The Master Cleanse lemon diet is a fad diet that is supposed to cleanse the body of toxins, encouraging better weight loss and better health. This sort of diet is potentially very dangerous and should not be used for weight loss. Always consult your doctor before commencing any sort of detox or elimination diet.
Ingredients
The Master Cleanse diet, also known as the lemonade diet, is a liquid diet that replaces normal eating with a concoction of ingredients. The diet consists of mixing cayenne pepper, lemon juice, water and maple syrup and drinking between six and 12 glasses of this mixture daily. A laxative tea and saltwater "flush" are also used in a bid to cleanse the body of toxins.
Theories/Speculation
Detox diets work on the premise that the body is slowly poisoned by toxins in the diet. Advocates of detoxification say that the body cannot rid itself of these toxins without help from such measures as flushes, colonic cleansing and detoxing diets. There is no basis for this belief in medical science. According to MayoClinic.com, most toxins are safely and easily removed naturally by the kidneys and liver.
Side Effects
There are numerous potential side effects to the Master Cleanse diet. If you follow such a treatment, you may feel fatigued, irritable or weak. You will also feel extremely hungry for the duration of a diet like this and may gain more weight when it ends by overeating. Even if you do not overeat when the diet ends, the quick weight loss affects the metabolism so that the body gains more weight when normal eating resumes. The weight that is lost through liquid diets is usually bone, muscle or water, according to the American Dietetic Association. Diarrhea is a common side effect of the Master Cleanse diet.
Dangers
The Master Cleanse lemon diet is not advisable for anyone, but certain groups should be extra-cautious. Diabetics, pregnant or nursing women and anyone who may be seriously affected by a weakened immunity should avoid this diet. People with kidney or heart disease or with any digestive disorders should not attempt any liquid diet. Children, teenagers and the elderly should also avoid these diets. Muscle wastage, impaired bowel function, coma and even death are all potential consequences of this diet.
Considerations
There is an adage that says to lose weight, you should "eat less and move more." While this may sound less appealing than the "quick fix" option of detoxing diets, the reality is that this is the only proven method for sustainable weight loss. According to MedlinePlus, portion control is the key to weight loss. Visit your doctor to decide on the best diet for your needs.
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