The Real Deal on the Master Cleanse
Many celebs praise miracle cleanses for keeping them slim. One popular detox, the Master Cleanse, has been around for decades and is a perennial Hollywood favorite. Is it a safe choice for the diet-minded? Not necessarily.
What are cleansing diets?
Detox — or cleansing — diets claim to remove harmful poisons or toxins from the body. You do this by cutting many foods and following a very calorie-restricted regime for a certain amount of time. Yes, fasting for religious reasons has been around for centuries (i.e. Ramadan or Yom Kippur), but these diets have taken on new meaning. They can be anything from a 3-day juice fast to days of just drinking unpleasant cayenne pepper and maple syrup concoctions as your main nutritional source.
The story gets messier, too — many cleansing diets also recommend numerous enemas, laxatives or both to help clear your system. They’ll even advise you to stay close to the bathroom, take several days off work and not plan any social events (you’ll definitely be tired after the nutrient restrictions).
So what is the Master Cleanse?
The Master Cleanse (or Master Cleanser) became big news when Beyoncé claimed it helped her drop 20 pounds for the movie Dreamgirls — though the detox has been around since the 70s. You might know it better as the “Lemonade Diet.”
Basically, you enjoy (okay, “enjoy”) a mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper for a minimum of 10 days. Supplementing that are cups of salt water and laxative tea. In the end, you get about 700 calorie per day. The diet claims the symptoms from the detox are tiredness, cravings, irritability and headaches. Starve me for 10 days and ask me down disgusting drinks (not to mention enemas!), and I won’t be too happy either!
As for most cleansing diets, there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that a detoxification process is beneficial or even safe without medical supervision. And eating so little calories for days is not only unhealthy, it’s down right dangerous. Kids, teens, pregnant women or any people with medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure shouldn’t definitely stay away.
What do the dietitians say?
Yes, I sound like a hater, but it’s not just me. Check out this recent USA Today article that quotes leading dietitians that think this diet is a farce. Ultimately, the best form of detox is eating a balanced, whole foods diet that’s high in fiber-rich foods, fruits, veggies and whole grains. Aside from lacking most of the food groups, these fad diets often don’t have the protein needed to maintain muscle during weight loss — this means your fat will stay while your muscles deteriorate.
If you’re still determined to try a detox, consult your physician and a registered dietitian, and go for a shorter, 3-day plan as opposed to any longer ones.
[Photo by Jordan and Heidi / Flickr]
TELL US: What do you think of the celebrity hubbub around diets like this?
Thanks for your post, please allow me to contribute a couple points.
One is that you can control the amount of calories you are getting by adjusting the lemon and maple syrup. I opt for closer to 1,200 calories. I appreciate your citation of the USA today article, but I am confident you will find the opposing argument (that it is not “dangerous”) is common as well –especially among the flexible, modern perspective, who have actually tried it. You could also source that calorie restriction is the only currently proven method to increase lifespan.
Secondly, about the salt water. You do not supplement the diet with salt water, and the tea, you drink those to have bowel movements. Generally the Salt Water Flush (as it’s called) works best.
A quick note on diabetics. Stanley Burroughs (the inventor of the cleanse) purported that the lemonade diet is great for some diabetics. Obviously the maple syrup is high glycemic and particular detail should be given to those considering the cleanse. I am not a doctor, but I know one thing about the lemonade diet. Get many sides of the story, and read the experiences of those who have tried it. Then decide if it is right for you, because it isn’t for everyone. However dismissing it from fear, or misunderstanding or long held and fortified beliefs is probably not the best approach.
I too have been on this diet and have lost 8 – 10 lbs in 5 days. I will tell you that the side effects are real and that you can barely function for the first 3 days. Why did I do it you ask? Because I binge eat and cannot lose the last 10 lbs. that i have to go. Any suggestions as I will gladly be someone’s guinea pig!!!
I tried this and the lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup etc drink was tolerable, a little kick to your typical lemonade, but the sea salt water. The amount you have to drink and the excess salt you are putting into your body is actually danger as it throws off your electrolyte balance and can harm you. I threw up. YUCK!
Most of the 20 pounds Beyoncé lost was water.
I suggest checking-out Juice Feasting.com for some really good info. I’m on day 17 of my juice feast – not fast – and I’ve lost 6lbs. and I’m not tired, weak, irritable. In fact, I feel GREAT! What’s always important IS losing a pound, not gaining a pound. BLESSINGS, lolo.
I think celebrities can and do get caught-up in these various diets and/or other ‘health remedies’ just like us ‘regular’ folks can. I am not saying there are no benefits to the diets or that they are all bad. Ultimately people need to know themselves and be responsible for their own well being.
On the other hand celebrities, because of who they are and the media coverage they get, can popularize these things and sway peoples’ opinions. I believe they should be careful not to influence people into partaking of something that could possibly be unfavorable to their health.
I would just like to clarify that if you had tried the concoction, you might have realized that it is actually quite tasty and pleasant — hence being known as “lemonade”.
I have tried the cleanse twice. The first time I did it for 6 days; second time for 3. I must say that after the thorough digestive cleanse that it is, I felt amazingly alert both times and my intestines were back to working like a charm.
There is wisdom in cleansing and fasting, as it’s been around for thousands of years. With all the, excuse my language, crap, that people ingest nowadays, it is no wonder that the rates of chronic diseases and obesity are at an all time high. We are not designed to consume highly processed foods like we do now, for convenience. Not to mention the ridiculous amounts of sugar people eat.
Sometimes, you have to give your body a break. I know it’s worked for me.
Our bodies NEED a certain balance of protein, fat, and carbs….detox diets like this can be very dangerous. On the other hand we live in a World of complete excess and consumption of overprocessed crap. Many of our bodies could use a break and a “cleaner,” diet. Variations of detox diets that emphasize fruits and vegetables can be extremely beneficial…minus the laxatives!!
Some people like me dont tolerate the lemons more than one day. I read that its better eggplants water with pineaple. Did somebody know or trying this???
Maybe that’s how a person loses weight…by throwing up. lol! Sounds kinda gross, but if it works..that’s all that counts. Isn’t there a cranberry cleanse ? Or one with olive oil and lemmons ?
I did the cleanse for 30days and lost 30 pounds and felt great!
You do the math
I’ve done it 3 times and have felt great each time. It is by far the easiest cleanse that I have ever done. I can’t stomach the salt water in morning – so I take magnesium powder in hot water for pretty much the same effect.
I can only speak for my experience. I’ve done it twice with no side affects. My cardio workout consist of — running three time a week, spinning/cycling twice a week, weight training twice a week. I had no problems.
I first tried the Cleanse about four years ago when I was having some digestion problems. The first couple of days were a little rough, headaches mostly. After that I was fine, and my digestion problems were gone. I actually like the taste of the “lemonade,” but the salt water flush is brutal! I alternate it with laxative tea in the mornings until I’m about halfway through the ten days, then I stick with the tea. My wife and I now do the Cleanse every six months to give our bodies a break. I always have lots of energy, and my eyes and skin become clearer. It can also be a great way to get a jump start on a fitness routine. Don’t forget to buy the booklet, it helped me get through it the first time. Also, remember to drink at least the minimum amount of the solution everyday, as well as plenty of water.
I absolutely love the Master Cleanser! I had done the cleanser for ten days, twice in one month. Then the second month I did the cleanse for another ten days. I lost a total of 70 lbs. The side effects I got were only occasional headaches. I drank a a lot of water in between to help with the headaches. Other than that, I never felt so energetic, and so wonderful, since I gained weight after having 8 kids. I just had my ninth child, and of course now that I am not nursing, I plan on using the cleanse to lose the weight I have not lost since my last childbirth.
In college my fraternity had this thing called Hell Week. In addition to enduring numerous attrocities, those who made it to the end had to eat a BIG can of dog food and wash it down with lots of salt water. Everybody puked. So in my humble opinion, people who voluntarilly do similar things to their bodies are nuts. I guess they deserve kudos for at least eliminating the dog food. Did I mention it was called Hell Week?
I am on day 9 of the cleanse and like many had doubts about it. But 9 days in, I feel GREAT and have been thinking about pushing it up to 14 days vs. 10. It is essential that anyone doing it read the actual book so that they understand that there is a process to exiting the cleanse as well. I have lost 15 lbs so far but more importantly, I have a ton of energy, my acne has cleared and my hair has stopped shedding. I also work-out 6 days a week and have had no issues while doing so. While I know that this is not a long-term solution for weight loss, this has been a wonderful jump start to a cleaner lifestyle & body. I am looking forward to giving up red meats and processed grains and sugars. And for some reason, I can tolerate the Sea Salt Water (although the tea is disgusting)! =)
And while people advise that we need certain things for our bodies, understand that the cleanse is just that. It is not meant as a long-term solution. People’s opinions change every year on what we should or should not be eating and folks have to do what is right for them. I had gastric surgery 4 years ago and had to live on restricted calories for years! There are ways to survive on on 1,000 calories or less, even in the long term!
I have tried the Master Cleanse, and it DOES WORK. This cleanse is for cleansing not necessarily for dieting. Many people go on this cleanse for the wrong reasons. It will definitely loosen and pull down toxins in your body. You feel like crap for a couple of days because of the toxins being released, but after my seven day cleanse I had more energy, needed less sleep, the whites around my eyeballs were brighter and my digestive system was able to rest. I actually felt lighter and better. As a result of the cleanse, you will lose weight. The sea salt solution was probably the worst part of the cleanse, because I did want to puk after drinking it,(you must use sea salt because it will not elevate your blood pressure)and you also need to be near the restroom after drinking the salt solution (twice a day/morning and night) not all day. I think this cleanse is the hardest of all cleanses and you really need to work your way up to a week after trying it for a couple of days (but this is with any cleanse/fast). I am about to start a juice cleanse in a couple of weeks.
I did the master cleanse for 15 days, the first 3 – 4 days were the most difficult because of my cravings for real food. My wife & I normally watch the food network all the time, but while doing this cleanse it was impossible because it just made me hungry! I suppose I was lucky, because I didn’t experience any of the side effects that I had been warned of, once I got through the first 4 days it was easy. I did lose about 25 pounds in 15 days, so from that stand point it was a success.
I’m not a nutritionist but this detox diet sounds like it can be very dangerous. I tried slimfast for a couple of days once and felt weak, lightheaded, and irritable. Why don’t people get it. The best and safest way to lose weight is to eat a well balanced diet rich in healthy antioxidants, fruits and veggies, protein etc. Please don’t starve yourself to lose weight it’s just not worth hurting yourself in the process. We need food to survive right, so does it make sense to cut out food that nourishes our brains and body. Lose it the right way, the healthy way and you’ll be so much more happy,satisfied and proud of yourself! Good luck!
I’ve never tried this before, but I’ve tried many diets before. The only thing that truly works for me if just cutting calories, which is what this cleanse is. Instead of me downing maple syrup and lemon juice, which I must admit sounds like a tasty drink, I just eat lots of veggies and whole grains. I average 1000 calories a day every week, but on most days eat about 800 calories. I alternate to more calories some days so that my metabolism doesn’t catch on to what I’m doing and won’t slow down, but will keep burning calories just as fast as when I wasn’t dieting. To be honest, I’ve lost more weight in a shorter amount of time than some people commented here. I did not however lose 30 lbs in 30 days, because honestly doctors only recommend a pound a week to form a healthy lifestyle change and to keep off the weight. So while I am definitely loosing more than 1 lb a week, I am not going to gain it back because I’ve made real lifestyle changes in my diet and am not just loosing water weight. Believe me I know what that is, because I’ve done it so many times with yo-yo dieting. So while people choose to be miserable while detoxing, I believe I’m cleansing my body with fresh foods, no red meats, and plenty of fresh veggies and staying away from preservatives and fast food. This works for me, I’m happier, I enjoy my foods, I feel alert and proud of myself, and all without the vomiting, missing work, or staying close to the bathroom.
WOW! I hope all of you take a multi-viatamin while on this “cleanse”! I’m also curious as to how quickly you put all this weight back on and how quickly you filled your body with toxins after you were done with the “cleanse”.
I have tried this before. However, my reasons were not for weight loss; this was a religious fast for me that lasted 21 days. I never had the headaches or fatigue or anything. My hair and nails didn’t suffer. My skin was actually clearer. But I always use Trader Joe’s Grade B Real Vermont Maple Syrup. Once you have the real stuff you cannot go back to the fake Aunt J’s sugar water. My thoughts are that people are having the side effects because their bodies are so used to the junk they eat, and they are detoxing just like with hard-core drugs. You cannot just quit processed, white, substantially nutrient lacking food and not expect some side effects. I am planning on doing this again. And once again it is not for weight loss but for religious fasting.
I tried the lemonade diet a few months ago. Before I tried the fast I did a lot of research, trying to find any negatives. I found lots of articles like this one but could not find one instance that a person had gotten sick or had any problems that could be tied to the diet. I decided to give it a try. I was on the diet for 14 days. I found it to be an incredible experience. I had lots of energy and feel like the detox is for real. I lot 10 lbs and have not put any of it back on. As a result of the fast I lost all my junk food cravings. I have a new outlook on food. Food is still enjoyable but I realize the purpose of food is to nourish my body, so I make much better choices and continue to lose weight and feel better everyday. This detox will definitely become part of my regimen. I think most people would be amazed at how great this fast really is, or of course you could stay with the establisment status quo which we all know is not working for most americans.
A detox is a fabulous way to cleanse the body and promote hesling, but there are certain amino acids, nutrients and antioxidants that facillitate the proccess i.e help escotrt toxins out of the body most effectively. There are particular powders that are made with rice protein (which is easy ro digest) but at the same time have the amino acids and other ingredients like MSM that help flush plastics and metals from the body. These compounds will not detox initially, they reqire a second wash cycale, so to speak, called phase 2 detoxification. Liquid fasts without amino acids are more incolvedwith phase 1 detoxification.
Yes. I do think that you are a hater by the sound of your article and the person you probably are hating is Beyonce! People have been using this cleanse for years and have been successful; meaning healthy and without harmful side effects, myself included. Now all of a sudden sense Beyonce has used it, it’s a fad. Unbelieveable. Any smart journalist (if that’s what you are, but I think you have some training to complete)would present both sides in the article and let the readers make a choice. But it is a free country I suppose and everyone is entitled to their OPINION…even if it is contrary to many others. Please do more research! Especially on what dietitians think. Your one article is not a match for the many a well informed consumer can find just by looking on the internet alone; good journalism trick though. Maybe you do have a future in the business. Bottomline, it is untruthful for you to state that this cleanse is a farce due to the many success stories (which you never stated that there were any. Maybe this is what they call a fluff article), and yes a well balanced diet meaning fruits, vegatables, legumes and nuts could yield the same results. However, if you wish to cleanse your colon of all the unhealthy foods that you have been eating that have laid their for years…this is a good and safe method that will help. Even for diabetics; there is a substitute for the maple syrup. I bet you didn’t know that. READ and do better research please….thank you! My free speech is done.
A comedy diet called giga cleanse experiment was made based on a guy’s desire to prove whether he can be cleaner after a master cleanse. it’s pretty funny; he almost turns into a lemon
I find it interesting that the author and the others who are so critical of this diet have never tried it. I tried the the cleanse recently, and I read the Master Cleanse book (and there is another by his protege Tom Wolson), which is CRITICAL to do before doing this diet. If you follow the instructions closely, you may have some rough days to begin with (due to toxin release) and then you will feel absolutely incredible. I have cronic pain and acne and fatigue usually, and all of these went away with the cleanse. My skin was like silk and I felt light and healthy. I had about 5 times my normal energy (which has lasted a number of weeks past the cleanse). And I only did the cleanse for 7 days! I will be doing it again in the summer – it is amazing. You are NOT supposed to do the cleanse to lose weight, though some people do. I did not have much weight to lose, and I lost only a few pounds (which is what happens with the diet – you only lose if you need to). I also increased the amount of maple syrup to increase caloric intake. I have eaten things since the diet I should not have
and have not gained weight the way I would have regulary – my body is more efficient at getting rid of fats, etc. now. Please do the real research on this before you listen to people who have not even read the original book on the cleanse and have never tried it. Cleanses like this have been done for thousands of years. But do it right and be safe!!!
How about a well-balanced diet, a full life and getting up off your a** once in a while? I have 4 kids and no weight issues. I eat food that remembers the earth and walk whenever I can and lift/carry things. My point- live like someone did about 50 years ago before all the modern “convenience” and you won’t need to cleanse anything.
ok seriously…this is horrible for you. Your body needs nutrients to sustain itself and function properly. Yes, people nowadays have very bad eating habits but that just means they need to cut back and eat helthier not starve themselves. society has created a horrible self image. if your’re trying to lose that “last 10 pounds” and can’t on a healthy diet and excercise, then you probably don’t need to. And excuse me but i think you would be bed riden or hospitalized if you legitamately stuck to this diet for 30 days. Losing 5-8 pounds a week is NOT healthy or natural.
Lani, you have a point, but I beleive it’s the reason this article is such a farce. I DO NOT have weight problems, I run marathons played sports all my life and eat well , drink water…etc…Basically I try to treat my body like a temple…As A medical student I worked with a world renowned Colon specialist and endocronologist…At his office , we all tried the MC for ten days while training to run a 10k….I cannot tell you the magnificent RESULTS!!! I didn’t want to lose weight so I drank a lot of the drink, one lady however lost 40pds KEPT it off because she exersised and did the fast for 21 days. People are so addicted to food , that when I would say I’m not eating they would think I had an eating disorder…BEYONCE did this to loose weight and afterwards gained back everysingle pound..>She admits to eating a whole box of Krispy Kream when she finished!!! I’ve done this 8 times in the last 4 years and I know my colon thanks me…I eat lots of fiber an a balnced diet, but in theis world of genetically modified trash and fast food, This isn’t close to beng horrible..>These journalist didn’t do a good job at having an opposing view.
I want to start this cleanse. I work out 5 days a week very hard with 1hour45mins lifting weights and 15 mins of HITT cardio after lifting weights. and eat very well. And no my diet is not just foods i think are healthy. I actually eat 6 meals a day and count every single calorie, fat, protein etc., and know what my macros are for myself. Genetically it is very hard for me to loose bodyfat (not just weight). I am 22yo 6feet tall, 180lbs, and I just want a quick cleanse/ bodyfat loose b4 I head to the beach on vacation,in a couple weeks.
So my question to any of you who work out hard with this cleanse, is it possible to work out as hard with the lose of all the protein and nutrients I get from whole food, or are you tired and cant lift as much in the gym? Also does this cleanse just help you loose weight, or does this actually help you drop the bodyfat%? My body is built and defined very well from this healthy life style I live, but I have just a little bit of fat on my lower abs, and my love handles. I need that fat gone! From working out very hard my abs are rock hard and the top/middle abs are showing well, but my lower abs, even though rock hard have just that last little bit of fat on them. Thanx in to anyone who can answer my questions!
i do not understand people that have a problem with the cleanse or anything else for that matter without even trying it. in order to make a comment or have a view on something one must experience it for themselves and then see if it was good for them or not. i personally, finished the cleanse 2 weeks ago, and i kept my weight off. like someone said before, it is a start for some of us, that could have not done it otherwise. i know many people say why don’t u just cut calories. well, i’m sure there r some people like me, for whom this diet was easier than eating less food. if i’m eating i have a problem with controlling calories, but for some reason when i drink lemonade i know that i can not eat any food with it and i don’t eat it. the people who gain the weight back are those who after the cleanse let themselves go. i still eat what i like but now i do it in smaller amounts. i also go to the gym, and it makes me feel very good when people tell me how toned and nice i look. i know many say it’s unhealthy, but for those of us that see a difference in our thinking and appearance it is well worth it. we r not starving ourselves, we take about 1000 calories a day, and i think what is the most important we r learning how to be in control, and that it is possible to be in charge of what we r doing.like i said i finished my 1st cleanse 2 weeks ago and can’t wait to start another one in few more weeks. good luck to everyone and do what u think is the best for ur body and mind.
Naiym… I find it hard to believe you are or were a medical student. You worked with an “endocronologist” and know someone who lost “40 pds,” eh? Are you going to recommend that your patients “exersise” while doing the Master Cleanse?
It’s funny to me that proponents of this program feel the need to make up for the lack of scientific support by pretending to be medical professionals themselves.
I don’t doubt that taking a 10 day break from a typical American diet of fried foods and sugary drinks will make you feel better and lose weight. But what happens after the “cleanse” ends? Your nutrient, fat, and calorie-starved body is probably going to want double the amount of all the crap you ate before you started.
Instead of a quick fix, why not just choose a long-term healthy lifestyle? You will feel better for the rest of your life, not just for 10 days. If you have the willpower to completely deprive yourself of food for a week and a half, I think you’re fully capable of choosing to maintain a sensible lifestyle of eating nutritional foods and exercising.
Last item to address: It concerns me that parents of young children and teens would choose to do this Master Cleanse. How in the world will they learn healthy eating habits if the example you set is eating awful foods and then attempting to remedy the situation by essentially going on a starvation diet? (I know, I know – you can add more maple syrup to increase caloric intake, so it’s not starvation, right? Think about this, people – adding calories by ingesting more sugar? Does that seem healthy to you? Why not just eat some organic fruits and vegetables? I promise you those won’t fill your body with the ever-dreaded “toxins.”)
Those of you who swear by this cleanse – would you allow your six-year-old child to do it? If yes, please consider putting him/her up for adoption. If the answer is no, well, then why would you do it to yourself?
Wow. It sure is strange to compare how informed the people who have done it are, in comparison to the ones that ones that offer up condescension, laugh at it, or call it dangerous. We fools that follow this cleanse must not even be able to read for the dangerous risks we take with our bodies. Day three has been tough, but after reading all of this I better get to McDonald’s before I cause some real health problems for myself:)
Morgan, if you feel forced to choose between the Master Cleanse and McDonald’s, I feel sorry for you.
I don’t think any of the people who left comments expressing our skepticism about the program recommended that you choose fast food over the lemonade. Read a little closer and you’ll see that we suggest a healthy and balanced lifestyle that includes nutritional food choices and regular exercise.
To those of you who have experienced the Master Cleanse and feel that it is a healthy choice, I ask again – would you allow your child to do it?
It’s like being an alcoholic for some of us. It sounds so easy to many to have just a glass with dinner. Or to eat less and choose more healthy options. But some of us don’t have the control. If I eat one cookie, I’m not satisfied. I want a box of cookies. If I dont eat any, i’m better off. Obviously it isn’t a long term fix. It IS however a boost in confidence, a beginning to some results and an opportunity to ‘reset’ my palate. Veg had never tasted better than after a fast.
Caroline- that is a ridiculous argument. I wouldn’t let my child drink a glass of wine. Or stay up past ten. Or watch rated R movies. Developmentally there are obviously different things occuring in a childs body than in an adults.
It’s a farce! Of course you will lose weight, because you are basically starving yourself and getting fewer calories. BUT as soon as you go back to “normal” eating habits, you will gain it back. It’s all water you lose, not to mention going to the bathroom 24/7. You can detox yourself by eating high fiber, just the same. Anything that claims to help you lose weight rapidly, is not healthy for you.
My wife and I for years have been doing this fast annually with the only negative being the sea salt flush. Cayenne pepper is an incredible healer. The next time you cut or burn yourself, try putting some cayenne on the wound and watch how much quicker it heals as opposed to other topical things you’ve used. During the fast it does the same internally for your body. Weight lose is just an added benefit to the fast. To all those whining about it being harmful, you all remind me of the guy in the movie “Cocoon” who wouldn’t get in the pool nor let his wife and they both just withered away. Try it before putting it down.
A few observations:
If you have not been drinking coffee, smoking or eating junk food before the cleanse, the chances of having headaches during it will be much less. Coffee withdrawal produces headaches whether or not you are on a cleanse.
It’s a good idea to get a colonic, or a series of them before a cleanse (also to avoid the headaches).
The KIND of salt you use is important. If sea salt bothers you, use Himalayan salt. The taste is quite pleasant, especially if the water is warm, I find. I enjoy it. It also have valuable minerals in it.
Fake maple syrup should never be used. I wish we could get the Grade D maple syrup, but it seems to be shipped to Europe. At least get grade B.
I find that I really enjoy cooking for people when I’m on a fast. I like the relationship with the food….the colour, textures, smells….smelling a meal cooking is intoxicating and feels like a meal in itself.
I began the cleanse because my joints and muscles suddenly began to ache after a trip (where I ate food I don’t normally eat). By day two the pain was almost gone. Now I’m feeling better than I have in a long time.
The really fun part of this cleanse is that as you are feeling better and better every day, there is so much more time to do projects that you’ve been wanting to do for ages.
I also added far infrared saunas and aromatherapy baths to this cleanse, as well as a really fun avocado face mask!
I am thinking about trying it, but don't know if I have the guts.
Yeah, thanks for citing sources that are popular and are mainstream. But you haven't sited any source on the other side. The diet works great and I have done it twice before. It is a nice cleanse and it makes me feel refreshed. Calories in calories out right. Stop pandering to these jackasses who want us to only rely on after-the-fact meds to cure or assist in alleviating health issues. I did it to cleanse but when I did it I also quit smoking cigarettes reduced my alcohol consumption and completely changed my diet by eating A LOT more healthy. Marketing this diet as a weight lose is completely ignorant as many who believe in it know. It is a cleanse and weight lose is only a side affect. Lemons and maple syrup are great in my book and natural. But again it is a concentrated cleanse and your body will adjust and rebound and the mental and psychological change you can make are outstanding. I believe even though "Dietitians" are opposed.
Really good article..I believe ANYTHING that detoxifies your system naturally is good for you. But, sometimes we don't have time to prepare whatever form or type of detoxification we use. Time and convenience are part of our hectic lives in these difficult times.
The Master Cleanse is a pretty simple concoction to prepare and utilize for a programmed personal detoxification and cleansing, but my mini-master cleanse is really simple!
I lost 10 lbs in 10 days on the Master Cleanse and feel so much healthier! I don’t want the same junk food I used eat constantly either.. Even thinking of converting to vegetarianism.
My only concern about talking to those that have tried it is that the people you talk to are more likely to say the diet is safe because they survived it.
Those that did not survive it may prove more difficult to speak with so you only get one side of the story!
There's a detox treatment that uses mineral-rich algae from the ocean, which is placed on the area you want firmed up and you don't have to starve yourself to do it.
I did the master cleanse two years ago to great success. I am already a healthy eater, but wanted to give my body a "break" after holiday feasting and wining. I actually enjoyed the taste of the lemonade, and had very few side effects, though I did crave something crunchy (I dreamed about a cool, crisp salad). The lemons are great for cleaning the organs and liver, the maple syrup is loaded with vitamins and minerals (Grade B is best), and the cayenne boosts your metabolism. After 7 days of the cleanse, I did 3 weeks of only fruits, veggies, nuts and legumes – no dairy, wheat, sugar, poultry, meat, caffeine or alcohol. I was able to continue my daily workouts, had lots of energy, and lost 10 pounds – including 4 inches from my hips. I recommend this to anyone who needs to get back on track with eating right (rather than weight loss).
you are supposed to use a superior grade of sea salt (that has not been iodized). from what i understand it will not be absorbed into the body as you will have an "explosive" need to "go".
i dont mean any harm by this but it amazes me that people think they will starve to death by going to few days with limited solids…
I did the Master Cleanse last year, but couldn't last the full 10 days. I was surprised how I felt during it- while I was starving, my blood sugar levels seemed normal, and I didn't really feel light headed. My hunger, instead, came from the pit of my stomach- a sensation that I rarely feel! Before the cleanse, I was 130 lbs at 5'8". After 4 days I was down to 124. The last day for me was when I went to the gynocologist and told her that I was in the middle of a cleanse. She pleaded with me to stop because it is unhealthy…which I now agree to! Not only did I gain the 6 lbs back just a week later, I didn't have a bowel movement the entire time I was on the cleanse…which is the whole PURPOSE of the cleanse, right??
If you want to lose weight, eating leafy greens and lean protein will do the trick. No need to starve yourself just to mess up your metabolism and gain all that weight back! We are MEANT to eat!
I'm a holistic nutritionist and i too have tried the master cleanse. If done correctly you should not be constipated, so maybe you did something wrong. However, i don't think that the master cleanse is the best one out there. I recommend doing cleanses all the time but it's not for weight loss, the benefits go way beyond that right down to the cellular level. Cleanses help to lighten the load on the liver and kidneys which now a days do way to much, if you're a smoker there are cleanses to help detox your lungs, a daily morning 1/2 lemon in warm water 30 mins before eating stimulates the liver for the rest of the day and is a mild detox. I could go on and on, but for those of you who think that a cleanse is a form of a diet and are using to lose weight will be constantly disappointed. That's not the purpose of cleansing. One last thing, headaches and feeling crappy, possibly breaking out in pimples, stomach upset are all part of your body detoxing and the more toxic you are the worse it will be.
I have very successfully completed this master cleanse, along with juice fasts and water fasts, numerous times. I think one needs to keep an open mind while doing this or any other detoxes. Your body is definitely safe while doing this cleanse. If you go to the Master Cleanse website (I beleive it is http://www.lemonadediet.com) you can read more about it in detail from thousands of people who have done it and done it safely.
First of all this is NOT supposed to be a weight loss diet. It is abused by people like Beyonce to fit into a dress – ridiculous. I can guarantee that after a few days of returning to a regular diet, any weight lost is regained unless you are truly overweight and begin a healthy eating plan to keep it off. If you read the original book by the creator of the master cleanse ("Healing in the Age of Enlightenment") it does not recommend that you change your entire life to do this fast. You should, if you're drinking as much of the lemonade as you need (and that's dependent on you), be able to do most tasks with the exception of a your regular work out. And when you do the saltwater "bath" you should do it early enough in the morning to allow it to make it through your system (usually within an hour) before you head out. Those are it's only conditions. The writer of this article exaggerated GREATLY! Of course you have to follow it by the letter and not try and take pieces of it and do it your own way. That's not how it's designed.
I've done The Master Cleaser 3 times in my life. The first time in the 80s was the hardest because my eating habits at that time were horrible – processed foods and just all around junk foods, sodas, lots of partying, etc. After the 10 days I felt so much better that I totally changed my eating habits and began what has become a progressively healthier diet and lifestyle since that first fast 22 years ago. The 2nd time I did it was because I fell back into some bad habits. The third time I did it for 7 days only because that's all I needed. It was much easier because I was eating so much healthier and I finished it early because my body had already exhibited all of the stages that one should during the entire fast.
So, all of that experience says it did work well for me and helped me to have a healthier lifestyle. I see no need to do a cleansing fast with frequency. I do fast for religious reasons at times, but that is not about weight loss either (obviously). The focus is something entirely different.
Sticking to organic foods,if at all possible, is a good way to eliminate toxins from the body. If you start to eat healthier, unprocessed foods such as organics(bought from a natural foods store, as well as some herbal shops that may carry what you are looking for). Changing your food choices helps your body to begin elimination of the toxins on its own. Lack of sleep is a factor. (Your body does its toxin elimination and melatonin manufacturing between the hours of 11pm and 2 am. If you don't sleep between these hours, it makes your body sluggish, and the toxins will reabsorb into your body, becoming fat.) Making your own food fresh is the best way. If you like salt, use sea salt. It is from the earth, so therefore good for you. You can find organic foods of many kinds out there…dairy, meat, produce, grains. Its all in the lack of processing that makes it organic. Also, a good way to detox your body with herbs is to make tea of catnip and/or horsetail, and drink 2-3/3-5 cups a day until you have achieved your results. Look up other information pertaining to this on earthclinic.com . There are a a lot of helpful articles and information accessible to anyone there, including advice from very knowlegeable people who frequent the post, that have experience in these things. Take care, best to you all.
I tried it for 10 days and felt so good that I wanted to keep going but I started having red streaks going up the insides of my shins under my skin so I stopped Any one else with weird side effects??
To the author: What a whiny, meaningless post. Why don't you try it before dissing it? Just plain ignorant. I lost weight (12 lbs) and felt great during 10 days on the MC. It's safe and natural, and I'll do it in lesser doses from now on.
Please lose weight slow and steady and the healthy way
http://www.onlinefornewbies.com
Be careful out there
This may work for some folk, but I get good body flushes by eating according to a diabetic meal plan and drinking a lot of water. Oatmeal for breakfast helps me a lot, but I feel that you MUST excercise 4-5 days a week to get the most out of the diet; I try to walk for 1 hour for 3 miles 4-5 days; it can and will help keep your system cleaned out with no harmful or extreme diets like this detox approach.
As a doctor, I really appreciate this article. The danger is in electrolyte loss from profuse stool output caused by these. Also, people tend to forget that 60% of your body weight is water and many of these diets just cause you to dehydrate and lose dome of this water; you will reaccumulate this water eventually to obtain homeostasis.
As a biochemical scientist, I would highly agree that these diets are awful for your body if you are using them for weightless. What happens when you re-introduce food into your body? For starters your body will be in shock and start storing as much as it can!
The best way to loose weight is to make slow changes in your diet that you know you can handle and continue to do. Such as cakes and ice cream only on holidays and during these occasions remember portion size. Also, try to eat 5 smaller meals a day instead of 3, drink water with meals and alternative drinks (juice/tea/milk) in between. Maybe hold off on a beer with dinner; eat, digest your food, and if you still want to relax have the beer/drink after you've absorbed some nutrients from your meal. Little changes will lead to a healthier life and weight-loss in time.. not one week -5lbs… to only hurt your body for a lifetime.
For those of you who seem to be taking good-care of your body and have found this to help you with digestive problems, it is great that something worked for you =)
Good article! Please continue to remind people to treat their bodies healthier!
We also do the cleanse every 6 months for the last 3 years!! We do not consider it a diet but more of cleaning out toxins. I also get lots of energy by day 3, its amazing! I do not do the salt water flush, but do the laxative tea every other day. I have bowel movements everyday. We do it for 5-7days. I also had digestive problems prior to my first time doing this and my problems also disappeared. I borrow the book out often especially to the skeptics. We are 50 years young and look and feel great! It is sad to see that this is considered a hollywood diet. It is a way to maintain a healthy digestive system, especially with our exposure to toxins nowadays. Glad to see more people like us out there!
i usually put back on about 4 lbs after the cleanse and thats about it. I don't go back to the sweet cravings I used to have before the cleanse. You need to read the book, its highly recommended and very explanatory. It wasn't designed to be a diet, but a CLEANSE to clean out the toxins out of ypur body, you just happen to loose weight also
Any time you go on a carb resticted diet you will get what is called "Atkins Flu". You can take asprin to try to help with the headaches, and drink plenty of water. The Atkins website is free, and they give you 3 free bars when you sign up. You may as well use that awful feeling at the start,to continue foreward with results you can hold on to. Check out http://www.Atkins.com. Your eating is restricted, but not in an unsustainable way, like this.
Wow these are amazing result I quite overweight and hope for similar result. Today is day 2 for me and as of this morning I lost 4lbs thats enough to keep me going!
Hi Vanessa,
Do you know where I can find a copy of the detox 'diet' you spoke of using mineral rich algae?
Also what did you mean by 'which is placed on the area you want firmed up'?
Also, of course, I'm interested in the part you mention that you don't have to starve yourself to do it.
I hope you will answer my email.
Thank you.
Dear Aimee,
You mentioned that you didn't think MC was the best cleanse out there, but can you advise one that is, please? Even if it is a combination of herbs, cleansing drinks, etc.?
Thank you.