A master cleanse is a liquid diet which is very popular and it has been there for a long time. It was initially started as a diet which was a necessary part of the treatment of any health ailment. It is primarily used by people who wanted or needed to detoxify their bodies of chemicals and toxins.

Why is it so popular?

It is popular because it works. It has been popular earlier with people who want to improve their health but now it is also popular with people who want to lose weight quickly. It is gaining more popularity because several celebrities have publicly stated that they have tried the diet. Singer and actress Beyonce' Knowles told on Oprah that she had lost more than 20 pounds on the master cleanse to prepare for a movie. There are other celebrities who have claimed to lose substantial weight with the help of master cleanse.

What do you eat?

It is a liquid diet and you need to drink 6 to 12 glasses a day of a lemonade concoction that contains lemon juice, maple syrup, water and a little bit of cayenne pepper. All this water contain the juice of about 3 to 6 lemons per day and 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups of maple syrup per day.

An herbal laxative and a saltwater drink are also recommended along with the liquid diet in the daily regimen. However, colonics and enemas are typically not recommended.

The ingredients and their need

Lemons and maple syrup unnecessary because they are readily available almost everywhere and they also provide you with good amount of vitamins and minerals. Besides that, lemons are considered a cleaning, healing food in alternative medicine. But even though they may have some minerals and vitamins but there are other foods which contain much more vitamins and minerals in comparison to them. For example, one banana has all the potassium as all of the lemon juice consume each day has.

How long do you need to continue it?

You need to go on a diet for 10 days or more and the maximum duration recommended is 40 days. You can go for the Master cleanse 3 to 4 times a year. However, if you're using it to lose weight, you should be little careful because many nutritionists and health professionals advise against prolonged fasting which can last for a few days.

After the cleanse

Once you complete the master cleanse, you will find a recommended procedure from breaking the fast. The first day after the cleanse you can only drink orange juice. During the second day, you need to drink more orange juice and some vegetables soup. On the third day, you can have vegetables, salads and fruits. From the fourth day onwards you can resume your normal eating.

You need to follow this strictly even after you complete the Master cleanse to get the benefit of cleaning your body thoroughly.

How do people feel?

There are many testimonials available for this diet and they claim that the master cleanse has reduced or eliminated their symptoms. Some people claim to have better energy and mental clarity during and after the cleanse. Many other people also experience spiritual or psychological effect and that helps them to feel a positive effect on their health. For some people the Master cleanse may be difficult as they feel dizzy, faint or extremely hungry. Diarrhoea and loose stools a common on the diet because of the herbal laxative and saltwater drink.

References

1. The Master Cleanse Summary and Instructions
2. Lemon detox diet reduced body fat, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP level
3. Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management