The Master Cleanse is one of a growing number of detox diets offering a quick-fix solution to weight loss. Celebrities such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have followed the diet, and Beyonce Knowles used it to lose weight for a role in "Dreamgirls." The singer and actress said she lost 20 pounds in two weeks on the Master Cleanse.
Structure
The Master Cleanse advises the dieter to use a blend of distilled water, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and maple syrup to kick-start weight loss and increase energy levels. A laxative tea is also advised, as is a salt water drink to flush the system. You are advised to drink the lemon, pepper, syrup and water drink throughout the day in place of meals for 10 days.
Weight Loss
You will lose weight on this diet, but only in the short term. Much of what is lost will be water, and you may be seriously dehydrated from the use of laxatives. The American Dietetic Association says between one-half to 1 lb. weight loss a week is a healthy amount. The total calorie intake of this detox is 600 calories a day--lower than the amount a 2- to 3-year-old child requires to function healthily. If you consume less than 1,000 calories a day, it has the same effect as starving yourself, according to the University of California Los Angeles' Health System.
Warning
According to the American Dietetic Association, you may lose bone and muscle on the Master Cleanse diet. Because of the diet's extreme calorie restriction, you will also lose essential nutrients. Long-term adherence to this diet may inhibit the body's ability to fight infection and cause blood-sugar problems, among other health concerns, according to USC Health Now. Vomiting and diarrhea are also potential consequences of the Master Cleanse.
Weight Gain
Crash dieting will not prevent future weight gain. In fact, severely restricted calorie intake as seen in the Master Cleanse forces the body into starvation mode, altering the metabolism. Your body's metabolism slows down to compensate for the lack of calories ingested and, according to Harvard Medical School, your body will overcompensate once normal eating resumes. Your body will add fat to its stores to protect against future periods of low calorie intake, causing you to gain weight.
Alternative Approach
A varied diet and regular exercise is the best method of weight loss. According to MedlinePlus, avoiding foods that are high in fat and exercising aerobically for 30 minutes three times a week will help you lose weight more effectively and permanently than severe calorie restriction. To lose a pound a week, as per the American Dietetic Association's lowest recommendation, cut 500 calories a day. To lose 1 1/2 pounds a week, eliminate 750 calories a day from your diet.
References
- Newsweek: Religious Origins of the Detox Diet
- Harvard HEALTHbeat: The Dubious Practice of Detox
- American Dietetic Association: Staying Away from Fad Diets
- USC Health Now: Debunking Detox Diets
- Harvard Medical School: Detox Diets, Procedures Generally Don't Promote Health
- Harvard Medical School: Abdominal Fat and What to Do About It
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