Hello everybody,
I'm new to the forum and I'm on day 6 of the Master Cleanse. Has anyone else on here did it before and how were your results?
I agree with Lysistrata.... every major religion in the world has a version of fasting incorporated into methods for gaining spiritual revelation.... if fasting (or periodic caloric restriction) were so terrible, I doubt that thousands of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Native Americans (among others) over the years would have maintained the practice. And of course these fasting periods were/are done in a planned way, with a specific duration.
If doing the Master Cleanse helps people feel focussed and committed to a more conscious way of eating, then more power to them! As long as they aren't planning to stay in that zone, which would be self destructive..... Snooks86 sounds like he totally knows what he is doing.
I think people may have misunderstood me so I feel I should clarify.
I do not have any problems with fasting. As already mentioned it has been done for (probably) thousands of years and is still done today as part of people’s religious beliefs. It is slightly different though. Muslims during Ramadan fast during the day but eat in the morning and evenings therefore not depriving themselves of food for weeks and just drinking lemonade. The main problem I have however is with the whole “detox” idea. This concept of “toxins” running through your body and causing untold amounts of illnesses was created so people could sell you a solution (ie. Master Cleanse, you can buy the book for $6.50 http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/MASTER-CL EANSER-Stanley-Burroughs/9780963926203-item.h tml). For what better way is there to make money then by telling people they have a health problem and then selling them the solution? It is bad science and enables people to profit from fear mongering.
Why is it bad science? They are always very vague about the “problem” but are able to say everyone has it. Everyone agrees “toxins” are bad. Apparently in this day and age, we are ALL full of these “toxins”. This diet will flush out “toxins”. SOLD! However what “toxins” does this diet flush out? How can you tell if it is working? Subjective evaluation? Of course! Is this “detox diet” any more efficient at getting rid of “toxins” then just eating healthily (ie organic produce, lots of fiber and lean meats).
To the person that was talking about the definition of toxin. I agree words can evolve, but as of today the definition of toxin is “A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.” Therefore as you mentioned arsenic is NOT a toxin. Yes, it is TOXIC or poisonous or harmful, but it is NOT a toxin according to the definition. The definition of disease is “an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning” which would include mental disorders and addiction (ie alcohol and depression since it results in abnormal functioning).
I’m not trying to be negative, by all means, if “detoxing” makes you feel better then go ahead and do it! Just realize that people are trying to make money off of this and the results you see have more to do with the placebo effect and food deprivation then by “getting rid of toxins”.
Snooks, doing the Master Cleanse isn't going to kill you. I know a lot of people who have done it, lost a few pounds and been happy with it. I have noticed, however, that they don't tend to keep it off and the results are as temporary as the cleanse. If you are set on it, then just do it. I've tried a few things that seem a little strange to me now, but I don't regret having tried them and I think they helped me realize that I like balance. Now, I always suggest just eating a balanced diet with lots of real foods (meaning minimal processing) and not bothering with cleanses. That's my opinion though. However, like I said above, the Master Cleanse won't kill you. Try it if you really want to!
People do whatever they want, of course, but it only takes a read from a Biochem book to debunk the so called "detox" theory. I know what books like "Skinny Bitch" (What a name!) say and they're just exercises on pseudoscience.
Fasting is not bad. Actually it can be quite beneficial, I really wouldn't like to explain it all here, but in "Skinny Bitch" they had something about your digestive enzymes helping you detoxify. That is false, that doesn't happen. There is nothing wrong with fasting for short periods of times, just don't fall for that type of reasoning. Those are just ways people have to make a quick buck.
Where can I get ahold of the master cleanse? Do you need to buy a book or can I get it on-line?
One of the parts of Burroughs theory was that he could cure cancer through a regimen of detoxing and deep abdominal massage. The combination killed one of his "patients" and he was convicted of murder. Check it out on wiki.
The real problem with the accumulation of toxic materials in the body is that it's not in the colon. It's in the bones and tissue. Maybe not forever, but a lot longer than a colon-purging diet lasts.
This thread is confusion a few different issues:
1. fasting for religious reasons (I have no opinion on this)
2. master cleanse for weight loss (cancer works faster maybe get that?)
3. "detoxing" which doesn't happen.
If you stop putting crap in your body, you'll feel a million times better. Try a two week long raw diet or eating cleanly for two weeks. See how you feel. You feel better when you stop eating processed crap. You do not feel better because you're drinking lemons, pepper and syrup. Think about it people. Come on.
There is absolutely no way to prove it and I'm sure I'll here it all, but I'm willing to bet 95% of the people on this forum try fasts and Master Cleanses for one reason only: lose weight fast.
Another reason why so many people here have a problem with the Master Cleanse is because it is nutritionally unsound. There is no evidence that the nutritional claims in Burroughs' book about the nutritional content of the lemonade are true. If you analyse the nutritional content of the lemonade, you will find that it supplies less than 2g of protein per day, less than 2g of fiber, negligle amounts of essential fatty acids (which are essential because they are what allow you to absorb vitamins from the food and drink that we comsume) and over 200 percent of the simple sugars recommended per day. In addition, unless you consume the full 12 glasses of the lemonade (the book says to drink between 6 and 12 servings daily), you will be consuming less than 1200 calories daily (roughly 100 calories per glass, almost completely from simple sugars).
Unlike religious fasts, which typically don't last more than one day or are not complete fasts (as someone else mentioned) since they allow you to eat in the early mornings and late evening, depriving your body of essential nutrition for 7 - 10 days simply doesn't make sense. On top of that, the Master Cleanse has you taking not just one, but two different laxatives multiple times per day, which will surely give you a clean colon, but at the same time destroys the good bacteria that live in your colon as well, disrupting your body's natural functioning.
The basis of the Master Cleanse is that toxins build up in the human digestive tract that need to be "cleansed" in order to be healthy. There is no scientific evidence that this is true and plenty that it isn't. All of the "evidence" that I have seen about the Master Cleanse is anecdotal, whereas the evidence against the toxicity of the colon is based on recognized scientific methods.
Do some investigation of Burroughs and you will find that his credentials are highly suspect. Some of his training cannot be substantiated at all. I am not saying that there is no merit in non-traditional medicine, but everything about Burroughs smells fishy, from his untrue claims about the nutritional content of the Master Cleanse lemonade to his education and training. In my book, if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and sounds like a duck, then it is a duck or in Burroughs' case, a quack.
I know that I won't convince the Master Cleanse faithful, but the reason I respond to these threads all the time is that the Master Cleanse is based on a scientifically proven fallacy. If the foundation of the facts behind the Master Cleanse is untrue, how can people continue to defend it. And I don't expect people to blindly accept what I say is true. Investigate it for yourself and come to your own conclusion.
If you feel the need to cleanse your body of toxins, then stop eating processed foods for a week. Eat organic fruits and vegetables, organically grown protein sources, such as lentils, beans, or if you are not a vegetarian, chicken and fish, and drinks lots of water. Nutrition is important. If it wasn't, then why does Burroughs go to the trouble to make false claims about the nutritional content of his lemonade.
Personally, I don't see how anyone can claim that severely restricting calories for 7 - 10 days, abusing laxatives so that you spend a significant amount of time getting to know your toilet, and disrupting your body's natural functioning in the process is either safe or a good idea.
Multi-day total fasts are common in the ayurvedic tradition. You might also have heard of the sun dance, which involves fasting for 3 days. Which religion were you referring to?
To all you who have only bad to say about detoxing. There are some detoxs out there that you do eat fruits and veggies with. I personally would never do it, but I have a friend who does isogenics and she is still supposed to eat with it. Plus it has no laxatives. It really just makes her urinate more often. Her plan tells her to do it one a month, but it also warns that if you are not eating healthy prior to staring it you will become very sick feeling. She likes it and she has had it cleared with her doctor. So I think in some cases its fine, but the abuse of laxatives is not fine, its what some people with eating disorders do. But I don't see any reason to degrate someone is has came on this site for support. So I guess as long as you are making sure to stay extra hydrating and eat super healthy when your done, I hope it helps you out.
Original Post by lysistrata:
Unlike religious fasts, which typically don't last more than one day or are not complete fasts (as someone else mentioned) since they allow you to eat in the early mornings and late evening, depriving your body of essential nutrition for 7 - 10 days simply doesn't make sense.
Multi-day total fasts are common in the ayurvedic tradition. You might also have heard of the sun dance, which involves fasting for 3 days. Which religion were you referring to?
Most of the people I have known who observed religious fasts were either Jewish or Muslim. I can't speak about other religions as I have not observed them. But as I stated, religious fasts are between a person and their creator.
The Master Cleanse doesn't qualify as a religious observance and I stand by my contention that it is not only nutritionally unsound, but dangerous as well because of the laxative abuse it includes.
As for the person who said we should be supportive of someone who comes to this site and promotes the Master Cleanse, I cannot stand by and let their false claims that is it safe go unchallenged, just as I would challenge someone who came to this site and promoted bulimia as acceptable for weight management. I have nothing against people who promote detoxing behaviors like you described (eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables and that doesn't include laxative abuse). But the Master Cleanse doesn't even come close to that.
I'm starting to notice a trend. Every time I post the nutritional information about the Master Cleanse and bring up the laxative abuse, all of the supporters of it have nothing to say.
If this cleanse is so safe and it is healthy for you, how come all of it proponents vanish as soon as the truth about the nutritional content of the lemonade and the laxative abuse is brought up?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Funny how people are not really listening to each other here.
I totally support the quackbusters on here about the idea of "detox." I have only seen anecdotal account of success with detox - nothing scientifically proven, so I will have to err on side of caution and say that "detox" is a load of crap.
However, I did a 4-day "Master Cleanse" last week with my nutritionist friend and absolutely loved the benefits.
1. I lost 4 pounds in 4 days and then 1 more in the 3 days after the cleanse.
2. I always watched what I ate, but sometimes couldnt' resist sweets or late-night snacks, etc. etc. After being on the cleanse, I only crave healthy foods.
3. I felt great on the cleanse and still do!
4. Not eating for 4 days makes you re-examine your emotional attachment to food and recognize some adjustments you will need to make.
As far as lack of nutrition - absolutely!!! It lacks protein, fiber, and much else. But after 4 days, I was able to replenish my body with all the delicious fruits, vegetables and other foods I've eaten.
So - for all those that are so against the Master Cleanse, I suggest you do it for 3-4 days. It won't hurt your body. But it will clear your mind. :)
Nothing wrong with Detoxifying the body,as long you don't have a medical condition like Diabetes etc. Also, as I am sure you know, that it is not wise to do it for long periods and not for means of becoming thin. I think of detoxifying;as a way, to rid my body of built up poisons and I would only do it 24 hours out of several months . I would prob. build up to it but that is because I would blow it if I did it anyother way because I am not disciplined enough.
It is mean't for a jump start, a cleansing not something day for day or to abuse.
I am going to do it . I need it. I am sluggish , tired, bloated and filled with poison. 24 hrs. and I am good to go. I will make my own with lemon water and carrot juice and fiber supplement added to the juice.
Original Post by annamik:
So - for all those that are so against the Master Cleanse, I suggest you do it for 3-4 days. It won't hurt your body.
Actually, with the presence of certain medical conditions, yeah, it could. If I insisted on trying this to my doctor he would drop me as a patient because he wouldn't accept the liability.
I have a functioning liver, colon, and set of kidneys, I get plenty of water and fiber, and I exercise on a regular basis. I get all the "cleansing" I need already.
Original Post by lilithinwaiting:
I think of detoxifying;as a way, to rid my body of built up poisons and I would only do it 24 hours out of several months.
What poisons do you think are built up in your body and how is whatever "clease" you go on going to get rid of them?
Original Post by lilithinwaiting:
I am going to do it . I need it. I am sluggish , tired, bloated and filled with poison.
What "poison" do you think you're filled with, yet are still alive and functioning?
(Are you sure it's not just something more mundane than being "toxic"? You've listed the symptoms of everything from the stomach flu to a hangover.)
Original Post by annamik:
Funny how people are not really listening to each other here.
I totally support the quackbusters on here about the idea of "detox." I have only seen anecdotal account of success with detox - nothing scientifically proven, so I will have to err on side of caution and say that "detox" is a load of crap.
However, I did a 4-day "Master Cleanse" last week with my nutritionist friend and absolutely loved the benefits.
1. I lost 4 pounds in 4 days and then 1 more in the 3 days after the cleanse.
2. I always watched what I ate, but sometimes couldnt' resist sweets or late-night snacks, etc. etc. After being on the cleanse, I only crave healthy foods.
3. I felt great on the cleanse and still do!
4. Not eating for 4 days makes you re-examine your emotional attachment to food and recognize some adjustments you will need to make.
As far as lack of nutrition - absolutely!!! It lacks protein, fiber, and much else. But after 4 days, I was able to replenish my body with all the delicious fruits, vegetables and other foods I've eaten.
So - for all those that are so against the Master Cleanse, I suggest you do it for 3-4 days. It won't hurt your body. But it will clear your mind. :)
What about the laxative abuse? Taking multiple doses of laxatives per day for 4 days will totally disrupt the normal functioning of your digestive tract and kill off essential bacteria that live there. How is that not hurting your body? And not only is it lacking in fiber, protein, and essential fatty acids, but you are living on excessive amounts of simple sugars for the duration of the "cleanse". How is that going to result in craving healthy foods?
As for your "nutritionist" friend, they should have their license, assuming they actually have one, revoked for advocating such a dangerous and totally bogus method to lose weight. Losing 5 pounds in 7 days is not healthy and I'd be willing to bet that it was nothing more than water weight and crap.
You say you felt great on the detox, which doesn't surprise me in the least, since the lack of food leads to euphoria, combined with the massive sugar rush that consuming over 200% of the recommended daily allowance for sugar will give you.
The Master Cleanse is stupid and dangerous, plain and simple.
Original Post by techdog:
The Master Cleanse is stupid and dangerous, plain and simple.
Well said, techdog.
With that: Die thread, die!!!!
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