To Master Cleanse or not to Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse is a lemon detox cleanse which has gained popularity for its reported abilities to remove toxins from the body, induce weight loss, glowing skin, shiny hair and strong nails. This 10-day liquid diet requires consuming 6–12 glasses of pure filtered water, organic maple syrup, cayenne pepper, lemons and unrefined sea or Epsom salt daily, along with an optional bi-daily salt water solution, coupled with a daily cup of a mild laxative tea in the morning and evening.1
According to the Master Cleanse website, this cleanse enables the body to use the energy it normally spends on breaking down, digesting, and assimilating food to cleanse itself.2 Despite claims that the cleanse will remove toxins from the body and induce weight loss, there is no clinical evidence to support this. However, while examining the individual components of the diet, several appear to be valuable for the detoxification processes. Most notably, lemons have been found to play an essential role in detoxification due to their high vitamin C status. In fact, scientists at Oregon State University have reported that vitamin C plays a protective role against toxic compounds that are formed from oxidized lipids, as it neutralizes toxic byproducts of fat metabolism.3 Cayenne pepper has also been found useful for eliminating toxins, while the family of capsicums provide anti-inflammatory and weight loss benefits.4
Both the Master Cleanse and water fasts involve abstaining from food therefore it may be worthwhile to consider the health implications of fasting. Although the majority of research on the benefits of fasting have come from animal studies, the results have been promising, as fasting has been found helpful for treating issues such as gut flora and chronic inflammation.5 Additionally, in a 2005 animal study, intermittent fasting was found to be beneficial for the cardiovascular system and the brain of rodents.6
However, negative consequences of caloric restriction have been reported. A 2010 study which examined 121 female dieters over a 3-week period, found that low calorie dieting increased stress and cortisol levels.7 Chronic stress along with the promotion of weight gain has been linked to health conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and impaired immune functioning.7
Furthermore, there has been skepticism around the safety of the Master Cleanse. According to Weston Price, although this diet claims to rest and relieve the digestive system, the cleanse may biologically stress the liver and deprive it of nutrients.1 The diet lacks many essential nutrients and minerals and is extremely low in protein, fatty acids and fiber making it a potentially dangerous nutrient depleting diet if followed in the long term. The average 600 calories a day provided from the diet are mostly derived from carbohydrates. Unlike water or intermittent fasting, the Master Cleanse has the potential to disrupt the native intestinal flora which performs useful digestive functions.8 In addition, the laxative treatments may cause symptoms of dehydration, a depletion of electrolytes and issues with bowel functioning.8 Therefore, the safety and efficacy of this diet are questionable.
References
1. Liver Detoxification: Starve or Nourish? The Weston A. Price Foundation. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/modern-diseases/liver-detoxification-starve-or-nourish/. Accessed April 14, 2017.
2. Master Cleanser Recipe — How To Make The Lemonade. http://mastercleansesecrets.com/step3.php. Accessed April 14, 2017.
3. Discovery Shows New Vitamin C Health Benefits. Linus Pauling Institute. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/discovery-shows-new-vitamin-c-health-benefits. Published March 26, 2015. Accessed April 18, 2017.
4. Srinivasan K. Biological Activities of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and Its Pungent Principle Capsaicin: A Review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(9):1488–1500.
5. Gustafson C. Alan Goldhamer, dc: Water Fasting — The Clinical Effectiveness of Rebooting Your Body. Integr Med Clin J. 2014;13(3):52.
6. Collier R. Intermittent fasting: the science of going without. CMAJ Can Med Assoc J. 2013;185(9):E363-E364.
7. Tomiyama AJ, Mann T, Vinas D, Hunger JM, DeJager J, Taylor SE. Low Calorie Dieting Increases Cortisol. Psychosom Med. 2010;72(4):357–364.
8. Publications HH. The dubious practice of detox. Harvard Health. http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-dubious-practice-of-detox. Accessed April 18, 2017.
