The Lemon Cleansing diet, also known as the Lemon Cleanse, the Lemonade Diet or the Master Cleanse, is a detoxification regimen created by Stanley Burroughs. The Lemon Cleansing diet is designed to cause rapid weight loss and remove toxins and other chemicals from the body, although doctors may recommend against this extreme diet that contains minimal nutrients and no protein.
History
The Master Cleanse diet was created by Stanley Burroughs, who published a book documenting the diet called "The Master Cleanser" in 1976. "The Master Cleanser" became overwhelmingly successful in the 1970s and early 1980s by celebrities and individuals trying to lose a large amount of weight quickly. Although Burroughs died in 1991, "The Master Cleanser" is still available in bookstores as of 2010, and the Master Cleanse has purportedly been used by celebrities including Beyonce and Jared Leto.
Significance
The Master Cleanse is a diet that consists of consuming nothing but a lemon and water solution throughout the day. By drinking only this solution, Burroughs suggested that the toxins in the body will be flushed out through the intestines, leaving a digestive system that is completely devoid of chemicals and other buildup. The Master Cleanse has not been studied by doctors to determine whether or not this is a true statement.
Function
Individuals following the Master Cleanse use a lemon and water solution that is homemade. The recipe for the solution calls for 2 tbsp of maple syrup, 2 tbsp of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 1/10 tsp of cayenne pepper and 8 oz of water. The ingredients are then mixed together and consumed throughout the day. Burroughs suggests that individuals can consume as much of the lemonade mixture as they like throughout the day. Besides the lemonade mixture, subjects following the diet must only drink water.
Time Frame
Burroughs suggested a 3-day limited diet of broth and vegetable juices before easing into drinking nothing but the lemonade mixture. Additionally, Burroughs suggested a 3-day limited diet to allow the individual to transition out of the diet. The lemonade portion of the diet can be followed for as long as the individual desires, up to a few months, states Burroughs, although the recommended duration is 14 days. Because the Master Cleanse contains no protein, it is dangerous for some individuals to use the Master Cleanse for an extended period of time.
Considerations
Stanley Burroughs was not a doctor, nor is the Master Cleanse approved by doctors or nutritionists. In 1984, Burroughs was charged by the California Supreme Court for second-degree murder because a patient died under his care while following the Master Cleanse. The sentence was eventually overturned because the state of California was unable to prove that practicing medicine without a license was a life-threatening crime. Individuals should use the Master Cleanse at their own risk and under a doctor's supervision.
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