The Lemon Detox Diet or Master Cleanse was developed by Stanley Burroughs as a weight loss program and detoxification system. Burroughs believed that cleansing is basic for elimination of every kind of disease and that diseases were caused by improper diet, lack of exercise, a bad attitude or lack of spiritual attunement. Burroughs was not a doctor and his detox program is medically unsound.
Basics
The lemon detox diet is a very low calorie, highly-restrictive program that requires salt water flushes, laxative teas and a special lemonade made from organic lemons, purified water, cayenne pepper and grade B maple syrup. Follow the program for as few as 3 days or as many as 40 days, but the average cleanse is between 10 and 14 days. According to Burroughs, the cleanse purifies your cells, dissolves and eliminates toxins and cleanses the kidneys and digestive system.
Detoxing
Your body has a system in place for detoxification and elimination of waste. Your kidneys, liver, lungs and skin already process and remove unnessceary substances. Susan Moores, R.D., reports that people don't need more help cleansing their systems and there is no scientific evidence that the lemon detox is helpful. Constant flushing, such as drinking liquids like laxative teas or salt water every morning, may remove the beneficial probiotic bacteria in your intestines that your body needs to absorb nutrients and keep your immune system healthy.
Nutrition
The lemon detox diet is nutritionally unsafe. It is so low in calories that you will likely experience low blood sugar and symptoms including hunger, headaches and fatigue. It can slow your metabolism because of its low calorie count and lack of protein. With no protein intake, your body will convert muscle into energy rather than fat. Loss of muscle slows metabolism, stalling weight loss.. Much of the weight you lose is water weight and will be regained quickly after you stop the diet. The lemonade lacks essential nutrients, which may affect your immune system and make it difficult to ward off illness or infections.
Healthy Weight Loss
Healthy weight loss should be slow and steady, no more than 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of high-fiber complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and unsaturated fats and exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Avoid packaged foods high in added sugars, limit the amount of alcohol you drink and try to avoid mindless snacking or using food for emotional comfort.
References
- MSNBC.com; Experts Warn of Detox Diet Dangers; Susan Moores, R.D., May 18, 2007
- Medline Plus; Tips for Losing Weight; David Zieve, MD,; October 2009
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Fad Diets: Weighing Short-term Gains Against Long-term Harms?; Hannah DeClerk ; May 2010
- Diets in Review: Master Cleanse Diet
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