The Cleanser diet was created in the 1940s by a naturopath named Stanley Burroughs. Also known as the Lemonade diet, it is a liquid diet that aims to cleanse or detoxify your body of accumulated wastes and toxins. The diet is to be followed for at least 10 days. The Cleanser diet consists of a lemonade tonic, salt water flush and laxative tea. No food is consumed during this liquid diet. Seek the advice of your physician if you have any health conditions or questions regarding nutrition before starting the Cleanser diet.
Significance of Toxins
The purpose of the Cleanser diet is to detoxify and clear out potentially dangerous substances from your system. In "The Complete Master Cleanse," author Tom Woleshyn states that you are exposed to toxins in your everyday life from the food you eat. According to Woleshyn, the modern American diet is poisoned with chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, trans-fatty acids, sugar, excess sodium and preservatives. Poor dietary habits are the cause of many health conditions Americans face such as obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Toxins or harmful substances are also in your environment such as car exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke and other pollutants.
Lemonade Tonic
During the Cleanser diet, you eliminate all food which can lead to certain nutritional deficiencies. Speak with your physician before starting the liquid diet because it is low in protein, fiber and dietary fat. The diet consists of drinking six 10 oz glasses of lemonade a day with plenty of purified drinking water in between glasses. The lemonade is composed of spring water, organic Grade B maple syrup, freshly squeezed organic lemon juice and cayenne pepper. In "The Master Cleanser," author Stanley Burroughs says maple syrup provides you with vitamins, minerals and enzymes needed for energy. Burroughs states that the acidity in lemons breaks down toxins and accumulated mucus for easier elimination. Cayenne pepper is supposed to have a thermogenic effect, raising your body temperature and increasing your metabolic rate. However, no evidence exists to support the link between cayenne and its effect on metabolism.
Rinse Cycle
In "Lose Weight, Have More Energy, and Be Happier in 10 Days," author Peter Glickman says the salt water flush is the "Rinse Cycle" which eliminates toxins before they can be reabsorbed. Each morning of the Cleanser diet, you are to drink a mix of water and non-iodized sea salt. About half an hour after drinking the salt water, you will have the urge to eliminate. According to Glickman, adding salt increases the weight of the water so that it matches the weight of your blood. In effect, your body treats the salt water as blood and does not absorb it. Instead your body "flushes" the salt water and toxins out of your system. Please consider that in the process of elimination you may lose many nutrients that are not replaced in this program.
Laxative Tea
Before going to bed, you are to drink an herbal laxative tea during the Cleanser diet. In "The Complete Master Cleanser," author Tom Woleshyn suggests using pure senna tea or a combination of senna and other herbs. Senna is a strong herb that causes intestinal contractions to promote elimination. Pure senna may cause uncomfortably strong contractions and abdominal cramping.
Side Effects
During the Cleanser diet, you may experience several symptoms during detoxification. In "The Master Cleanser," Stanley Burroughs states that the side effects will go away after the first few days. During the first couple of days you may feel hunger. However, this is often your body just craving what it is eliminating such as sugar or caffeine. In addition, you might feel irritability, boredom, tiredness, headaches and other aches. According to Burroughs, you may have burning bowel movements because toxins and other wastes are acidic.
Considerations
The Cleanser Diet causes accelerated weight loss due to the elimination of water retention and excess fluids. Weight loss results are not permanent and can easily be gained back after the diet. In Thatsfit, naturopath Dr. Leslie Solomonian says your body already has its own detoxification system set in place. This includes your liver, colons, kidneys, lungs, skin, uterus and sweat glands. Dr. Solomonian suggests a better approach to cleansing is to make better dietary, lifestyle and exercise habits. This approach may help your detoxification organs function more effectively.
References
- "The Complete Master Cleanse"; Tom Woloshyn; 2007
- "The Master Cleanser: With Special Needs and Problems"; Stanley Burroughs; 1993
- "Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days"; Peter Glickman; 2008
- Thatsfit: Are Cleanses an Effective Weight-Loss Tool
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