps to break down the proteins consumed from foods. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are mixed to create protein.
- Protein is essential for bones, muscles, hair, blood, and all organs.
Usage
Consume one tablet with every meal containing protein.
Pros and Cons Of Herbalife Products For Weight Loss
Pros
Herbalife weight loss products are designed to provide a healthier lifestyle. Their weight loss programs are simple to follow, and they provide a variety of meal replacement and shakes that is suitable for everyone.
The supplements, snacks, shakes, and protein bars are easy to take.
Careful fat monitoring and calorie consumption help to eat well and live healthily.
Herbalife products are soy-based. Soy-based meal replacement products with lifestyle modification combinations are shown to work efficiently for weight loss and improve body composition parameters of people with obesity.
Soy protein is one of the foremost ingredients of Herbalife shakes for meal replacement. It helps to promote cardiovascular health.
Cons
These products can be more expensive compared to other weight loss products found in the market with a similar effect.
According to WHO, only 5% of the total calories you eat should come from sugar. However, Herbalife meal replacement shakes contain high sugar and increase the limit.
Herbalife manufactures healthy protein bars and shakes, special supplements, and snacks to change unhealthy eating habits.
However, there is no proof of these products their effectiveness.
There is also some evidence in the past that Herbalife weight loss supplements have harmful ingredients.
Protein or Soy
Protein shakes and protein drinks are essential when it is about weight loss. Herbalife products consist of phytoestrogen (a plant-based estrogen) that affects sexual behavior and health. Moreover, some people get allergies from high protein concentrations.
Shellfish
According to Herbalife, different weight loss products consist of shellfish. Shellfish include mussels, oysters, lobsters, and crabs. If you are allergic to any of this product, check the ingredients list before ordering any product.
Various case studies have shown that consuming Herbalife supplements can be harmful to the liver. Reports of Herbalife products may consist of contamination with bacterium Bacillus subtilis where the patients suffered from liver injury.
These products work as appetite suppressants by reducing hunger and managing the natural hunger and satiety cycle. It can also lead to nutritional deficiencies.
If you are a lactating mother or pregnant, consider taking your doctor’s advice before beginning any kind of weight loss regime. These weight loss capsules and drinks advertise on TV and the internet never warn you against the harmful effects on health. It should be your choice to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
These supplements consist of different ingredients and claim to help with metabolism, energy, and weight loss, there has been no research to prove their effectiveness.
Additionally, supplements are not regulated by any government agency for purity or quality. Therefore, there is no guarantee that they consist of the advertised ingredients.
Benefits of Herbalife
Apart from weight loss benefits, the Herbalife program provides some more benefits.
It’s convenient and easy
Shakes for meal replacement like the ones utilized in the Herbalife diet can be charming for busy people or those who lack the time or attention to cook. To prepare the shake, you need to combine two scoops of powder with 8-ounces of nonfat milk. The powder can also be combined with fruit or ice for smoothie style beverage. Drinking shakes in place of cooking can quickly lower the time spent on shopping, planning, and preparing meals. The Herbalife plan is also easy to follow.
Benefits of Herbalife
Apart from weight loss benefits, the Herbalife program provides some more benefits.
It’s Handy And Easy
Shakes for meal replacement such as the ones utilized in the Herbalife diet can be charming for busy individuals or those who lack the time or attention to cook. To prepare the shake, you need to blend two scoops of powder with 8-ounces of non-fat milk. The powder can also be combined with fruit or ice for smoothie style beverage. Drinking shakes in place of cooking can quickly lower the time spent shopping, planning, and preparing meals. The Herbalife plan is also easy to follow.
Soy-Based Shakes Can Be Healthy For The Heart
Soy is the main ingredient of most Herbalife meal substitute shakes. It comes in the protein powder containing soybeans. According to some research, eating soy protein helps to reduce cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. However, around 50-grams of every day needed to know these effects(Source). Two servings of Herbalife meal substitute shakes consist of only 18 gm. Therefore, soy foods would need to be added to the diet.
A Soy-Free, And Dairy-Free Formula
For people with sensitivities or allergies to cow’s or soy milk, Herbalife provides an alternative meal replacement shake prepared with rice, pea, and sesame protein. This product is also prepared from nongenetically modified things for those who wish to skip GMOs.
Downsides of the diet
While the Herbalife diet program has few benefits, it also has some downsides.
Shakes are highly processed
The meal replacement shakes of Herbalife have highly processed ingredients such as sugar, protein isolates, fibers, gums, artificial, synthetic vitamins, and emulsifiers.
They also consist of a variety of included vitamins and minerals to fulfill nutrients need which is not available in these processed ingredients.
These shakes have one of the biggest drawbacks are high sugar, which is 40% of calories in every serving come from added sugars (primarily fructose).
The WHO(World Health Organization) suggests having no more than 5% of daily calories from included sugars, which is equal to 25 grams every day for the average adult. Two servings of the Herbalife shake offer 18gm of added sugar, leaving some room for other sources in a whole day. It is generally advisable to get nutrients from low processed foods, such as high-quality proteins, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains.
Increase Your Hunger
Although Herbalife shakes are called meal replacement shakes, they do not consist of enough calories to make a real meal. When mixed with non-fat milk, the shakes provide only 170 calories, which will likely to make you more hungry all day. Blending the shakes with fruit can help to increase fiber and calorie contents but will not add any extra fat or protein to make you satisfied.
Can Be Expensive
Every container of Herbalife meal replacement product consist of 30 servings and have the price of $40. Herbalife suggests two shakes every day is equal to $80 per month for the shake alone, not adding the cost of the supplement. While replacing meals with shakes may save money on groceries, these savings may not be enough to support the additional expense of supplements and smoothies.
Herbal Supplements May Harm Liver Functions
The Herbalife weight loss plan recommends many supplements that consist of a myriad of ingredients. These supplements have not been tested for their effectiveness and are not regulated by any government agency for quality or purity. It is essential to watch for signs of conflicting reactions to supplements as these can happen.
There have been many reports of a suspected liver problem because of Herbalife weight loss supplements. Sometimes it needs liver transplants or causes death.
Additionally, some Herbalife products have contamination with bacteria B.Subtilis, which is also linked with liver damage(Source). Remember the adverse impacts and liver damage can happen with different supplements and over-the-counter medications.
It is not clear that whether the risk linked with Herbalife products are any larger than those of different supplements. According to one study, Herbalife shown that diet with rich protein and Herbalife Formula 1 supplement did not adversely impact liver function.
Not Appropriate For Everyone
The Herbalife diet program is not suitable for all. People with sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances to the ingredients in the supplements or shakes should not follow this program. Since so many supplements are added, it is essential to take your doctor’s advice to prevent side effects.
Foods To Eat
Though most of your food will be shakes while following the Herbalife diet, you can eat one normal meal with two little snacks of your choice every day.
Herbalife does not provide detailed diet advice about what to eat apart from supplements and shakes, so you can have them according to your wish.
However, the Herbalife website advises diet containing fruits, lean proteins, nonfat dairy, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, healthy fats, and legumes.
Sample menu
Here is a sample menu of the Herbalife weight loss program.
Breakfast:
Drink chocolate shake of Herbalife made with eight ounces of nonfat milk and half banana with Formula 2-Multivitamin, Total control, Formula 3 Cell, Cell-U-Loss, and Aminogen supplements.
Snack:
Have some salad and tuna with the Snack -Defense-herbal tea concentrate and the Aminogen supplement.
Lunch:
Herbalife vanilla shakes prepared with 8-ounces of skim milk and half banana, with Formula 2-Multivitamin, Total Control, Formula-3 Cell Activator, Cell-U-Loss, Aminogen supplements, and Total Control.
Snack:
Eat one piece of fruit with Snack Defense supplement and herbal tea concentrate.
Dinner:
Eat vegetables with grilled chicken and brown rice, with Total Control,
Formula 2 Multivitamin, and Aminogen supplements.
Shopping list
Additionally, Herbalife supplements and shakes, you will buy from the grocery store for your remaining snacks and meal.
Some suggestions include:
- Lean protein: chicken, pork loin, turkey, fish, lean beef, lamb.
- Fruits and vegetables: fresh, dried, canned, or frozen.
- Low fat or Nonfat dairy products: non-dairy or cow’s milk for the shakes, additionally other nonfat or low-fat dairy things for snacking
- Legumes or Whole grains including brown rice, lentils, beans, and quinoa
- Healthy oils: avocado oil, olive oil, or other oils from seeds and nuts.
- Nuts and seeds: roasted, raw, or ground in the form of flour or nut butter
Try to consume highly processed foods moderately.
Is Herbalife Effective for weight loss?
The most important meal of the day is breakfast. It serves to start the metabolism and keep you satisfied till your lunchtime. But, different breakfast meals do not consist of adequate proteins and carbohydrates.
The Herbalife Formula-1 shake consists of a well-balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, that meets one healthy meal.
It starts the metabolism without eating unnecessary foods. However, the calories of every serving of this shake are not enough to meet the everyday requirement. This high protein or low-calorie shake helps to lower the weight. Drinking water also helps to clean the toxins from the urinary system. But, do not depend on herbal supplements more because once you stop taking them, you may gain weight again.
The Herbalife diet consists of low-calorie meal replacement shakes and metabolism promoting supplements. It is convenient and easily follows for the weight-loss period.
Yet, it is expensive, it may have few side effects. The effectiveness and safety of the supplements have not been researched. More studies are required to know how combining meal replacement supplements and shake with a long term diet and healthy lifestyle change benefit for weight loss and weight control.