The Master Cleanse diet, also called the lemonade diet, involves consuming nothing but lemon juice mixed with pure organic Grade B maple syrup; water and cayenne pepper; water containing sea salt; and a laxative tea. The purpose of this 10-day diet is to lose 2 pounds a day while detoxifying the body. The diet presents several potential health risks.
Inadequate Nutrition
The Master Cleanse diet does not provide sufficient nutrition, according to Dr. Marc Lawrence, known as the celebrity diet doctor. Lawrence says although the diet is purported to strengthen the immune system, lack of nutrition has the opposite effect. This makes the Master Cleanse diet especially hazardous if an individual uses it while she is ill.
Toxin Accumulation
Although the Master Cleanse claims to be a detox diet, it actually causes toxins to accumulate because it depletes glutathione in the liver, Lawrence says. Glutathione is the primary detoxifying antioxidant the body produces. In addition, the tea in this diet, as well as the sea salt and water combination, are laxatives. Continuous use of laxatives can acidify the blood and lead to serious metabolic acidosis, a condition that develops when bodily fluids contain too much acid, according to Lawrence. Depletion of glutathione and metabolic acidosis can create symptoms of dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which proponents of this diet say are detoxification symptoms, according to Lawrence.
Laxative Side Effects
Laxatives--except on a very short-term basis to relieve constipation--can have negative effects, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Chronic laxative use can cause dehydration, is stressful on the kidneys, and depletes electrolytes, which are essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Regular laxative use can lead to an inability to have bowel movements without using laxatives, called laxative dependency. Long-term laxative abuse can increase the risk of colon cancer.
Sodium Intake
Because of the sea salt and water mix, the Master Cleanse diet involves consuming a very large amount of sodium on a daily basis, cautions physician and medical writer Andrew Weil. One teaspoon of salt provides 2,400 mg of sodium; Weil recommends limiting daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg.
Further Weight Gain
Rapid weight loss often is due to a temporary loss of fluid, according to registered dietitian Joanne Larsen at Ask The Dietitian. When the diet ends, the weight tends to return. In addition, severe calorie restriction can lead to a slowing metabolism as the body enters a condition people commonly call "starvation mode." When you complete the diet, you may rapidly gain the weight back and put on even more weight because your metabolism does not immediately respond to a higher level of calories, Lawrence explains.
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