Dr. Marlene Merritt Reviews

Dr. Marlene Merritt Review: Legit?

Reviewopedia staff  -  Updated:  July 17, 2023

 

Dr. Marlene Merritt is an author and medical practitioner who has written several books on health and nutrition, including The Blood Pressure Solution and Smart Blood Sugar.

How Does it Work?

Merritt has a long list of credentials that include a certification as a doctor of Oriental Medicine, a Master's degree in Human Nutrition, and she is also a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine.

She has been treating patients for over 30 years via her practice 'Merritt Wellness', and her work focuses on how exercise and nutrition can be used to address health issues such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. 

Update:  A recent update states that Dr. Merritt and Dr. Mitchell will no longer be seeing patients personally and are turning their focus to authoring new books and educational videos.


Merritt's books and health programs have been published and sold through Primal Labs LLC, where she is also listed as a member of the advisory board.

Much of her work has focused on helping her audience understand how exercise and nutrition can be leveraged to address health problems such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Below we take a closer look at some of her advice and see if readers can truly benefit from her books and programs.

Books And Programs

In Smart Blood Sugar, Dr. Marlene Merritt states that people who suffer from high blood pressure are in more trouble than they may realize.

Most doctors automatically prescribe medication to control the blood pressure of people who suffer from hypertension.

However, this medication can have serious side effects, and many people actually end up taking additional prescription medications to counteract these side effects.

Dr. Merritt claims that she has helped more than 187,000 people stop taking prescription medications and get their blood pressure under control, while also losing weight and relieving stress, all with the help of only natural solutions.

In “Smart Blood Sugar” and “The Blood Pressure Solution" she claims to offer a diet based on “real foods” that you will be able to eat while lowering your blood pressure in as little as three days.

What the books propose is that those who wish to get their blood pressure and blood sugar under control transition to a form of eating that prioritizes healthy fats and proteins over carbohydrates.

This essentially goes against the American Food Guideline recommendations, which prioritize low fat foods and recommend including a variety of starchy vegetables and whole grains.

In her advertisements for Smart Blood Sugar, Dr. Merritt points out that the reason for this is due to the overwhelming amount of pressure food lobbyists place on the government to recommend their products.

Some of the biggest companies in the world are the growers of corn, soy, and wheat, along with the food companies that turn those into processed cereals, breads, and other grain based staples.

Does Dr. Merritt’s Advice Work?

There are many proponents of the low carb way of eating, from actual doctors and nutritionists to fitness bloggers and online health gurus.

The health results that people have had has fueled the rise of low carb plans such as the Paleo Diet and Keto Diet.

However, there is still controversy surrounding these diets, along with push back from the medical establishment. 

For instance, one US News panel ranked the Paleo Diet near the bottom of its list of diets.

Evidence for Smart Blood SugarBlood Pressure Solution

There are many studies that point to the weight loss benefits of low carb eating and to the effects that it can have on managing blood sugar. [1]

There are several types of diabetes and all ruin the body’s ability to effectively process carbohydrates, whether through insulin resistance or lack of insulin production.

This is why, for diabetics, managing their diet is critical.   Eating too many carbs can cause a potentially dangerous spike in blood sugar (which their body can’t deal with) requiring taking medication.

This does not occur when you consume the other macronutrients, fat, and protein, as they are broken down into fatty acids and amino acids.

Unlike carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose and ending up as blood sugar, this activates the body’s release of the hormone insulin for energy conversion or storage of excess sugar. [2]

Some of the research supporting the use of low carb eating to manage these responses includes:

 

  • A 2008 paper points out that carbohydrate restriction was the main treatment for diabetes prior to the development of insulin and hypoglycemic medications.  The paper also argues for reintroducing carbohydrate restriction as a treatment. [3]

 

  • A recent limited 2016 study done on 262 patients with type 2 diabetes placed participants on a ketogenic diet for one year. 

    Their results concluded that “94% of the intervention participants who were using insulin reduced their dose or stop using insulin”. [4]

 

Further, a low carbohydrate diet resulted in improvement amongst other biomarkers such as

  • A decrease in triglycerides
  • Increase in high-density lipoprotein (or “good”) cholesterol
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Lower blood pressure

There are many studies that have found similar results and correlations. [5] [6] [7]

Safety and Side Effects

Despite research studies showing positive results, it's important that any drastic dietary change should be made under the direct supervision of your health care team. 

This is even more important if you are taking any kind of prescribed medications.

For most people though, making the changes that Dr. Marlene Merritt proposes should not have any ill effects.

These changes mainly include:

  • eliminating processed foods
  • eating organic whole foods
  • limiting your salt intake
  • upping potassium
  • eating fewer carbs
  • and exercise

It is also important to follow an approved meal plan to avoid eliminating any key nutrients from your diet.

 

Key Take Away:  While Dr. Marlene Merritt is credentialed and may be offering sound advice, you should not attempt to manage your blood sugar levels without consulting your physician.

 

If you are taking medication for insulin regulation your doctor may want to adjust your dosage if you are switching to a low carb diet, so it's a good idea to consult with them first.

Customer Reviews & Complaints

Dr. Marlene Merritt’s practice boasts many rave reviews from former clients.  Her patients felt that they received top quality care and attention.

For the most part her books have received positive reviews as well, while complaints primarily pointed out that while the presentation of the information was good, they found the price to be too high.

Some other complaints also pointed out that much of this information can be found online for free by simply searching for blood sugar management options.

Other customers noted that they have also received this same information from their doctor, even though Dr. Merritt makes a point of saying that traditional doctors simply don’t have access to the information she provides to her patients.

There is some concern about the customer service quality of the related company Primal Health, as that company has a decent number of complaints with the BBB.

There, customers have reported issues of not receiving products and difficulty in reaching support representatives.

Customer Service


Contact Info


Trying to figure out how to contact his company is not made as clear as it could be.  

The promotional website SmartBloodSugar.com is created by a company called Primal Health LP, alternately called Primal Labs.

These companies list their email address as [email protected], and their phone number is publicly listed as 877-300-7849.

Primal Health LP lists its physical address as:

Primal Health, LP 
3100 Technology Drive, Suite 200
Plano, Texas 75074

 

Cost & Price Plans


Currently the Smart Blood Sugar book is priced at a one-time fee of $27.00 + $9.99 shipping and handling through SmartBloodSugar.com.

This price does not include any of the costs that will be associated with this guide, such as the different foods or supplements that they suggest you buy.

The Blood Pressure Solution can be ordered from Amazon for $59.99.

 

Refund Policy


SmartBloodSugar.com states that they provide customers with a 60-Day 'No Questions Asked' Refund Policy.

The return policy states that if you wish to return your products for a refund for any reason, you are welcome to do so within the first 60 days from the date of purchase.

You will need to contact their customer service team by email or phone in order to receive a Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA#) and to receive a return label via email that you can use for your return shipment.

Once your products have been received, inspected, and approved, they will process your refund, less the cost of shipping and handling.

Competitors and Alternatives?

There are many different nutritional supplements, books, and health plans that claim to help people with high blood pressure.

It's one of the most common health issues in the United States and therefore one of the issues that companies and businesses like to offer solutions for.

Customers should always speak to their physician before beginning a new supplement regimen, especially if they are already on existing medication.

For those who are not sold on the benefits of an extreme low carb diet may want to try the more moderate Mediterranean Diet

Studies have found that this way of eating can also be of benefit to those with blood pressure and blood sugar issues. [8]

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, Dr. Marlene Merritt is a legitimate doctor that has created a good deal of valuable health content via books and presentations.  

While some people may not agree with the way her products are marketed and their high prices, many customers have found her books useful.

Some of her advice is controversial and goes against the American food guidelines, which prioritize low-fat eating and the inclusion of starchy vegetables and whole grains.

Additionally, her most popular books have been around for many years and, as many reviewers have pointed out, the same information is now available from a variety of other sources.

If you have any experience with Dr. Marlene Merritt or her products, please leave your reviews below.

You may also be interested in

Dr. Marlene Merritt Customer Reviews

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It worked for me!
August 22, 2023

I purchased the blood pressure solution book in 2020 and began to do the prescribed plan. My blood pressure went from 200 down to 90-110. I lost 70 pounds and I feel great.

Like most things you must follow the plan for it to work. I have never taken any medicines for my high blood pressure or anything else. I’m not into taking medicine, so I was looking for an alternative when I came across the book.

It worked for me!

Marlene Merritt is a scam artist!!!
July 26, 2023

Marlene Merritt is a SCAM ARTIST. She calls herself a doctor but 'OM' is not recognized as a legitimate designation for a doctor. All I wanted was the book on natural ways to lower blood pressure but I was sent a newsletter and her supplements and was charged monthly $39.37 monthly (4mos.) for the paperback blood pressure book and $160.98 for supplements which I never ordered. I called to get credit for the charges but was told I had missed the deadline so I couldn't be credited. I will pursue this matter with the authorities in Texas if there are any.

WilliamCrawford December 10, 2023

There is a place to opt out of the $39 charge on the order form and you had 14 days to cancel. I was just on the page and plan to order. it seems like you are angry because you missed the box and were charged the $39.37 subscription fee. Does that mean she is a scam?

PhizzyKing March 22, 2024

I completely agree with Mr Crawford. Making mistakes in ordering things does not mean the doctor, author, or products you ordered are illegitimate. Also, regarding “OM” vs “MD”, I have found MDs to be generally unhelpful and fairly ignorant of “natural” methods of dealing with physical maladies. They mostly want to give you a prescription, and never, in my personal experience, have mentioned any side effects of taking the prescribed pharmaceuticals unless I have had the presence of mind to ask.

Ripoff Company
March 9, 2023

I cancelled my order, and have been waiting nearly a month for my refund, to no avail. DON'T DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THIS RIPOFF COMPANY.

Trust Dr Merritt
February 17, 2023
In 2017, I started with Dr. Merritt I believe in her method for Blood Pressure Solutions. My doctors were amazed that at the age of 50, my bp was excellent! I followed her suggestions on eating and dieting, and as a result, lost weight, and my bp was stable. In 2022 still going strong with the BP solutions advice and still getting great results!

E.T. February 27, 2023

Did you continue taking your blood pressure meds while following the diet? I want to try it but not sure if I should do so while taking the meds.

Blood pressure solution
February 15, 2023

Been waiting for a month for the blood pressure book! Of course they charged my credit card right away. Nobody answers their phone line or responds to emails. Crummy organization!!!

CharChar February 17, 2023

Google Dr. Merritt office in Austin, TX for the customer service phone number

Scam artist: Marlene Merritt
February 1, 2023

This 20 minute promo dissertation that this charlatan promotes is crazy.

Sure, eat a lot of fat and get arteriosclerosis.

Listen to your medical doctor, keto diets cause other problems.

The treatment for diabetes type 2 is a good diet, no snacking of candy, and carbs, keeping your weight healthy, and taking proper meds.

Scam artists are everywhere. This woman never went to medical school.

Dh Johe, MD

CharChar February 17, 2023

Please read my review, we are on this planet to uplift our fellow brothers and sisters. She is an awesome person who helped my bp and she also will refund all your money if you are not satisfied. I truly think this works when one truly applies the method I am a real customer who actually had bp problems and because of Dr. Merritt, I am better!

I want a refund for the book.
January 24, 2023
This information is nothing new.

CharChar February 17, 2023

They will refund your money to google BP Solutions customer service (Dr. Marlene Merritt in the Austin, TX) location.

Natural health connections
December 9, 2022
My husband listened to over an hour video about blood pressure and wanted to order just a book but was being pressured into ordering other things to get the book. He cancelled the order but ended up getting the book even though he didn't want it and now we can't reach anyone to get our money back. It is not what he was expecting. No use to him

TiffanyLD December 09, 2022

I got similar issue as Limberly H. had experienced. I just wanted to order books on HBP after listening an hour video about blood pressure and have been forced to listen for another one hour to order other things! To declined these additional offers, the website makes it hard/easily mistaken to order the offered products!I browsed the net for the reviews on Dr. Marlene Merritt Customer Reviews and found this review. I wished I could read this review first before ordering the book.

CharChar February 17, 2023

I must be honest and tell how I felt when I first heard about Dr. Merritt's BP Solutions in 2017, I did not do what was suggested, so I requested a refund for the book not only did I get a full refund but the customer service let me keep the book and I actually end up reading and following the suggestings on diet and exercising along with the breathing exercises, long story short this does work once you truly apply it!

CharChar February 17, 2023

I am glad I made the conscious decision to do BP Solutions. Because not only did Dr. Merritt have a part in helping me but I did as well and both of us together helped me get better!

What is going on??
December 1, 2022
I purchased the book and money was charged to my visa account but haven’t heard anything back from them about why no purchase order or book. No one answers the calls or emails??

Ste January 15, 2023

I too have emailed these frauds 3 times and no reply! I spent over 250.00 and have received nothing. It's been a month!!!!

AmyS. January 24, 2023

I too have not received the book after purchasing in November 2022, not answering of phones or emails. I am going to contact my credit card company and get the funds back. What a crock!!

CharChar February 17, 2023

Google, BP Solutions customer service phone number in Austin, Tx. It was worth listening to the hour video because I have the book and the lifetime benefits tools for only 36 dollars on my phone and I can use easy access via my email to do sounds, the book, recipes, and more!

Do They really care? I don't think so.
September 29, 2022

I ordered and was charged the program on 9/15/2022. I still have not received anything, how can I return something I never received? I am tired of waiting. I only have 60 days for a refund and 1/4 of that is gone.

What good will it do to call or email them for a refund when I never got the product. Fed up with promises and nothing to back it up. Guess my only option is to dispute it with my credit card company. Very disappointed in this transaction. My son told me it was a scam and I am beginning to believe him.

TedBennatt October 27, 2022

I purchased the Blood pressure solution around April 2022 and lowered my BP within days. I’m sure big pharma is behind this attack like all the radical socialist changes in last 30 months it’s all about selling meds. I’m slowly reducing my dependency on lisinopril and now down to 5 mg per day. Also less heart palpitations. Ted Bennatt. Conroe, Texas

JDB December 17, 2022

This is unintentionally amusing. Typical of right-wing confused thinking, I dare say. First of all, "big Pharma" is indeed often not serving us well. But it is the very opposite of "radical socialism". Pharma is a huge, capitalist venture, focused on making profits. Socialism has many sins but it doesn't allow Big Pharma to control drug discovery and distribution.

JOHNNYBEE December 29, 2022

Really ? Right wing ( you associate "republicans " as capitalists and money hungry politicians ) ? The democratic party has been taken over by RICH Socialists and have been increasing their bank accounts by pedaling the Idea THEY are for the average person when in fact the IRS recently published their findings that the DEMOCRATS have been increasing their bank accounts WAY more than republicans ! Keep drinking their cool-aid

Courteous Customer Service; Traditional vs Eastern/ Oriental Medicine
July 31, 2022

I purchased the blood pressure book & the recommended nutritional supplements, plus the monthly menu plan with grocery shopping lists. My purchase included Dr. Marlene’s newsletter, free for 60 or 90 days ( I don’t recall).

At the end of the free trial period I canceled the newsletter via email. The following month my credit card was charged for Dr. Marlene’s Newsletter. I called Customer Service & spoke with Sheniqua. I informed her that I had cancelled the newsletter via email & 9 days later was billed for it.

She placed me on hold & I was anticipating there would be a problem. Sheniqua came back on the line & said, “Yes. I see your email here on the server. You did in fact cancel before the deadline, therefore I’ll be refunding that amount back to your credit card.”

Sheniqua was very polite & helpful. Less than 48 hrs later the credit showed up on my Visa. That has been my experience with Customer Service.

As a further comment:

To the ppl complaining that Dr. Marlene claims to have knowledge their traditional doctor doesn't, that would, in fact, be correct. Traditional doctors, whether MD or DO, are not trained in eastern / oriental medicine. The later categories have been around for thousands of years, not hundreds. For example, Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old medical practice.

A more important difference, traditional doctors are specifically trained to manage your Symptoms. For example, if your BP is high, they’ll give you a prescription to lower it.

By contrast, Oriental doctors determine the Cause of your high BP & try to cure it, not just mask the symptoms (with sometimes harsh chemicals & even harsher side effects).

Next time an Rx commercial is on TV pay attention to the list of possible prescription side effects (liver failure, cancer, glaucoma, and even death) !!

You’re not familiar with the differences between traditional & oriental medicine if you’ve only ever seen traditional doctors. However, each goes about improving your life the way they have been trained to do so.

Just food for thought before declaring someone a scam.

Respectfully,

Jeané Weaver

GloriaDiSalvatore August 02, 2022

Factual, & kind. This is too often missing in evaluations.

JDB December 17, 2022

agreed

CharChar February 17, 2023

I am an advocate for Dr. Merritt she is truly a lifesaver and the best, I started BP Solutions in 2017, and still going strong. I am a real customer!

MarionReichman March 06, 2023

Thank you.

FLOYDBeatty March 07, 2023

My problem is what I call the Shark Tank model for selling to the general public that most of these medical, and other, hawkers do; and that is the really jacked up prices they charge. It seems that people don't want to make a comfortable living, they want to become millionaires over night on a product that should sell for half of what they are asking. If you can make it for a dollar, then sell it for ten to fifteen dollars and all of the money-hungry sellers will be drooling to get in on the action. Shame, shame, shame!

Nothing to see here folks. Move along
July 30, 2022
Nothing new or different than you'll find in many other places. Save your money.

It works if you do it!
June 12, 2022

My husband and I have been following Dr Merritt's advice for diabetes since about November 2021 and his A1C is down to normal for the first time in years. It is not easy but the principles she proposes are right on. Thanks, Cornelia Zuidema

CharChar February 17, 2023

I agree if you do it, I have been doing BP Solutions since 2017, and every time I go to the doctor my BP is normal! Thank You, Jesus and Dr. Merritt

Would like to have money back.
September 23, 2020

Was charged 9.95 on 5-4-2020 for a book that I thought was free. The book was BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTIONS. ON 6-11-2020 36.99 was charged to credit card. Called and they told me that everything else was going to be on the internet.

I do not do anything on internet. they will not refund my 36.99. I guess the 9.95 was for shipping the book. they said if I sent book back they would refund me my money. will I sent it back and still won't refund money. Big rip off!!!!! The book didn't have anything that I didn't already know. The book was about 1/4 inch thick and guessing 5 inches by 6 inches.

BobbieM. December 29, 2021

I totally disagree! I have purchased and read The Blood Sugar Solution and The Blood Pressure Solution and they are full of very valuable information. I have purchased the meal plans and never had any issues with this company whatsoever.

I guess it depends on whether you want to follow outdated information on using medications to control your diabetes/ prediabetes or blood pressure versus reversing the conditions without using medications. I choose to believe that eating low carb and exercise is far better than taking expensive medications with awful side effects.

Her two books may be small but loaded with extremely valuable information!!! Dr. Merritt is the real deal…no scam here!

ConcernedConsumer March 02, 2022

The reply that starts out "BobbieM. I totally disagree!" from December of 2021 sounds like a company rebuttal written to suggest it is by a real customer. All it says is that the book is full of information, but does not indicate that there have been any changes in its BP. The internet is full of information, too.

CindyLonghofer August 16, 2022

I read the book A Christmas present. I wanted it awhile. I am OFF Blood Pressure BB Pills! Post this. I live a healthy life but she has great tools. She will be a Miracle for many! I am into Yoga and excercise and my supplements but she Rocks

CharChar February 17, 2023

Amen Amen and Amen

CharChar February 17, 2023

Dr. Merritt and Jesus Rocks

CharChar February 17, 2023

Prayer changes things!

E.T. February 27, 2023

Prior to your blood pressure becoming stable, did you follow the diet plan while you were taking your blood pressure medication or do you still have to take the meds.