The Real Deal on the Master Cleanse Diet

I am a 58 yo male 80 pounds overweight.I recently tried master cleanse but completed only 5 days.It is a real life changer It was great even at my advanced age.Since my cleanse my eating habits have changed for the better.I have continued to lose weight and I am looking forward to completing the full 10 days at a later date.Even 5 days has had a very positive effect.I needed to change my eating habits and master cleanse has been a blessing to me.I dont want to get caught up in the medical drug trip that has america taking drugs for side effects from other drugs.It's a vicious cycle.Many people have 5 or more prescriptions they need every day.No chemicals for me unless absolutrely neccessary.

There are multiple approaches to managing GERD.  The method you suggested certainly works for some people, and has virtually no contraindications.  There is no harm in trying it.  If it doesn't work, however, there are some reasons why GERD often responds well to the Master Cleanse.

First of all, GERD is often caused by or exacerbated by obesity.  Invariably, people lose weight on the Master Cleanse, if they're not already at their ideal weight.  The average loss for a 10 day cleanse is between 8 and 12 pounds, about half of which is water weight, and will be put back on within a day or two of "normal" eating.  So the associated weight loss tends to relieve GERD to some extent in many people.

Secondly, GERD is often caused as a reaction to certain things we are consuming which increase stomach acid production.  In particular, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine have been shown unequivocally to exacerbate GERD.  If you're following the Master Cleanse appropriately, you are not consuming any of these chemicals. 

Third, GERD often is exacerbated by the conditions of constipation and bowel sluggishness.  Mechanical pressure up against the stomach can stimulate acid release as well as place the stomach in a position that is not ideal for emptying.  This means that you might lie down for the night after a meal you had 4 hours previously, but your stomach hasn't emptied yet, so it is still full of acid for digestion.  This acid frequently inches up into your esophagus, eroding away at the esophageal lining and causing heartburn.  The Master Cleanse helps to empty the bowel daily, so that this mechanical pressure is no longer an issue, and your stomach can take a break on pumping out so much acid.

Fourth, GERD has a lot to do with a body condition called metabolic acidosis.  The human body should ideally be at a pH level between 7.35 and 7.45.  This is a slightly alkaline (or basic) pH, as 7.00 is precisely neutral between an acidic or alkaline state.  Much of the food and drink that we consume tends to acidify the body, rather than alkalize it (meats, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, corn, wheat, cheese... etc.... there are many charts available online so that you can see which foods acidify and which foods alkalize).  The result of acidifying the body is metabolic sluggishness, and compensatory mechanisms to attempt to raise the pH (hyperventilating, for example).  Your body also attempts to throw out some of that acid in your stomach, sometimes causing you to belch or vomit it up, or at the very least, it removes it from blood circulation for awhile so that your body has a chance to try to sort itself out, so to speak. 

You'd think that something such as lemon, being an acidic fruit on its own, would contribute to the acidifying effect.  Paradoxically, however, lemon (and indeed all citrus fruits) has an alkalizing effect on the body.  Consuming nothing but lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water for several days has a wonderful effect of maintaining nutritional needs, clearing out the bowels and alkalizing the body.  It is truly a phenomenal detox method.

Credentials:  I am an endocrine specialist.

Pity your not a Dentist,you would know the detrimental effects of acidic drinks and sugar based syrups can cause damage to the tooth's enamel. Using laxatives, herbal or otherwise, encourage lazy bowel movement. rather than cut out ALL foods for 10 days, it would be much better to re evaluate the whole diet not just for 10 days. Increase fibre rich foods to empty the bowels naturally,eat more fruit and less cakes and pastries, which in effect will detox the digestive system. Reducing the 'bulk' in the colon for 10 days just means the peristalsis of the colon does not work efficiently, hence the use of laxatives and so it easy to start the laxative habit of purging which as you know being a medical person, is not the solution long term. Using such a drastic diet even for 10 days is not the answer. Quick fix when it comes to reducing weight and becoming healthy never works. Sustainable healthy eating and exercise is the most effect method and of course healthy towards maintaining good strong teeth. 

You are right, I am not a dentist, and that is regrettable in my ability to give full advice on this matter.

Acidic beverages, including that which is recommended during the 5 to 10 day "master cleanse" are not especially good for your teeth, especially if you are not brushing them routinely with non-flouride, non-SLS products after every beverage.  And it is unfortunate that most "master cleanse" instructions do not also include a sidebar to brush your teeth regularly after each lemonade drink.

But even still, we must consider the fact that this diet is prescribed for only 5 to 10 days, and in most people, this is a short enough period of time that it doesn't cause a significant amount of enamel erosion.  Additionally, it is a long enough period of time to allow people to recognize the fact that they are acquiring some sort of benefits that they did not have from their regular diet - such as (at the very least) a lack of acid reflux symptoms and a bit of weight loss.

The Master Cleanse is not a cure-all by any stretch of the imagination.  But it has some very simple beneficial consequences in making people consider the ways in which their current "normal" diet harms them and ways in which a new diet might help them.  It is an obvious "think about it" situation that doesn't cause much body harm, as opposed to many other marketed liquid diets that exist. 

In the process of following the Master Cleanse, people buy cheap, regularly available ingredients to lose weight and detoxify.  It means that they are doing something entirely for themselves for a short period of time, that will likely make themselves healthier, and not support some greater marketing scheme for a company in the process. 

I have known several people who have followed the Master Cleanse or slightly altered versions of it for months up to over a year without ill effects.  Most of them were already at their ideal weight and considered it as a spiritual endeavor, and followed intensive dental care routines in order to maintain their enamel throughout.

As an FYI, many foods that are good for your enamel are really bad for your body (and vice versa, as I'll say) and many foods that are really bad for your enamel are good for your body.  There is a balance that must be maintained.  This is part of why specialization has its bad points.  If you specialize in maintaining the integrity of teeth, then you might possibly disregard the ways in which things that are good for the teeth damage the rest of the body.  Likewise, if you specialize in body chemistry, you might disregard the ways in which things that are good for the body (such as lemon juice and many citrus fruits - excluding grapefruit) are bad for the teeth. 

As an endocrinologist, I do tend to consider all things that are good for maintaining the endocrine system within a vacuum - as though they were entering the system through some means other than passing dental enamel.  This is a fault that was rightly pointed out by my responder (you) who has awareness of dental considerations. 

I'd like to offer the fact that I am open to more inter-disciplinary considerations with regard to everything that concerns human health.  I support the Master Cleanse because I have seen it work on people I have treated, and I have used it on myself.  As an FYI, I never prescribe or recommend it to anyone I treat, because it is not accepted practice, but I have applied it to myself, and I have observed my patients doing it on their own with mixed results.

I completely agree with you as to your recommendation that people ought to examine their own diets as a whole and alter it as a whole as opposed to just for 10 days.  This is simply perfect advice.  At the same time, I would advise you not to discount other short-term methods that are recommended for people to examine their diets.  Week and weekend retreats, camps, conferences, intensive workshops - all are ways in which we in the western world have learned to teach and learn new concepts.  If a 10 day diet is one way to teach people to re-examine their own diets, especially something they can do on their own time, then why should it be dismissed?  And I grant the fact that you aren't necessarily dismissing it.  If you are criticizing it, then more power to you.  I hope that the Master Cleanse gains a lot of light in the day, and lots of people get a chance to try it and criticize it, because how else are we ever going to get a chance to fully examine the "normal" diet that we all have come to love and live in?

uh, Jess, I like what you wrote..............I just found this so-called advice that is nothing else but an opinion from a very uneducated person............

this cleansing diet is great and has absolutely NO dangers or whatever to it................

actually diabetics are encouraged to substitute molasses for the maple b syrup.  there were testimonies of people getting rid of or controlling their diabetes doing this cleanse.  ultimately, you shouldn't write any articles about the cleanse unless you've tried it, and have proven evidence of it's ill-effects.  it doesn't seem like this author tried it.  i've tried it a couple of times and as far as gaining weight back...well, duh of course you do because you're going from not eating to eating.  but as far as cleansing the body and actually giving your hard-working kidneys a break for some period of time: i believe it's worth it!  i've actually seen my skin and nails clear up.  it's hard as heck, but it won't kill you

A few comments

1)"I've actually seen my skin and nails clear up"-so this has been proven both with before and after photos, as well as monitored by an observation of your bodies normal variance with your nails, and thus a placebo affect can be ruled out?

2)You are seriously giving diabetics advice here? 

3)"you shouldn't write any articles about the cleanse unless you've tried it"-so I guess I shouldn't write any articles suggesting that jumping out of an airplane with no parachute is a bad idea, since I haven't tried it yet?   I am all for exploring alternatives, and do it on a daily basis.  But this is becoming group-think here. Don't mean to single you out, but too many people can't tell the truth from the noise.

4)it won't kill you-just so you know, asbestos was once cited as a "miraculous, do anything chemical substance".  We now know that it kills you. 

5)I'll admit, I have not tried this.  However, I also am an ACE certified personal trainer.  While I am not a nutritionalist, and don't claim to be, it is common knowledge that fasting forces the body to canibalize on its muscles, thus permanently reducing your metobalism. 

6th and final point)Perhaps people should just, for 10 days, avoid eating anything by  Hostess, Frito-Lay, Little Debbie, McDonalds, etc, and see if they feel better.  I'd wager that taking generally accepted unhealhty foods out of your diet for 10 days will comparably 'cleanse' your body.  Same thing as if you drink your recommended 8 glasses of water a day instead of high-calorie, carbonated beverages.   

Criticize me if you want, as I did not spell check my rant, but to anyone thinking of doing this, I would recommend first attempting to eliminate "junk food" from your diet for 10 days, and see if that makes your body feel better first. 

A quick going away present:

"If you want to lose fat, a useful guideline for lowering your calorie intake is to reduce your calories by at least 500, but not more than 1000 below your maintenance level. For people with only a small amount of weight to lose, 1000 calories will be too much of a deficit. As a guide to minimum calorie intake, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that calorie levels never drop below 1200 calories per day for women or 1800 calories per day for men"

I don't think that you are looking at it from the perspective of many who have tried the cleanser.

Many who are not 'for' the cleanser feel as though any and all who do it are only interested in the weight loss aspect. This is simply not true. Some people are looking for more homeopathic approach to health issues/concerns. The ability of the body to detox itself is true, but severly compromised because of the way we eat. The master cleanser is a good kick off to an internal cleanse that may or may not contribute to weight loss. Yes, it would be most wise to adapt a new eating regime to maintain the weight loss and/or healthful benefits.

More specifically, I use to get migraine heachaches all the time. I was extremely toxic as I didn't use the restroom but once a week. (Since most don't speak about bowel movements an open forum, going once a week was regular - i regularly went once a week. Little did I know) After 15 days on the Master Cleanser detox fast, I did lose 30 lbs. More importantly, my intestines were cleansed out; I started using the restroom after each meal the way the body should properly function. The cleanse was not so much to lose weight, but provide a natural way of cleansing out the tract that was full of crap! The latent function was noticing that I simply didn't get migraines anymore, sleep soundly through the night like a baby and seemed to have way better mental clarity that is imply by fasting in spiritual writings. I also noticed about 2-3 months after completing the cleanse that I no longer had mentrual cramps. I found this strange and couldn't explain it. I later read, Never Be Sick Again and read an explanation for this. Menses contains a month's worth of toxins that are hitting the bloodstream and overwhelming it. The lack of so much toxic waste in my system resulted in my mentrual cycle coming and going with no cramps at all...strange when most women actually gauge when Aunt Flow is coming by the cramp they receive.

Just one experience and personal opinion about the cleanse.

This is some good information!  It's really nice to know that by suffering through this - what must be a painful ordeal because we humans are used to satisfying our hunger and our wants instantly - that you literally have changed several issues in your life.  In response to the "weekly BMs", I understand where you're coming from, and I've always wondered if there was some magical way to fix this.......  I am not near regular enough and I know the importance of ridding waste and toxins.  But it's like, my body just would not do it.  I've tried every type of home remedy: Citrucil (which works good at times, usually if you feel you are really ready to go, but constipation prevents or slows it down), Colon Cleanse Herbal Remedy cleanser capsules (which takes 2-3 days to work, not good in my book), Castor Oil (2 tablespoons did not work - it was as if I'd taken nothing!).  I've NOT tried the expensive "Total Cleanse Type Packages I see in the Nutrition Stores" cause of price actually, but I've wanted to try them just for a miracle.  I have not tried "Mineral Oil" which states that it loosens bowels because of it's slipperyness, so it's a lube job - maybe I oughtta try it!!!  Has anyone gotten a lube job from Mineral Oil that they can tell me about???  So I'm considering trying this after reading your comment here.  If it works this well (at least it did for you) then maybe it's worth trying!  But I usually get weak and faintyish if I even skip one day without eating - something I never had a problem with before until I turned in my mid 40's.  I am now 40/50, female, no menses, and overweight; no diabetes that I'm aware (not been to see a doc in a while unfortunately - no INS).  I usually just try to fix any issues I may have with home remedies I see online or in my "Natural Home Remedy" book.  But just the same, thx for the good positive info!!

I am now on the Master Cleanse and I will be starting my 4th day.  I am 38 overweight female and have eaten all the problem foods out there.  I even had my gallbladder taken out last year because of all the painful episodes after eating.  I am not hungry all the time like I thought I would be.  On occasion I will get a whiff of something and I think 'hmmm'.  However, I also think about the mess my body is in right now and the positve process my body is going thru and the cravings disappear.  I am trying to change my lifestyle...not just lose weight.  I have read other blogs and learned that you gain 1/2 the fat you lost anyway.  My motivation is better bowel movements.  Before I removed my gallbladder I was going about 2 times a week to make #2, after surgery, 1-4 times a day.

On the master cleanse I go #2 once in the morning and once in the evening.  Its not like you sit on the bowl all day.  Its very gentle and the lemonade tastes pretty good too.  The cost of the Grade B maple syrup supprised me.  If you are planning on the ten days dont take the small jug.  Get the larger size the small jug only lasts 3 days.

Activia is your friend.  If you do not have a regular (daily or so)  bowel movement,  try the yogurt,  Activia.   It really does work.  

And "An apple a day keeps the doctor away,"  is another true,  natural remedy. 

Most of all,  people who do not move their bowels every day tend to be people who do not drink enough water.   Depending on how dry the air is in your home area,  you want to drink  8-12 glasses of water every day.   If you live in the dry west,  8 glasses of water daily  is a must to avoid a headache from hypohydration. 

I will criticize you because your post is just plain stupid. It's not about losing weight or giving "advice" to diabetics. Get off your high naysayer horse and accept the fact that it works. I just love the peanut gallery and all your useful words. Just get off it already. Your stupid comments arent going to deter someone who is seeking to clean their body of the toxins we have built up over years of "medications, poisonous products, GMO food, food dyes, steroid shot cows milk and meat" etc etc etc. face it, we as humans now are the victims of a lot of greed by our fellow humans. Therefore our body's suffer through the innocent use of products on our skin, in our food, the air we breath and water we drink and we need to clean it up sometimes, this cleanse does just that. I did it and am doing it again and the reason why is, it's good for me, end of story. If you dont believe in it, fine but dont spout your naysayer !@#$%^ to anyone who wants to do it because you dont believe. Have you ever heard of manifestation or actually experienced it, thought so. Get off your high horse and get back in the cave. You wont win any new followers or SAVE anyone through your comments or by pushing JESUS on them so quit trying. Your wasting space and 15 minutes of alot of peoples time reading your just plain weak statements.

the trace of minerals and natural sugar prevents the distrofy of the muscle :)

this is not starvation its fasting

take care

It never fails to amaze me how people will spout off on a subject they know nothing about.  And that includes you, Mr Ace Personal Trainer, and you too, Dr Tsai. 

Here's a novel idea:  never mind actually doing the cleanse...but how about at least reading Stanley Burrough's  booklet "The Master Cleanser" before putting your two cents in.  And that would save everyone from having slog and suffer through your rants filled with misinformation because you don't even have a clue as to what the author truly said or wrote.  Do your homework!  I'm not even going to exhaust myself trying to correct all your embarrassing mistakes.

Any and everyone who is interested in the Master Cleanse should read the original booklet "The Master Cleanser."  There are also several additional publications out there now on this cleanse as well.  Be intelligent and be informed.

I've been in health and wellness profession for 12 years now and I've done the Master Cleanse 10 times now... and each time with excellent results.  It's not easy (though it gets easier) but always worthwhile.

So glad you mentioned the substitution; my husband is a diabetic and I wasn't sure if he could do this....any idea if one is allowed to take prescription medication while on the cleanse or even a multivitamin?  I have to take a thyroid pill daily and calcium and a multivitamin because of a deficiency but I really want to do the cleanse because of  a lot of built up toxins in my system...I've gone through thyroid cancer and just recently breast cancer and it's time to clean house!

Ideally, you would not take any vitamins or medications during your cleanse.  This is less due to the "toxins" of the medications themselves, but more due to the binders that are used to keep your Synthroid and supplements in a form that is easy to swallow. 

If you can knock out the multivitamin for 10 days, that will be helpful - but it depends on how severe your vitamin deficiency is.  The calcium supplement could be more complicated. You need to find out exactly why you are on the calcium.  You shouldn't be taking it with your Synthroid anyway, because it lowers absorption of Synthroid (split up the doses, if you're not already).  If you're just on the calcium to prevent osteoporosis, then you can stop it for 10 days.  If you're on it for reasons related to your thyroid cancer, you may need to stay on it. 

Under no circumstances, however, is it advisable to go off of your prescription medications.  You may find after several periods of detox that you no longer need some of your medications, or that the dosages can be reduced, but do not experiment with this during your first cleanse.  And after your 3rd or 4th cleanse (you need to have 60 to 90 days between each cleanse in the first year), you should see your physician to see if any of your medications can be reduced.

Since you are a cancer survivor and your husband is a diabetic, I suggest that you do considerable research on the Master Cleanse before you start it.  I recommend reading "Secrets of the Master Cleanse," or Stanley Burroughs' book "The Master Cleanser."  Stanley Burroughs developed the Master Cleanse in 1941.  His book is available for free online in PDF form in a number of locations.  Just Google it.

My credentials are that I am an endocrine specialist.  Because I am not your doctor, I can not diagnose or treat you.  My recommendation is that you do some research and stay in close contact with your own physician with regard to any complications or concerns you have.  Good luck.

The uneducated person you refer to is a stomach doctor...hmmm.

yes hmmm is right - you should be thinking, or rather re-thinking what you believe about today's conventional medicine and it's doctors. just take a look at the facts on malpractice and how many patients die each year that went in for routine surgeries and/or treatment.(many of them were proved to be completely misdiagnosed.)

we're a community relying more and more on pharmeceutical drugs with the doctors pushing the scripts. the result is more and more sick and dying. fear, and the warm, fuzzy drug commercial sways us from a more natural healthy way to cure ourselves.

This cracks me up.  How many malpractice cases do you hear of that are really about the doctor's malpractice?  If it wasn't for the western medicine homeopathic folks blister on and on against, you'd all be dead.  Antibiotics alone probably kept you alive this long.  Not too mention all the vaccinations you had as a child.

It's amazing that people who practice homeopathic medicine don't just practice it as a form, but use it to bad mouth and malign all the other miraculous things western medicine does on a daily basis.  Tell the child who had the liver transplant to go homeopathic --- or the artificial heart recipients who ended up living much longer than they would have.

No one minds you wanting to find ways to help your body.  But when you rail against doctors who work their behinds off to understand the body in ways few of us do, and then criticize them as being ignorant... you become simply laughable.

Yeah, laugh it up there JP. I gotta tell ya, yours is a seemingly typical retort from a typical small minded, doctor of the western world. Have you really worked your butt off? Did you really go into this profession with an interest in helping your fellow man, and not the money or title? Well. good for you, I'll give you the benefit of doubt and believe a few might be in decent hands, but guess what, if you haven't looked to your left or right lately... and closely, you should take a look - and try not to laugh.

With my most of my family well entrenched in the medical field I can tell you it's disturbing and disgusting how many health care professionals are here for the bloody paychecks, or the recognition. Whatever it may be, your dead wrong about the malpractice, (and you probably know it) more times than I can tell you it's about a doctor or nurse with their head up their ass, not paying attention to what's going on, with their mind on their golf game, or just that that they're not listening and observing before they push on with the meds, push on with the surgery. So many lives go down the tubes and only a fraction of the mistakes are actually caught and sent into the legal system. Other times, not a word is spoken of it afterwards but, by sheer luck, that slip-up or short cut is caught by someone else and a tragedy is averted, and what's happened stays behind the scenes... but somebody there remembers and takes a mental note, and the notes could fill your vacation home, doc.

I'll have to agree with one thing on malpractice though. Many cases that do see the light of the courtroom are fed from a fury of lawyers that find a crack just large enough to drag a bag of dirty tricks through, and usually stems from a patient that probably went into examination room already wanting a financial break in their treatment. There again, some professionals who are seemingly in it for the wrong reasons... funny, those are the lawyers who seem to share the same country club. Well, that's a different story altogether.

Go ahead with your argument about western medicine, all you're really talking about is medical science advances - not doctors practicing medicine. Antibiotics for one; albeit a milestone in treating the infectious, is sickeningly over-prescribed, thus making a sicker, more prone to infection society. Do you really stand by watching the outpour of ridiculous meds make the market and say this is what our people need? A country full of RX gobblers to sustain happpy healthy bodies, right? That's what you got into all of this for? C'mon, that's not funny.

or maybe you're not a doctor at all - and in that case, you got a lot to discover about doctors...

Ugh... I wish you weren't so right...  Healthcare is all about liability/non-liability and money... it's painful...

Organ transplantation exceeds the advice of any naturopath or homeopath.  Does this really surprise you?  It's like a quantum physicist trying to disregard someone who is advising people in shooting arrows.  Newtonian physics works, but why mess it up with quantum physics when it is unnecesarry?  Bodies work best when left to their own devices.  When you insert new organs (etc.) into the mix, then the rules change.  Please be reasonable.

I COMPLETELY AGREE. You would think one would do their research before writing an article. It's a good thing so many of us out there don't take everything we read as fact, we do research and find out if what we're being spoonfed are actual truths or just somebody's opinion.  Change your column name to IN MY UNEDUCATED, UNRESEARCHED OPINION.

"uneducated person"?  You may disagree with her opinion of this "cleanse", but she is an MD, and specializes in gastrointestinal issues, as well as childhood obesity.  Do you have any idea how much studying, learning and education it takes to become an MD? 

Your statement displays your ignorance on many levels.  You don't have to agree with her opinion, but you calling someone who is clearly has more education in the medical field than you do is simply foolish. And her study of medicine entitles her to an opinion - one that has much more validity than the ranting of someone who used the cleanse to "change their life".

I'm siding with the guy who said staying away from the doritos and hostess products, and quitting all high sugar soda and beverages for ten days (and replacing them with healthy fruits, vegetables and whole grains) would have an equal or greater effect - with the added benefit of not having to force yourself to drink a quart of salt water each day just to poop.       

She is most certainly not "uneducated" but we must consider the fact that she is educated in the Western style of commercialized medicine, and her speciality lies in pediatrics. 

Being a Medical Doctor doesn't mean that you are uneducated by any stretch of the imagination, but it does mean that you are educated within a type of world that accepts the U.S. FDA (an organization that approved Phen-Fen and Vioxx, for example) regulations.  It also means that you are hostile to alternative methods of treatment that lie outside of "evidence-based" medicine.

It sounds nice that our doctors might practice "evidence-based" medicine, but courts don't necessarily support it.  Consider the case of Daniel Merenstein and the PSA test for an example (Google it).  Evidence-based medicine, as nice and even obvious as it seems, is not necessarily conducive to best patient (or provider) outcomes.  This is largely because evidence-based medicine is dependent upon funding-based studies.  If no studies have been performed, or if studies have been performed toward some biased end, then how great is the "evidence" upon which we base our "outcomes"?

Let us not disregard the fact that the author (who is, again, not "uneducated" - please do not make the mistake of calling her that) is a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist.  There are a lot of great things that a pediatric specialist can tell us.  And there are a lot of great things that a gastrointestinal specialist can tell us.  And the Venn Diagram that unites these two specialties does not include all of the set of "general public enterologist." 

What I mean by this is that Ms/Dr. Tsai can tell us a lot of things about children's medical issues and she can tell us a lot of things about gastrointestinal issues as they relate to children, but for her to try to extrapolate her experience to adults who are using a diet for 10 days to benefit systems broader than the gastrointestinal system of children means she is far exceeding her expertise.  So, in a short phrase, I would have to say, "consider the source."  She is educated.  She is intelligent.  But she is educated and has intelligence within a sphere of knowledge that does not encompass much of what the Master Cleanse intends to aid.  Again, let me reiterate - CONSIDER THE SOURCE.

If you are serious about the Master Cleanse, I would encourage you to read this article, log it among your sources of information and then move on.  There are other sources that are far more knowledgeable, and with better expertise than this one. 

Credentials:  I am an adult endocrinologist, endocrine specialist, medical doctor (M.D.) with a total of 22 years of experience at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and at Jewish Hospital and McGill University in Montreal, Canada.  If you would like to know more, simply reply, and I will respond.

Yea cuz it all natural ingrediants.

I am currently doing this diet hence my research.  Just ended my 3rd day and feeling strong.  I have done several fasts, before the end of the day my body will be yearning for food.  With this I have not experienced such strong hunger pangs.  From how my body feels, I would not say there is anything wrong with this diet. 

However a friend of mine completed hers and had hyperurecemia from the sudden drop of weight, (22 Ibs), other than that she is doing fine and swears by it.  Anyway, thanks for your contribution.

I had a problem with the salt water too. I used a straw and that really helped.

for the record, I agree with this post, but I couldn't hold my tongue:  when offering opinions or advice on a subject such as this, try to sound educated.  You misspelled "cayenne." 

Maple is a processed sugar. However, the diet calls for grade "B" maple syrup which besides from being consumed straight from the tree is the most unrefined and still maintains most of the earthy vitamins and minerals that you would expect from vegitation.  I beleive that was the intended use was for the minerals not so much for the sweetness or sugar.

"Um"...if you read - use "Pure Maple Syrup" or "you may use - raw cane syrup or freshly pressed cane juice".  Last I checked - Trees themselves don't have processing plants!

You don't actually process Maple Syrup in a factory, only bottle it. The sap is taken out of the tree and then boiled down. that is it, there are no addatives, it is a pure sugar unlike other commercial sugars which are processed from plants and bleached and dyed.

For some reason I am starting to crave pancakes now.

I needed that for a good laugh...lol

Maple Syrup, true maple syrup (as opposed to "maple-flavored syrup"), is absolutely not processed, regardless of the grade/class.  The grading doesn't have anything to do with processing.  It has to do with what time in the season the syrup was tapped.  Grade B syrup (what is called Class 2 syrup in Canada) is a later season syrup, usually tapped late March or early April.  Grade B syrup is preferable to Grade A syrup (which is an early season syrup), because it is significantly higher in vitamin and mineral content.  This means it is more nutritious for people who are consuming little else for 10 days.  Maple syrup also contains amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.  The human body is able to manufacture protein from maple syrup during the 10 day fast.

Maple syrup is tapped from trees and then the water is boiled off until all that is left is a sweet syrup.  No sugar is added (maple syrup comes from trees called sugar maples, for their high natural sugar content).  No chemicals are added.  It is then bottled up and shipped to market.  That is the extent of the "processing."

Jess should have used the word "digested" instead of "processed" to be more precise.  Honey is not a suitable substitute for maple syrup in the Master Cleanse, because it has been digested and regurgitated by bees.  The bees utilize the amino acids, vitamins and minerals for themselves, leaving virtually nothing left for us.  This means that if you were to try the Master Cleanse with honey instead of maple syrup, your body would begin to raid its own muscles and organs to find adequate nutrition to maintain its metabolic needs.  This is the dreaded "muscle cannibalization" to which the original poster refers.

Black strap molasses is the only suitable substitute for maple syrup, and even then, it should only be used in the case that a diabetic or hypoglycemic wishes to do the Master Cleanse.  Black molasses is preferable in these cases, because it is a simpler sugar that is quickly digested and released into the bloodstream, maintaining blood sugar level, but has the added benefit of not causing a spike of insulin release from the pancreas.  Maple syrup is preferable, because you get broader vitamin and mineral coverage, but blood sugar maintenance trumps perfect vitamin/mineral coverage in the case of people with poorly regulated blood sugars.

The good news is that *many* diabetics and hypoglycemics who strictly follow the Master Cleanse for 10 to 21 days report better blood sugar regulation during and after the cleanse. 

Credentials:  I am an endocrine specialist.

THANK YOU! BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS DIET RIGHT NOW, I WAS VERY EXCITED BUT THIS ARTICLE WAS  REALLY DEPPRESSING UNTIL I READ THE COMMENT THAT YOU LEFT!!

THANK YOU! BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS DIET RIGHT NOW, I WAS VERY EXCITED BUT THIS ARTICLE WAS  REALLY DEPPRESSING UNTIL I READ THE COMMENT THAT YOU LEFT!!

Lemons are acidic but when digested - alkalize the body.

I'm just so glad I decided to read the feedback otherwise I may have been persueded out of doing this cleanse. I think that this original author may have been trying to say not to use this as a weight lose cure all...in my opinion it seems most people are doing this for health benefits rather than weight lose...that's just a perk!

I am just on my second day and I have psoriasis...Can you tell me more about how it helped your psoriasis...and any other way to get rid of these itchy spots...Thanks

The original diet in Burroughs' book indicates to do 32 ounces spring water with 2 teaspoons of uniodized sea salt in the water stirred, first thing in the morning when starting the master cleanse, and every morning thereafter.  You can get the uniodized sea salt at any health food store.

Let me tell you...............it definitely works!  It is a total flussssssssssssssssher!

I've done the cleanse several times, and incorporated the salt flush is key.

It tastes horrible, but once you get it down...........it's down...........and it's ok because it works!

I even do the salt water flush on an empty stomach in the morning if my bowels are a bit off.  I tell you............it still works when eating regularly.  Way better than a laxative.

Did you ever think about the possibility that YOU have endocrine problems that are undiagnosed????

There is nothing about "air" in the original book which was written in the 50's, not in the 70's.  Also the grade B thing is something that was not in the original diet.  Do not let the lack of finding Grade B maple syrup keep you from trying this diet.  Dark, organic maple syrup was the original prescrip. 

I have done this diet twice and am now starting a third time.  It is true that initially you think you are starving--but once you realize that it is all in your mind and your body is not hungry, you are fine.  The second diet was much easier than the first because I knew I would have tons of energy.  I was literally working 15 hour days once when I did this diet and never lacked for energy. 

The salt water flush is important because if nothing goes in nothing comes out.  You do not want your intestines inactive unless clean.  The one thing we can do now that was simply not available in the 50-60's is take a good probiotic when coming off this diet.  A successful diet should have eliminated most of the flora in the intestines so

eating live yogurt and taking a good probiotic makes a lot of sense.  Avoid cheap products as I have had some repercussions from them. 

One last comment--I am hypothyroid and most diet manuevers my metaboloism just shuts down and my body temperature comtinues to drop.  This diet worked for me and that alone makes it wonderful as far as I am concerned!

The Master Cleanse saved my life.  I did it for the first time several years ago.  I have suffered from fibromyalgia, migraines, and at the time had my thyroid tested as they suspected cancer, but confirmed that it was basically dead.  I was put on thyroid medication as well as other medications for pain, etc.  I didn't like the idea of being on medications for the rest of my life so came to a point where I decided to do this cleanse.  The first 2-3 days were difficult and I had a bad headache the 3rd day.  (Just part of detoxifying)  Anyhow, long story short I over came my migraines, began sleeping with out sleep aid, had more energy and less pain, and to my doctors surprise, revived my "dead thyroid", and lost about 15 lbs. that I needed to get rid of.  This was several years ago.  I am beginning to decline a bit in my health, so I know it's time to cleanse again.   

Actually, it was published in 1941.

And probiotics have been around for centuries - probiotic actually just means "for life".  Since the beginning of the 20th century, Doctors have known (and used) the ability to modify the gut "flora" using probiotics, finding a myriad of ways to treat things issues like diarrhea as well as certain strains of e-coli and salmonella.

Again, it's all about the research. 

Actually, you are completely wrong. The stomach naturally secretes acid, aka gastric juices, which is primarily Hydrocholoric acid.  That is a pH of one, which is ALWAYS stronger than lemon juice.  Any and everytime the salivary glands are activated in your mouth (any time food/liquid/the thought of food even) your stomach begins to get ready for breaking it down. And it does that by secreting gastric acid.  That is a biological function that has not and will not ever change.  So why don't you get your facts straight?

Seriously people, this woman is a stomach doctor who knows a lot more than all of you, who probably just read the book about the diet and adopted all of the author's philosophies. 

I read the book too.  He DOES claim that you get protein from the air, which is just completely false.  Your muscles are MADE from proteins, as are pretty large components of your cells, and your hair... Your body needs proteins, and this diet does not allow for them.  If people could live without proteins, then diseases like Kwashikor and other protein deficiencies would not exist.

I'm not saying that he isn't right in believing that the body functions better on a fruit, vegetable, seed, and nut diet, but I am saying that you need proteins/amino acids, and no fruit, vegetable, seed, or nut has all seven of the essential amino acids.  Meat does.  If you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and the RIGHT combinations, you can get all of the amino acids, but most people do not do this.  As a result, your body goes for the next source of protein: muscle.  It's not opinion, it's fact.

Fasting is not bad for the human body. It has its benefits, so I'm sure that this diet is not inherently a bad thing, but acknowledge that it is starving your body of protein and that dieters/cleansers must be sure to get enough proteins from their subsequent diet.

the next time you eat meat think about where it came from and how harmful the hormones in it are to your body.  Western doctors dont know %%ish.  Unless you've tried it, don't comment about it.  Yes you lose muscle from lack of protein but there are other beneficial reasons for abstaining from food for a specified duration after that resume normal eating habits if that is your wish but fasting is for both spiritual and physical benefits its been done long before western medicine was ever created. Do some research other than what you learned in Med school. 

Personally, I think that if you really stood by what you were saying than you wouldn't feel the need to pretend like you are just a random poster and defend yourself as yourself.  It is quite obvious that you are the author of the site posting anonymously.

I just read a book called Master Cleanse Secrets which gives tips about how to succeed on the Master Cleanse and suffer from fewer hunger pains, and like side effects. In one part the author talked about the lack of protein which the diet by itself does lack and which your body DOES need. The author suggested taking Wheat Grass which will give you a small amount of protein and not interfere with the cleansing process. I am about to start the cleanse myself and have been very grateful for all the comments on here. I personally am going to try the Wheat Grass while I am cleansing.

I thought they used leaches to treat decay in wounds--not to engage in "Bloodletting." In any event, just because your prejudice is more fashionable than others does not make it any less prejudiced, and your hostility does not do much to support your thesis.

Blood letting in medieval times had nothing to do with the uses you are describing now.  Yes, we still use leeches for blood letting, but in medieval times the "physicians" prescribed leeches and bloodletting to cure everything from scurvy to small pox to toothaches. I believe that was the point that the original poster was making.  

And by the way, they use maggots for necrotic flesh, not leeches.

I'm trying to start the master cleanse not to loose weight but to detox as I feel that my small intestines are clogged with mucus, I did a million tests and everything came back perfect, I just can't live with this anymore, so I'm trying everything, and I decided to see if this can help me, so let me explain how I did it, I squeezed a lemon, organic cayenne pepper, organic grade B maple syrup, I drank more than 3 liters of water, I'm not clear on the sea salt when am I suppose to have it, and what is the quantity, also I did it for the first day and let me tell you guys I couldn't make it to the night I felt like I wanted to eat the walls...please if somebody can give me some advise.

Thanks

Carla 

It seems that qualifications sometimes sjust erve to hide blatant ignorance. I agree with almost all the posters here: Patrika - try it yourself first before you use all your academic "knowledge" and theories to debunk something that has done so many people so much good! The Master Cleanse has had probably the single biggest positive effect on my health bar none. It is fantastic, natural and it works amazingly. I am incredibly grateful for having being introduced to it. Cheers Stanley Burroughs! But Patrick is correct - take note of all the ads for pills and other drugs on the site, these are the real "credentials". Your health is far too important to be left to drug companies, doctors and other degreed 'experts'. Take charge of it yourself.

GOD I am so sick of this attitude ; why do so many people worship doctors just because they went to med school?  Doctors used to tell women to disinfect their nether regions with LYSOL. No one put a stop to this until a couple DECADES had passed, because women finally began to figure out that it was the LYSOL douche which was causing their uterus & vaginal walls to sustain chemical burns & literally fall apart & come out in pieces. BUT,,, it was DOCTORS who told them to do it!! they must have been right anyway, huh? Cause they had 'training'.

It is OBVIOUS that most of the posters here know a lot more on this subject then the author. Their credentials?  They know how to 1.READ 2.CONDUCT RESEARCH 3. use their BRAINS to make conclusions based on FACTS.

DUH.

Did you even read Patrika's article? Not once does she peddle any pills or drugs from the evil pharmaceutical companies. She doesn't even mention one. She is all for natural health alternatives. She just doesn't see any evidence that this helps and in fact sees possibilities of doing real harm to your body over time. Go ahead and detox if you want. I'll let my body do it safe and naturally like the human body has been doing for thousands of years.

Howard you're an idiot.

Such vitriol here. I don't understand it. If you disagree with the article, then post facts that defend your argument. I haven't seen any so far. So far, the PhD author sounds the most credible.  Name calling is so 2nd grade. 

The facts that have been posted are people's first hand experiences with the Master Cleanse. That means a lot more to me than gibberish from a "doctor".

Remember: if we use natural remedies, than we don't need "doctors" or "specialists". No wonder they are quick to discount said remedies.

The evidence is in the unending positive replies that always follow articles like this by people who have had success, in all forms, from this process. I did a good bit of  research before I started this cleanse (I am on day 8 and feel great), and the overwhelming response to the benefits that have come from it far outweigh any negative comments, which mostly come from people who have not tried the cleanse. How can they judge it positive or negative?

Also consider where the doctors who are putting down the cleanse got their training. Whether they are pushing pills at the moment or not they have been schooled in this mentality and puts a huge slant on their opinion.

Right, Anonymous. I also tried the cleanse and after 10 years of being completely bald grew a beautiful new head of hair. This is amazing!

I understand why you decide to remain anonymous.

It looks like you're trying way too hard to kiss up to the author of the article howie.

She is kinda cute, louie.

Actually, it sounds like Howard may actually be Patrika's alias?   or friend, or relative....

I'm planning to start the master cleanse diet soon to loose like 20-30 lbs, and I was wondering how long should I stay on the cleanse to do so?

Kevin, your grammar and spelling do not indicate that you are a PhD. You made that up.

My husband, an OB/GYN, is the worst speller I've ever known.  Oh, and his handwriting sucks, as well!  Many high up in the medical profession have these afflictions.  Especially the males ; )

mmmm , my hubby is a extremely smart man , gifted electrical engenner  every body that talks to him knows he is a smart,but he cant write to save his life....lol

I am in the medical industry cant write ....so yes he might have a phD but cant write that is the truth in america ,doesnt mean we are not great in what we do :)

Listen, Kevin - I'm sure your comment was well-intentioned, however, one of my biggest pet peeves is the mispronunciation and misspelling of the word SUPPOSEDLY.  Please!! You could be the most intelligent person on earth but, if you spell and say SUPPOSIVELY,  NO ONE WILL TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY!! Again, I think your comment was otherwise informative.  All the best to you!

Ha. Because Beyonce is reputable source for holistic medical advice? That makes me giggle.

Those sound like a bunch of quacks.  Put them in front of a buffet line and watch them go.

Oh man, I love a good zinger and I'm ROFL on that one... seriously though, truth is truth and I think those quotes ring true...

You should stay with the Salt Water Flush at least. I never had the need of laxative tea and it never really worked for me. This diet is a cleansing diet, weight loss is a bonus as most say. I only lost 8lbs with it, but I got rid of all my acnee in 10 days. So this "DOCTOR" is stupid and her article is as stupid as she is. This is the kind of doctor that would reccomend you to take Tetracycline (really strong conventional medication for acnee and also used for STD's like Syphilis that has very disturbing side effects like vomiting, nausea, etc).

David,

The reason many people are upset may not be because she downs the diet, but because her blog has inaccuracies in relation to the ingredients; and it is on these inaccuracies that she made her hypothesis that the cleanse is bad for you.

She was wrong about cayenne pepper and the grade of maple syrup, those things alone giving her the wrong idea about the cleanse because she missed the nutritional intake of the participant.  Your not noticing this tells me that you aren't as concerned with the truth as you are finding someone to validate your own beliefs.

I hope I wrote well enough for you.  Otherwise, it might once again be possible for you to purposely miss the forest for the trees and concentrate on one or two incorrectly-spelled words instead of the message conveyed.

In conclusion, I think the author would have benefitted with a more open mind and that you're a doodyhead.  A complete grumpy nincompoop.

P.S.  I am a bunny-hugging hippy.

Grumpy,

"Spell check" is most commonly two words. 

-Hippie guy

"They can only thing"????  Did you proofread your post?

I totally agree David.

The author of the article stated the effects of starvation and the damage that it does to your body but people insist that "It works, I did it!"  How did it 'work'?  That seems like a very vague claim.  The 'cleanse' changed your metabolism and deprived your body of vitamins and minerals but it worked so shutup you crazy person for writing such things?  Does anyone else see how faltered this argument is?

The average person does not get the daily recommended levels of vitamins and minerals and overdoses in low quality food.  Why deprive yourself further?  Why don't people want to be healthy the old-fashioned way...exercise (30 mins a day and eat healthy (avoid processed foods, sugars, saturated fats and trans fats)?  A quick fix would be nice but its not reality.

Simple stated, fasting and cleases are abusive to your body.  It is unfortunate that people want to defend these diets so vehemently but can't understand how damaging this 'detox' is to your body and mind.

ya because you totally spell-checked your post haha lol..not all people have excelled in spelling all their lives..i'm just saying and for everybody else-I'm starting this diet tomorrow. I'm excited (sort of) to see what this will do for me. I've definately gained un-wanted weight in the past three years and i'm looking forward for an "aid" in getting rid of it.

When all else fails...read the instructions!

I highly recommend picking up, & reading in its entirety, "The Complete Master Cleanse" by Tom Woloshyn its kinda like a 'baby steps', if you will, to do doing The Master Cleanse.  This recommendation is for you, 'already fit', & for every single person who has already posted & comment or is merely researching this cleanse.

I have just completed the 10 day cleanse & am on my 2nd day of following "post" cleanse instructions.  I personally chose to follow a cleanse because I am not 'already fit' & I felt like my views on food were not balanced, I thought about food too much & every "special occasion" revolved around food.  I wanted to take the food factor out to see what would happen.  Guess what?  I wasn't eating, yet I was happy.  I wasn't eating, yet I had energy.  A lot of "fixed beliefs" came crashing down & it was enlightening to say the least.  Did I have days where I wanted to eat?  Of course!  I am human!  But I worked past it.  You have to do the cleanse for the full 10 days. 

In your case, if you do work out a lot, Tom's book did mention someone who drank 24-26 glasses of the drink daily while training for a tiathlon.  Perhaps you might have to modify the cleanse in that way for you, however, I cannot stress enough about reading the instructions first.  I read all of the above comments & appreciated people defending the cleanse, but, their questions can & should all be answered by the instructions of the originator, Stanley Burroughs, or his student, Tom Woloshyn, who was mentored by Stanley & has had over 25 years of experience with The Master Cleanse.

My best advice, not to sound cliche, but just do it!  (Just do it, but read the instructions first!  You wouldn't get a perscription for a drug & start popping pills without reading the label & follow the designated instructions, would you?)

Do it! Do it! Do it!  Clean yourself out & kudos on the 7% body fat-it's proof you already respect the gift of life!

Alicia

The author states that the body detoxifies itself...and she has the nerve to call herself an expert?  If it is so that our bodies automatically detoxify, then why does the average person carry five to ten pounds of waste? How do we know that the cleanse works? Because many people report the numerous benefits of the Master Cleanse.

If the author actually tried the cleanse she would be touting it's benefits too! By all means, do your own research before you take her article as the absolute truth!

what benefits?  concrete evidence please!  Saying that you feel good is not good enough.  Why should I starve my body because you say that people say that it 'works'.  What does that mean, 'it works'?

Its proven that your kidneys and liver clean your body i.e. detoxify.  There is evidence that your body cannibilizes your muscles when you do not have enough calories (i.e. starvation mode).  After being on the cleanse, the next time you eat any fat your body is going to hold on to it for dear life, fearing that you might subject it to the cleanse again.

Where is the evidence that you are not depleting your muscles and actually messing up your metabolism?

Why should you "starve" your body because I say it works? Firstly, nobody is telling you to starve. As a result of this cleanse, people have found living parasites crawling in their feces, long-time smokers (with chronic smokers' cough) have rid their bodies of mucus. The Cleanse does away with all mucus diseases such as colds, flu, asthma, hay fever, sinus and bronchial troubles as they are rapidly dissolved and eliminated from the body, leaving the system free from allergies which may cause difficult breathing and clogging of the sinus cavities. The Cleanse helps eliminate waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles which is why so many cleansers report that their debilitating arthritis has greatly subsided. Others report about their glowing skin as the Master Cleanse can greatly reduce boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and pimples. Not only that, the Cleanse helps relieve pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries and blood vessels.

According to Dr. Bernard Jesson, DC, ND, PhD, "The heavy mucus coating in the colon thickens and becomes a host of putrefaction. The blood capillaries to the colon begin to pick up the toxins, poisons and noxious debris as it seeps through the bowel wall. All tissues and organs of the body are now taking on toxic substances. Here is the beginning of true autointoxication on a physiological level."

Active Cleansers know something that you don't...it actually works. Why trust Big Pharma to cure me of my ills when there is an all-natural, proven way to do it? If Big Pharma can't market it, they'll claim other methods as being ineffective. Millions of Cleansers (since the 1970s) can't be wrong!

According to the blind followers here, it will cure just about everything. We as a nation can eliminate all disease if we just Master Cleanse. Don't drink the koolaid.

Thank you for being a voice of reason (except for the Americans thing - I know fat, beer drinking Canadians as well).  There are a lot of people on here taking the criticism of the Master Cleanse personally - you'd think their mother came up with it.  People, if you are constipated and need a "cleanse", check in with your doctor about some Metamucil (or stop eating so much junk that clogs you up in the first place!).  If you are overweight and want to lose weight, here's a simple formula - eat less or exercise more!  If you can't control your eating, then you need to exercise.  If you hate exercising, eat less.  It's not rocket science.  Maintain weight - input (food calories) = output (exercise calories).  Lose weight - input (food calories) < output (exercise calories).

What don't you people get?? It is not just about losing weight - it is about cleansing your body of all of the toxins that you put in it every day!  Even if you eat healthy and exercise, you are still subject to these toxins just from living on this planet!  And who said that the people who do the cleanse are all "overweight" and "don't exercise"?  You are far wrong about this master cleanser, and I'll bet that you are wrong about most of the people posting in support of it.

P.S. : it is spelled 'cayenne.'

Actually, you moron, "cayanne pepper" is spelled "cayenne pepper".  Maybe you should think twice before laughing like a frat boy over someone else's mistakes.  But it goes to figure because you also have no idea what the Master Cleanse is even about.

So, for the rest of you morons, here's the cliff notes on the basic tenets of the cleanse:

1) The primary purpose of the cleanse is NOT to lose weight but to cleanse the body, hence the name "Master Cleanser."  If a healthier diet is not followed after the cleanse, any weight that is lost will be gained back.

2) The cleansing occurs because the digestive system is given a break through ingesting a liquid (no solid food) diet.  The energy normally expended in the digestive process is then freed to be naturally utilized in cleansing the body.  One correlating example would be when animals are sick, they  tend not to eat.

3) It is not a starvation fast.  You are getting calories from the maple syrup.  And, depending on your needs, you can make the daily ration as rich as necessary.  An active man can still do a 2000 calorie cleanse. You will not lose any muscle mass on a 10 day cleanse...20 day, 30 days, however might be a different story.

Are we done here?

Really? The man was convicted of unlawfully practicing medicine and almost convicted of murder...

Although I am right now doing the Master Cleanse diet I don't think it is a great diet nor that it is good for your health. I am just doing it to loose weight fast because I am lazy and don't like to exercise, and because I cannot commit to any diet besides a drastic one.

I believe that the article is well written and it makes a lot of sense! I am doing this diet at my own risk and not fooling myself that I am doing the right thing. Don't fool yourself!

Do you have proof of your claim of Stanley Burroughs conviction, I would like a copy.  As for your further comments...you need more information.  You also need help.  I can put you in touch with some world changers who not only can teach you how to maximize your physical health but who can help you improve your mental health as well.

Just google him, or go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Burroughs...

Just because you like it doesn't mean it is right... and about my mental health, it's better than yours mainly because I don't self deceive... 

This will be my last reply to you.  The only thing Stanley B was convicted of, was practicing medicine without a license.  My suggestion for you is to gather all information and facts before you open your mouth (or in this case, reply to a comment on the internet).  Stating untruths only indicate ignorance and lack of education.  I'm sorry if I offended you, my intent is always to help people.  Be well.

"The only thing Stanley B was convicted of, was practicing medicine without a license."??? Are you for real????

Sophie - no worries.  This person is clearly an uneducated and ignorant self-loather, unlike those of us who have done the cleanse and felt the successes of it for the real reason - cleansing your body!  As for the "doctor" who wrote this article - as everyone else has said, you may want to check your facts, and maybe give it a try before you write foolish articles discouraging people from doing something that is good for them.  Just because you don't have the discipline to do it doesn't mean you have to rag on people who do.

**For everyone out there thinking of trying the master cleanse: TRY IT!  IT IS AMAZING, and WILL DO WONDERS FOR HOW YOU FEEL, and HOW YOU EAT IN THE FUTURE!**

. At his criminal trial in California, Burroughs was convicted of second-degree felony murder, felony practicing medicine without a license, and unlawful sale of cancer treatments. The felony murder charge stems from the jury's finding that the patient's death was a homicide committed by Burroughs while he was engaged in the felonious unlicensed practice of medicine. The California Supreme Court described the facts surrounding the treatment as follows:

During the first meeting between Lee [Swatsenbarg] and defendant [Burroughs], the latter described his method of curing cancer. This method included consumption of a unique “lemonade,” exposure to colored lights, and a brand of vigorous massage administered by defendant. Defendant remarked that he had successfully treated “thousands” of people, including a number of physicians. He suggested the Swatsenbargs purchase a copy of his book, Healing for the Age of Enlightenment. If after reading the book Lee wished to begin defendant's unorthodox treatment, defendant would commence caring for Lee immediately. During the 30 days designated for the treatment, Lee would have to avoid contact with his physician.

Lee read the book, submitted to the conditions delineated by defendant, and placed himself under defendant's care. Defendant instructed Lee to drink the lemonade, salt water, and herb tea, but consume nothing more for the ensuing 30 days. At defendant's behest, the Swatsenbargs bought a lamp equipped with some colored plastic sheets, to bathe Lee in various tints of light. Defendant also agreed to massage Lee from time to time, for an additional fee per session.

Rather than improve, within two weeks Lee's condition began rapidly to deteriorate. He developed a fever, and was growing progressively weaker. Defendant counseled Lee that all was proceeding according to plan, and convinced the young man to postpone a bone marrow test urged by his doctor.

During the next week Lee became increasingly ill. He was experiencing severe pain in several areas, including his abdomen, and vomiting frequently. Defendant administered “deep” abdominal massages on two successive days, each time telling Lee he would soon recuperate.

Lee did not recover as defendant expected, however, and the patient began to suffer from convulsions and excruciating pain. He vomited with increasing frequency. Despite defendant's constant attempts at reassurance, the Swatsenbargs began to panic when Lee convulsed for a third time after the latest abdominal massage. Three and a half weeks into the treatment, the couple spent the night at defendant's house, where Lee died of a massive hemorrhage of the mesentery in the abdomen. The evidence presented at trial strongly suggested the hemorrhage was the direct result of the massages performed by defendant.

Although there are numerous anecdotal accounts of believed health benefits from individuals that have followed the Master Cleanser" program, there is no scientific evidence that the "Master Cleanser" has any health benefits beyond a possible placebo effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Burroughs

At his criminal trial in California, Burroughs was convicted of second-degree felony murder, felony practicing medicine without a license, and unlawful sale of cancer treatments. The felony murder charge stems from the jury's finding that the patient's death was a homicide committed by Burroughs while he was engaged in the felonious unlicensed practice of medicine. The California Supreme Court described the facts surrounding the treatment as follows:

Ignorant are all those which in face of evidence tend to close their eyes. I've done it and I don't think it is good for you or the best thing you could do for your health. If knowledge is to believe something is right in spite of no scientific proof then my PhD is not worth a thing. Be careful before calling a person ignorant. It's not because I don't have the same opinion as you that makes me ignorant. You are all drinking the Kool Aid. And when 99.9% of humanity is against you, it's probably a good time to analyze your beliefs (not that always common sense is the right sense... but in this case it's not common sense, it's medical reasoning).

All be good.

that's why it's not recommended for you..

Until days ago, I had only vaguely heard of the "maple syrup" diet.  On fitness trainer David Kirsh's website he sells his premade concoction of the lemonade cleanse for a two day cleanse.  Don't worry I'll be making mine fresh and organic myself.  I started researching it thoroughly, yes I even read the book, and one of my web searches led me to this site.  I have tried to research what it is, the nutritive value in it, the pros, cons, testimony, medical perception.  In my readings, (as I haven't met anyone who has ever tried it or at least admitted to it), it seems 95% of the information is positive. 

True I would like to lose weight, I do have food allergies, but that's not what is interesting me here.

I did eat extremely healthy for 13 years until last year when I started to be able to tolerate alot of foods that used to cause me an anaphalactic (deadly) reaction. In this past year, I have eaten some processed and high sugar foods, tried french fries, chicken wings, boxed cake mix, potato chips, all things I couldn't eat for over a dozen years.  I still eat healthier  than most people I know who call themselves healthy.  I eat mostly organic, all natural still but because I can eat the things now that I knew I couldn't eat before due to my allergies, I have engaged in the sloppy eating of processed foods eventhough I don't even like eating this way!!!  In that year, I have gained 12 pounds, have duller skin, get occasional breakouts, have only sporadic bowel movements, have interrupted sleep, have been sick with colds, throat and even a chest infection all for the first time in 4 years sick free (and in the 13 years i can count my sick days on two hands).

Eventhough I went to nursing college, which was the start of all my allergies (developed a latex allergy which brought out all kinds of food, drug and material allergies), I have no expertise, experience, legal or medical viewpoint.  The only thing I know and you do too, is that regular activity and exercise (for me a daily walk plus 3 days of pilates, yoga, gym, run, bike, or ball, I mix it up to prevent boredom), plus the healthy, organic eating-- all natural, high vegetable (no I definitely am not a vegetarian), works! That lifestyle kept me lean ( 5'7" 130 pounds size 4,  not skinny but lean and fit), looking good, glowing, energetic and healthy, through two childbirths, residing in three different countries, divorce etc.

This new way of eating in the past year has sapped the life, confidence, daily bowel movements, peaceful sleep, desire to exercise, no deoderant wearing, skin glow, high energy out of myself.  Furthermore it is HARD, HARD, DIFFICULT to undo..let me tell you why you can't just eat one dorito-BECAUSE YOU CAN'T! it's all laced with MSG and for goodness sake's it is yummy this year has been soooooo yummy!!!!  Just thinking about it now I want some doritos!! I feel fat and wretched and I know I need to cleanse out all the additives, msg, fat, chloresterol and who knows what out of me that wasn't here for the 13 years prior.

I could just start eating like I used to but it's not that easy.  I will cleanse. I will do it for 5-7 days that's it!!! Just to well, start to detox and also sadly, for the discipline of knowing I will only be eating what's planned for a few days because no question I am addicted to those darn tasty foods, and you're misinformed if you think that they are not addictive. I feel confident to say every doctor will back me up on that (msg, fat, sugar all addictive yup). After the cleanse I will go wean onto eating 'properly' and I'll let you know how it goes.  I am not doing this for weight loss (which is never how the author intended it), I'm doing it as a brief beginning to help me get on track to a long healthy journey.

This is my 5th time doing the Master Cleanse in 2 years............ I am on my 5th day...I am shooting for 30 days this go around....The last time I did the cleanse, I was on it for 26 days............I see the positive benefits from this diet.....I have Lupus and was almost hospitalized because my levels were at a 4. I begged the doctor to let me try my own natural vitamins and regime and then check my levels again. I immediately went on the MASTER CLEANSE DIET and after 21 days my levels were checked and my Lupus is now almost non-existent. I am at a level 2 which is barely detectable.....I feel great and also suffer from Fibromyalgia, Migraines, and insomnia. I have not had any pain and have been getting a good nite sleep. Those that are skeptical, try it and speak of your experience. The diet calls for you to stay on it for 10-21-30-or 40n days and not longer than 40. With anything if you can last for 21 days you will be successful with it because the body is now programmed. You do not loose muscle, only fat. So, that is a myth. I do follow the book but do not do the salt water solution or the diet tea. I am doing just fine with the Lemon juice, organic syrup, cayenne pepper and water. People you cannot use regular syrup because it has formaldehyde in it which is why you need to buy organic Grade B syrup. I drink four cups of lemon mix then follow it with water(Deer Park of course). My nails are clear white, my dark circles under my eyes have cleared up and my skin is clear. I swear by this diet. My Auntie weighed 287 lbs she now weighs 175 lbs and been doing the diet off and on for 2 years. She was severely hypertensive and now is off her blood pressure medication. This diet has its benefits and if you do get a headache, drink more juice. The shakes. It is the toxins leaving your body. Stick with it and do not quit!!!! this diet saved the life of a young girl who was cripple and born with a birth defect. She was sent home to die. Her mother put her on this diet as a last resort and this woman is alive to this day!!!! What a blessing!!!!

I know how you feel. I am doing this for all the benifits. And people docs don't know everything. I had a doc tell me that I didnt have a kidney stone and then the next day I passed it...hmmm. Each person has a diff body and there for each body reacts diff. I am on day one and don't see no harm for MYSELF to try it. Basically people need to use common sense and research. I wonder if this doc did more partys than study lol. This article is opinion. I also want to thank the person a few above this post that FINALLY pointed out that the pepper used in this cleanse also helps burn fat. Being Asian I figured the doc would know that spices are more then just there to make food taste better. The lemon mix is also there for energy...if you take a laxitive and go to the bathroom alot then you become worn down. This is only one reason why you take the lemon mix...hydrate and energize. Remember to research and use common sense though. Each have their own opinion, so, with that said then just remember it may work better or worse for you because we are not made all the same. Good luck.

Then why are you here? Here is another "what if" to think about...what if there was no god? What if your an illusion? What if you are constipated and thats why your crabby on here? Maybe you should try to test your theory and do the master cleanse.

Hat's off. Well done, as we know that "hard work always pays off", after a long struggle with sincere effort it's done.

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albert

lemonade diet

I forgot to add.. i lost 16 pounds in the process!.. Which was dramatic!..

The Master Cleanse is AWESOME!  One of the main things I love about it is the mind clarity. I never think so clear than when I've done the MC. I'm so excited to be starting in the morning for many reasons but the clarity is my main reason and I'm overweight.

Try it...I know you won't regret that you did it for yourself

Also, to the person who originally wrote the horrible review about MC...I hope since it's been a couple of years, you finally decided to try it. If you did, be sure to delete this article and write one that from facts not just prejudiced opinion. You probably didn't mean for it to be that but that is what it was.

I'm so glad you others decided to do more research and actually tried it for yourselves!