Master Cleanse (Lemonade Diet)

lemonade dietFads come and go – but this one just keeps on coming. Stanley Burrough’s “Master Cleanser” (aka Lemonade Diet) continues to garner attention from all over the place.

Recently Beyoncé Knowles admitted to using a “Maple Syrup detox” (which led to a huge surge in popularity). Now the diet has even attracted the attention of the NY Times.

The Internet teems with testimonials to the cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet, claiming that it fights disease such as Candidiasis, clears the mind as well as acne, and increases energy. Bloggers chronicle their daily fasting. Master cleanse video diaries can be found on YouTube, and a cottage industry has developed with various companies peddling cleansing kits including all ingredients for the beverage except lemons.

The Master Cleanse appeared in a booklet by Stanley Burroughs in 1976. The cleansing detox diet has always been popular due to word of mouth – but in 2004 was picked up and marketed by Peter Glickman.

The Master Cleanse

Indeed, the book states that at least 1/2 the weight will come back on after completing the diet. Many people incorrectly use this for fast weight loss. This is not what the diet is intended for.

Detox diets such as the lemonade diet are not for the faint-hearted. They are difficult to follow – typically because we are so addicted to food.

The Recipe

  • 60 oz spring water per day (spread over 6 10 oz glasses)
  • 12 tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
  • 12 tablespoons freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
  • a little over half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or 1/10 tsp. per glass) or to taste

People experience varying degrees of success as their body begins to flush itself of toxins – but the first few days are hardest. Some only use the lemonade diet for 4-5 days, while others take it out to 2 weeks.

Lemonade Diet Kit

master cleanser diet

This kit includes everything you need to complete the lemonade diet or Master Cleanse.

  • All ORGANIC ingredients needed for the Stanley Burroughs’ Master Cleanse Diet (except lemons) including FREE BOOK: The Complete Master Cleanse by Tom Woloshyn
  • 32 oz Grade B Organic Maple Syrup (Bpa Free and Formaldehyde Free)
  • 8 oz Organic compliant Sea Salt- Selina Naturally
  • 90 capsules Certified Organic Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annum) – Oregon Wild Harvest (1 Bottle – 90 GF, vegan capsules)
  • 1 Box Organic “Smooth Move” Laxative Tea – Traditional Medicinals (1 Box of 16 tea bags) and 1 Box Organic Peppermint Tea – Traditional Medicinals (1 Box of 16 tea bags)

You can order the kit here.

A typical herbal detox will do the following

  • Dissolves and eliminates toxins that have formed in any part of the body
  • Cleanse kidneys and digestive system
  • Purifies the glands and cells
  • Eliminate waste and hardened material in joints and muscles
  • Relieves pressure and irritation in nerves, arteries and blood vessels

Possible Detox Reactions on the Master Cleanse

  • Rashes and skin eruptions
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Aches and pains
  • Nausea
  • Food cravings
  • Insomnia

The only other foods consumed is a laxative tea (“Smooth Move”) twice a day, and a saline (sea salt) wash. The laxative may be required due to the lack of fiber in the diet that may lead to constipation.

Breaking the Fast

The Lemonade Diet / A Master Cleanse CDThe Lemonade diet is also now available as an audio CD

This must be done gently, by easing your way back into solid food. Vegetable soup is a good starter, and fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be started until the second day out of the juice fast.

Before doing the lemonade diet, Stanley Burroughs book (see below) is a must-read.

Master Cleanse Coach

master cleanse coach book

Glickman has personally coached over 2,000 people who have undertaken this detoxification program.

This book gives you all the information you need to undertake the Master Cleanse.

However, it is also written as a guide for those who wish to coach others through the procedure.

Nutritionist’s Warning

The Master Cleanse or lemonade diet should only be used for a short period of time or serious health problems could arise.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)

References

  • Penniston, K. L., Nakada, S. Y., Holmes, R. P., & Assimos, D. G. (2008). Quantitative assessment of citric acid in lemon juice, lime juice, and commercially-available fruit juice products. Journal of Endourology, 22(3), 567-570. link
  • BLOOM, W. L., & AZAR, G. J. (1963). Similarities of Carbohydrate Deficiency and Fasting: I. Weight Loss, Electrolyte Excretion, and Fatigue. Archives of internal medicine, 112(3), 333-337. link
  • KATZ, D. L. (2003). Pandemic obesity and the contagion of nutritional nonsense. Public health reviews, 31(1), 33-44. link
  • Burroughs, S. (2014). The Master Cleanse. Manatee Media.

267 Comments or Reviews

Comments now closed
  1. tomi bourdpn parizo

    i ordered the 16 day kit w book i didnt get the book im soooooo disapppointed cuz im so sick from mold in my old apt. please send it asap i need2 startb asasp thank you sincerly toni B Parizo

  2. Leopoldo Yballe

    Lemon oil may be used in aromatherapy. Researchers at The Ohio State University found that lemon oil aroma does not influence the human immune system, but may enhance mood.

  3. Sabrina

    I’ve done the master cleanse before & lasted a whole week but I feel as if I gained all the weight back, therefore I am doing it again. However this time I can no longer hangin. Today is my 3rd day & I want to quit. Is it harmful to the body to quit so early? Please help!

    • cody

      dont quit

  4. beth

    I did the master cleanse about 2-3 weeks ago, but only lasted 8 days. I did experience mental clarity, great weight loss and not feeling hungry. Now I have even WORSE eating habits than before I did the cleanse. Would it be a bad idea to do it again so soon? I have less responsibilities than I did a few weeks ago which would make it easier for me to stick to.

  5. Taunya

    Thanks so much for your comment. I am on my 2nd day and my skin is already softer. The SWF makes me very sick and i almost threw in the towel this morning when I did it. My husband convinced me that once my system adjusted i would feel fine. He was right about an hour later i was back to myself. I needed to hear this support not the negativity from folk who have never done it and/or done any research. Thanks again. Motivated to do the full 10 days to feel better and more engergized.

  6. Liz

    I couldn’t agree more! I am on the 7th day and I feel it is the best detox out there. It’s my next time in two years and it has helped me put things in better perspective..Whether it’s school, life, and what you’re really doing in your life. Of course, food is the reason i am here and can’t stress enough of the lack of healthy places t eat in the LA.. Not enough.
    P.s. I do look forward to a nice, healthy meal next week;)

  7. kam

    Bringing God into a discussion doesn’t make someone Holier than thou. I think their point was that the Bible mentions fasting quite a bit. Jesus did fast for forty days.
    I think that was their point. Wishing that they get colon cancer is immature and mean.
    Try to be a little nicer.

  8. Rafaelle

    I started doing this cleansing fast (notice I didn’t say “diet”) back in the 80s. I’ve done it several times, for different periods of time, with good results. The longest I did it was 14 days. I highly recommend you drink a lot of water with it so you don’t get dehydrated and experience hunger, headache, fatigue, or dizziness. I am currently on Day 7 and feel more energized than I have for months. I usually do this cleanse about once a year for 10 days. All of you who have made comments about detoxing not working don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. And yes, the cleansing fast has enough vitamins and sugar to keep you going for 10-14 days, but I would not recommend it for any longer than that. It is not a healthy diet and is not meant to be that. It is a detox cleanse. If someone wants to use it as a diet, you can lose a pound a day if you have slow metabolism; you can lose more than that if your metabolism is fast. I recommend that you not do heavy exercise or get very far from a bathroom facility. It is safe and effective for cleansing toxins out of your system. For weight loss, I would recommend a good healthy diet with moderate protein and lots of good fresh veggies and fruits. And drink plenty of water. As for regaining the weight, it doesn’t matter what diet you’re on. If you’re determined to eat the same crap you’ve been eating when you finish this fast, you’re going to gain the weight right back. And WW is not responsible for yo-yo dieting — people are.

  9. victoria

    try a herbal store that’s where I found mine or a health food store

  10. Shanetta

    Thank you! I was hoping that someone who read the book and knew the purpose of each ingredient would comment lol. Someone said that they only believe in fasting for religious reasons and I was thinking to myself “A fast is a fast no matter what the reason.” Use the fasting period to have a better spiritual connection with yourself if that’s important to you. I’m doing it to get a boost in my diet. I have been working out like a dog for two months and on a high protein-low carb diet but I slip when it comes to sweets. I’m really learning a lot about my eating habits that surprised me. Like, every time I get up off my couch I make a stop at the fridge to browse before sitting back down. I hate the Salt Water Flush part, though. My stomach couldn’t handle it today and I threw up. I’m on day 3 of the cleanse and I’m feeling really good! I’m shocked at how great I feel and I thought I might have had an issue with doing it for 10 days but I know the 10 days will be easy. Good luck everyone!

  11. FMK

    Hi, Michael.
    I’m writing again to ask if you could let me know if you used the Salt Water Flush when you did the Cleanse? Also, what laxatives did you use (if any?) I would really appreciate your help because of similar life circumstances. Thank you!

  12. FMK

    MIchael, I don’t know if this note will reach you as I just found this site when I did a search for “is the master cleanse safe for people on dialysis?” Your post came up and to my great surprise I read about someone doing the cleanse while on dialysis. I used to do it all the time. But since being on dialysis (2 years now) I lost confidence in doing anything like this …for many reasons. Your post inspires me. I’d really like to ask you a few more questions…privately, if possible. Is that possible? i.e. to get a personal email address to chat with you about these experiences?

    (I would like to do the cleanse again, like you, to rebuild my body…I am not trying to lose weight…in fact, I don’t really want to. So, would do the master cleanse for 3 days increments for the time being.) Kind regards, FMK

  13. Mary

    I am on day 5 of the MC and I can’t find a happy balance of elimination. I did Smooth Move tea the night before starting, the next morning, that night, and the following morning I had to call my husband into the bathroom because I almost passed out. I think I was eliminating too fast. I felt AWFUL! This was the second time I’ve done the cleanse, and the first time around it was very different. I am only drinking 1/2 cup of the tea at night, but I only have 1 BM a day and it’s runny/flaky. What’s the deal?

  14. shaudae

    I didn’t remove the pulp from my lemonade drink. What is the effect of that?

  15. tina

    i did it i lost 10lbs in a week

    • Tony

      How about you learn how to spell and I know your a kid cause you didn’t make it look professional.

  16. Jess

    My husband also has two jobs and the salt water flush is difficult to swallow but he was able to drink it. It’s very fast and effective. Within 20 mins. he was clearing it all out and within 2 hours he was done. So just do it before bed then start the cleanse in the morning.

  17. Jess

    My husband actually wanted to do this so I started it to support him. He quit on me after 24 hours but I just didn’t want to stop. I felt just as hungry and cranky with the headaches as he did but I knew if I fought my way through them I would reap much greater benefits and so far I have. By day three I had so much energy I was able to clean and organize my entire house, do yard work, take my kids and dog for a walk, and I didn’t even need my usual 6 cups of coffee to get through it. I’ll admit cooking for two kids and my husband and giving them snacks made me want to at least bite into a juicy pear but once I got over my psychological addiction of habitual eating I felt fine. Today is Easter and I am on day five of the cleanse. Singing at church made me feel a little faint but I think I just didn’t drink enough this morning. This evening I was able to sit at the dinner table with everyone eating their ham and mashed potatoes and felt no desire to eat it. I just drank my lemonade feeling such a sense of empowerment and pride. I definitely had “baby weight” of which I have lost 8 pounds of toxic swelling and feel and look incredibly healthy. I could instantly see it in my face, my skin, my legs, even my arms as well as feel sinus pressure be released. Honestly I will never allow myself to go back to unhealthy eating that makes me feel so lethargic and depressed. I have sang praises to everyone I know about this cleanse and will continue to do so.

  18. Amica

    Eat less, eat raw, eat early.

    Otherwise known as Quantum Eating.

    Our bodies get overloaded with processed foods and there is usually not enough fibre – soluble or otherwise – to stimulate the peristaltic action essential for healthy colon activity.

    No wonder you’re bunged up!

  19. Amica

    Those predisposed to eating disorders are not advised to fast.

    You can blame anything and everyone for your failings but if you really want the honest truth, it is staring at you in the mirror.

    It is often easier to blame external sources than being honest with oneself and looking inside for the hard facts.

    My first Master Cleanse was a life changing 28 days curtailed by bad planning prior to a holiday.

    This time it is being preceded by a parasite cleanse, liver cleanse and I will be making the most of the 40 wonderful days of intestinal rest. I can honestly say I am very much looking forward to ridding my poor body of the rubbish it has unwittingly been absorbing from this toxic environment of ours.

  20. Angela

    Amber, I’m curious to know if the cleanse rid you of the parasite and candida overgrowth. Thinking about doing it for the same reasons.

  21. Angela

    Amber, I’m curious to know if the cleanse rid you of the parasite and candida overgrowth. Thinking about doing it for the same reasons.

  22. Nilda

    Don’t fall off the wagon, prepare ahead of time. I bought all the ingredients I needed for 14 days. I start my day with a cup of hot water and make a pitcher of the lemonade for the day. If I am going out I take a 20 oz water bottle filled with the lemonade and drink it when I am hungry. If I think I will be out longer I take 2 bottles. It’s my 8th day and I feel great! Another tip is to make sure you still have a little at the end of the day and when hunger strikes finish it off!

  23. Nilda

    Try drinking a hot cup of water every morning. It works for me!

  24. Nilda

    I agree totally. I am on the fast , my 8th day and I am feeling great, more energetic and a urinary infection I was battling is gone. I’ve dropped 10 lbs and will fight like mad to keep the weight off after the fast.

    I am currently writing a novel and my mind has never been clearer and the creative juices flowing…I can’t get away from the computer!

  25. Janis

    I buy organic pepper from my healthfood store and empty capsules… then I put the pepper in the capsules and take them with my lemonade… I can’t stand the taste of the pepper especially 6-12 times a day… eeekkkk! 🙂

  26. Fireman

    No, it’s 2 teaspoons, not tablespoons. And the t teaspoons are non-iodized sea salt, not table salt. And they are mixed with one quart of purified water. All of this is very important to get the flush’s benefits and not harm yourself.

  27. Sulley

    Keisha said she did detox 3months ago not that she was on it for 3months…get your facts straight. Keisha is absolutly correct in her comments about the cleanse. It should be used to detox not lose weight!

  28. Sulley

    Keisha said she did detox 3months ago not that she was on it for 3months…get your facts straight. Keisha is absolutly correct in her comments about the cleanse. It should be used to detox not lose weight!

  29. Amy

    I am 18 months into breastfeeding. My daughter only breastfeeds a couple of times a day at this point (she’d like to more, but doctor has advised not to as she doesn’t keep enough weight on if I let her bf too much, because she becomes uninterested in solid food and just sips all day). I am 60lbs overweight (ack!) and don’t want to keep waiting for her to wean. I feel I need to do something drastic to get me off my sugar cravings, but obviously don’t want to harm the baby. Does anyone have first hand experience of doing the master cleanse during extended breast feeding?

  30. zerin

    i am starting my master cleanse diet from tomorow i am hoping to lose atleast 20lbs i dint buy the book so please can anybody help tell me the process i should follow everyday for the cleanse to get great result.

  31. Hollen

    Hey! How did you get passed the crazy cravings? I have been trying to do 10 days already and Not one full day have I done 100%. I’m trying so hard. But, I am going to start tomorrow over. I tried working out around the time I normaly break down, and watching a movie. Extra. I’m wearing a rubber band tommorow hoping the pain snaps me out of it. I need this I am 308lbs. The end of 2006 I was 395lbs. But, I feel like I’m going no were fast now.
    Please if anyone can help I would love you for it!

  32. TARA

    YOU HAVE TO DRINK A LAXITIVE TEA AND DO A SALT WATER FLUSH

  33. jericha

    do you know more about kidney disease and the master cleanse?

  34. finished diet

    If you believe in something that has done so well for you and if it is easy out of the kindness of our hearts and the knowledge from the experience We like to share some good news. Only people who have been unsuccessful or haven’t tried bash it. But is that always the case (in career success also). Your “scientific question” isn’t science if you don’t want to understand the health benefits. One you are clean you feel more positive Give it a try and find out your self it may unsquish your face 🙂

  35. Bro

    Umm to the naysayers who are saying it is flushing out of your system before it can digest…

    Ummmmm Really? Then what is it flushing out if you are not eating?

  36. S. Rose

    Kevin, what did you end up doing? I have a sprint tri this Saturday (it is Monday) and I am unsure of whether I should start the cleanse now or do it afterwards, or even just do a few days of it now?

  37. hillgirl

    I am excited for you! I hope the cleanse works for you as well as it has for me in the past. I feel so much healthier and more energized after each cleanse. Now that I am learning portion control all excess weight stays off. Hypnosis has helped dramatically with portion control and strenuous activity. Good luck to you and be happy!

  38. Kevin

    I have done the MC twice in the last three years. Once for 10 days and once for 20 days. I am a 36 year old life long athlete who has never been even slightly overweight. In fact, my active lifestyle (I surf 5 days a week and race mountain bikes) has always kept me mindful of the food I put in my body for optimal health and performance. I do the MC because of the benefits to my colon, NOT for weight loss. I know many healthy, fit individuals who do some form of detox at least once a year. These systems can be adopted by foolish people who enjoy fads or quick fixes, but that doesn’t decrease their legitimacy. The MC is a great detox system for someone who is looking for improved heath and fitness. If you’re looking for a fad or a quick fix you most likely have an eating disorder. I suggest you speak with a nutritional psychologist instead of giving a very legitimate form of healing a bad name.

  39. Alexso

    I’ve been on the Master cleanse since last Tues. Dropped about 8 pounds so far, doing well. It’s been a week and 1 day so far and my goal is 2 weeks. But!!..This Sat there is a small sprint Triathlon in the morning. My question is, would I be able to do the Triathlon without not having to take in food afterwards or in between? Is it too dangerous?

    Or will I not have enough energy to even bother doing it? I do Tri’s, but this one falls in the middle of my doing the Master Cleanse this weekend. I don’t want to miss it.
    Or can I just stop the cleanse on thursday or Friday and load up on carbs(if I have too)to be ready for Sat Tri?
    If anyone seriously knows the answer to this please give me some much needed advice.

    Thank you ahead of time.

  40. mel

    I went on the lemonade fast two weeks ago and feel awesome now! I haven’t gained a pound back… Lost almost 13 lbs in 10 days. If you guys have any questions about the diet or want to order grade b syrup you should check out this really informative site called thelemonadesite.com.

  41. Rachida

    Hey guys my name is Rachida and I’m from Belgium. Wel out here the lemon detox diet isn’t very known yet , but i found out trough you tube. Im about to start in 3 days and i’m very nerveous. I’m gonna do it for 14 days and hope to lose at least 10 pounds, but i’m not quit sure if this diet is gonna make me lose that much weight so i really want to know how much weight you guys lost with the lemon detox diet !

  42. deb

    Im starting today,54,hypothyroid,bp low 111/68, wt 225,5″6, 41″ waist, I eat mostly healthy, raw fruit veg,fish,nuts,no meat no sugar,no white flour for months now,only healthy oils,use stevia in my one cup of coffee,drink only water and tea, Not much exercise, I do streaching yoga 30 min am, sometimes 30 min on treadmill, MY scale I think is wrong weight much more on others, Anyway I have been trying for months now,And only show a 5 lb loss, Although dieted for a week or so before getting on the scale,so I may have lost more, SO discouraging,I want to get below 200, Its been decades WISH ME LUCK,

  43. eleanor60

    I have done the master cleanse detox a few times and have found that the detox is very successful. I have always felt so much better afterwards.

  44. anonmymous

    yes you do a bowel movement… the tea helps move it.

    The smooth move tea will get it moving at night, the salt water flush will move it fast. It was too intolerable for me after 3 weeks, so I ended up doing the team in the morning and at night.

  45. Raina

    I am on my 10th day of the 10 day master cleanse. I started so I could jump start some weight loss but for me the weight loss wasn’t very significant. I’ve lost about 8 pounds. I read all the amazing testimonies about the other effects of detoxing but didn’t really buy it. For me, the most amazing thing is my skin, my face. It looks so much brighter, like when I was in my 20s( I’m in my early 30s)…and no more dark circles. I truly can’t believe it…I did not expect it and was not looking for it. Definitely not a placebo effect.

    That alone, makes me want to change the way I eat. I get cravings sure but after 10 days, I really feel like there is nothing I can’t do without. No more soda for me. I’ll cut back on meat & dairy and eat alot more raw fruits and vegtables. This has shown me that what you eat is so much more than weight gain or weight loss.

  46. Jerome perez

    Critic, first of all you are an idiot. Stanley Burroughs did go to jail for his patient dying under his care, but that person was already dying from leukemia! And yes he did die but if you know anything about medicine leukemia it is usually fatal. Yes he did get convicted but for practicing medicine without a license. So of all the people who have stuck to this diet and had great results, probably many thousands, one person died who already had a diagnosis of leukemia!

  47. missdeadly

    pls tell me how did ur MC go with breast feeding. i am still totally puzzled if i shud start the MC. my daughter is 1 yr old and i want to start doing the |MC.

    Help me out.

  48. Lisa

    There is such a thing as a scary to low weight. I would be very cautious. Soceity puts too much emphasis on women who look anorexic. I used to look that way. Now I cannot imagine ever looking that way again. Beauty isn’t found on magazine covers. It is found deep within yourself because our souls are the only measure to our beauty, in my opinion. But it took me a long time to believe this. Health is great. But there are also dangers with being to thin or thick…I hope you attain health. After reading your weight it frightend me for you. Forgive me for being intrusive. I only gave my opinion because I care.

  49. Kay

    Most people who disagree with the Master Cleanse and have not tried it just don’t have the will power to do it. You will not gain all your weight back if you take care of yourself after the detox: no meat, lots of fruits and veggies, and lots of fiber, blah blah blah. Your system is improved and appreciates the cleanse. Anyone who doesnt try the cleanse and just sits around eating meat and then adds comments to here is ignorant.

  50. Ashley

    Hello, I am a 27 y/o very healthy athletic male. This is my 3rd time doing the Master Cleanse. It is not to lose wieght. I do it to detox and to rid any extra buildup in my body and parasites etc. I usually do it from 3-10 days and alsways notice results. My diet is primarily fruits, meats and veggies anyway. My skin normally increases elaticity. I feel more enrgetic at the gym. I even think I have increase in all senses (smell, touch etc). Sex drive increases too. I immediately notice what comes out and always feel I’m finished when my tongue is pink, which means my intestinal tract isd clean again. White means you have extra yeast in you. I don’t do it to lose wieght, I’m 5’11, 180 and muscular bulid so from my experience it truly cleanses my body. Hope this helps. My advice it to know your body and read reviews. I love the Master Cleanse because it works for me. It’s different fro everyone. Don’t knock it until you try it. It works for me. Parasites and toxins are at a minimum if not totally erradicated from my body.

  51. Mr. The 3rd

    If you want to lose weight, you have to keep it to 6 10oz cups a day. That was hard for me. So some days I would only have six, and others I would have 7 or eight, and I was able to lose weight. 6 is the minimum, so if you keep it to a minimum as much as possible you will lose weight. Remember you can drink water as well as much as you want, water will help you fight the cravings.

  52. Mr. The 3rd

    Thank You!
    I’ve done the master-cleanse myself, and am about to start it again tomorrow or the day after. I don’t think it’s for everybody, but it was great for me. I do think it’s important to note that it isn’t just a diet, although you will lose weight, it is a Detox. Also it is not good to do it if you don’t have the strength to do it for a minimum of 10 days. I did it a year ago, lost about twenty pounds, and did not blow up right after. I’m a muscular 5’9″ 27 year old guy. I’m now back to my weight of 180. It took a year to get back up to that weight. I prefer being under 170, as I think about 165 is ideal for me.
    This isn’t for everybody, but it was great for me! And for all the naysayers, don’t knock it ’till you try it.

  53. Angelia

    She didn’t say it was enough to sustain a person for 3 months. She said she completed the fast 3 months ago.

  54. Marc

    hi Annie, this is the end of my fifth day, and as for the morning hour, the answer is most likely- Yes. It’s quite possible that even with the salt water you may not pass anything for a couple days, (up to 4 ive mostly read about, and one 6) but if you do the salt water flush (and have your tea in the evening) it will eventuallly begin to pass. In the morning for myself, I go to the bathrrom once before the salt water, (from tea, sometimes earlier in the morning like 3- 6) and then ill take the salt flush and within the next hour I’ll have my first flush, along with up to 5 others.. I’ve had to go still (a tiny bit) 4 hours after the flush, but only once so far. I’ve read a great deal about the master cleanse, and it so far everything is basically normal for me.

    Commit to it! As time goes on, you’ll want to more and more.. I actually crave the juice, i struggle with not drinking more then the recommended max!

    oh and a neat idea I nolticed, to crunch my early food cravings,
    was simple cut a lime (preferably, lime is a nice treat once in a while compared to lemon the whole time) in half and into wedges. Drip two spoon fulls of maple syrup over them, and sprinkle on some cayene pepper. Grab a glass of water, sit down, and suck the pulp/juice out of the lime slices.. You can dip up any syrup on the plate (as it doesnt stick to the fruit veryh well) with the wedges as you go along.
    It was really nice actually, to have that a couple times one a night there.. it was like eating and totally satisfied my cravings. You can chew on the wedges a bit, but try not to eat much of it.. just some pulp, the idea is not to get the stomach to start trying to digest anything really solid..
    As is now, i havnt really felt like that treat for the last few days, but idono whats going to happen in the future. I plan to go basically the 40 days.. longer if I feel I still have more to detox, and of course after reading more about people who have done the cleanse for long times.

    Anyway.. ^^
    It’s already been so worth it.
    I feel high, and happy, and alive, more then I can really remember..
    And I await eagerly for the sympoms of detox, when they form, I’m like “OH ya! That’s the body at work!”
    I had a yeast infection in my armpits and they are almost already gone 😉
    So Cleanse on and Happy Healing!

  55. Kath

    The tea is definitely a must. The one that I use is Smooth Move, though the program just calls for a laxative tea in general. It is to be taken every evening before you go to bed and you follow it with a salt water flush on an empty stomach the following morning (2tsp sea salt diluted with 1l of water). I hope that answers your question.

  56. Infidelephant

    Nope – I AM an Atheist (thank god 😉 ) and I am on Day 4. Feeling good!

  57. JAK

    I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS BUT A Question: I have 2 jobs and I can’t be constantly running to the bathroom ALL DAY. Instead of the salt water drink and nightly tea for constant diarrhea – is there a substitution such as a natural ‘inner cleanse’ pill for more bowel control??

  58. Joe_Shmoe

    Clearly you’ve never done a legitimate detox like the Master Cleanser. I agree that there are A LOT of BS “detox systems” out there promoted by unscrupulous businesses looking to make a quick buck. However, I have done the Master Cleanse and I personally know at least a dozen others who have done this cleanse with fantastic results. Our bodies are designed to detoxify themselves if we are eating a natural, raw, organic diet. But most people don’t. On a daily basis we ingest extremely toxic drugs, preservatives, processed foods, and environmental toxins. Our bodies are amazing, but they can’t keep up with all this onslaught forever.

    Don’t be so gullible as to believe that you’re healthy, because you’re not.

    In the future, maybe you could try speaking from personal experience instead of ignorant opinions formed from thin air.

    Believe what you want, but the truth remains the truth. If you do it by the book, the Master Cleanse works.

  59. toronto

    Lost 6 pounds in 2 days on the MC

  60. Jules

    It’s 2 tablespoons of sea salt right? so take one tablespoon with the salt in it, then pour a tiny amount of water on the spoon to mix with the salt. Then take a mouthful of salt, and chase it with 16 ounces of water. Then repeat. I find this less of a hassle. It’s like taking that horrible medicine when your a kid. Just pretend it’s sugar. Hope that helps.

  61. Leslie

    I’m on the 5th day of MC and have not lost one pound.
    Has anyone experienced this reaction before? Following the directions to a ‘T’;can drinking too much lemonade be the issue? Drinking about 64 to 80 ounces (8 to 10 glasses a day)

  62. Mark

    Mark,
    You sound like a nay saying, negative, doomsday kind of a guy. Maybe you should do your homework and really learn the purpose of a fast. Some people just shouldn’t have venues to voice their super negative opinions and I believe you may fall into this category!!

  63. Noah

    Well believe it! You want to annoy people? Start talking about organized religion and dieting. No one is here to listen to the relationship between Jesus and the Master Cleanse Diet. Isn’t there another website for religious Master Cleansers you can visit? Seriously, not another word about it, please & thank you.

  64. Noah

    Bro! Congradulations! Keep up the good work.

  65. Noah

    I’m currently on the Master Cleanse. This is day # 5 for me and I feel good, though headachy. I’m not even hungry most of the time and when I am, I drink a glass of the stuff. I lost 10 pounds in four days which sorta blew my mind, I’m curious to know how much I’ll have lost when my ten days is up. Who knows I may even keep going. I don’t put much stock in the theory of detoxification. Besides, I’m doing it to lose a few pounds. And if I put the weight back on, who gives a …I’ll do the MC again. As “good” as I feel I don’t believe rapid weight loss is healthy for anyone, but in my case neither is being 50 pounds overweight.

  66. Josh

    I did the Master Cleanse the entire month of January this year. I lost about 30 pounds, but that was a bonus. The driving factor behind my decision was because my blood pressure was very high. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me a drug. after two weeks i started seeing a side effect from the BP drug, and he wanted to prescribe me another drug for the side effect. I had been contimplating the cleanse for a while, and on my was home from the doctor with my second prepscription in hand I decided to go for it. 10 days, I can do that.

    I started the cleanse on January 1st. I gave up coffee (I was drinking 4-6 cups a day) I gave up soda (2 a day or more). During the first ten days it was fantastic, there were highs and lows, and it was a spiritual event. I thought alot, learned alot about myself, and expelled alot of stuff. my toungue was green and yellow, my sweat stunk, and i spent some time in teh bathroom in amazement. My blood pressure returned to normal..

    I decided to go on another 5 days, and so on and eventually stopped after 30 days. During this time period we were moving, our business had closed, my wife was pregnant, and it was an all around very stressful time. I was calm, cool, and collected the whole time. I had a high level of energy the whole time. I was pleasant to be around, i enjoyed cooking and going to the grocery store for my family.

    The cleanse has a time and a place, and it is not for everybody. A friend of mine was inspired to try it while I was on it. He lasted 2 days and was huddled in his apartment under an electric blanket trying to stay warm, his body didnt like it and for some reason he just couldnt get warm so he went off it, a good choice.

    I did the cleanse again for 10 days right before my daughter was born. It was alot harder. I was forcing it and was tired compared to the first time. I am not sure why but my heart wasnt in it the second time. I am planning on cleansing again shortly.

    I have become a sort of go to guy within my circle for people with questions about the cleanse. My advice is always this, don’t do it to lose weight, make sure you do it exactly as it states in the book, stick with it for the 10 days, because you feel different each day. If you feel really bad, stop! The master cleanse is not for everyone.

    Over 8 months I have gained half of the weight I lost back. In all honesty i have not stuck with the healthy eating habits i developed after the cleanse. I need to get back to them. It is hard for everybody.

    I think the most important aspect of the cleanse that you can take away is the opportunity to focus on your body in a unique way for a period of time and learn about yourself, it is a period of self reflection and insight that I have never experienced before.

  67. ernie

    I have a inlarged thyroid as well an I take a pill everymorning. The question I have is did you do the master cleanser for 10 days? and I know you said to eliminate salt, but did you do the sea salt water if you did do the MC? And last thing what all did you do to have your thyroid go down?

    Thanks

  68. Janice

    You’re an idiot

  69. Lenay

    Today is day 2 of 14 for my MC. Reading the comments from this site has helped me greatly. I see that this will definitely cleanse the toxins from my body, and I would love to lose a few pounds as well. I too am like some I read where I am very irregular with my bowel movements and this is day 2 and I still have not gone yet, but I’m hoping for something to happen soon!

    Giving up food for 14 days is challenging, but I know my body will be rewarded in the end. Has anyone drank less than 6 glasses a day and still found results?

  70. Julia

    I’m on day 6 of the master cleanse and i have been doing the 2 liter salt water washes in the morning and the laxatives at night, but there has been no excretion?! I have only had small bursts of diahrea like brown colored (like the drink) after the salt water washes, and little bits during the day. In the first couple of days the liquid excretion was sort of thickish. And in the 3rd day onwards it burnt a little when coming out in small bursts and had a strange smell (toxic smell).

    Ive had all the normal symptoms in the first days mainly like bad breath and white tongue as well as stomach grumbling and hunger pangs… hunger pangs stopped after around the third day.

    My toungue is still white, and i brush it every day. My breath is not so bad, more normal. I get occasional need to rest and i do. Im feeling good, but pretty much the same as before i went on the diet.

    Im a vegetarian and im normal weight. I havnt lost much weight at all yet, but the main reason im doing the cleanse is for a detox…

    I just dont know if its working?? Im not excreting, and i havnt lost weight, and my tongue is still white…but i feel good!

    Can anyone give advice?? mainly about the lack of excretion.

  71. rochelle askew

    i have been on the master cleanse for a few days now,i have lost a few pounds.However i havent had a bowel movement yet and if im not mistaken i should have a bowel movement that produce dark putrid stools and mucus in the shape of my large instestine.i thought maybe i was constipated so i tried colace and still no results.i really want to get rid of that waste in my body and hopefully loose this fat on my abdomen.and i also want to add that i do take iron pills and lunesta and occasionally pain medication which can cause constipation. so please someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i want to know if there is anything out there that i can take to produce a healthy bowel movement.

  72. Dallas

    Yeah, eat 10 cheeseburgers a day for the rest of your life and see where that gets you CRITIC!

  73. cdog

    kailash,

    can you give some more details about your diet. like what exactly you ate, or a sample “menu for the day”

  74. violet

    Grade A would definately work. That’s what I used the first half of my cleanse, but then I switched to Grade B. I didn’t see or feel the difference, but then, what the hell do I know???

  75. mikepattonisgawd

    And I suppose that eating cheeseburgers and the rest of the crap that is prevalent in the SAD isn’t dangerous to your health?

  76. mikepattonisgawd

    if you are eating chicken sandwiches, then you are not following the master cleanse in ANY way!

  77. Lass

    Well… I read through all the comments. Quite entertaining.

    The earlier ones almost suckered me into thinking the MC was a bad idea, but as I read on and got overwhelmed with actual informed opinions from people who have actually done it, I’ve completely changed my mind.

    I actually tried doing this fast once, when I was fourteen, and phailed.

    I think I’m actually mature enough to do this now though… I’m nearing seventeen and a lot of things about me have changed. I have a lot more self-control now than I did back then.

  78. Critic

    Stanley Burroughs, the original creator of the Master Cleanse, was actually convicted for felony second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a license, because someone under his care (on this regime) actually died. The “Lemonade Diet” is not only a “grey area” it’s actually dangerous to your health.

  79. Jade

    The thing about fasting is, it isn’t necessary actually. If you go on a raw food diet for 40 days, eating only raw, organic foods, you get the same results and you don’t have to take the laxatives and suffer.

    I’ve done a juice cleanse, which is only certain raw foods (high fiber) and organic juice. I did it for 10 days, lost 10 lbs., and kept it off.

    I had an enlarged thyroid, and when I went on a raw food diet, with no salt, it began to shrink, and has been normal for years. Doctors had told me that I needed surgery, and that it would never be normal again on its own.

    Your body is a very efficient cleansing and healing machine, but just like a car motor that can get clogged up with sludge, your body can build up things that your liver can’t filter. That’s why people get gallstones and kidney stones, from things that can’t be filtered.

    Just think of it like this: if you put sand into your gas tank, it would mess up your engine, right? Sand isn’t meant to be put into a car engine. Well, think about what early man ate, and what we eat. Unprocessed, whole foods are a natural diet for the human body. It’s what whoever put us here put at our disposal. Put the right fuel into your body, and it works perfectly. Add things that aren’t supposed to be there, and it breaks down, just like your car.

    Just my two cents.

  80. Tenoch

    I’ve been doing the Master Cleanse for 17 days now. I’m going for 40 days just to prove to myself I have the will power to do so. When I first began I weigh about 210. Currently i’m at 186. Answering Wiley’s questions: NO! You can not eat anything while on the Master Cleanse. That defeats the whole purpose of the cleanse. It is to give your stomach a break and help dissolve some of the old waste you have. I know doing the SWF is hard but it really does help. If you cant bear the taste of the salt water, try taking a herbal laxative tea in the morning. You should really take one at night though. It helps break down old waste, and the SWF helps remove it. I drink 6 servings of the lemonade daily. If you have anymore questions, dont hesitate to ask. This is my 2nd time doing the MC.

  81. Wiley

    Question, Can you eat anything on the MC? I am on day 2 and only had three glassed of lemonade yesterday plus a grilled chicken salad with no dressing. Will this be okay? I also tried drinking the SWF, but was only able to drink a very small amount? Does the SWF make a difference? I will try to drink at least six cups for the remainder days, but my biggest question is can u eat any food that will not effect the cleanse? Have any one tried drinking an herbal tea at night while on the MC?

  82. Ameeracle

    I agree with the Keisha posting, love the Dr J one. The people who are hating on the MC probably don’t have the horsepower required to finish a minimum of 10 days on this cleanse. Don’t post shitty messages if a) you haven’t done the research and b) have never tried it. This diet is not for weak people. Yes, you will feel weak for a few days while detoxing- that is a GOOD thing- means you are mobilizing toxins to be eliminated. Ever since I have started doing this cleanse my life has changed. Besides skin clear, hair growth etc I feel amazing and what else is there? YES the body does get enough nutrients with the lemonade, cayenne and maple syrup and for the idiots this is not made from the refined sugar most ppl eat that is made from bone char. And NO the vital organs will not work properly eating what most ppl eat. This is not a diet for weight loss it is a rest from the most energy consuming activity of the human body- digestion. My friend had a crazy sore thing in her mouth that she got prescriptions for- nothing worked until the MC. This is a healing regimen. If that’s not the look for you, remain brainwashed into eating the contaminated meat and ruinous dairy and sugar products this society urges you to eat until you get sick. Then go to the doctor and spend a fortune on useless drugs. Then have four kids you have no idea how to raise. Then continue on in a meaningless, cloudy existence and write worthless blogs to people who really want to improve their lives. This cleanse is a beautiful thing.

  83. phxgirl

    After reading the book, I can see that less than 10% of people giving opinions have read it. It helps lose weight, but it was originally created to cure ulcers!! You will also find the answer as to why it’s ok to do it even if you don’t eat regular food.. Please, read the book, get familiar with it, then go ahead and make assumptions.

  84. christine

    in the master cleanse book (which is actually available as a PDF on the net) it actually recommends continuing with the lemonade and having it for breakfast daily, followed by a light lunch and dinner consisting mostly of fruits and veggies. i’m on day 4, although i had a little slip-up last night. i’m shooting for the 10 days, but i’m going to listen to my body as to when it is time to quit. i’m doing this to reduce my food and alcohol addictions, and for an overall sense of well being. i believe (and agree with others who have tried it) that most importantly it is a good way to practice discipline and re-center yourself.

  85. vickavicka

    Okay I had the same problem. You need to see a GI specialist. It sounds like you need to retrain your colon. That is what I had to do. I was in the same boat as you. The GI specialist will probably tell you to take Miralax. Good luck.

  86. thirtygrrl

    I have been on the MC detox for four days now, although I have fallen off the wagon twice- eating a bit of artichoke tonight and a few cooked veggies on Tuesday. The reason I failed twice was lack of planning. You must be sure you have a ton of that lemonade- overpack for the day. I have been caught short every day so far because I don’t spend much time at home. Twice I have had to go to the health food store to buy supplies while away from home and it’s expensive stuff! This is a great experience however. I have lost 6 pounds and look great, and my mental clarity is amazing. I also feel really calm, as long as I have enough lemonade to appease any hunger pangs. I don’t want to eat the food that I’m offered. It’s incredible after only four days to have made that transition to a new relationship with food. My feet, which have always been swollen, are less puffy. I have not had many eliminations because I’m only doing the senna at night. I’ll probably adjust that this weekend when I can stay close to the bathroom.

    I have one question: has anyone integrated the lemonade into an ongoing weight maintenance plan? I’m sure some women must have thought of this since it does suppress appetite with relatively few calories. I’m thinking about replacing a meal with this on a regular basis. Any reason I shouldn’t??

  87. Jim

    How did it go bubba?

  88. Fernanda

    I want to do “master cleanse” But I do not want to lose weight. The ideia to do this is because I want to improve my energy and clean my skin! I have a lot acne and not happy with it. My question is… Can do it?! But not lose weight?!

    Fernanda.

  89. staylace

    The lemon diet is a great thing, all these negative comments about the results, make no since. Everybody that recieved bad results after the lemon diet never realized that they did not prepare themselve for the diet mentally. I use this three time a year.The result are incredible. 1. I did a sun salutation(yoga) 6-12 times in the morning. 2. meditation 3. I stayed relax.4.eat plenty leafy green, soup, fruits afterwards. I maintain a healthy weight and look for 10 yrs strong and some.Try and learn more about a change like the lemon diet in detail before you dive right in because from what I read from others outcome a lot of people skip a few critical steps

  90. Linds

    Holier than thou or not, he didn’t wish a horrible and debilitating disease on anyone…

  91. Lici

    Bringing God into it? What a piece you are. Holier than though…ha! Hope you get colon cancer.

  92. Greysea

    Seriously…40days???? why???
    I will definitly pray for you, If people have complications doing this master cleanse for 10 days I cant imagine how 40 will make you feel. Please becareful, this is my 1st day on it and im not sure how many more days i will be able to do this for.
    GOOD LUCK!

  93. Fairchild

    Starting today day #1, going for the big 40 days. I am doing this for spiritual and physical clarity. I am Christian, and need to focus more on my relationship with Christ. Pray for me fasters, as I will pray for you success as well. God Bless and Keep you.

  94. Greysea

    Okay, here it goes… I know that this is no biography or anything but i am so excited to start this “Cleanse” on Monday. I am a 26yr old mother of 2 just had a baby 14weeks ago and i am at 215lbs. I personally do not like being fat, it makes me grouchy bitchy and miserable. I feel like this cleanse will get me to the right path in eating healthier after the 10 days. I am a food FANATIC, did i mention i ment JUNK FOOD!!?? so i know that this will be the hardest thing ever, or will it?? i will try it and only time will tell. good luck to all of you who are looking for a healthier and happier you in mind body and spirit. we need more happy people in this world and if this is one step closer to that i am willing to try….here goes nothing……

    • STEVE HARVEY

      GOOD JOB
      MUCH LUCK TO YOU.

  95. Julia

    i was happy to see someone doing The Master Cleanse while breastfeeding! i am currently breastfeeding my 15 months-old. i am on day 2 of The Master Cleanse & i am scared to death of loosing my milk. i feel great, i really want to do the fast for at least 10 days. i am having hard time finding people who do the MC & breastfeed.

    please share your experience with The Master Cleanse & breastfeeding in more details. i am very worried about my milk. my daughter is 15 months, but most of her daily diet is still my milk. she can’t get enough of it. LOL 🙂

    thank you! God Bless!

    julia

  96. Jem

    The Master Cleanse is something many clearly misunderstand. I read the book before beginning as well as peformed additional research and I along with several of my physicians have found it to be remarkable. I have suffered with ulcers for nearly four years and a week prior to beginning my fast I could not sleep for the pain. I chose to discontinue medications and to try a more natural approach “Master Cleanse”and in merely five days I can say I feel 100% better. The fact that I have lost 15lbs is a plus. I feel and according to coworkers and friends look as if I am so relaxed and happy. The cleanse is not for weightloss but for spiritual cleansing and natural healing; if one loses weight as a result of completing the fast and is able to keep it off consider yourself blessed and the weightloss a blessing.

  97. Tom

    If anyone has read thus far and does not realize that “The Master Cleanse” does not equal extreme weight loss diet, know this now. It can be useful for treating conditions that range from very loose bowels to constipation to parasitic infection. It is a method of stimulating your body to expel intestinal plaque. Your water retetention changes for the duration, and you will lose some body fat but mostly you lose, (if you are healthy), 20 lbs of old shit.

  98. Angelica

    I want to try it just to see if it will help clear my acne. I really don’t care about the weight loss… I really am at a pretty healthy weight right now.

  99. JulieNY

    Jackie–I read on other board that it once took someone 6 days to have any sort of movement and from then on it was like the floodgates were opened..I feel your pain though I don’t think I’d be comfortable waiting that long. What’d you decide to do?

    Anyone just starting? I’m on day 2 and I’m really surprised how my body is holding up! The only thing I found weird was that the SWF this morning took 2 hours to kick in..I was convinced nothing was gonna happen and I’d have to do it again but then it finally came through (Thank god..) I’m gonna try a little more salt tomorrow I think..I just thought it was funny because it took less than 30 minutes day one..Aside from that, I feel great, even did some weights today and found I had an energy level comparable to any other day 🙂

  100. Jackie

    Day 5: Still nothing. I’ve tried stool softeners, wheatgrass shots throughout the day to assist in moving things along, as well as Metamucil.
    Should I stop?

  101. Jackie

    Okay, I am concerned and would like advice. I am on day 3 of the cleanse, and I have not had a solid or even semi-solid bowel movement yet. Just water. Is this normal?
    I start everyday out with a 32 oz saline flush, non-iodized sea salt. Nothing. Yesterday, I forgot about the flush before drinking a lemonade mixture, so I tried a midday flush after not ingesting any mixture or water for 2 1/2 hours. Nothing. After an hour of my salt flush doing nothing, I decided to follow up with 2 tsps of epsom salt in 10 oz of water. Nothing.
    I drink either Smooth Move or Yogi Get Regular every night and I have been drinking appropriate amounts of mixture and water throughout the day.
    I am not experiencing any pain or discomfort of any kind, I’m just kinda…..waiting for the dam to break.

    Should I be really concerned about this? I mean, I would think that SOMETHING would have happened by now, but not a thing…..anyone have any advice?

  102. Amber

    I am not doing the master cleanse for weightloss. I am doing it to get rid of parasites once and for all, including a bad case of candida, which I know I have because I’ve been having colonics. The weight loss is a fun bonus, but you will gain at least half of it back if you do not change your bad eating habits. The Master Cleanser method has been known to cause people to crave healtheir foods once they’re done. I hope to see the same results myself. I would encourage people to do a lot of reading before they decide that detoxing/fasting is bogus. I have more energy and clarity of mind than I’ve had since… well, since I was a healthy little kid. Don’t knock it ’till you try it…

  103. Bobby

    Actually Keishas right, this sounds as if it is enough to ‘live’ on.

    Lemons are not only high in Vitamin C but they also contain great source of B6, iron, potassium. Rich in antioxidants and pectin, lemons may protect us from free radicals, prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, and act as an antibacterial in the body. They offer dietary fiber (if one is consuming some of the pulp), vitamin C, calcium, folic acid, manganese, magnesium, zinc and other nutrients.

  104. renee

    I came across your posting while researching the master cleanse. I am on day 3 and havent really gone to the bathroom yet? Is that normal? When did you start to really detox. My energy level is pretty normal/above aberage and i am not very hungry but i feel like i should be frequenting the bathroom by now?
    Let me know if you have any input.
    Thanks!

  105. jen

    good luck to you!! i know these post are so old but i am trying to get motivated. i read alot of post and yours got me to stop just reading and let you know that i thank you for your post. so thanks.

  106. john wilson

    Did You take your high blood medication while on the diet?

  107. holly

    Ive been on the atkins diet.If i start this cleanse will it work,will i gain anything or should i lose??

  108. Aranyani

    The maple syrup you use on the master cleans is “grade B organic”. This syrup contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, Iron, coper, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, vitamin A, B1, B2, B5, and B6. Lemons are the richest source of minerals and vitamins of any food or foods known to man. Obviously, there is enough nutrition in this “diet” to last from 10- 40 days, which is the fasting period. People need to do some research before sounding like idiots.

  109. edmar

    I tried that diet for 14 days. I lose 14lb. and I also developed heartburns and acid indigestion (painfull annoy in my stomach) but it worked. It’s up to you.

  110. Dr. J

    mistura said:
    what doctor or medical professional is gonna give you advice towards what may possibly put them out of business?! […]

    Ouch!!

  111. mistura

    octavia said:
    I’m on day 5 going on 6 and I feel great the people who do this should have someone join them so that they have some support . Going at this cleansing as a way to lose weight is not smart it’s a way to start over simply doing it for 10 days and not changing the way you eat afterwards of course you’re going to gain the weight back and more duhhhhh .[…]

    Duhh’s well said!!..and you’re so right..what doctor or medical professional is gonna give you advice towards what may possibly put them out of business?! Healthy clients means no clientss or less doctor visits…no doctor visits means no mortgage payments towards that mansion in beverly hills…or the oakland hills.
    I’ve been on the Lemonade Master Cleanse for 4 days now. And seriously I’m momments away from quitting…but everytime my stomache starts to rumble I make the lemonade…and the rumble stops. I’ve been able to maintain an weight size between 207-210 for almost 10 years…at about 6’3″. I only decided to start the diet after reading the book. I thought to myself “well…I’ll be turning 37 this year…I look younger than most kats my age…I’m not over weight…my skin is flawless…I could shed a few pounds around the love-handle section….but although I’m not a total junk food junkie…my daily diet of food hasn’t been all that should be …and we’re talking bout years here…so I could really benefit from this diet…plus I dont believe most of the shit that reeks from the mouths of the medical industry …and I’m a true believer of holistic herbal practices…so why not!” BUT I’m gonna share with you this…as I agree with alot of folks on the blog…that this is more than a cleansing diet for the body…it’s definitely for the soul.

    With all the polluntants, pestisides, carbon monoxide…bad food practices…and now the possiblity of cloning our meats….a drastic change in eating habits is needed in all. Fruits and veggies should be the way to start the day..and everyday. So as I’m making my way off this diet …either I give in or not…my eating habits will have definitely changed. Less dairy. No milk (lactose free or other wise). More nuts , fruits and veggies for snaking purposes…and more fish. And I love fish…so i should eat more anywayz…but when Chipotle’ is convieniently down the street from the pad and you’re on the run…mannnnnnn….all I gotta say is that will power is key.
    Wurd!
    -a guy named pat from The Town-

  112. Sophie

    I can’t find my book and am worried! I’m on day 7, I ordered another book but it won’t arrive for a week! After I do the 2 days of juice, I move onto soup and then raw veggies (I think. i can’t remember exactly) Does anyone have any recommendations on soups? would someone remind me of those details please? I’ve come this far and don’t want to make any mistakes.

    To Ted, you’re fine; good luck!

  113. TED

    Please, somebody answer me, what happen if the water is just water from a filter? because I don’t think I can afford “pure water” or other type of clean water in a bottle, Im thinking of using is the normal water (I have a filter). Please this is very important to me, also, I know this is not the best thing to do for weight loss but the results are so amazing that I can’t resist, also cleaning my insides sounds good and it will help me to adapt to a healtier lifestyle in the future, but what can I do to keep the weight off once I finish the cleanser? thanks.

    Please help, thanks!
    Love TED!

  114. cheryl

    thanks makenzie. i started the detox on sat and ate dinner with my kids about 10 hours into the detox. i know that was a big no-no. lol. i felt like crap after i ate. i got really tired and i had noticed that on sat i didnt need my usual noon nap with the kids. about 30 mins after eating i got really tired and just wanted to throw up. this question goes out to all who have done this detox: is this normal?

  115. Makenzie

    GOOD luck I really commend you. PLEASE keep up the good work for all who have gone before you.My Mom too. This is serious but u can do it. I’m trying to lose 40 pounds myself. Thx Makenzie

  116. cheryl

    i really loved reading all the posts from every one abput the master cleanse. it really inspired me to go on the diet. i really enjoyed laughing at all the posts that criticized this detox. quoting celebs you do not know, quoting western medicine beliefs and having no m.d to back up your opinion, and those posts that belittled others. what a kick in the teeth huh? well here’s my ten cents its worth far more than your two: do not degrade others attempts to obtain whatever goal they are reaching for. it is for their benifit and not yours. not everyone is happy being over weight as you must be. or feeling bloated and tired every day. why dont you try it your self before you judge others? yes that means put down the chicken and step away from the table.

  117. jeff

    I am 6 days into this diet and the only thing that I have changed is I drink all flavors of tea as a filler aside from the large amount of plain water. I have done not done many diets but this is actually helping my prostate problem and assisting me to pee. I have been on flowmax for 2 years every day or I could not pee easily. I am now off of it and I am hoppy to report I have my bladder back. Did this do it?? I think yes. This is not just designed to cleans your colon. It cleanses your whole system if you read all of the information and then do your other homework. So for all of you doubters out there….have some control and DONT EAT for ten days out of your life. It will be over before you know it and then you can make your comments on this diet from experiance!!!!!

  118. sara

    Regarding the question asked about incorporating medication into the cleanse….you need to read Mr. Burrough’s book. He is a staunch opponent to traditional medicine and considers most “medical” doctors quacks. He believes-as do I, that most people are over-medicated, and under-informed. There are numerous other ways to deal with your afflictions than turning to chemicals.

    I say this because I too suffer from anxiety and major depressive disorder. Just a few months ago I found myself falling into the medical trap, and was on Effexor, Klonopin, Lexapro, and Buspar. Each was taken twice daily. The anxiety did not improve. My sleep did, only because I was so heavily medicated that all I wanted to do was sleep. In my waking hours, I was so foggy-headed that I had trouble concentrating (a symptom of anxiety that oddly enough I did not have until being medicated), which actually led to more anxiety.

    I weaned myself off of the drugs (I do not advise doing this alone)-and have found exercising and positive thinking to be my new “vices”. A little pot every now and then doesn’t hurt either.

  119. sara

    Just to reiterate–the Master Cleanser (not master cleanse), IS NOT A DIET. The original book by Stanley Burroughs did not tout the concept as such. He intended it to be used as a detox-to rid your body of toxins. He believed, as do many, that toxins directly relate to weight gain and many diseases, and it has been proven that by cleansing your system, you CAN lose weight. Not everyone does-some people lose alot, some lose a little, some lose none. But the point is not a DIET. And it is meant to be short-term-for most people 10 days is sufficient. Peter Glickman cashed in on Mr. Burrough’s idea and turned it into a diet. Don’t confuse the two-read the original book “The Master Cleanser”, first published in 1975. It can be bought at B&N for $6.50.

    Mr. Burroughs intended for this detox to be used to cleanse the system initially, then for a sensible diet to be introduced into your newly cleansed body. No refined sugar, etc.

    BTW-the maple syrup used in this detox is not made from refined sugar. It is organic, pure maple syrup. Yes, it has carbs, which are necessary for energy while you are fasting.

    Educate yourself. Don’t just join in and comment if you are uninformed.

  120. IvyDevilDog

    Well, I’m on my second day of the Master Cleanser. Other than for colonoscopies, this is the only time I’ve tried a non-physician-recommended colon cleanser. I’m active duty in the Marines and do cardio (up to 5 times/week) and strength training (3 times/week). So, prior to starting the Master Cleanser, I had several concerns: (1) Would I have enough energy to wake at 5:00am and work out… and still put in a 10-hour day at work and several more at home with the husband/kids? (2) Would I feel like I was starving…because folks in my office literally eat all day? (3) How would my skin, breath, etc be affected?

    Firstly, I’ve worked out for the two days I’ve been on the diet and don’t feel overly fatigued. In fact, I’m quite surprised that my energy level is where it is normally.

    Secondly, I notice that I feel like I could have some food whenever I can smell what someone in the office is having… that tortilla soup sure smelled good today.

    Regarding my last concern, I’ve not noticed the furry/white tongue (that may be because I’ve always brushed my tongue along with my teeth) or any differences in my skin.

    I did, however, lose 4 pounds yesterday because of the “Super Colon Cleanser” laxative. I’m okay with that because I normally only void once every 3-4 days and have sought medical care regarding this condition. So, I’m almost a laxative “queen” anyway… yeah, I know that’s not good and am trying to fix the lack-of-voiding-problem using other, more responsible methods.

    I must admit that some of the comments I’ve read thus far are causing me to cut my time on the Master Cleanser (I was only gonna do it for 3 days) and re-introduce some nutrients to my body tomorrow. I certainly don’t want my muscles to be protein-starved. I think this cleanser has given me some breathing room so that I can get back to eating healthy (I am a TRUE JUNK FOOD QUEEN).

    So, in the end, I will have tried the Master Cleanser for a full 48 hours and then will do things the way they should be done. Thanks everyone for your insight!!

  121. Monique

    I’ve never posted anything to a blog before, so here it goes…

    This is my very first cleanse in my entire life. It’s my 10th day on the master cleanse and I feel great. I didn’t have any side effects (no headaches, no cravings for food). I have lots of energy, I’m more focused at work, I’m not tired, I’ve been exercising more in the evenings because I’m not tired like I used to be. It’s GREAT! I’ve finally found something that just takes away the question of ‘what am I going to eat for lunch or dinner’! The pounds you can shed is an added bonus, to date I’ve lost 10. At 5’9 and weighing in at 170 is just fantastic! I’m almost down to my weight when I was in college! I haven’t told my friends what I’m doing because I’ve learned that some friends can sabotage you when your trying something new, whether they do it intentionally or not. I’ve tried other fasting methods and diets before but never anything like this. For me, it’s not just a cleanse for my body but for my mind and spirit as well.

    Thanks for letting me share my 2 cents worth. Live well to be well!

  122. Dr.J

    Brian said:
    I am wondering if I really have to go 10 days. I have heard that 7 days will give you the same benefit. […]

    For you, it will take 20 days 🙂

  123. Brian

    I am on day 3 of my first MC. I find that it has not been physically hard, but very mentally hard. I am wondering if I really have to go 10 days. I have heard that 7 days will give you the same benefit. Thanks and good luck to the other beginners out there.

  124. Amy

    I just wanted to let people know that I am currently on DAY 13 of my cleanse. VERY proud of myself to have made it this far. I FEEL GREAT!!! I have suffered from allergies for years from ragweed and I mean I am MISERABLE! I have the freedom to breathe! I can breathe through my nose! I can play with my kids outside.

    My brother has done this cleanse and he no longer has to take blood preasure meds.

    Love the lemonade now it has grown on me. I am shooting for 2 weeks on this lemonade I am just not ready to quit yet. I prepare all the meals in my home for my family.. soo at times I think about how it smells sooo grand! It can be hard then I just make myself strong again. 🙂
    I drink the tea at night and the salt water in the morning. ALOT of salty water (follow the book) I do not like it at all but I just drink it and I drink it quick.
    Feel amazing I have more energy. I am loosing weight.
    Looking forward to making better choices when I come off.

    I would love to write a book on how this cleanse has made such a differance in my life.
    I hope this helps someone to make up a confused mind
    YEH ME TOO 🙂 I waited 2 months doing research to finally just say DO IT!

    This is about me right now…taking care of me too 🙂

  125. Carol

    My husband and I did this over 6 months ago and have maintained the weightloss, even though we have gone back to some of our old bad ways of eating. He lost 36 pounds and has only regained 3. I lost 8 pounds, but was not overweight. I was just trying to feel better, which I did. As the old aches and pains are returning now, I have just begun again today. Will probably not go 10 days, but we’ll see. I remember feeling great on the regimen!

  126. cj

    I am on mandatory medication daily (I have an anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder). I can’t stop taking my medication. Are any of you on medication and if so, how did you incorporate the meds into the cleanse?

  127. francis

    i have seen alot of remarks that fasting may help aid weightloss, you will only end up putting the weight back on in the long run. Funny enough this was not the case for me. I went on a fast for 2 weeks. Ironically not on purpose – i had tonsilitus and managed to eat little more than a punnet of strawberries and half a bowl of rice. I lost a stone in total (going from 149lbs to just over 130 lbs)

    This weight didnt come back on. It’s been a year since and still puzzles me to this day!

  128. linda

    okay so what is the right way of doing this ?
    i have all the things i need to get started,
    but what is this tea and sea salt?please help would like to start it real soon

  129. Dr.J

    This link may work. Otherwise, just search the Internet for information. I like the Warrior 20/4 system. I don’t know if it will work for others, but it works for me. We each have to find our own way. Really, simplicity is always a good place to start.

    http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=278

  130. healthyway

    Keryn said:
    For the record, lose weight is the proper way to spell. Loose weight is not. I saw loose weight on an actual ad!! Would you call that company?[…]

    Thank you!! This is one of my biggest pet peeves, along with spelling “definitely” as “definately”.

    I think there are definite benefits to fasting occasionally. Wounded animals in the wild, for example, will abstain from food for a period of time to aid its own healing process.

    I would love to see come citation on the article posted above from Dr. J about intermitten fasting.

  131. Jennifer T. Johnston

    Jesus fasted

  132. gman

    I am almost 40 and I’ve done the master cleanser at least 7 times.I have learned to listen to my body and I have to say it just feels good. I’ve also learned not to discuss the master cleanser with others as some people get quite fired up and emotional about it. If you don’t believe in it that’s fine. If it works for you, do it but don’t preach about it because you might come across some pretty harsh criticism.

  133. mary gallagher

    i have just started the master cleanse–am on day 3 and have just finished drinking a quart of warm salt water (nasty). i feel okay with the exception of a SERIOUS headache yesterday that woke we at 2 am last night. i took ibuprofen which worked. anybody else getting headaches? is there an alternative solution besides taking medication? i am trying to detox here, i don’t really want to take medication but i couldn’t stand the pain anymore. i welcome feedback.

  134. Vena

    I’m considering of doing the claense but i need proper guidance. for those who have done it, do help. i’m a bit curious if you are suppose to use that laxative herb tea every morning and night or can you actually use a sustitute for that?

  135. MyRoots

    Jan said:
    Religious fasting is usually a one-day long thing, Christopher, or it is a partial thing (ramadan) and unless they had maple trees I’m unaware of in Israel, have nothing to do with The Master Cleanse. Jesus fasted, so you drink maple syrup, pepper and lemon juice for “religious reasons” – how does that make sense? If you wanted to be religious, you[…]

    Ms.Jan you are out of control honey!!! I think you need the master cleanse to help with your personality!! 🙂 Do some more research Ms. Jan!! Okay don’t just be typing what you think all over the place!! Get some facts!! Especailly about MAPLE syrup (sap from a living tree, Not a dead carcass) You never heard that if you eat life, you have more life, but that if you eat death then you have a quicker death!! Also that death starts in the COLON!! Come on lady!! You are probaly all toxic I can tell just by the way you’re commenting on this blog!! You need to DETOX right away my dear!! I will personally get you organic lemons, cayenne pepper, pure water and your favorite!! MAPLE SYRUP!!!! (grade B) So you can get started right away!! Emergency 911!! You need it bad!!

  136. MyRoots

    Jan said:
    Alexis, if you can say people are going to get heart attacks from Atkins, I can offer my opinion. Or are you a doctor yourself? That is all everyone does here, they offer their opinion. If you can’t take any criticism of this “diet”, then you should be on the official forum for it, where any criticism gets deleted. This is an unbiased site.[…]

    Ms. Jan let it go!! You are rambling now!! Nobody is interested in the way you feel personally. Like you said, just post your comment and keep it moving!! Because I don’t believe that you’re a Dr. either!! Looks like your the one who can’t take critism!! If you disagree fine, if you agree fine, but by all means don’t take it personal!! 🙂

  137. MyRoots

    christopher & Amani – Seattle said:
    I like the last post from Alexis. It is true, u should only critic something if you have completed it.[…]

    You guys are the best!! I love the way you prove your point!! Ms. Jan is in denial, Alexis is a star, and the home girl Keisha just put it all out there. Check out my comment pg.4 “MyRoots” 🙂

  138. MyRoots

    Alexis said:
    I think the only people who should comment on the detox are people who have actually done the detox,then you would know how it feels to have your body rid of all it’s toxins.I did it to help my health and it worked.I was never able to sleep for 8 hours a night until I did this detox.My skin has always been a problem for me too,it was dry and just n[…]

    Thank you Alexis!!! You are a STAR!!!

  139. MyRoots

    Jan said:
    Christopher & Amani, I’m pretty sure Jesus wasn’t drinking maple syrup during his fast. And are you actually comparing yourself to Jesus? The lenght of his fast was mentioned as part of the proof he is divine. So unless you are divine, I don’t think you should be fasting for 40 days.[…]

    Ms. Jan The man didn’ t say he was Jesus or comparing himself to Jesus!! He is just making a very crucial point!! You look more mature than to make a comment like that!! I’m appauled!!

  140. MyRoots

    Michael said:
    I just finished the Lemonade Diet. This is my second 10-day stint in 3 months (I had some extra time off work so I decided to try it again earlier than planned). Although each time I have lost around 20 lbs, I’m not doing it for just weight loss. I have been on dialysis for 3 years, and like someone posted earlier, I’m trying to help my body repair[…]

    You go! Micheal I proud to hear that good luck!! Wishing you da best!! I about to start the Master Cleanse myself!!

  141. MyRoots

    massgrrl said:
    I do a detox every year or so, as my digestive tract has never been particularly healthy, and after two c-sections, I find that a detox every year plus regular colonics every month really helps me out. Also, I drink apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and take ground flax throughout the year.[…]

    Mass girl you crazy!!! Thanks for speaking up about the master cleanse because thats what it is, just a cleanse!! So the saltwaters foul huh!!:)

  142. MyRoots

    Spectra said:
    Keisha–you have got to be kidding me. […]

    You need to reseach maple syrup (grd. B) & lemons a little more darlin’! 1st maple is tree sap boo,boo! okay Trees are living rite!! ok so are those trees that bear lemons. Staight from god and lets not get into how essential water is!! So Ms. Keisha you written one of the smartest things for these people to understand. Maple has what the body needs god has it pouring right out of he precious tree for us to consume!! It’s the damed western medicine & processed food that got us staying sick and unhealthy!! Let’s go back to our roots and god for wholesome natural remedies and using earthly thing instead chemical concoctions!!

  143. Ann

    Thanks Ramona. Will give the OJ a try. Did you drink it for 2 days straight? I was planning for 1 day, and then the morning of day 2. I was hoping to go to soup and salad on Day 2 for lunch. Any thoughts?
    PS: am on Day 9 and feel great.

  144. octavia

    I’m on day 5 going on 6 and I feel great the people who do this should have someone join them so that they have some support . Going at this cleansing as a way to lose weight is not smart it’s a way to start over simply doing it for 10 days and not changing the way you eat afterwards of course you’re going to gain the weight back and more duhhhhh . If you pay attention he recommends that you change your diet/way of life for a lasting result . And not to sound like i hate doctors but what doctor is really going to tell you how to fix your health when they need you to buy pills stay sick and keep seeing them ?

  145. Ramona

    Ann said:
    Hey there, I too don’t do well with OJ. Any thoughts out there?
    […]

    Ann
    You might try apple juice if your system can’t handle oj, but then again because you have detoxed yourself so well the oj might not bother you as it has in the past. I have done the MC detox twice and had wonderful results in all areas. I love it.
    Ramona

  146. Ann

    ang said:
    I am on day #8 of the cleansing process. I have felt pretty normal the entire time. I’m lucky, though, I don’t drink coffee, smoke, or hardly ever drink alcohol, so I didn’t get any headaches. I’ve been able to exercise as normal (5+ hours of classes/wk), I’ve been sleeping well, and honestly, I feel less irritable. I’ve tried doing water fasts in […]

    Hey there, I too don’t do well with OJ. Any thoughts out there?

  147. God

    Mark, shut up.

  148. Jugend

    Diet (di·et)
    the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group,
    eg: The native diet consists of fish and fruit.

    The word ‘diet’ itself has nothing to do with weight loss, only in recent times has this slang version emerged. The phrase ‘lemonade diet’ should not be confused with ‘lemonade weight loss regimen’.

  149. ang

    I am on day #8 of the cleansing process. I have felt pretty normal the entire time. I’m lucky, though, I don’t drink coffee, smoke, or hardly ever drink alcohol, so I didn’t get any headaches. I’ve been able to exercise as normal (5+ hours of classes/wk), I’ve been sleeping well, and honestly, I feel less irritable. I’ve tried doing water fasts in the past (24-36hr fast/week), and I would get really irritable doing that. I do have a question for those of you who have completed the 10 or more days of the fast. The book says to drink orange juice for 2 days to get yourself off of the fast and prepare your body to digest regular foods again. Is this the only way to make the transition? I’m allergic to large amounts of orange juice, and am a little nervous about what it might do to me. Let me know when you get the chance.

    Thanks,
    Ang

  150. shay

    sarwalt said:
    Regardless of whether the Master Cleanser works or not, a lot of you keep referring to it as a diet. It is not a way to lose weight even if a few pounds are shed during the process. It is a detoxification process. Anyone complaining about how this ‘diet’ doesn’t work is misinformed.

    Thank you for bringing the truth back into this blog. I have a friend on it, going on 6 days and he is still excreting waste from his system. There is so much build up in our digestive tracts that on a 6 day liquid diet, it’s still not clean. This is not for weight-loss, this is a detox.

  151. Jayshree

    I just completed the master lemon clense minus the sea salt. I lost 13 pounds and I feel great, I will probably gain it back but I did this more for will power than anything else. To prove to myself that I can do it.
    It was hard but I have been off the lemonade for two days and I actually miss the taste!

  152. errica

    I just read this and in addition to fixing my system, I am doing this for a spiritual guidance. I am aware that Jesus fasted for 40days and I feel that I should atleast be able to do this for ten days. Thanks for your comment and God Bless all of you!

    christopher & Amani – Seattle said:
    I can’t believe how many Athiest are in this world. Not 1 person mentioned the FACT that Jesus, our savior, fasted for 40 days and for 40 nights without any problems and even suggested fasting for certain power.
    My wife and I have been doing the master cleanse for years and we have never gained any weight back. We eat healthy and we excersize mo[…]

  153. errica

    I was looking for a site and I found this one. To everyone that has made a comment good or bad, thanks. I needed inspiration because I am on day three and I can’t believe I made it this far. I am not hungry but I cringe when I pass a great restaurant. I am doing this because my system is so messed up. I may have a bowel movement once or twice a week and I really don’t think that this is good so that is why I started this. I feel fine and I just have a question: I haven’t had a great BM yet but when I do it comes out just a little liquidy is that how it comes out? Sorry for being so descriptive but I need some insight!

  154. reggie

    Ross said:
    Russell – I think it depends upon your definition of detox. […]

    i have done the master cleanse and lost 40 pounds in thirty days and kept thirty five pounds off for a year then i did the cleanse again and lost 40 more pounds and kept that off too.I am now doing my third cleanse. my skin will get baby soft by day4 and liver spots vanish, more energy, happier, the list goes on.unless you have done it and done it right you can’t know what your talking about because anybody that feels as good as they do on the master cleanse will never bad mouth the cleanse. oh, i also did the cleanse while breastfeeding because my baby was very sick and the doctor wanted to take her spleen out. and she is as good as new too and i had more breastmilk on the cleanse than before and my baby gained 1 pound. have you ever studied all the vitamins and minerals in maple syrup and lemons.wow not starving. i get almost 2 thousand calories a day.

  155. Jan

    I’m interested in knowing why the supporters of this thing are so fervorous in their defense. Religious even, using religious arguments sometimes. Is it the sugar high you get from all that maple syrup? What is it that is creating hormones that make you so adamant? That is my real scientific curiosity, not whether this will clean your colon or not.

  156. eh

    to all you people who are just throwing your opinions around without researching or experiencing the MC for yourself are obviously less interested in the truth of the matter and more into hearing yourself talk. Opinions are worthless when they are not backed by experience.

  157. am

    how many fasts have you had? and if none, how could you really consider yourself educated enough to have a vaild opinion?

    Mark said:
    “Cleanses” and “detoxes” are complete hokum, the placebo effect, useless unless you’re scheduled for a colonoscopy. No medical experts support them. The fact that the stuff that comes out of your colon looks gross, just means that you’re flushing the crap out of your intestines all at once before it forms into stools.[…]

  158. JCS

    It works, It works, It works,I lost a total of 22 pounds,in 10 days and now looking for ways to keep it off and take off even more. If you are on medication,keep taking it and you will see your high blood pressure drop and your blood suger level go down. This has been the best weight lost program that I have every tried. Be Strong.

  159. stefanie

    yes it is a CLEANSING not a DIET. losing weight is a side affect and not the purpose of the master cleanser (except in extreme cases i suppose). and before bashing its benefits maybe read up on it and what it does to cleanse your body. the lemons, syrup and cayenne all serve specific purposes and your body is getting some nutrients. afterwards it it is recommended to pump up your body’s intake of vitamins B12, etc. that it has been missing out on. you dont have to try this but kudos to all of you who do and i hope your results are all wonderful. it’s only ten days at a minimum, so why not give it a go?

  160. annie

    hi. i just finished reading the MC by S. Burroughs & am getting myself mentally prepared to start the cleanse. are those unbreakable polycarbonate water jars that they sell everywhere good enough?

    i just wanted to know where i can get the 10oz glass jars/bottles people are saying is the best way to store the juice.

    also, just wanted to make sure – will i need about an hour after the SW flush in the morning before i can leave the vicinity of a bathroom?

    thanks for the help. all your comments so far have been really helpful & encouraging 😀

  161. mom_of_twin_boys

    why only 4 days Camsha?

    I ended up loosing a total of 12lbs in 10 days.
    I started at 158 and am now at 146. I’m 5’5. I am drinking fresh squeezed orange juice during the day. Fruit salad at lunch, and will have a vegetable salad for dinner (if I’m hungry)… or a fruit salad.

    I feel great.

    I finished the diet on Monday.

    What was your starting weight if you don’t mind me asking?

  162. Camsha

    I done the cleanse 2 weeks ago and I did it for 4 days only. My mind was clear, I wasn’t hungry, and I lost a total of 17 pounds. I was losing like 3 lbs. a day.

  163. mom_of_twin_boys

    My twins are 8 months old, soon to be 9 months on May 14th.

    I’ve been on the master cleans for 6 days now and feel great. I mix a daily batch of the master cleans ingredients times 6. I drink “Smooth Move” tea at night right before I go to bed and a cup 1st thing in the morning.

    I drink my lemonade starting at 9am and continue to drink a cup every other hour until my supply is gone which equals (end-of-day).

    Results so far:
    1) I’ve lost 10lbs so far.
    2) I have loads of energy day to day.
    3) I sleep more soundly at night
    4) I do notice that I’ve been a bit irritable lately since being on the diet. My BF has taken notice. I usually tune out things that irk me but lately I’ve been short tempered about them.
    5) The tea does cause stomach cramps when it is doing it’s job, but after using the restroom the cramps are gone and I am back to feeling great.
    6) I move my bowels 4x a day.
    7) At the end of the day I am still able to keep up with my twin boys and BF with ease (after working an 8hr 9am-5pm desk job).
    8) I don’t feel weak at all.
    9) My skin has cleared up some but not all the way.
    10) Clearer mind set, able to stick to goals easier than before.

    Add-ons:
    I will start my 2 mile a day jog today. I haven’t exercised the whole program so far but I have done strenuous yard work. I’m in the process of starting a vegetable garden and the first step is turning over the soil. Back-breaking work!

    I will also do the internal salt water bath tomorrow.

    I’ll keep you all posted on my progress for interested parties and those considering the diet.

    (Please ignore my poor grammar… Trying to convey info. not write an English paper.)

  164. faz

    im going on this diet hopefull in a couple of months i figured that if ur on the toilet half the time i might aswell start it when ive got time of uni, wont mean i hvae to miss any lesson

  165. alicia

    hey my name is alicia , i did a water fast for 30 days with two tspn of vinegar in every liter. i lost 28 pounds in on month. i messed up twice before i did it right, but it was well worth it. little head pain, and mild dizzyness once or twice. ive kept it off by starting a low carb diet, and cutting soda, and drinkin a large cup of water w vinegar after every meal, because of this im still losing weight

  166. Anonymous

    Thanks Veronica, I don’t live in the U.S. but I’ll see what I can do to find that.

  167. veronica

    Anonymous said:
    Do you have to take a laxative in order to get some bowel movement or will the ingredients of the detox mixture work on your insides and give you a natural relief? My biggest fear is constipation…not a good feeling. I just started my detox today and I’m doing it for 40 days. I’m drinking a tea by Twinings called Cleanse made up from various her[…]

    The tea you have to use is called “smooth move” made by Traditional Medicinals. You can find it at http://www.drugstore.com

    Hope that helps

  168. Anonymous

    1/10th a teaspoon is significant enough for a person intolerant to spicy foods but that’s irrelevant to my post I wasn’t seeking a response for that. Once again, I ask for those that HAVE done it, if you can please respond to the question on bowel movement because I’m quite sure since this is a detox, persons on it must excrete.

  169. misii colgan

    what the heck is a 1/10th teasppon of ceyanne pepper?

  170. Different Nic

    Well, I’m no doctor, but since you’re not eating anything, I wouldn’t think you’d have to move your bowels.

    Anonymous said:
    Do you have to take a laxative in order to get some bowel movement or will the ingredients of the detox mixture work on your insides and give you a natural relief? My biggest fear is constipation…not a good feeling. I just started my detox today and I’m doing it for 40 days. I’m drinking a tea by Twinings called Cleanse made up from various herbs[…]

  171. Anonymous

    Mistake, I’m doing it for 14 days!!! Also, to those that have done it, is the cayenne pepper really prominent in your mixture? That just kills the whole taste for me. I’m measuring it by guessing considering I know what 1/8th of a teaspoon it but that stuff is HOT. I’m hoping I get used to it. Anyway, looking forward to a response to the laxative question.
    Many thanks.

  172. Anonymous

    Do you have to take a laxative in order to get some bowel movement or will the ingredients of the detox mixture work on your insides and give you a natural relief? My biggest fear is constipation…not a good feeling. I just started my detox today and I’m doing it for 40 days. I’m drinking a tea by Twinings called Cleanse made up from various herbs but I’m thinking of purchasing some Senakot tablets made from Senna which I’m sure will send me (I can’t find tea made from it). Does anyone have any advice?

  173. Josadia

    I did the master cleanse for 40 days. I must say that it was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life! Just the fact of not being able to drive to my favorite resturaunt and get whatever I wanted killed me. I never felt hunger pains but I did have intense cravings. The first week was the hardest for me but after that I just accepted that this is what i have to do. Since starting the cleanse I have dropped 70 pounds. I look and feel better and now I eat better. i still eat meat but lean meats and I also eat plenty od seafood. It’s been 3 months and i ahve continued to ose weight with excercise. I am happy I did this cleanse and will consider doing it agin towards the holidays.

  174. Warren

    I’m a personal trainer and I have no problem with this fast whatsoever. I was first exposed to it by a client. He was on day 5 when we met for a session….he told me the basics of it and I thought to myself “this guy is going to be DROP DEAD after this workout.” Didn’t happen!! In fact his energy levels (which I could observe) and his other claimed benefits are what convinced me to give it a try. My one fear was that I didn’t want to lose any weight or muscle. The solution as I found out was to double the amount of maple syrup per serving (but don’t alter any other ingredients). I set myself up so that I was still getting around 2500 calories a day. I can’t believe how great this worked…I went on training 4 or 5 clients a day as I’d taken care of my energy needs and then enjoyed all the benefits that many of the other posters have mentioned. View it as a cleanse, set up your calories accordingly and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results.

  175. Sonya

    I am writing to share my Master Cleanse testimony. I just finished the last day of my Master Cleanse detox yesterday…..(10 days). I feel wonderful. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. I never felt hungry or deprived during the process. However, I had to get pass my psychological need to eat if I saw food and I did. You have to mentally prepare for this process. I am overweight with high blood pressure. I take medication for my high blood pressure. To make a long story short….My beginning weight before the detox was 222lbs. I got on the scale yesterday and I weighed 196.5 lbs. I could not believe it. My blood pressure was 124/74. I could not believe it. It amazes me that people will spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on synthetic diet bills, processed diet foods, etc. but are skeptical to detox the digestive system using a natural, inexpensive method….lemons,pure maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. I do not want to go back to the way i used to feel/live…..making poor food choices and needing a tylenol pm to go to sleep and a red bull and several cups of coffee during the day to be half-way productive at work and at home. I have cleaned out my digestive system and plan to keep it that way. I WILL maintain and continue my weight loss and healthful lifesytle.

  176. christine

    yes, grade A is fine as along as it is oraganic.

  177. christine

    Hi All, just happened upon this site. I have done the MC 4 times and it is amazing. I was not overweight to begin with, but ate a SAD diet. Standard American Diet of processed foods and meat. After doing these, I can NOT stand the smell of carnage, it makes me sick walking by a meat counter! I eat a much healthier diet now. No more edema, high blood pressure or constipation. By the way, my doctor gave his ok for me to do this. Yes, there are physician out there that endorce this short term.

    Also for those who poo this, there is 15 pounds of waste in your colons, rotting, Nice to get it out 🙂

    There is a great site. http://www.therawfoodsite.com that has a lot of the right information and chat board.

    Anna, I would not add anything to the MC. It is fine the way it is. You really do not want to add anything else to it. No protein, etc, since the organs are taking a break and slowing down digestion.

    Hope to see you on the board.

    Oh btw, the recipe on this site omitted the 1/10 tsp of cayenne, the salt water flush and the lax tea part.

    And one does the salt water flush on an empty stomach first thing in the morning (2 tsp uniodized sea salt dissloved in 4 cups spring or filtered water, followed by a lax tea in the evenings) Smooth move, yogi get regular, asian dieters tea, or senna leaf bulk.

    All I can say is read the books, both Burroughs and Peters, be informed, give it a try.

    Remember, when you point fingers at someone, three point back at you.

  178. Anna

    This is my third time doing the cleanse. Each time, the first three days of detoxing gets easier. Still have the headaches, but they are less severe. I will say there are many amazing benefits. Besides the 8-10 pounds I lose, I feel amazing, my skin glows from inside out, my attitude in general, is much more positive. I have much less anger, also (Live in LA, comes with the thomas guide,lol!) I am a person without a lot of discipline, so for me being able to do this is HUGE. I will say that around day 6, I do feel like my brain gets a bit slow. I have read about people modernizing the CLEANSE with a few things like wheatgrass, which has protein, as well as fish oil with their omegas. I may consider this. Good luck to you CLEANSERS! And as for you naysayers, give it a shot then come back and speak with conviction and personal experience, whichever your viewpoint is!

  179. rick macleod

    I’m on day 6 and personally, I’ve never felt better. I started this because I close friend had done it, and I didn’t even realize anyone else had done it before, “the fad”, the “beyonce” attention… none of this was known to me – so it was just that I wanted to detox my body – from 30 years of abuse of food, alcohol, smokes, etc…

    I cannot believe that someone would eat pounds of meat as a diet… that is just unthinkable, gross, and unhealthy.

    This Cleanse is what it says it is …and it is NOT a diet so anyone simply looking to drop some pounds should give it some thought.

    good luck to those that try, and yessss the salt water flush is a big YUCK!!!

  180. rick macleod

    Kailash said:
    A fast, or any weight-loss diet, without sufficient protein means you will lose muscle, meaning you will lose metabolism, meaning you will not be able to eat as much as you had before. Many people who had crash dieted have had to become rabbits or mice at the table, in order not to blow up again like a blubber balloon when they resumed healthy eati[…]

    that is the most disgusting thing I ever heard of – the human body was not designed to eat meat, let alone only meat…

  181. cj

    Mark said:
    “Cleanses” and “detoxes” are complete hokum, the placebo effect, useless unless you’re scheduled for a colonoscopy. No medical experts support them. The fact that the stuff that comes out of your colon looks gross, just means that you’re flushing the crap out of your intestines all at once before it forms into stools.[…]

    I did it and it works great, you should try it and maybe you will get some of the poo out of your head while you are at it.

  182. Courtney

    I’m starting the Master Cleanse mainly because my digestive system is all out of whack…but I can’t say the weight loss isn’t an attractive benefit. I’ve read a lot of accounts of people losing 10-15 lbs, but how much of that is fat, how much stays off, and were you very overweight to begin with?

  183. Antonio

    Would Organic Grade A Maple Syrup work? Because I can’t for the life of me find Grade B anywhere.

  184. Sarah

    I’m currently on Day 3.5 of this cleanse after trying it out a few days last week and then leaving town. I’m having a really hard time finding a way to fit this into my schedule as I have a number of trips planned, not only last weekend, but this coming weekend as well as the one after. I know it’s my own discipline that’s at fault here, but it’s pretty difficult to stand in a bar holding a water bottle full of reddish “lemonade” and not ask for a shot of vodka to go in it. 🙂

    Anyway, at Day 3.5 I feel great. No headaches or tummyaches. I haven’t been using the senna tea, but I actually don’t mind the taste of the sea salt wash. It’s been giving me a reason to wake up early (5:30!), which is never bad. I find my ability to concentrate is considerably better than usual.

    I continue to see accounts of none but positive experiences from those who actually HAVE tried the cleanse, and I fully intend to stick with it at least through the end of the week. Hopefully when things calm down at the end of the month, I’ll be able to devote myself more completely to the program.

  185. Joshua

    Well, I tried this out for a few days. I know it’s meant to be a CLEANSE/DETOX, NOT A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM.

    I’m a middle-aged guy.. work out modestly a few days/week, eat very carefully and need to shed some weight (maybe 20 lbs)…

    I don’t have an addictive personality. I have never smoked, used drugs and drink very moderately. (red wine mostly) By the end of day two I must say a was very depressed.

    I came back to this site and read the above comments.

    I decided that I’m going to lose this weight through exercise and cutting down on simple carbs more aggressively…

    This Master Cleanse is having a negative effect on my emotional state which is sure to effect my work.. something I cannot afford…

    Basically, I don’t think I’m in the right place in my life to attempt something like this for 7-10 days.

    Anyway.. good luck to those of you who are and take it to the limit….

    Looking forward to reading more feedback…

  186. Spectra

    Hopster said:
    One of my initial bowel movements during my first CLEANSE looked exactly like my intestines. To say that this was a positive endeavor would be an understatement. […]

    Ok, that’s just WAY too much information.

  187. Hopster

    I have done the cleanse once in 2005 and am currently doing my second. I am a fitness professional and a healthy eater most of the time. I abstain from fast foods but do eat a balanced diet with meat and dairy as part of my diet. I also consume sodas, beer and wine on occasion. I guess what I’m trying to say is that although I’m a fitness professional I do enjoy life but not in excess. I decided to try this CLEANSE as I heard of the potential benefits from a friend. I bought the book and read it. I used my basic understanding of health and fitness and nutrition and I researched it as best as I could through the internet. Based on this information I chose to try it. My only desire was to find out if the benefits people expressed were true. As it turned out they were. I had all the benefits that have been expressed by others. Loss of aches and pains, clearer skin and shinnier hair (just wish there was more of it!). The greatest benefit was the increase in energy and an even greater desire to live a cleaner lifesyle. The benefit that came as a complete surprise was the clearer thinking and mental processing that I felt I had. I hope that at sometime someone will perform cognitive tests on people doing the CLEANSE. I did lose some weight but it wasn’t much (10 lbs) and I attribute that to all the impacted fecal matter and intestinal plaque that I had accumulated over my 40 years that my body couldn’t remove itself. One of my initial bowel movements during my first CLEANSE looked exactly like my intestines. To say that this was a positive endeavor would be an understatement.

    In my line of profession I am constantly thriving to assist people in meeting their fitness goals be they an increase in strength and speed, endurance or just weight loss. The barometer I use for success is the perception of the individuals I work with. If they feel that they are meeting their fitness goals and are better for the experience then I have done my job. For all the success I may feel I’ve given them their perception is the true measure.

    To all of the naysayers out there who think this is total BS I would just like to tell them that a mind is like a book, it only works when it is open. For all those considering doing this I would say, read the book, research the net and then make your own decision on whether or not you want to do it. It did wonders for me.

    All my best.

    Hopster

  188. AL

    Does age make a difference with the detox?

  189. Bogart

    It’s amazing what people say when they don’t fully know what they’re talking about. The diet contains all of the nutients and vitamins one needs to maintain the body while on the diet. The maple syrup is in the raw form and has no sugar added to it. The purpose of the diet is not for losing weight, although some find that that is a beneficial side effect. You won’t lose weight unless you are over weight. I did the diet last year, I’m 6′ 150 lbs. I did it because I felt tired and sluggish all day and was craving caffine daily. After 8 days of the diet (I couldn’t make it 10 days) I had more energy, my allergies were reduced significantly, my skin was clearer and softer, I could think more clearly, and I only lost 1 pound drinking 10-11 glasses daily. And very importantly I had no desire for caffine, alchohol or sugar, which makes it easier to eat healthy and maintain the positive effects of the diet. It’s a great way for people to get off of their dependence on caffine, sugar, and alchohol to make themselves feel good and start eating healthy. If people think this is a placebo, then it’s their loss.

  190. suresh

    My name is Raylen Sterling and I publish the Master Cleanse Secrets Newsletter which is read by over 23,000 amazing people who are passionate about their health. Every day my email box rings with heart felt letters of gratitude form people who’ve experienced miraculous results with the Master Cleanse even when conventional medicine and other natural remedies failed them.

  191. hubble

    How about reading the book before making all these ignorant comments!!! The fast is not meant to be a weight loss program! If you read the book you would know that. The book also teaches that you should go on a strict vegetarian lifestyle once coming off the fast. Actually, this is not even a true fast… you can live off of this lemonade juice for months!!! However, you will lose weight due to not eating food.

    A true fast is abstaining from food and water the way nature intended it. You ever notice when you get sick you lose your appetite for 3-4 days, and you have to force yourself to drink water. Guess what? Your body just took its own FAST!!! Herbs and diet pills and diet programs are worthless!!! Keep your hard earned money in your pocket and stop listening to these Snake Oil Salesman who get rich off your ignorance.

    Learn everything you can about Fasting and you can achieve great health. The healthiest people on the planet eat once every few days. The worst feeling in the world is when yor sick. Everything else has failed, so why not try it natures way… FAST!!!

    p.s The Hunza people are the healthiest people on the planet.

  192. Pat

    I’m on it right now (day 5) on the recommendation from a friend who just finished. I laugh at most of the posters here who haven’t tried it but think it MUST be hogwash. Well, when my friend said he went 10 days without eating I thought he was crazy. Then he told me that the first two days he felt like s**t while his body detoxed from caffeine and wine and whatever else he eats that isn’t ‘healthy’. After that he said he felt great, had plenty of energy – more than usual – and his other senses were on hypo drive.
    My experience is I felt terrible for 3 days and just ok yesterday. However my body wasn’t flushing everything out. Today it did and I feel really good. I won’t say great yet but really good. Oh by the way, I’m 5’10” and 230 lbs – so you KNOW I love to eat; well I can tell you I have not been hungry for one moment. So far so good. I think I am going to do this for 10 days and then maybe for 3 days every 6 months or so.

  193. vicki

    The Lemonade Diet was great for 2 days. I’m now on day 5 but I have to admit, on day 3 I had 1/4 of a muffin and 1/2 a steamed apple. I decided what the hek, what would happen if I have a small snack each day, well I have and I feel great. My main reason for starting the diet was to lose weight and so far I have dropped 7lbs. Oh I almost forgot,I did not do the sea salt. I plan to continue my way until this Wed. day 10. maybe in the future I will follow the plan as I should.

  194. Elaine

    Well, they say not to comment on this fast unless you’ve already done it, but I am still in the research stage, and starting to purchase the supplies. However, since time seems to be of the essence, I’m commenting anyway. From what I’ve read in many places, you would be making a HUGE mistake to interrupt the process at this point. Take a decorative glass along with you, and make your “drink” look like something special, then sip it throughout the event. I HAVE done other fasts before, and by the 5th day, you should be able to do this without feeling deprived. Others should not feel offended when they realize that you are doing this for health reasons. Do what you have to do for YOU!

  195. Eden

    I’m on my 5th day of the and I was invited to a dinner party where it will be rude not to eat something.

    Would it be OK for me to eat a very small meal, mostly salad, which I am bringing, and continue the cleanse?

    I’m afraid my stomach will get very upset and I’m afraid I’ll lose all the benefits.

    help?

  196. Elaine

    Silly person, there are many Christians who don’t fast, or if they do, they don’t do it for health reasons. That has to do with their understanding or lack thereof, of nutrition and health. Jesus as a man was a MAN, although Divine in nature; I am convinced that he prepared his body ahead of time for the lengthy fast(s). I am interested in the cleansing part of this program, and hope that it will help me with my candidiasis, and what my doctor calls “leaky gut syndrome”, which has to do with colon issues. I hope it works for me.

    christopher & Amani – Seattle said:
    I can’t believe how many Athiest are in this world. Not 1 person mentioned the FACT that Jesus, our savior, fasted for 40 days and for 40 nights without any problems and even suggested fasting for certain power.
    My wife and I have been doing the master cleanse for years and we have never gained any weight back. We eat healthy and we excersize most daily. It is not a fad, it’s a way to give your digestive system a rest and cleanse your organs. I know for a fact that it works and it is the most spiritual thing doing it. I’m pretty sure that most people not in agreement with the fast are probably not Christians either. :)[…]

  197. shelby

    eh, i’m ready to try this! =D
    losing weight, nicer skin, cleaning my body?!
    hah. it’s a great idea.

  198. Carrie

    Keisha, I agree. I had the same experience. It bothers me that people are so ready to put something down when they haven’t experienced it. People are more accepting of cosmetic surgery. I fasted for 10 days and felt better than I did when I was a teenager. My eyesight even improved. I was much more alert. I lost 10 pounds and kept it off, because I maintained a healthy diet. I had many compliments from strangers that I hadn’t had in years. People told me how beautiful I was and how pretty my hair was! If there’s something wrong with that, then I like being wrong!

  199. Carrie

    Hi Rj,

    Thanks for the update… ok so Im new to the whole cleanse thing and checking it out before I decided to try it.
    What is the purpose of the Salt Water? Laxative tea is obvious and how much am I supposed to drink of that??? More drinking huh….

  200. Maxwell

    No “medical experts” support the Master Cleanser (or any other “holistic” healing practices for that matter) because they are not formally educated in such matters. The mainstream medical community is unconcerned with true healing and deals entirely with the masking of symptoms. As they should, for they are technitions, not healers. Don’t get me wrong: trained medical doctors are essential for a healthy society, but one must recognize the potential of the human body to heal itself and the responsibility we all ultimately have for our own physical health. Furthermore, the presence of impacted fecal matter and intestinal plaque in everyone is a medial fact, and it must be eliminated in one way or another (several times a year) to achieve physical wellness. In my personal non-medical, done-it-a-million-times opinon, the Master Cleanser is an inexpensive and safe way to detoxify the colon. Skeptics need only try it for themselves and reap the benefits.

  201. RJ

    No-I asked (check out http://www.rawfoodsite.com) and the bottom line is if it isn’t in the book, it isn’t in the cleanse. So that means nothing but the lemonade drink, laxative tea, salt water, and an occasional mint tea

  202. RJ

    I’m currently on Day 9 of the master cleanse and feel FANTASTIC. Soft skin, soft hair, and tons of energy (I’m training for a marathon in May). I’m planning to do it for 30 days.
    It’s not for everyone, but considering we are the fattest and most toxic nation on earth I don’t think the idea of detoxing is such a bad one for a lot of people. We shove fast food loaded with fake fat and chemicals into our mouths, sit around warthing TV and yapping on cell phones, and wonder why the health care industry is costing us hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer dollars. I think more people inthis country would benefit from the master cleanse than be harmed by it. Listen to those who have actually done the cleanse.

  203. Carrie

    hi,

    does anyone know can you drink soup broth or miso with the lemon/syrup clense??

  204. Trish

    I have been hearing many people say things such as, ‘it’s only starvation, you’re only losing weight because there’s no food in your system, and ‘no medical professional supports it.’ Yes, you may lose weight on a longer-period detox, but it’s mostly water weight and fecal matter. Also, some people have severe digestion problems due to poor diet and lifestyle, so just eating more fiber does not help them out. I used to be one of those people. I have been smoke/alcohol free for over five years, exercise 4-5 days a week (yoga, pilates, light weight training, jogging), and eat a very balanced diet and try to stay away from processed foods. I have still been very ‘clogged’ up and have had horrible acid reflux, chronic constipation, and I’ve tried all the bulk fibers, including the psyllium fiber shakes, cleansing products, and still never had permanent results. My skin has suffered because my body has been toxic on the inside. Your internal organs can only do so much, yes they all have ‘detoxing’ duties, but if you’re body is overly toxic, then something else has to be done. If you believe in what the Bible says, then you know that people in that time period talked of fasting quite often to heal themselves, and fasting isn’t just a ‘thing’ of that time period neither.

    The detox is simply that…not a DIET, not intended for weight loss. I have done it for ten days and yes, lost a few pounds, but mostly water and hardened fecal matter which would have never come out on its own and probably would have been great breeding grounds for cancerous cells later on in life as well as other health problems. Doctors in this country aren’t going to tell you to detox, they will send you the pharmacy and tell you to spend lots of money on a prescription that only covers up your symptoms rather than heals the actual problem. That’s part of the reason I’ve had so many health problems at such a young age. If we all turn to detoxing and other hollistic medicines and practices, our government doesn’t benefit financially from any of that. Money comes from ‘Big Pharma.’

    The detox isn’t for everyone and you should definitely talk to professionals or at least do your own homework very thoroughly before you jump into it. Do it because you truly need to, not because you want to lose weight. There’s no magic for weight loss…use common sense…break your bad eating habits and get more exercise. No stupid carb counting (the weight will come back if you resort to old eating habits), no pills, none of that crap. Try to avoid processed foods and fast foods…they contain ingredients that aren’t food at all and your body isn’t designed to degest them properly. Most of all, find what works for you and make sure it’s healthy, something that won’t harm you in the long run. Every person’s body is different!

    Anyhow, as far as my own experience with this particular detox, I felt much better toward the end of the cleanse. It’s hard not to eat, but it makes you a stronger person physically and mentally for it. My skin has cleared up and looks great. I have a lot of energy, and I’m getting better rest at night. My sugar cravings have gone down a lot as well, and I crave a lot of fruit all the time now. Your body knows what it needs to properly function at it’s highest level, but when you ‘junk’ it up by eating poorly too often and not being active enough, it doesn’t crave the proper things.

  205. Carrie

    actually you should all visit blessedherbs.com and see really what your body cant expell on its own,, its really gross. Everyone should Colon Cleanse and Juice fast at least once a year… go to the site check it out you will be amazed.

  206. Carrie

    Spectra said:
    I would hate this master cleanse thing. Seriously, if you eat enough fiber and drink enough water, you’re colon cleans itself out. It’s lined with mucus and eating fiber helps clear any debris out of there. Plus, your liver/kidneys takes care of most toxins in your body. The only reason it makes you lose weight is because there’s no food matter in […]

    Hi actually not true.. you should visit blessedherbs.com and see really what your colon, intestines and such are coated with that your body cant expell on its own… it will really gross you out… everyone should colon cleanse, juice fast at least once a year to detox… we’d all look and feel better too.

  207. Jaisha

    I am completing my third Master Cleanse in 2 years today and I’ve never had a problem, only benefits. It’s a detox cleanse AND reducing diet, but your focus should be more on the former, less on the latter. Loosing weight is like a good side effect.
    I do the cleanse because I love to eat the worst foods-pasta, bread, cheese, chocolate, beef-and when I start to crave/eat fast food & junk food on a daily basis, I know it’s time to cleanse my pallette (hopefully that’s spelled right for all you grammer check sticklers!).
    For those curious about the weight loss, I did the Cleanse for 12 days the first two times and lost 12 pounds both times. This time I did 14 days and had a different reaction-15 pounds in the first 5 days and then tapered off to only 5 more pounds by the end. And even though my diet hasn’t been the healthiest in the past, I’ve never ballooned afterwards. This time though, I’m starting a healthy regime and exercise plan coming out of the Cleanse. Many fitness experts who believe in fasting/detoxing will tell you it’s good to do this when beginning a healthy diet (“diet” meaning your regular food intake, not trying to loose weight).
    P.S. For the Bible scholars talking about church fasts, my church is ending a 5 day fast tomorrow – they do go more than 1 day sometimes 🙂
    Be Blessed!

  208. naturopath

    Educate yourself, READ THE BOOKS…. IT IS A ‘REDUCING DIET’… HELLLO AFTER A FEW DAYS IT USES ALL YOUR FAT TISSUE FOR ENERGY.

    IT ‘IS’ A REDUCING DIET AS WELL AS A HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM FOR AILMENTS AND CURING SOME DISEASES.

    I’M TIRED OF PEOPLE TELLING OTHERS “OOOH!!! IT’S NOT USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS, NO ONE SHOULD USE THIS DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS!!!”

  209. Freddy

    Most of the comments here disparaging the Master Cleanse strike me as a bit hypocritical, as most of them haven’t even TRIED it. Come on, cowards, why not at least go the 10 days and see for yourself how miraculously (and inexpensive) this cleanse can impact your life. My wife and I are just completing our second 10-day cleanse in the last 8 months and feel incredible. Give it a chance and you will be rewarded. If you haven’t done it, then please STFU.

  210. Lee

    Spectra said:
    if you eat enough fiber and drink enough water, you’re colon cleans itself out. It’s lined with mucus and eating fiber helps clear any debris out of there. […]

    I am trying this to try and get the walls of my colon clean and live a normal life again. Sure the weight loss would be a bonus, but we’re on day 5 now and I’ve only lost maybe a pound (I had a colonoscopy before I started so the prep made me lose all the water weight I’d imagine). I personally have GI issues and will go to the bathroom once every week or week and a half. I eat Fiber One cereal, I’ve taken Fiber tablets, capsules, milk of magnesia– you name it! The only thing that works is taking 3 extra strength laxatives.

    Ross said:
    How can consuming zero nutrition alongside 12 servings of pure sugar (in the form of syrup) be healthy? […]

    Actually 2 TBSP of syrup (the amount for each glass) is only half a serving. So even if you drink the maximum (12 glasses) you only drink six servings. I can’t even get six down most days so I’m consuming 3 servings max.

  211. Alexis

    I still dont know why you keep writing in? Why do you care what anyone’s reason is ? mind your own buisness

  212. Jan

    Alexis, if you can say people are going to get heart attacks from Atkins, I can offer my opinion. Or are you a doctor yourself? That is all everyone does here, they offer their opinion. If you can’t take any criticism of this “diet”, then you should be on the official forum for it, where any criticism gets deleted. This is an unbiased site.

    I have nothing against this cleanse or even against people deciding to go 80 days on water only. I disagree, however, with someone like Christopher coming here to promote this diet using completely made-up religious reasons, and with you saying that people who don’t go on this “diet” lack self-control. Read everyone else’s posts. Did anyone who dislikes this diet say anything like that, such as “anyone who goes on this diet is a moron”? No. But you did. I dislike falsehoods and I dislike rudeness.

  213. stars

    My friend fasted on water 40 days twice (for spiritual reasons). The first time went well, but the second time it ended up being way too much and she ended up loosing a lot of muscle. Now she isn’t very toned and it probably wasn’t a good idea.
    I’ve started the master cleanse and so many people that I’ve talked to about it have positive things to say, I’m suprised by all the negativity posted. It’s almost supernatural how many friends are wanting to do this with me and already know about it. I’m on my second day now and feel fantastic, I really needed to do something this beneficial for myself.

  214. Alexis

    Jan,what is wrong with you ? Why are you soooo upset with this detox program ? It’s not a diet so why do you keep calling it that ? The reason they use lemons and maple is because it has natural vitamins and minerals,did you even read the book or do the detox ? I mean if you didnt than why are you even on this site ? You write comments like “are you comparing your self to Jesus ” and write that Atkins has flaws and compare detoxing to a crash diet.I mean who do you think you are,you’re not a doctor are you ? Or is this something you like to do in your spare time,go on sites and comment on things you know nothing about.This wasnt a crash diet for me ,I have been very sick and depressed since my mom died and I didnt feel good untill this detox helped give me energy and motivation.So if you think that this “crash diet” is no good then dont do it,but dont assume you know everything you are not god! and no one cares what you think anyway! You need a hobby

  215. Jan

    Religious fasting is usually a one-day long thing, Christopher, or it is a partial thing (ramadan) and unless they had maple trees I’m unaware of in Israel, have nothing to do with The Master Cleanse. Jesus fasted, so you drink maple syrup, pepper and lemon juice for “religious reasons” – how does that make sense? If you wanted to be religious, you’d fast and just take water. What is next, a colonic in the name of the Lord?

    Alexis, I think it is people who can’t allow themselves a single bite of solid food to lose weight, doing a juice fast instead, that lack self-control. People who manage to lose and maintain weight through portion control have a whole lot more self-control than people who keep going on and off food. The Atkins diet has several flaws, but at least it is a diet people are supposed to be on forever, contrary to this crash diet sold under the guise of “cleaning your system” you love so much.

  216. christopher & Amani - Seattle

    I like the last post from Alexis. It is true, u should only critic something if you have completed it.

    As for the question of if i’m comparing myself to Jesus, once again we’re dealing with someone not too versed on the scriptures. When the disciples tried to cast a demon from a man and the man whipped the disciples out of their cloths, Jesus told the disciples, “these come but through fasting and prayer”! I cant count all of the hundreds of scriptures that tell us to be Christ like, Jesus himself told us that we had the same power that he had and commanded us to do as he did. To lay hands on the sick, to raise the dead, ect….. We have the same power today as 2000 years ago. Fasting works.

  217. Alexis

    I think the only people who should comment on the detox are people who have actually done the detox,then you would know how it feels to have your body rid of all it’s toxins.I did it to help my health and it worked.I was never able to sleep for 8 hours a night until I did this detox.My skin has always been a problem for me too,it was dry and just not good looking.This detox actually gave my skin a glow it hasnt had in a loooong time!If you feel better doing the detox and you know it’s doing wonders for body then you should not read the reviews of people putting it down.Why are all these people so against it,it cant hurt your body.Also it helped my boyfriend stop smoking,he had toxins that were in his body from smoking.If you are addicted to something it’s hard to stop,it’s in your blood stream and you will have withdrawl because your body thinks it needs it.The master cleanser cleans out your blood and he didnt even want to smoke any more.Most people who read the book realize how meat effects your body and they have no desire to eat it again.This is healthy for your heart and a great way to jump start a healthy life style.The people who do this just to lose weight probably had a difficult time losing weight with other methods and are looking for a quick fix.Thats not going to happen.And to promote eating pounds of meat instead,and letting your liver do all the work with no help,that is the most stupid comment of all.Maybe your on the wrong diet,try the atkins diet and you WILL lose weight and gain a heart attack.This detox is HARD to stick to but if you do,you know that it pays to eat healthy and exercise and you will want to! Dont listen to these people who have no self control with food and complain about the detox just as another excuse to why they cant lose weight.It takes alot of will power to do this detox.So just face the facts,that if you had will power you wouldnt be looking to lose weight!!!!

  218. Jan

    Christopher & Amani, I’m pretty sure Jesus wasn’t drinking maple syrup during his fast. And are you actually comparing yourself to Jesus? The lenght of his fast was mentioned as part of the proof he is divine. So unless you are divine, I don’t think you should be fasting for 40 days.

  219. christopher & Amani - Seattle

    I can’t believe how many Athiest are in this world. Not 1 person mentioned the FACT that Jesus, our savior, fasted for 40 days and for 40 nights without any problems and even suggested fasting for certain power.
    My wife and I have been doing the master cleanse for years and we have never gained any weight back. We eat healthy and we excersize most daily. It is not a fad, it’s a way to give your digestive system a rest and cleanse your organs. I know for a fact that it works and it is the most spiritual thing doing it. I’m pretty sure that most people not in agreement with the fast are probably not Christians either. 🙂

  220. picotrain

    I am on day 8 of the cleanse right now and I feel really good. Not only do I have a greater sense on clarity, i feel as though I have done something that many people (most of my peers) have deemed impossible. This “diet”, if anything else, is an outstanding mental check. I believe it not only aids in physical, but mental well being (which i suppose are closely connected) as well. During the cleanse, I was still able to exercise regulary (if not more than usual) and keep my normal schedule of sleeping, working and socializing. Sure there are some discouraging side effect’s such as stomach aches, and irritability, but the positives definitely outway the negatives in the long term. I would recommend this program to anyone, as I believe it offers a safe, contructive approach to overall health and well being.

    Then again I am only on day 8, so we will see how I feel once I return to my normal diet 4 or 5 days from now.

    Salt water sucks A…..

  221. poodle do

    I meant saline wash….

  222. poodle do

    Is the saline was really necessary?

  223. Michael

    I just finished the Lemonade Diet. This is my second 10-day stint in 3 months (I had some extra time off work so I decided to try it again earlier than planned). Although each time I have lost around 20 lbs, I’m not doing it for just weight loss. I have been on dialysis for 3 years, and like someone posted earlier, I’m trying to help my body repair itself for what my kidneys can no longer do. There’s a small shred of hope that I maintain that my detoxing might preserve my kidneys that much longer or even better reverse some of the effects of my kidney disease. Whether it happens or not, I know I need to develop way better eating habits. I realize my eating is largely emotional. The detox among other things has taught me about willpower, giving me the confidence to reinvent my approach to eating in general. Now I have a fresh start to healthy cooking and eating and definitiely cutting out the soda, chips and fast food. And since I look noticeably better, that’ll give me the extra incentive to get back into the gym (BTW–three years ago when I was diagnosed, I weighed 354 lbs and my weight goal was 260; today I weigh 245 lbs and now my ultimate goal is 200). Wish me luck!

  224. bb

    I’m on day 6. I wanted my appetite to shrink before starting a moderate calorie-restricted regimen. I’d been cleaning my toddler’s plate and not watching my own portions and I’d gained back 10 of the 30 pounds I lost postpartum.

    I had no expectations for this regimen, and I don’t really believe in its detox claims. I figured if I felt tired or miserable I’d just quit; a couple of days of abstinence would still serve my purpose of shrinking my appetite.

    I am very surprised to find that 8 pounds (my long term goal is 16) have dropped off, and that I feel fine and am able to do my usual 6 mile runs. The only problem is it’s really boring; I really like cooking and eating and the social interaction that come with them. I plan to finish the 10 days and then restart my old system of exercise and moderate calorie restriction, which should then feel pretty indulgent. I’m curious to find out how many of these pounds stay off.

    Oh, it’s true, the salt water is nasty. It’s easier to dissolve the 2t in 1 cup and drink that, and then to immediately chug 3 c water. The lemonade is fine if you mix in the cayenne at the last second; if you make it ahead of time it’s bitter and harsh.

  225. Boomer

    I just started the lemonade cleanse (water, lemon juice, real maple syrup & Cayenne powder) and I am already feeling better! Lately I have been very bitchy, irratable, tired, lazy and my skin hasn’t felt as good in the past and I do take care of my body! Yes I do eat fried food and crap on occassion but who doesn’t?! I am 22 and want my body to feel better! I am already feeling the benefits and I recommend this to anyone considering. Take it easy when you go off the cleanse because your body needs to take baby steps back into eating again. GOOD LUCK!!

  226. massgrrl

    I do a detox every year or so, as my digestive tract has never been particularly healthy, and after two c-sections, I find that a detox every year plus regular colonics every month really helps me out. Also, I drink apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and take ground flax throughout the year.

    It’s a detox, not a diet.

    P.S. The lemon, syrup, cayenne & H2O is good. The salt water almost made me vomit on the table. That shit is foul.

  227. big but proud

    this diet was radd
    i actually saw the kilos DROP OFF mann!!
    now i love my new life people actually look at me for who i am not just the fat lady eating all the cake
    try it!!!!
    it will work for u!!!
    GOOD LUCK

  228. Hope

    I agree with Keisha’s post. But I was wondering how long was it done for. I know you did it 3 months ago, but for how long? However, I dont think people need to begin eliminating meats from their diet. I think certain meets should be ingested sparingly, but that is about all the caution you need. I’m actually not one to say what works and what doesnt, cause all I’ve ever done is yo-yo, (mostly gain) but, I’m still in the fight after having 3 kids, oldest is nine, and I’m only 25-30 pounds from my idea weight. The most I’ve been is 65 ponds away (maybe 4 or 5 years ago, after having my last kid. So all I can say is that, the yo-yoing sure does loosen your skin, deplete muscles, etc. But if it weren’t for all the different diet techniques I’d propbably be a hundred pounds or more overweight. Because lets face it, losing weight is hard because everyone likes good food. They want to eat what they want, when they want. And if you grew up in a household like I did, where butter was put on evrything, extra ranch for this, juice for every meal and snack, etc., then losing weight and keeping it off is a huge battle. Because you literally have to throw away 20 years or more of bad eating habits out the back door and welcome in a new dietary regimen through the front. And I’ll be the first to say its hard as hell. So until I get it together, I welcome programs like the master cleanse. This is day 1 for me. Lets see what I have to say after nine more days.

  229. Peter

    Ok everyone! I did the Master Cleanser 6 months ago for 25 days and I lost 28 pounds and then I slowly, went back into a healthy eating and exercise pattern and I’ve kept the weight off. During the cleanse I felt fantasic and the drink is yummy! It really does taste like lemonade. I thing very clearly now and overall I just feel awesome! (I’m 18 so it may be different for younger people).

    Good Luck!

  230. cost

    Cider apple vineger is another coming up super star in the healthy diet, it was reported that it reduces cholesterol level and speeds metabolism.

  231. sarwalt

    Regardless of whether the Master Cleanser works or not, a lot of you keep referring to it as a diet. It is not a way to lose weight even if a few pounds are shed during the process. It is a detoxification process. Anyone complaining about how this ‘diet’ doesn’t work is misinformed. If you are considering the Master Cleanser, please consider it for the right reasons – not to lose weight.

  232. sophie

    Greeen tea.lemon and water.and vinegar and water(esp apple cider),all aid in detoxifying and weight loss,however i drank them before healthy meals,and didnt snack.By the way,for women with menstral problems i dont encourage lemon juice or vinegar during menstral cycle,it limits blood flow,so during this time try tea instead.

  233. Haven Logan

    Haven Logan said:
    Twenty-five years ago I had a friend who would go on the Master Cleanser for 30 days at a time. While on this fast he was filled with energy but once he started eating again he was completely out of control. I have seen the same thing happen with liquid protein diets. […]

  234. Lily

    Jan, I am going to the doctor and I’m NOT going to do the master cleanse,luv, Lily

  235. Jan

    Lily, losing more weight is not a good idea for you. Please go get a physical.

  236. M.D

    Firstly, i have a mind of my own and don’t often buy into “fads” i know well, via research the upsides and pitfalls of the master cleanse. I have also read countless testimonials before stirring a single batch of salt water, which, by the way is the most f#$%&*ng disgusting thing i have ever drank.
    But i do know this… only three days into the cleanse my skin looks healthier than it ever has in my life, i am no longer packing extra “water” pounds, i have become a much calmer person(though the first 2 days i though it was just starvation weakness).
    I quit smoking 2 days prior to the cleanse and it has helped push cigarette chemicals out of my blood fast and effectively , which in turn has assisted in my success.
    The key to quitting everything i hold dear….food, smokes, alochol…. is meditation. It has helped me immensely.
    Best of luck to other “Cleansers”.

    P.s…is that the same Nicole Richie who is 80 lbs soaking wet with clothes and a wet fur coat on the cover of tabloid magazines?

  237. Nicole Richie

    This diet has done wonders for me!

  238. Lily

    I am 85-trying to get back down to 80 and the Master cleanse seems like the best idea!

  239. Spectra

    Keisha–you have got to be kidding me.

    Keisha said:
    And the lemonade recipe that you drink while doing this particular fast gives your body all the nutrients you need to survive. You get vitamins, minerals and calories from the lemon juice and the maple syrup. So it is not unhealthy for you.[…]

    Um, whatever. Lemon juice and maple syrup gives you sugar and vitamin C and maybe a few other trace things. It’s not enough to sustain an active person for 3 months, pure and simple.

  240. Keisha

    I would first like to say that it doesn’t sound like any of you did your research about the “Master Cleanser” detox. I have a BS in dietetics and have always considered myself to be a healthy person who has a passion for making sure I take care of my body. But even though I ate healthily, meaning fruits,veggies, no red meat or pork, and exercised 4-5xs a week, I still saw amazing results with this detox. I did not do this to lose weight, I did it specifically to detox my body, because I understand that over the period of someone’s lifetime they will accumulate toxins in their body via junk food, pesticides, and pollutants. And if you read Stanley Burroughs’ book you will understand that yes, the body does naturally cleanse itself, but your organs won’t be able to work at their full capacity if they are bombarded with toxins and having to digest things that are bodies were not designed to digest. The purpose of fasting is so that your cells and organs can devote 100% to cleansing and repairing tissues to work properly and not on digesting food, particularly the wrong ones. And the lemonade recipe that you drink while doing this particular fast gives your body all the nutrients you need to survive. You get vitamins, minerals and calories from the lemon juice and the maple syrup. So it is not unhealthy for you. I completed the fast for the first time about 3 months ago. I noticed immediately a change in energy, I also noticed a tremendous difference in my skin tone and hair. I did lose weight, not sure how much since I didn’t weigh myself while fasting. I received numerous compliments while fasting that I looked great, and I still am receiving these compliments and I finished the fast 3 mos. ago! I have since given up chicken too. I still eat fish though. I did not gain any of the weight back because I maintained the good eating habits that I had from the beginning and I weened myself back on to food the way I was supposed to. I plan on doing this fast 2xs a year and will continue to promote this detox.

  241. Sadie

    It is true that the body naturally has the liver in place to detoxify itself. But that’s only when your body is in it’s natural healthy state. When you become unhealthy by putting loads of junk in your body it stresses your organs to the point where they become dysfunctional. That’s why people with kidney failure are put on kidney machines, in order to filter waste from the body, because their kidney is no longer capable of doing it for them.

  242. Keryn

    For the record, lose weight is the proper way to spell. Loose weight is not. I saw loose weight on an actual ad!! Would you call that company?

  243. Haven Logan

    Twenty-five years ago I had a friend who would go on the Master Cleanser for 30 days at a time. While on this fast he was filled with energy but once he started eating again he was completely out of control. I have seen the same thing happen with liquid protein diets.

    There is a fascinating book called “Holy Anorexia” which compares the saints of medieval times with modern anorexics. Many of the saints took their cultural imperative to fast to the extreme and ended up anorexic. At first they received admiration for their ability to fast, just we receive it today when we diet and loose weight. For some diets are the first step into an eating disorder.

    Fasting can be a slippery slope. For most of us moderation is safer both physically and emotionally.

  244. Dr.J

    Just some information..
    “In research settings animals that are intermittently fasted are fed every other day, so they eat whatever they want for a day, then they are denied food for a day. Interestingly, on feeding days most of the animals eat a almost double the amount that their ad lib fed mates do. Thus the IF animals eat about the same number of calories overall that the ad lib fed animals eat, but, and this is a huge ‘but,’ the IF animals enjoy all the health advantages that the CR animals do, and, in fact, are even healthier than the CR animals.

    Like caloric restriction, intermittent fasting reduces oxidative stress, makes the animals more resistant to acute stress in general, reduces blood pressure, reduces blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces the incidence of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, and improves cognitive ability. But IF does even more. Animals that are intermittently fasted greatly increase the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) relative to CR animals. CR animals don’t produce much more BDNF than do ad libitum fed animals.”

  245. Jen

    (This is a different Jen than the one above, btw.)

    Kailash said:
    Do you think Weight Watchers ever wants you to graduate? No, they want you to yo-yo, becoming ever more unhealthy by losing muscle mass and then blaming yourself for getting fat afterwards. They still look good for getting your scale weight down, and making you look temporarily “improved” to those who can’t properly judge health[…]

    I don’t think the term “graduate” is really appropriate. It implies that when you reach your goal, you’re done, and you don’t have to keep working at it, just as when you graduate from college, you don’t have to continue taking classes. And, we all know (or should know) that keeping it off means working at it for the rest of your life.

    From my own experience, I know that WW is an extremely effective program FOR ME. I know it doesn’t work for everyone, but it is one of the keys to my successful loss and maintance of over 100 pounds. And, I’ve at least doubled my muscle mass because I work out regularly, which is what WW recommends. So, I do not agree that they encourage yo-yoing. Yeah, they are a business and they want to make money, as all businesses do. But, that does not automatically mean that they don’t have a sound program. By using that logic, you can say that there’s no good hospital or nursing home or rehab center to go to, because all they want to do is make money, so they’ll encourage you to be sick all the time.

  246. sheila

    i tried this last year. i’m not sure if i did it correctly, but it tasted horrible to me, maybe i added to much cayenne. i felt really tired and weak… and could only stand it for 2 and 1/2 days.

  247. Lyn

    I see nothing wrong with fasting for health or religious reasons, but it is a complex and difficult process and should never be attempted without planning, research or -even better- professional guidance. Anyone who markets such an undertaking as a method of weight loss is entirely irresponsible and is in very real danger of doing harm to a gullible populace. But people will do anything for a buck I suppose. NB: I myself have done several fasts and found it a positive experience and I will continue to fast in the future.

  248. Patricia (Spain)

    Kailash …corn and potatoes are not vegetables[…]

    Oh, that’s a funny one! Well gee, just what are they doing in the vegetable markets? ;>D

    Surely ‘fresh corn and potatoes are not allowed’ is what was meant. Though corn is a grain and potato a tuber, sorry, they are still classified as belonging to the vegetable world…though I can see why they are not the best foods to include in a ‘diet’.

    Or have the diet pundits decided otherwise?

  249. Ross

    Russell – I think it depends upon your definition of detox.

    I am just in the middle of blogging the difference between fasting, detoxing and cleansing at the moment because I think it means different things to different people.

    To me – there is absolutely NO logic in fasting from a health perspective, and this is not what detoxing is all about.

    I just cannot see how any health benefit can be gained from starving your body of nutrients – especially when you are asking it to do the overtime it needs to rid your body of the toxins that have built up. Seriously, the Master Cleanse is the biggest pile of **** I have seen in a long while.

    How can consuming zero nutrition alongside 12 servings of pure sugar (in the form of syrup) be healthy?

    Does anyone who tries this diet have anything on their mind other than very short term weight loss?

    Ross

  250. Russell Lawrence

    Detox is a bad idea!
    If you want to lose the weight for the long term and keep it off forever, you need to convert your MIND, not just your body, into that of a thin person.
    Once you believe you are thin, you will stay that way.
    There’s a new plan about to sweep the country and it helps you do just that!
    It called The Logic Diet.
    Check out http://www.thelogicdiet.com

  251. Talia Mana, 2006 Weblog Finalist

    I don’t go for the whole detox idea, but I have to admit I always feel better if I start the day with warm water and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s very refreshing!

    The other old system is the vinegar and honey drink for health and vitality (and weight loss)

  252. dela

    I think reducing sodium alone makes a huge difference, and it might actually be the main reason people lose so much weight on a fast. I’ve been eating low sodium for two days now after I bought the “Rice Diet Solution” book, and I lost three pounds yesterday alone. I went to the gym today after a breakfast of fruit and hot cereal (no salt). I have never been aware of the amount of sodium I have been eating!

    Maybe the lemon just gets people off the sodium for a while and they shrink! In the book I bought it said you can expect to lose 20 to 30 lbs. in the first month, but some people have lost up to 80 lbs. in the first month. I’m amazed at how my hands have sort of deflated today, almost back to what they were 20 years ago! I may be able to put my wedding band back on!

  253. iFitandHealthy

    “Master cleanse video diaries can be found on YouTube…”

    I would love to see them. They are probably hilarious. As for “master cleanse”, it is a bona fide fad.

  254. Spectra

    Kailash said:
    Do you think Weight Watchers ever wants you to graduate? No, they want you to yo-yo, becoming ever more unhealthy by losing muscle mass and then blaming yourself for getting fat afterwards. They still look good for getting your scale weight down, and making you look temporarily “improved” to those who can’t properly judge health[…]

    Not necessarily 100% true…I did WW and I continue to loosely follow their guidelines, and I keep the weight off pretty easily. You don’t have to starve…you just have to keep track of your calories and not go back to your old way of eating. My mom is a WW “yo yo” because she goes on the program and eats well for a couple months, then goes back to eating thousands of calories worth of junk and gains the weight back.

  255. Lor

    When you did the meat and vegetables, did you put any butter on cooked veggies or salad dressing on the raw ones, or just eat them plain? Just wondering….thanks.

  256. Jen

    I agree with all the comments so far. Our bodies are very efficient machines; they have properties that will properly cleanse it periodically. I do not think our bodies are meant to fast, unless it’s for a brief period or religious reason. I agree that it’s all psychological and instead of fasting, why not eat things that grow out of the ground for a few days?

  257. Kailash

    A fast, or any weight-loss diet, without sufficient protein means you will lose muscle, meaning you will lose metabolism, meaning you will not be able to eat as much as you had before. Many people who had crash dieted have had to become rabbits or mice at the table, in order not to blow up again like a blubber balloon when they resumed healthy eating habits. And many more have blown up like a blubber balloon, becoming even worse off than they were before as only having lost muscle mass and replaced it with fat.

    The only crash diet I would ever do is a protein-sparing modified fast. Eat a pound or two or meat a day, depending on if you weight 100 or 200 lbs, or scale the meat to your weight being somewhere between or above. Eat as many vegetables as you like (corn and potatoes are not vegetables). Meat and vegetables for two weeks… Afterwards, I slowly added foods back into my diet: first nuts, then fruit, legumes, whole grains and finally the occasional starch such as white rice. Though I still try to eat starch only in the post-workout window, when the muscles are primed to absorb nutrients rather than the fat cells.

    I lost 15 lbs this way, almost all fat (some water). My arms and calves were the same size, so I know I didn’t lose my hard-earned muscle mass (bodybuilder). But I’d lost 2 1/2 inches on the waist, and was never hungry, having split up the 2 lbs of meat into 6 seperate meals.

    Eating more meals increases metabolism, btw, while providing a more constant influx of nutrients. Skipping meals decrease metabolism and is a horrible way to diet, if you care anything about maintaining a healthy body shape. You’ll end up like a waif after the diet, and a whale a few months later if you follow the typical advice.

    Do you think Weight Watchers ever wants you to graduate? No, they want you to yo-yo, becoming ever more unhealthy by losing muscle mass and then blaming yourself for getting fat afterwards. They still look good for getting your scale weight down, and making you look temporarily “improved” to those who can’t properly judge health.

    A waif, a whale or a wonderwoman (or man) – it’s not just a matter of discipline, but also dietary education. You’re on the right track.

  258. Kitty

    Spectra said:
    I would hate this master cleanse thing. Seriously, if you eat enough fiber and drink enough water, you’re colon cleans itself out. It’s lined with mucus and eating fiber helps clear any debris out of there. Plus, your liver/kidneys takes care of most toxins in your body. The only reason it makes you lose weight is because there’s no food matter in […]

    Not only that, the weight comes back with a vengeance.

  259. Spectra

    I would hate this master cleanse thing. Seriously, if you eat enough fiber and drink enough water, you’re colon cleans itself out. It’s lined with mucus and eating fiber helps clear any debris out of there. Plus, your liver/kidneys takes care of most toxins in your body. The only reason it makes you lose weight is because there’s no food matter in your system. It’s all psychological…there’s much more to health than weight.

  260. Dr.J

    Fasting may actually have some very beneficial effects on overall health and longevity. The area that needs to be explored is how long a fast is needed for the benefits. It may be as short a period as 12 to 18 hours. It was no accident that it was named Break–Fast!

  261. dela

    Kitty, It’s funny that you were probably less likely to get cancer after having lost the 40lbs, but you looked more like someone who does have cancer. Your post makes me want to try it! But I know better…

  262. Kitty

    This idea is older than I am. When I was 15 (in 1965) I unintentionally skipped a few meals once and noticed that I had lost 5 lbs in the process. So I decided to skip eating entirely and drank water with lemon juice — no sweetner. I dropped 40 lbs very quickly, which had everyone believing that I had cancer. I certainly looked like I did. My mother dragged me to the doctor who told me, in no uncertain terms, that I had better start eating if I didn’t want to ruin my health and looks. It took two weeks of trying to eat before I could keep a small meal down.

  263. iportion

    Knowles also says she hated it and it caused her to binge

  264. Mark

    “Cleanses” and “detoxes” are complete hokum, the placebo effect, useless unless you’re scheduled for a colonoscopy. No medical experts support them. The fact that the stuff that comes out of your colon looks gross, just means that you’re flushing the crap out of your intestines all at once before it forms into stools.