First introduced in the 1940s by the late Stanley Burroughs, and republished as a 50-page pamphlet in 1976, the Master Cleanse Diet is experiencing another resurgence in popularity. The diet, which consists of a fast augmented by a lemonade-like concoction of purified water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, is the supposed secret of mega-stars and super models. Although adherents claim it provides them with extraordinary energy, renewed health and weight loss, experts dismiss it as a fad that can be outright dangerous.
Function
The Master Cleanse is now often used for weight loss, but Burroughs intended it as a detoxification program. He maintained that lemon juice purifies the system while providing potassium. Cayenne pepper enhances circulation and provides vitamins B and C. Maple syrup gives the dieter energy and some trace minerals. The original diet recommended up to 12 glasses of the lemonade a day. The only other substances consumed are an herbal laxative tea before bed and a mixture of water and sea salt in the morning. Burroughs believed that by fasting, the body could concentrate all its energy on removing toxins. The diet may be followed for as long as two weeks.
Positive Effects
People following the Master Cleanse do report almost immediate weight loss---usually significant amounts. Many feel rejuvenated and energized by the diet. Others report improvements in clarity of thought and appearance of their skin. The diet has been used to treat candida and even some forms of arthritis.
Negative Effects
The combination of lemon juice---a diuretic---and the herbal "tea" often causes diarrhea. After a few days, people may suffer from constipation, nausea, headaches, fatigue and irritability. The Master Cleanse makes you exceptionally hungry since you are essentially starving the body. Dinner engagements, parties and lunch meetings become places of distraction and challenge as you work to resist solid food.
Expert Insight
No studies have been conducted on the effects of the Master Cleanse---most of the purported benefits are from word of mouth. Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian and CBS contributor, points out that the diet contains almost no nutrients. Another well-known registered dietitian, Joy Bauer, points out that because the cleanse is tantamount to starvation you will lose weight because you have cut calories drastically. When you refeed the body, it will most likely convert every calorie to fat to prepare for the next cleanse. The positive effects are most often due to the elimination of junk foods, excess sugar, salt and fats. You could achieve renewed feelings of health and energy by eating a clean, portion-controlled, whole-foods diet.
Considerations
Even if you do stick to the Master Cleanse and manage to lose weight, recognize that much, if not all, of it will return. Even Burroughs noted this in the original publication. Most of the weight you do lose consists of water and excess waste. Burroughs suggested a gradual easing off of the Master Cleanse with a simple diet to readjust the digestive system to solid food. Despite this fact, many people go off the cleanse and immediately binge---undoing any detoxifying they just endured. The cleanse is definitely not appropriate for children, pregnant or nursing women and anyone with compromised health.
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