What Is A Master Cleanse?
Are you feeling sluggish, ill, or in need of weight loss? Your body may be telling you it’s time to detoxify. The Master Cleanse may be able to help.
The Master Cleanse is a detoxification diet first created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941. It was later popularized by Peter Glickman’s book Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days.
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According to Glickman, the Master Cleanse not only removes toxins from the body, but also prevents dieters from craving caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and junk food. The diet’s proponents believe that by drinking only lemonade made from fresh lemon or lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and Cayenne pepper, with no solid food throughout the cleanse, toxins such as chemical fertilizers, drugs, heavy metals, hormones, and pesticides will be washed from the system.
The Master Cleanse is also considered to be gentler on the body since it is technically not a fast, and since some essential vitamins and minerals are included. It is generally agreed that three to four times yearly is the best frequency for the Master Cleanse, and the diet itself runs from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of about 45 days.
How Do I Prepare?
It is important to prepare both mentally and physically before undertaking the Master Cleanse. Before starting any dietary regimen, speak to your doctor. He or she can provide advice for your individual health situation.
Before beginning the diet, take a few days to consider the shift you’re making. This is also a good time to slowly start phasing out negative lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking caffeine, or eating junk food.
The Master Cleanse beverage is very simple, consisting only of the aforementioned lemonade, water, maple syrup and Cayenne pepper. Some also recommend diet supplements such as Hoodia to control hunger pangs, but be certain to take only the recommended doses. Additionally, it is important to use only fresh lemon or lime juice when making the Master Cleanse concoction, since processed or canned juices have already shed many of their benefits.
Video: Master Cleanse FAQ
During the Cleanse
To prepare one glass of the Master Cleanse recipe, combine the following:
10 ounces filtered water- 2 tablespoons organic grade B maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
To make a daily serving of 60 ounces, combine:
- 60 ounces filtered water
- 12 tablespoons organic grade B maple syrup
- 12 tablespoons of fresh lemon or lime juice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
To add flavor to the beverage, add decaffeinated tea. Remember, no solid food is allowed during the Master Cleanse.
Watch out for the following side effects of the Master Cleanse:
- Fatigue
- Cravings, particularly in the first few days
- Frequent bathroom trips with some discomfort
- Heavy sinus draining
- Excessive ear wax
- Sweating
- White coating on the tongue
While all of these side effects are normal signs of detoxification, these are more serious and should immediately be reported to a doctor:
- Fluctuation in blood pressure
- Nausea
- Physical aches
After The Cleanse
After you’re finished with the Master Cleanse, you can look forward to enjoying the benefits of a detoxified body. These include:
- Heightened energy
- Improved weight loss
- Better bowel health with greater regularity
- Healthier skin and hair
- A renewed outlook on life and health.