The Clean liquid diet is a three-week detox program created by Alejandro Junger, doctor of integrative medicine at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City. There are two versions of the liquid diet: a kit containing powders and supplements, and a home version, which is explained in Junger's book, "Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself." On either plan, you consume a liquid meal for breakfast and dinner, with a solid healthy lunch prepared from a list of recommended foods.
History
Junger developed his liquid detox diet after his own health deteriorated as a young physician in New York. After growing up in Uruguay, Junger moved to the United States to study medicine. Living on a diet that consisted of fast food, cafeteria food and vending machine snacks, Junger began to experience health problems such as allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and chest pain. Alarmed, Junger rejected the pharmaceutical solutions offered by his colleagues. He had not experienced these health problems in Uruguay and sensed that something about his new lifestyle or diet must be to blame. He began to search for an answer, studying Eastern philosophy and alternative treatments, as well as conventional medicine.
Purpose
Junger discovered that poor digestion and an overburdened detoxification system impair the body's ability to effectively neutralize and eliminate toxins. When you eat poor quality foods, or eat too much or too often, he writes, your body's economy of energy is focused on digestion. There is little or no energy left to remove toxins from the body. He compares the process to a city's waste management system by saying it's as if all the garbage collectors are busy bagging up the trash and none are left to drive to the dump. The toxins remain in the body, causing health problems such as those Junger experienced himself, plus others such as chronic fatigue, weight gain, general puffiness and asthma.
Why Liquids
Junger's Clean diet consists of easy-to-digest liquid foods that take the burden of digestion off your body so that the detoxification system can kick in. In "Clean," he writes that the detoxification process cannot begin until digestion is complete. Consuming liquid meals speeds up the process of digestion, allowing detoxification to begin. (reference 1) The shakes, soups, juices and smoothies used in the diet contain essential vitamins and minerals to support the gastrointestinal system in the elimination of toxins.
Shakes and Smoothies
The 21-day Clean kit comes with shake powders made from brown rice protein in either chocolate or vanilla. These powders contain all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that Junger recommends to support your liver and detoxification system. The kit also contains a fiber supplement, probiotics, digestive enzyme and other herbal supplements.
Do-It-Yourself Detox
The Clean program can be completed without the use of the kit if you wish to make your own smoothies, soups and juices. The same guidelines apply for consuming a liquid breakfast and dinner along with a healthy solid lunch. Junger's books contains a variety of recipes and suggestions for all meals, as well as a list of recommended supplements.
Considerations
Detox diets can result in negative side effects, including a temporary worsening of symptoms. Consult a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you are currently taking any medications. Some supplements can interact with certain medications. Junger does not recommend the Clean program if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or in the advanced stages of a serious illness.
References
- "Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself"; Alejandro Junger, M.D.; 2009
- Clean: My Story
- Clean: Clean Detox Kit
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