What Is In The Master Cleanse Diet?

When you're desperate to lose weight, you may be willing to try anything to lose a few pounds. Some extreme diets like the Master Cleanse have become popular for quick weight-loss, even though they weren't originally intended as a diet regimen. The Master Cleanse was specifically created as a detox diet, designed to expel toxins from the body. It is not recommended by doctors and is not a sustainable or safe way to lose weight or detoxify the body.

History

Stanley Burroughs created the Master Cleanse diet in the 1950s though he was not a doctor. He was a staunch supporter of alternative medicine, however, who suggested that drinking nothing but a lemon juice solution for two weeks would remove toxins and improve overall health. In 1960, Burroughs was charged with practicing medicine without a license. In 1984, he was charged with second-degree murder, when a man with cancer died while following the Master Cleanse regimen. The charge was later reduced to involuntary manslaughter, according to "Fitness" magazine. The Master Cleanse should only be attempted under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Ingredients

The Master Cleanse diet involves drinking nothing but water and a lemon juice solution for a period of two weeks or more. The solution is made of cayenne pepper, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, spring water and grade-B maple syrup. A large amount of the mixture may be mixed at the beginning of the day, or one glass may be made at a time -- 2 tbsp. maple syrup, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 8 oz. water and 1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper per glass.

Directions

In his book, "The Master Cleanser," Burroughs recommends easing into the diet by eating only fruits and vegetables three days before starting it. Two days before the diet begins, he suggests eating only vegetable juices and broths. The day before the diet, he recommends drinking only orange juice. After drinking the lemon juice mixture for two weeks, Burroughs advises dieters to reverse the process, drinking nothing but orange juice the day after, vegetable juices and broths two days after and only fruits and vegetables the third day after the diet ends.

Warnings

The Master Cleanse is a fad diet because it involves the consumption of minimal, low-calorie portions for a period of several weeks in order to rapidly lose weight. Fad diets may cause weight loss, but it is mostly water weight that you will gain back as soon as you resume your normal eating habits. Instead, focus on eating a variety of nutritious foods in moderation, like lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and combine it with regular exercise in order to lose weight. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet plan.