Purium is based on naturopathy, “the premise that our bodies are self-healing if given the right tools and environment.” Purium says its supplements are comprised of superfoods and herbs naturally, and organic “whenever possible,” with no artificial anything. [2]
The Purium 10-Day Transformation Get Started Pack, which Purium claims is “fastest, healthiest, simplest, least expensive weight loss program on the planet,” will run around $200.
Purium is headquartered in Long Beach, California; the contact number is 888-747-6733. Founded in 1993, they once went by the name Organic by Nature. Their Better Business Bureau profile was only opened last year (2016), they are not accredited, and they currently have a D-plus rating based on two customer reviews (50-50) and one filed complaint they haven’t responded to. They are a multi-level marketing company (also known as a “pyramid scheme” when they aren’t above-board about the process), though they do seem to have a less-sales-pressure system than most. [3] [4]
Purium 10-Day Transformation Claims
According to its website,
- 100,000 people have proved that the Purium 10-Day Transformation is the fastest, easiest, least expensive and healthiest way to lose weight. Most people lose 5 pounds, 10 pounds, even 20 pounds in just 10 days [5]
- healthy detox, more energy, better sleep and breaking addictions to processed foods [5]
- saturates your cells with organic superfood nutrients that trigger the release of fat and toxins. You get protein, fruits and vegetables in super-concentrated forms. Maximum nutrient density and minimal calories. [5]
And if that wasn’t enough to make you jump on the website now, Purium has “group cleanses that begin every Monday and Thursday, provides a support guide and group support calls “throughout the 10 days to keep you on track.” Purium says the “best part” is you’re losing fat, not muscle.
This is really just ‘transfer spending’ because your food budget goes down to almost zero during the 10 days. For about the same price as one restaurant meal you can get all of the superfood nutrition your body needs for an entire day. [5]
In a word, wow. Sold? What’s next?
Purium health products and programs include the Athlete System and Daily Core, but it is the 10-Day Transformation—an “anabolic program that floods your body with nutrients while purging harmful toxins from your system”—that’s most popular. Purium says this diet will detox the body, burn fat and build muscle, break your body’s addiction to bad food, and help to reset your metabolism using “nutrient dense superfoods,” slow-burning carbs, and very digestible proteins.
You have to dig deep to find the .pdf FAQ file, but that fine print is crucial; you’ll learn, for example that you not only will be too weak to exercise, Purium says don’t do any more than 15 minutes a day tops, if at all. Hmmm. OK, so you’re going to take it easy during this cleanse, folks. They also say you should consult your doctor before starting this cleanse. In fact, if you’re taking any medications at all or have any medical condition at all they say you must talk to your physician. (Who will probably tell you no.) There are a number of other important concerns addressed so make sure to read it thoroughly before you start this cleanse, if you’re thinking about it. [6]
back to menu ↑Purium 10-Day Transformation Ingredients/Plan
The daily cleanse is three shakes, three cups of fruits and veggies, a cherry juice drink and the other supplements. That’s basically it. There’s a nutritionist available for questions via email, so that’s cool.
Okay, so you’re a relatively healthy adult and you’re going for it. I mean, it’s not called the “celebrity” cleanse for nothing. Lots of people have done it. (I’m not saying do it, by the way; you’ll see in The Bottom Line.)
The $200 10-day pack includes
- Purium Power Shake—this is like an extra daily dose of super veggies
- Super Amino 23—your protein
- Apothe-Cherry, which consists of antioxidants, melatonin and tart cherry—your fruit
- Caramel Apple Daily Fiber Blend is supposed to cleanse the body
- Super Lytes supplements are meant to hydrate and provide electrolyte replacement
You also get a shaker bottle, tape measure and gym bag. The promise is if you follow the program, “you can expect to lose anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds in 10 days … these five products are all you need.” Purium says in a 2013 study, participants lost an average of 11.3 pounds in 10 days. [7]
Founder Sandoval says that “if you care about your body, you will use Purium Products.” [1]
Purium Cleanse Side Effects
Purium Cleanse side effects potentially include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, cravings, caffeine withdrawals, and gastrointestinal discomforts. Although these side effects may not effect each user, they have been recorded in reviews and research of the Purium Cleanse in the past.
back to menu ↑The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Purium 10-Day Transformation
So what about the Purium cleanse? Is there good science?
Here’s the thing: according to the Mayo Clinic, among the most reliable sources for medical information, while detoxes and cleanses are popular, there’s no scientific evidence that they’re any good for you and likely don’t even remove toxins from the body—the liver and kidneys are pretty amazing at doing this job. [8] [9]
So why do people swear they just feel better after a cleanse? Mayo Clinic registered and licensed dietitian Katherine Zeratsky says it’s because as part of the cleanse you quit eating processed foods, junk and fast foods—all packed with fats and sugar—and “simply avoiding these high-calorie low-nutrition foods for a few days may be part of why people feel better.” [10] [9]
Not unlike the possible side effects from similar detoxes, the Purium Cleanse side effects can be mild or severe and may include gastrointestinal discomforts. And though the Mayo Clinic sees little evidence that cleanses do what they claim, Zeratsky says if you’re going to do one, a cleanse could be “a way to jump-start making healthier food choices going forward every day.” [10]
back to menu ↑Word on the Street About Purium 10-Day Transformation
Purium reviews are really all over the map. Citing reviews not featured on Purium’s website—for obvious reasons—we went to Amazon.com, where the Purium 10-day Transformation cleanse is available. Reviews where users took issue with delivery, refunds and the like we do not include, since they’re dealing with sellers, not Purium directly. [11]
So, of 113 reviews, 67 users gave it four stars or above. To be honest, that’s a respectable amount, though a full quarter of those 113 reviews were 1-star. Essentially a love it/hate it deal.
Let’s start with the fans. Anonymous user “Amazon Customer” gave it 5 stars (2017): “Awesome! This product really works! Follow the directions and eat your flex foods! I lost 17 pounds” [12]
My favorite is from user “Kevin Cook” (2016, 5 stars): “Tastes like an old sailor’s boot, but holy crap this stuff works! Suck it up for 10 days and you’ll see. Lost 12 pounds!” [13]
I mean if this review isn’t an endorsement, I don’t know what is.
One of the issues for some with Purium is that it’s a multi-level marketing business and it’s hard to know if people reviewing are distributors or not, so this one from “m16shooter” is pretty convincing (2015, 5 stars):
First off, I am not a distributor or a promoter. I’m just a normal Joe that was looking to lose a few pounds and cleanse my body. And on that note, this does work. I lost 9lbs and have managed to keep off 7lbs since. If I ever feel the need to detox/cleanse again, I will definitely buy this again. [14]
Now to the “no way,” customers.
“GigiM” was not a fan (2017, 1 star): “The product was way too strong and made me ill. Company was very understanding and refunded my money” [15]
One “Amazon customer” fared no better (2016, 1 star): “Super disappointed …Would give zero stars if I could. This product made me SICK—nausea, vomiting and diarrhea! I could not even finish the first day & could NEVER drink that green drink again! I cleanse frequently—at least 2 to 3x/year for past 15 years, so it was NOT a detox reaction! This product did not agree with my body!” [16]
Amazon user “Lesblant” has this headline: “There is No Free Lunch. Count Calories Instead.” They then continue (2017, 2 stars):
They send you 2X the amount you need to do one 10-day cleanse. I thought the price was way too high. … This was not as difficult to do as I had imagined it might be. The only discomfort I felt was coffee withdrawal on day one, then around day 8-9, it all started to taste horrible to me and I began to crave food.
The fast weight loss makes you deliriously happy for a week or so, but then when it comes roaring back again it is a real drag. As soon as I started eating again, I gained all the weight back immediately. I was not very disciplined but I didn’t start eating cases of doughnuts, either. I ate the way I usually do, mostly sensibly. But it felt like I might gain ten pounds by eating one carrot or something.
I learned (for the millionth time… you’d think I’d know by now) that things that seem too good to be true, usually are. I think it would probably be more sensible to just count calories and add in a little exercise. But this gets you jump started.[17]
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line—Is Purium 10-Day Transformation Worth a Try?
Definitely Not. Save. Your. Money. I’m with the Mayo Clinic and with Lesblant. I believe the science, or lack thereof, makes it pretty clear that our bodies detox themselves and that any lose-weight-fast recipe—be it a superfood cleanse or a crazy cabbage soup diet—is doomed. The weight is going to come back, as sure as I am going to eat some Ben & Jerry’s tonight.
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