The Master Cleanse Diet As A Detox

There has been a lot of press given to detox diets in recent years. Detoxification has been advocated with a range of pseudoscientific theories that apparently support its usefulness. In reality, there have been no proven benefits to fad diets such as the Master Cleanse detox diet. The body does not require a regimen like the Master Cleanse to rid itself of toxins.

Diet

Water, lemon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup are the ingredients of the Master Cleanse detox diet. The diet promises that by consuming this cocktail of ingredients over the course of 10 days, you will shed toxins, improve your skin, lose weight and see an improvement in some health conditions. The diet also includes a saltwater drink to "flush" the body in the morning and a laxative drink to end the day.

Theories/Speculation

Advocates of detoxing believe that you become intoxicated with harmful substances over the course of your life. They believe that your body must be cleared of these substances and that, if left untreated, these toxins will cause you to develop diseases and other conditions.

Medical Opinion

The general consensus in medicine is that the body does not need to detox to eliminate toxic substances. Dr. Roger Clemens, a professor of professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Southern California says there is no benefit to these diets. According to him, there are no studies to support the efficacy of detox diets. Katherine Zeratsky of the MayoClinic.com agrees. She states that most toxins are excreted in your bowel movements and urine.

Side Effects

The list of side effects associated with the Master Cleanse is large. The diet may cause dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, blood-sugar level disruption, tiredness, low mood, loss of electrolytes, muscle breakdown and lowered immunity. While advocates point to the a decrease in headaches with detoxing as proof that the detox is working, Dr. Clemens says that they are probably caused by the withdrawal of caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Dangers

Detoxing should not replace a healthy attitude to food. The biggest psychological danger with detoxing is that it teaches people that they can erase mistreatment of their bodies with fasting and laxatives. The Master Cleanse detox is not a replacement for a healthy diet and an appropriate fitness regimen. If you feel unwell enough to consider using a detox, Harvard HEALTHbeat magazine recommends seeing a doctor instead.