The following question was sent in by a reader concerned about the possible dangers of going on the Master Cleanse…
I really want to try the master cleanser. But I am petrified. I had one person tell me that she had heard of many people getting very sick off the master cleanse and that it is dangerous. That alone scared me. But I still very much want to try it.
I had gotten a read about the master cleanse from a health food store and it was from the book of Stanley Borroughs. It said nothing of the salt water flush or a laxative. But when the lady gave me the read she told me herself that if you start to feel cramping you should take a light laxative. So my question is… is it absolutely necessary for the salt water flush? And I very much want to get my health back in order. I’m only 20 years old and very overweight. Please give me some personal insight. Thank you very much.
First of all I want to say that you should always check with a health professional before doing the master cleanse if you have any health concerns. That said it’s likely that they won’t have a favorable opinion of the Master Cleanse, or any other natural approach to health but most doctors are good people and they do have your best interests in mind.
About the salt water flush, it is optional. It will help, but if you can do the Master Cleanse without it. I’ve written about some other techniques you can use to eliminate waster here cleanse your body
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It’s funny how people will second guess health advise and not think twice about drinking gobs of coffee, soda’s or eating fast food several times a week. Should be the other way around, don’t ya think?
I am on my 2nd day of the mc. I feel really sluggish and have had a headache off and on for these past 2 days. Will I feel better after tomorrow? Do I need to drink more lemonade? Also I am drinking the Smooth Move Tea every night and had a bm the following morning but not this morning. Is that normal? My food cravings are pretty basic. If someone around me eats then I get that hungry feeling, but mostly I am able to tell myself no. If anyone can give me any feedback (good or bad) I would appreciate it.
cynthia def has some good points… and you DO need the book, really. many of your questions here are answered there. a few more IMPORTANT points to remember are… 1) drink plenty of purified or spring water on top of the juice throughout the day, as this IS a cleanse. 2) the salt water flush MUST be done on an empty stomach (no juice for an hour or two), preferably UPON WAKING as your stomach is usually empty. the FULL liter or quart (warm spring water w/ 2 tsp uniodized sea salt) should be consumed within minutes to FLUSH the system. if nothing happens within an hour or so, you need more salt. i’ve a tablespoon+ before, but it’s harder to drink. you need AT LEAST 2 tsps. 3) BE SURE to drink an herbal laxative tea each night before bed to help with elimination in the morning. LEAVE TIME for this in your schedule (2 hrs+). 4) be sure to do this cleanse when you have time off or some serious down time from your job. it’s best to relax and let this process work without appointments, meetings or social engagements. again, buy the book. and good luck.
Here’s the problem with the master cleanse.
1) Many of you are claiming to have done “research” on the topic. Typing in “master cleanse” into Google and reading the blogs that pop up is NOT research. If you wanted to read credible studies on topics like this, browse medical journals like PubMed. You will see actual studies from individuals who know a thing or 2 about the human body.
2) The American Medical Association has denounced the Master Cleanse.
3) The person who invented the master cleanse is not a medical doctor. In fact, the person is not well educated at all.
Take it for what it’s worth. Real scientists who devote their lives to medicine, or an uneducated pseudo-dietitian out to make a buck.
I just finished my first day of the Master Cleanse and something is horribly wrong. My urine is bloody and my body feels sick. I am a healthy person who hikes at least three days a week and I work in the gym as a personal trainer as well. My diet has always been very balanced and healthy but I had heard that this cleanse should make me feel even better. I’m very in-tune with my body and I can tell that this is an electrolyte imbalance that is dangerous. This cleanse is too extreme and flushes out what our bodies need to function properly. I would not recommend this to anyone.
So because your body is getting rid of bad things you blame it on the master cleanse? The American medical associatiation is part of an establishment that condones overworked nurses . How messed up is that?. Just because someone is smart enough to not need the medical establishment and has the good sense that mother nature gave him deosnt mean he is “just out to make a buck” I leave thAT to the insurance companyies and HOSPITALS!!
I haven’t ever tried the Master Cleanse, or any other cleanse yet, but just wanted to point out that there are other ways to give your digestive system and organs a break from regular eating habits, and other ways to clear out your system. I know lots of people have done this cleanse and many of them thought it did them good. It sounds like there are lots of positives to it, but it can be harmful, too– I don’t just say this because doctors say it, but also some natural healthcare doctors do not condone it. There are other “cleanses” out there that consist of restricting your diet to fruits and vegetables and fresh juices and water, for example, that accomplish much of the same. There’s always fasting on water for a day or two– which more doctors support. What I’ve read that sounds very reasonable is that you can accomplish the same thing that the MC does, but more sustainably and more healthy, by simply permanently changing your diet– to eliminate junk food, unhealthy fats and chemicals, drinking plenty of water and live an otherwise healthy life (regular exercise– which also helps your organs out with elimination of waste.) So, it’s not like MC is the only option. I may try it sometime, but am a bit hesitant because of some pretty convincing arguments I’ve heard (from natural doctors) against it– and in favor of gentler, safer ways to cleanse. Just something to think about…
So I’m 13 and i’m sick of being fat, I know this “diet” is not just to lose wieght but there are lots of people who feel less cravings for junk food so I think I’ll do the cleanse lose 10 pounds and start eating right and getting lots of exercise just like jumpstarting a lifestyle change..for more motivation to succeed and get healthier, not just to lose weight but to feel better too. Post another comment in 3 weeks to tell you if I died or not.
Did you die?
I am on day 7 of the master cleanse and i feel just fine. I can’t believe I can even say that, but I do I feel really good. I thought I would be starving or have the shakes or something, but I feel fine. I have kept a journal about this so I can look back at it to see were I am. I laugh because I just read day two and I was ready to quit…I love chewing, LOL! But when I woke up on day 3 and wasn’t hungry and felt pretty good, I thought “well let me see how i feel by the end of the day” and that was that and now I’m on day 7 and feel really good. I’m getting so much more out of this other than the health benefits. Mentally I feel like if I can do this, I know I can obtain/sustain a healthy lifestyle. This isn’t easy…well at day 7 it is, but when I finish this cleanse I know that I can reach other health goals for myself. That’s me putting in my half penny. Good luck to anyone that tries this cleanse.
*Side note and I don’t know if it made a difference or not but i drink tons of water. For every 8-10 oz of lemonade mix I drink I drink a 20 oz bottle of water. So I’m pretty freakin hydrated. And who ever thinks the lemonade is hard to swallow…how the heck are you making it? I cut how much maple syrup I was using because it was too darn sweet. So I only use 6 -8 tablespoons per mix and I really kind of like the kick the cayenne pepper gives the mix. Don’t have a heavy hand with it and drink it super cold. I use 6 pinches and keep the mix in a cooler full of ice while I’m at work. The cayenne becomes an after thought…but that’s just me. My sister does this cleanse once or twice a year.
As for the 13 year thinking of doing this please talk to your parents so they can get you with your primary physician and maybe all of you can come up with a plan to jump start your eating lifestyle. I really don’t think anyone under 18 years of age should try this, especially if you’ve just heard about this and haven’t read about it…researched it.
Day 1…Monday Post Superbowl XLV Saltwater flush—-Nice, Lemmonade #1 Feel Great, miss my coffe, but dont worry I got this. I am fairly healthy, I swim, bike, run almost as much as I should… I do eat some rather greasy foods from time to time, but mostly I just love FOOD. I am a bored eater. I am doing this to prove to myself that I have the will power to go through with it. I am not terribly overwieght but could stand to lose 15 Lbs for sure, mostly I’m testing my will power here. Belive me; if I can go through with this for 10 days pretty much anyone can.
WELL IVE BEEN THINKING TO MUCH ABOUT TRYING THE MC WHAT CAN U EAT WITH THESE DIET REALY U CAN GO WITH OUT EATING IN 10 DAYS?????????
Please don’t believe the hype, people. Just when the “official” medical associations “denounce” something, THAT is the point of which you need to do your own research INTO that something. The medical industry is all about MONEY. If they can keep you sick, it not only means more money in the pockets of all who work in the field, but even more money to the big wigs who make the real decisions on how the tables turn. I, personally, along with several friends have been doing the Master Cleanse for over a decade. Let me tell you…IT WORKS AND WORKS WELL.
So you don’t get any ideas for argument, I don’t know, have never met and don’t know any relatives or friends of Stanley Burroughs (original creator of the Master Cleanse). I could give a hoot less on the PR of this thing. I am only speaking out on this because I am living proof that it works and I’d hate to see someone who could truly benefit from this pass it by because of bad advise.
After all…aren’t these the same group of individuals that stress getting the flu shot? OMG if you broke down what was really INSIDE of the “flu shots” you would be ready to kick somebody’s butt up and down the street, but that is a different show for another day.
Just because your body passes some undesirable stuff does NOT mean the fast is making you sick. If you read the official book (and not the stupid markups people have the NERVE to pass off on the web) Stanley mentions that in the book! You must remember that during the fast (IF YOU ARE DOING IT CORRECTLY TO BEGIN WITH) your body is passing/eliminating toxins. You will probably FEEL sick during this passing, but you will feel better once the toxins have been fully eliminated. In fact, the effects of what you are ingesting travel to your problem areas and begin to heal them. For instance, I had a tender problem area in my upper back. I felt pain in my upper back (in that one, particular problem section only) on the second day of the fast. On that third day, the pain was gone. After the fast was completely over, I had no more pain, period. That is just how the fast operates. MOST people DO NOT follow directions carefully and end up complaining that the fast doesn’t work. No…your FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS skills don’t work. With anything of THIS magnitude, you have to be disciplined. If you are not, plan to fail. It is just that simple. Isn’t that with ANYTHING important, though? Success is NOT for everybody in the first place. If it were, everyone would be rich, healthy and prosperous and there would be no difference in the masses.
This is something YOU have got to get up off your buns and WORK at – actually CARE ABOUT. It takes effort. You are human. You are NOT a machine. Therefore, there are days you want to give up, HATE the Master Cleanse and desire food. However, only those who press on and complete the goal will succeed with this!
This cleanse is NOT for the weak-spirited. It is HARD, because you are doing something to your body that it is not used to. You have been programmed by the masses – advertising and big business (medical industry, etc.) that you only need food to survive. U kidding me? You should SEE all of the food, medicine and beverage recalls I get in my Inbox on a daily basis. You don’t EVEN want to really know what this stuff is doing to us!! OF COURSE the Cleanse is denounced because if you are healthy, then you have no NEED to visit the doctor’s office every other week, shelling out in excess of $10-50 co-pays, in addition to hefty medical costs for services and prescriptions you probably wouldn’t need if you weren’t on the ridiculous food laced with chemicals and medicine they prescribed for you to BEGIN with.
Same reason the products of many natural health experts are denounced and put to shame. It would mess up the money of SO many greedy individuals.
Is the cleanse easy? H*LL NO, this cleanse is not “easy”, but it is SO worth it. I’ve lost weight, my skin is flawless, I am an active vegetarian now and I’ve remained healthy with no problems for over 15 years of doing this cleanse.
Think what you want. The world is chocked full of educated fools. Let me clarify. I am speaking on people with degrees and book smarts but no d**n common sense. So WHAT Stanley Burroughs may not have had fifteen degrees? What he DID have, was a recipe to help people with health problems and people that wanted to improve their overall quality of life that doesn’t cost you over $30 to complete.
Deal with it.
Do your OWN research. Go and physically talk to those who have actually DONE this cleanse – not those only providing opinions on what they think because they don’t have anything else better to do. Go and talk to those NATURAL health experts who are 70 years of age, but still LOOK 46 because of what they know to be true. SEE the proof YOURSELF. Talk to those who HAVE the experience – not just plaques on the wall from umpteen years of school.
THEN make your decision.
You can, indeed, go without eating for 10 days. I went without eating for 40 days. Yes, I did the Master Cleanse for 40 days and I felt great! I lost 37 lbs during that time and it knocked the cravings for meet, processed foods and junk out of my system. That is bordering on miraculous for me. After the cleanse, I went on a raw / vegan lifestyle. Altogether, I lost nearly 70 lbs. in 3 months. Never felt so good in my adult life!
I have done the master cleanse in the past for 30 days. I have to say after a few days on the cleanse, I felt great. I’ve suffered with GERD or Acid Reflux to the point of tears and after reading the Stanley Burroughs book I decided to give it a try. It took away the pain I had been suffering with for quite some time. I am making the cleanse from this point forward part of a 5 day monthly habit just to keep my body in line. It helped with weight loss but most of all it helped rest my stomach and gave it time to heal. I believe the Master Cleanse, done properly, was a blessing for me.
I am a 35 year old man, who decided to do this cleanse with my fiance before the wedding. We are into the 4th day and I am not sure what to think about it yet. We read the info from the original creator of the MC diet, and I understand that I will feel like crap while the toxins are being removed from my body. My problem comes from a strong feeling of low blood sugar. I am what most people would call skinny but I say athletic build. I have been hypo glycemic my whole life, and have had a pretty regular eating habit of 4 to 5 light meals a day. I eat relatively healthy, ie. lots of fresh fruits every day and my required daily allowance of vegetables, drink water, exercise and stay active through work (construction) and alternative sports (biking snowboarding walking/hiking) In the info I read, it stated that I could continue to live my life the way I normally would, although I do not feel as if I have the energy to do so. As well it informed me about heart burn being one of the things this cleanse would fix, of coarse I did not expect my problem to go away instantly but it did lead me to believe that I would not have to worry about the heart burn while on the MC diet. I have started to have heart burn today on the 4th day of MC, and have had a lump sort of feeling in my throat when I swallow. Is this from the cayenne pepper or is this something wrong? Is this cleanse the best idea for someone like me or does the personal characteristics of peoples body types have any thing to do with its effects while on the cleanse? Any info would be helpful as I do want to cleanse my body but do not want to damage it.
I have had many a false starts on the Master Cleanse, and the most I’ve ever made it is 5 days. I was doing so well and then my grandmother passed away. Tomorrow I will start again. I too, am getting married. I am 148 lbs, but I don’t look it! I have ran half marathons, work out regularly, and eat fairly healthy although working in the city I have a thing for a weekly slice of NY pizza. Everything in moderation right?! I basically want to do this cleanse to whipe out the toxins. I sort of do buy into the whole MC concept, however LISTEN to your body. COmbine elements of other cleanses if you have to like drink a full glass of fresh squeezed oj or have a grapefruit if you absolutely have to, IE feel faint/sick/light headed. HELLO! You dont’ want to pass out. Then next time, adjust your maple syrup intake. I’ll let you know how Day 1 goes!
Today is Friday May 13th, Day #2 of the Master Cleanse! Day 1 was harder than today, a good sign! Yesterday I ate half a mango and a 1/2 tsp peanut butter in the morning because I was packing boxes and stuff into my car since 4am and felt a little faint. The biggest thing I miss so far-Coffee! The Cayenne Water stuff isn’t so bad. I finished the night with some tea that aids in digestion. This morning I REALLY missed my coffee as I was driving 3 hours from NY to Boston. I did the Salt Water Flush before I left. STAY SOMEWHERE SAFE FOR AN HOUR! Or, until you can not have to use the bathroom for over 30 minutes it should be fine. IF you pass gas during the day, try not to! It may not be gas after a Salt Water Flush, even if it was hours ago! Anyways, I did not have any Lemon Water Mixture yet and I am so hungry. I got to Boston and immediately dumped all my boyfriend’s cookies in the garbage, however I did sneak 1 small bite-my only terrible thing. I also had some sort of organic apple fruit bar…not a big one, and a 1/2 glass OJ. I am making a drink now and am off to my first test…my boyfriend’s high school reunion. I am REALLY missing coffee and to just not drink any for 10 days I will be shocked and impressed!
Oh and one more thing, when I weighed myself last night on Day #1 I was 146.8. I won’t be able to really weigh myself until Monday when I get back to my scale, but hoping for 144.
I see very few of you are capable of following directions, and reading the proper material. If you are peeing blood, then You do need to see a doctor. Thats not from the MC. That is something else previously wrong. If you are hypoglycemic, or diabetic, then You would figure out a way to get the nutrients you need in a natural way. Like maybe upping the amount of Grade B! Maple syrup and increasing the frequency of drinking the Fresh squeezed or juiced Lemonade WITH cayenne pepper! They arent separate drinks! As for going on with your regular life, if you are SUPER ACTIVE, then you ARENT regular. Im sure you can fast from extreme sports for 10 days if you think you are feeling woosy. Drinking the salt water flush IS mentioned in the MC book. Its recomended at least once, but if you cant stomach it, then dont do it! If you are losing body fluids, then the mix of SEA SALT and WATER isnt right. You shouldnt be losing fluids except what is in the salt water because your kidneys wont filter fluids that have the same characteristics as blood! Think about it! When you have a stomach ulcer, you dont urinate blood, it comes out in your stool! The salt water flush is like drinking a quart of IV fluid, a fluid designed to mix with blood without problem to relplace fluid loss and be able to add nutrients to. Drinking it is not a way to absorb it into your system, or it will just pass right through your intestines. The headaches and bodyaches are normal for people ridding themselves of toxins or denying themselves of toxins. The longer you have them while you fast is a good indicator on how addicted your body was to those chemicals. Caffeine alone is the perfect example. A lot of people dont think they have addictions, but the hypocrits are seen every morning and all day long with their beloved coffee! Just because its legal doesnt make it healthy or even right. Tell me who doesnt start acting like a heroin addict with the DTs when they are quitting tobacco or alcohol. Toxins are toxins. This cleanse is a CLEANSE! Not a weight loss program, not a fad diet, its a detox therapy, and we all have plenty of toxins to escape from.
This separates the strong from the weak. If you are weak, then get stronger. i have a friend that was diagnosed with diabetes in the early stages. Insulin production in her glands was slowing to a stop, and all she did was change her eating habits, a detox cleanse and her glands kicked right back into gear and she pulled herself out to cure her diabetes. She is no longer diagnosed with diabetes! This is the power of Strength. People with progressed diabetes need to find a different way, but I believe that there is a way to jumpstart those insulin pumpers, and most of it I believe requires proper diet and excercise.
As for our health system, if our doctors really wanted us to be happy, they would push for legislation to outlaw grain fed cattle, because their meat is too fatty and is carcenogenic when cooked. Vaccines would dissappear and doctors would push people to live more sanitarily. Instead of trying to CURE death, doctors would teach people how to live happier while we are still alive.
I tried the Master Cleanse diet in 2007 and I am still suffering from the effects of it. I followed the directions from the book and did it for 10 days. I walked around with a large bottle of the lemonade mixture where ever I went, and it was the only thing I consumed during that time. On the diet, my hands and feet became cold. I think it was due to an electrolite imbalance and your body making sure that enough circulation went to your vital organs. After I got off the diet, my hands and feet became hot and swollen, and this has been happening for the past 4 years. Becuase of my circulation problem which I never had before trying this diet, I am suffering from muscle loss, and dry aged skin. I have gone to the doctors a few times, but they just gave me high blood pressure medicine. Now I might be facing an ongoing problem that I’ll be suffering from for the rest of my life just because I wanted to lose 10 pounds. In order to cleanse your body and lose weight, all you need to do is eat right and exercise. You don’t need to try a fad diet for that. Also, what type of nutrients does cayenne pepper and lemons have? Nothing. Because of this experience, I will never try a fad diet again. Please use my experience before trying this diet. It will do much more harm than good.
Today is day 6 for me and I have never felt better. The first 3 days were a struggle to get through but now the only reason I want to eat actual food is because the thought of it sounds good but not because I’m craving it. It’s helped me break my smoking habit too. I’ve smoked cigarettes for the last 8 years and it’s amazing that I don’t even have the urge any more!
Day 1 was rough, Day 2 was GREAT, Day 3 I felt I needed to sleep all day, took a few naps, and today Day 4, I feel terrible. Mainly just feel the need to vomit. I haven’t done the SWF this morning, I planned on skipping it because of the way I feel…I hope this moves on. I find it weird that this far in, I am finally having awful side effects.
Nothing sounds good, not even food…
Anyone else have any similar issues this far in?
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