The Master Cleanse Detox, alternatively known as the Master Cleanse or the Lemonade Diet, was developed between 1940-1941 by a man named Stanley Burroughs. He described it as a valid way to eliminate bodily toxins, which he saw as the cause of all disease. His book on the subject was re-published in 1976 and in 2004, Peter Glickman published a book based on the late Burroughs’ diet.
The Master Cleanse has remained popular and its “get thin quickly” effect has much to do with its current popularity. Although it was not developed for this specific purpose, weight loss is a side effect of the cleanse.
Basically, the diet or cleanse consists of drinking a concoction of fresh lemon juice, water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper throughout the day for up to 20 days. The recommended time spent on the diet is 10 days.
The cleanse also involves drinking lukewarm salt water when you first get up in the morning and drinking a laxative herbal tea before bed. Interestingly, the exact herbs for the laxative tea remain vague; Burroughs originally recommended any laxative herbal blend from a health food store. Such teas are easily found in health food stores (and even some grocery stores) today.
As with any diet, there are advocates and critics. Here are some of the pros and cons to the Master Cleanse.
Pros:
1. There is a definite cleansing effect and the colon will be totally cleaned out by the time you are finished.
2. Unlike a strict fast, the calories in the lemonade drink help to keep your electrolytes in balance.
3. Weight loss is inevitable, and it can work to this end where other diets fail.
4. It is inexpensive to purchase all of the ingredients, and you may have some in your home already.
5. Increased energy is a commonly reported effect.
Cons:
1. While the maple syrup and lemon juice provide some calories (up to 1,300 daily, in fact), the diet is severely lacking in carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.
2. There is a strong chance that you will gain back the weight you lost unless you repeat the cleanse periodically.
3. It is extremely difficult physically – you are hungry, and you suffer headaches and other discomforts, especially during the first few days.
4. Some people believe that Burroughs and Glickman are not knowledgeable or qualified to be giving health advice.
5. If practiced excessively – and what “excessively” means will vary from person to person – it can be very stressful on the body, especially the kidneys, liver, and heart.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you as to whether or not you choose to try the Master Cleanse. But if you are considering it, do discuss it with your health care provider or other qualified health care professional. And if you are pregnant or nursing, do not attempt any fast or cleanse. Finally, if you are on any medication, do not discontinue any of them without medical supervision.
