Last updated on January 16th, 2020 at 01:18 am
Smart Blood Sugar
$27.00
Pros
- Qualifed author
- Genuine, positive testimonials from third-party sources
Cons
- Scammy advertising
- Fake testimonials with stock photos on program's website
- Reluctantly issues refunds
- Too many upsells
- Contains no special information worth paying for
Smart Blood Sugar by Dr Marlene Merritt looks more like a scam than a legitimate product. In this review I’m going to reveal why I came to this verdict even though this product has some genuine positive testimonials online and the creator is a real person with the right qualifications. So make sure you read this review to the end before you decide to try the product.
Smart Blood Sugar, aka Smart Blood Sugar Fix, claims to be the product that will lower your blood sugar levels permanently and reverse your Type 2 Diabetes for good. It claims to achieve this feat by changing your diet to less carbs, more healthy fat recipes, which will boost your energy levels and eliminate your bad food cravings.
Before we go any further, let’s find out who the author of this product is, shall we?
Who is Dr Marlene Merritt?
Dr Marlene Merritt is a licensed doctor practicing in Austin, Texas. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is a certified Applied Nutritionist and doctor of Oriental Medicine since 2000.
Merritt currently runs a medical organization called Merritt Wellness Center with her husband Will Mitchell. You can also find her on Twitter and YouTube, but she hasn’t posted on them since 2012. However, she’s been posting regularly on her Merritt Wellness Center website.
Bottom Line: The author of Smart Blood Sugar is real and qualified to give medical advice on health and nutrition.
Science Behind Smart Blood Sugar
According to Smart Blood Sugar’s website, the program is based on the principle of ‘glucose load balancing’, defined as ‘the process of actively managing blood glucose at optimum levels.’ In order to reach and maintain this optimum glucose level, Marlene advises that you restrict your carbs and eat more healthy fat.
Smart Blood Sugar promises to reveal to you the following:
- A sweetener that’s 300% sweeter than sugar and safer to enjoy than artificial sweeteners
- A ‘miracle noodle’ that has zero calories and doesn’t spike blood sugar levels
- An ancient religious practice that’s been shown to ‘increase growth hormone, burn fat, improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting insulin levels’ without the need for exercise
- The tasty snacks you can use for hunger emergencies throughout the day without compromising your health or blood sugar levels
- The 9 ingredients you should always have in your cupboard
So far so good, right? Then why is Smart Blood Sugar a scam look-alike?
1. Fake Testimonials With Stock Photos
All the testimonials featured on Smart Blood Sugar are fake, as they were done using stock photos! I took my time to trace all of them. Let’s begin from the website itself:
- ‘Scott T.’ is a stock photo you can buy at Shutterstock.com;
- ‘Betty M.’ is a stock photo from Shutterstock;
- ‘Pride C.’ is a stock photo you can buy from CanStockPhoto, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, DepositPhotos and 123RF;
- ‘Nicole O.’ is a stock photo you can buy at Shutterstock, Dreamstime and Megapixl.
From the video presentation:
- ‘John’ is a stock photo from BigStock.com;
- ‘Charles W.’ is a stock photo you can buy at 123RF, DepositPhotos and Shutterstock;
- ‘Robert C.’ is a stock photo from 123RF and Shutterstock;
- ‘Warlen B.’ is a stock photo from Fotolia;
- ‘Richard H.’ is a stock photo you can buy at Dreamstime, Megapixl, 123RF, Shutterstock.
Now given the qualifications of the author of Smart Blood Sugar, I’m baffled that she had to resort to using stock photos to create testimonials about her product! There is a possibility that she did this in order to hide her patients’ true identities … but I didn’t find any disclaimer on the site disclosing this fact.
I believe there is more to this, as Smart Blood Sugar is not self-published or marketed directly by Marlene Merritt herself. Instead, it is published and marketed by a company called Primal Health LP.
So Who is Primal Health LP?
Primal Health LP is a company based in Allen Texas. It has a BBB rating of B- with more negative reviews (78% – the only ‘neutral’ review there is purely negative). You can check out its official website here.
As you can see from the website, Primal Health LP publishes and markets three products. Two of them (Blood Pressure Solution and Smart Blood Sugar) are written by Merritt.
Most of the negative reviews about this company center on the quality of their products, their scammy advertising and refund issues.
2. Reluctantly Issues Refunds.
If you decide that Smart Blood Sugar is not for you and you want your money back, you’re going to have a pretty hard time. This is because they do NOT provide any information about how to get a refund despite offering a 60-day money back guarantee. In fact, many buyers report that they never even received any email receipt after purchase!
So far, the only people I’ve seen who got their money back are those who filed complaints with the BBB. So if you’re having trouble getting your money back, try using BBB.
3. Contains NO Special Information.
Smart Blood Sugar is reportedly full of information that are readily available for free online. Reports from those who have used the product indicate that the book is ‘poorly written’ and ‘basically rubbish,’ while others praise it for ‘making sense’ and being ‘informative.’ But the general consensus is that the book does not have any original information. It’s basically a book that serves as an introduction to certain expensive dietary supplements Dr Merritt’s crew is selling.
4. Other Evidence
1. Pop-ups. The Smart Blood Sugar website has pop-ups preventing you from leaving the website. Although this feature doesn’t show up if you visit SmartBloodSugar.com, it becomes apparent once you click on ‘Watch The Video.’ Try to leave the video page, and the pop-up springs to action.
2. NO Support. Smart Blood Sugar claims to have support lines in case you have any questions about how to use the program. But I saw reports of people saying that the contact phone number published in the book is not functional. Also, there is no indication that Smart Blood Sugar offers any kind of support despite having contact information posted on their website.
3. Too Many Upsells. According to those who have bought the program, once you enter your card details to buy the program, you’ll receive only ‘2 pamphlets.’ Then you’ll be bombarded with a lot of emails asking you to try one program or supplement after another.
This calls to question the supposed ‘5 bonuses’ that are supposedly included in the program. At least one person reported that he never received the promised 5 bonuses, while another reported that they tried 3 times to sell him a meal plan – a plan I suppose was meant to be a ‘free bonus.’
Final Conclusion: Smart Blood Sugar Looks Like A Scam!
Blacklisted Website: SmartBloodSugar.com, SmartBloodSugarFix.com
To be honest, I feel bad blacklisting Smart Blood Sugar because its author is a real, qualified health professional and there are genuine reports from users testifying that it reduced their glucose levels. However, the people marketing this product are highly questionable, and I don’t want to believe that Dr Merritt would resort to using stock photos to create fake testimonials in order to make people buy her book. A real doctor who knows his specialty well will NEVER resort to such disgraceful and career-killing practice.
So my recommendation is for you to stay away from this product until Dr Merritt explains what is really going on. But if you disagree with my review, you can go ahead and try Smart Blood Sugar at your own risk.
[Consumers’ reports taken from HighYa, BBB]
So you wouldn’t recommend this because of the marketing company she is using????
No, that the entire sales pitch appears to be baloney. That would be why it isn’t being recommended.
I am so sick of the bogus products marketed in this way—-videos you can’t exit w fake testimonies for a product they never truly reveal. You spend 15 minutes scrolling through text or watching video only to end up knowing no more than when you began!! I’ve been suckered twice and it’s hell trying to get yoyr money back. Thank you for this review. You’ve convinced me I will no longer pay attention to this type of marketing.
Looks to me like another doctor who “sold out” her ethics for dollars.
I ordered these two books in December. My husband’s A1C count was 7 and his blood sugar count was pushing 200. I ignored the added offers and we concentrated on the 99 foods that were good to eat. The second book includes the other offers, menu planning, shopping list, recipes etc. It has been everything that it said it was. My husband’s A1C is now down to 6 and his blood count for 30 days averages about 119.
was ur husband on any diabetes medication?
That’s awesome Barbara! Congratulations! I don’t think everyone takes this disease seriously enough…. I’m happy to read that you and your husband do and he will hopefully therefore avoid the damage caused by too much blood sugar and too much insulin for too long.
My A1C was 9.1. With nothing but the Smart Blood Sugar Diet (no meds, no exercise) and a daily bitter melon (not lemon) pill, I got it down to 6.5 in 3 months and 6.2 in three more months. This is absolutely not a scam! But you do have to follow it faithfully.
I’m really want to get sugar under control, so I’m ready to try anything. But not be fooled into something that doesn’t work.
I agree with you Cris. My blood pressure also dropped in addition to my A1C. I was wearing a size 38 pants, now am 34 and could wear a 32 but my replaced wardrobe was costing me! LOL
IF SHE WAS SENCEAR ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE SHE WOULD POST A LIST OF THE FOODS THAT WE SHOULD BE EATTING WITH OUT ASKING FOR MONEY SCAM
yes was thinking same thing
check out Dr Sebi. his methods works and he has real witnesses and proof of his cures of diabetes, aids, herpes, high blood pressure
Tony Taylor AIDS & Herpes are two things that can NOT be cured!
Yeah she made all of $27 for the book that can save a diabetics life, plus the 99 foods to eat, and the other 4 bonuses! Oh for shame! And your spelling ???
My previous comment was directed at Richard Moffitt
Actually Gracie, at the end they add on to raise the price to $40.00 . I hate it when they do that. If you have the money, that’s great. It’s not that bad. I’m glad it worked out for some people.
how is your a1c now and what have u done to change it
Thank you so much for your excellent unbiased review of Dr. Marlene Merritt’s book – Smart Blood Sugar. You have come to the right conclusion that she is riding on the back of the most recent
science – that being – a low carb high fat diet is the way to go. I am a member of Diabetes.co.uk with over 270,000 members world-wide – ask them their opinion about low carb.
Thank you so much.
Here’s the problem with all this stuff. Most of it doesn’t really tell the truth, and if it is based on naturapathic medicine the big problem is that if you are already taking prescription medicine you don’t know how it will affect your metabolism since the blood pressure problem has many varied reasons, and none of these miracle natural drugs and supplements has any verifiable clinical evidence. It is an age old scam that hooks a lot of suckers. Why don’t these miracle drug combinations websites list all the contraindications, and warn that you should consult your doctor before wasting your money on this stuff? Why not just eat the right foods, safe well known supplements, cut down on salt and sugar, and exercise more? You’ll see a change. I’ve been into natural and allopathic treatments for many years and unfortunately there is no perfect cure or one miracle treatment.… Read more »
Bill have you even read this book?? I have… thoroughly… and never once does she advise anyone to go against their doctor’s orders or stop taking any prescribed medication. As a matter of fact, she specifically says NOT to do that! The stuff she’s suggesting in the book are all just adjustments in the make-up of your daily meals… i.e. low carbs, a little fat, and the rest is common sense. For decades the FDA have recommended low-fat diets but have said very little about carbs. They have the food pyramid totally wrong with whole grain carbs supposed to be making up 55-60% of your diet. That’s WRONG. Carbs should never make up that much of your diet. This has been known for awhile in these Atkins and Mediterranean diets. But what people don’t know or don’t want to accept is that the whole grain carbs are treated by your… Read more »
Great, Honest and Informative Response!!! Read, Comprehend, Think for Yourself! It’s Your Responsibility!! Since I know how to read,I’ll read the books. Thank you Gracie Ann
You have saved a lot of people a lot of money. What puzzles me is why legitimate offers don’t feature photos of real people–or maybe because they’re not legitimate?
You answered your own question… NOT LEGITIMATE!
Dovetta B.
Since we are all bio-individuals, we must find the diet that is best for us. What works for me might not work for you. Do your homework and find out what is best for you.
I’m a 63 year old type II diabetic on metformin, glicazide and Januvia. I’m also a pharmacist with an initial degree in Biology Two majors in Microbiology and Comparative Animal Physiology. I did a year of premed at Queen’s. I’m not stating this to brag, just to give you an idea of my background. I’ve worked as a pharmacist for 25 years now and worked for big pharma for 10 years, eventually running a dermatology company. Diabetes is a very complicated disease with more ramifications, twists and turns than any of completely understand. Whenever I hear or see some kind of miracle cure, treatment or diet, my immediate response is skepticism. Having listened to a couple of these come ons, I remain skeptical. I’m still struggling to fully comprehend why a moderate diet should wreck havoc on the glucose control system. The best I can determine is that it may… Read more »
& the deposition of visceral fat is caused by????? perhaps synthetic overload from processed foods? contaminants in cleaning/beauty products? Artificial fragrances? Pesticides? NAFLD?? (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?),etc.. Come on now , regardless of this company’s tactics/legitimacy, we are in the negative health state because of the lack of attention to improving/supporting the immune system through proper channels (diet, exercise. detox, etc.) & being constantly bombarded with all the toxins /synthetics! Remember, the body is a natural entity- Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for pharmaceuticals ( like in the ER- save the life!) but not for long term use- No one gets cancer because they lacked having chemotherapy in their system! That is not the cause..I swear the pharmaceutical industry has hi-jacked the med school curriculum!
I wouldn’t call “Doctor” Merrit a “real, qualified health professional” when she liberally uses a title that indicates an MD or a Ph.D. I’m curious to know what the accepted qualifications are for a “Doctor of Oriental Medicine”, and what governing body issues the license to practice?
DOM? Qualified? This is clearly a scam review, with links to the sales website.
You think people are idiots, you and your ^%$%^$%& lying GF who preys upon us afflicted should be jailed.
Should those individuals in “legitimate “ healthcare profession’s as well as pharmaceutical companies that are responsible for 1,000s of deaths annually be jailed as well!
BTW I found “Smart Blood Sugar” from a “sponsored link” that implied there’s something questionable about Metformin. Metformin is not even synthesized, it comes for a natural plant source, and it’s being tested as a longevity enhancing treatment that could extend life by 3o years for humans.
You people are rreally full-of-$#^%.
Thank you for taking the time to do this review. Based on what you uncovered, I believe you’ve dealt fairly and objectively with Dr. Merritt, and I second your recommendation that Dr. Merritt step up to explain the unprofessional marketing. If she and her clinic are indeed legitimate, she needs to begin acting so in her marketing activities.
Metformin is a synthetic biquanide and as such is patented… Natural substances cannot be patented. Common side effects are: heartburn, stomach pain, nausea/vomiting, bloating,gas,diarrhea,constipation. The body is a natural entity & as such will ‘rebell’ with side effects from synthetics!!
sorry to burst your bubble, but metformin is known for shutting down the kidneys and swelling of the lips. my wife had the lips issue and they couldn’t find the issue for months until it came out on Facebook. and my mother was in excruciating pain and I rushed her to ER. they changed her metformin to another pill and it stopped kidney failure and she is still here and not on dialysis
What is she taking instead of metformin?
wish i could have read this before i ordered the book, i have read it all the way thru and it does not have any thing new to tell me. it is truly a scam, how about a class action lawsuit?
I now always do a search “Reviews of…” on google for any of these types of video ads online because almost all of the time you can buy used copies of their books online (or even new ones cheaper via Amazon or eBay (if you want them – but why buy new?) and find reviews ahead of purchasing through their system.
It could be new to some and old to those more informed. This may get attention of those who may otherwise have not known! The only purpose of a book is to stimulate thought ! Just saying. Have fun with your Life and continue to consciously experiment to elevate Your Health. You should know Your Body better than anyone else. After all it’s Yours to travel this Earth plane in.
She might be licensed in acupuncture but she isn’t really a doctor (at least not in the United States and not in the traditional sense) because the United States doesn’t recognize a degree in oriental medicine as being a doctor. I have done quite a bit of research on this and praying is good, eating healthy is good but when my PCP prescribed Lopressor for me (many years ago) because my blood pressure was uncontrolled, it took some time but after a few adjustments my hypertension is well under control. I used to get really bad headaches and nosebleeds, now I may get a headache from time to time but nothing out of the ordinary. All I am saying is be careful with things like this because you can never be sure if it will really help. Personally, I am always going to side with a medical doctor who has… Read more »
Be assured that ANYTIME you have to watch a long drawn out video with the typical repetitive things being repeated and some sob story about a relative having been sick or died and they throw in that panic scam of, “I don’t know how long this will be allowed on the internet”,… it’s a SCAM! They simply attempt to “Brainwash” individuals into falling for the scam and spending money. If there was really a miracle cure or solution for any of these health issues it would be ALL OVER TV and publicly available in a heartbeat without having to buy the information!
I think that some of the other very convincing arguments for why to avoid this SCAM is the fact that people are not getting refunds unless they contact the BBB AND that they don’t get either their phone calls or emails returned. Those reasons are enough to make this “HEALTH CENTER” a cause for suspicion. Sincere and genuine medical professionals communicate with their public, their patients and even their fan base with at least a publicist or a PR person if not a nursing staff. I am a patient advocate and I find a lot of this exists out there, and not all medical professionals act professionally. BUT this is definitely something to stay away from in my opinion. You can do this research on your own without having to buy her scammy upselling products and then risk getting your credit card multiply charged as is often the case with… Read more »
Thank you for writing this comprehensive review.
Her qualification and her credentials are questionable as well. Besides being a dietitian, her DOM degree– dr of “oriental medicine” may not be a good medical foundation for her treating or advising on diabetes outside her nutritional field.
I totally agree with u (Obinna) her questionable marketing method.
N. V. Hoang, MD.
I have this book and have had a completely different experience than what you seem to think consumers that buy this would have. About 2 years ago I died (not almost…. according to my medical team Ihad multi-system organ failure and was clinically dead). This was because I did not know I had developed diabetes probably years ago and it came to a crisis point and I went into Diabetic Ketoacidosis…. which is when the body can no longer clear any blood sugar out of the bloodstream to be stored as glucose for energy so the brain can later access these stores when needed, so the brain breaks down tissue (including muscle) to burn for energy and it causes the release of a toxic by-product called ketones. These ketones build up in the blood and make you septic…. causing your organs to shut down one by one. The E.R. had… Read more »
Hi Gracie Ann I have been a diabetic for close to 25 years and tried to control my disease: I paid particular attention to my daily glucose levels, my three month A1c readings, diet and exercise. I think my first DVT occurred about four years ago, I had a second DVT several years after the first which migrated to my lungs which put my life in jeopardy. I only mention this because since the DVT incidents I have lost control of my daily glucose readings and my A1c readings; the last one on 3/15/2019 was 7.4. Before my DVT’s my monthly average for three readings/day were around 109, my A1c average for at least the past 22 years has been in the range of 5.8 to 6.1, now my glucose average is approaching 150+. My current doctors consistently warned me of trying to get my A1c under 6.5. Which is… Read more »
So the supplements will not work? My husband just spent over $400 to get his type 2 diabetes stopped! But he asked me to find out how to use the supplements and one poster was correct – the 2 numbers are non-functioning! I AM FURIOUS AS TO I REALLY BELIEVED THIS PHYSICIAN AS SHE INDICATED SHE HERSELF WAS NO LONGER TYPE 2!
Thank you so much. I was actually wondering if those photos of the people were for real.Dr Marlene sounds like such a nice and caring person. Yet I was a little skeptical. I also didn’t like how they kept adding on and on raising the price after lowering it. I’m glad I waited to check it out. THANK YOU.
I am a border line with a1c in 6. range,I listen to Dr schultz a herblist,He had a clinic for 30 Years,go to his web site an read his journey into natural health, I do his detox programs, doing his liver detox I lost 30 lb. an my a1c went into the 5 direction. His thought are eat correct food , detox, exercise. Another Dr. I listen to is about fasting to reverse diabetics . The thing I get is that we must do the whole life style change and pills do nothing to cure anything. Pills are all the doctors have for you an the side effects from drugs are not good for are bodies,Have you ever heard of anyone cured by pills.Fasting dr was Dr. wong on you tube. Dr schultz is stop doing the things that making you sick.