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Diet Safety: What, exactly, does the Lemonade Diet Master?

By Megan Roth

Previously, I gave a general overview of the body cleanse (from a weight-loss standpoint). At several points throughout that article I mentioned that a body cleanse can be directed in a variety of ways.

Take the Master Cleanse lemonade diet, for example. The diet is intended to be conducted as a means of ridding one’s body of toxins and to cleanse and purify their body systems. Because of its processes, it’s also commonly used as a means of weight loss; however, this wasn’t its original intention.

Regardless, the Lemonade Diet claims that it can reduce one’s bodily fat by approximately two (2) pounds per day without harmful side effects.

I don’t buy it…I mean, I buy that it can make you lose the weight (hey, I saw Beyonce’s before & after pictures); it’s the part about the lack of adverse side effects I’m not sold on. And I intend to tell you why…

First, let’s start with an overview of the cleansing diet. It is suggested that one follow the diet for at least 10 days in order to achieve the desired results. But what’s the diet consist of?

When on the diet, the lemonade is one’s sole source of energy and nutrients. The drink is made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, purified water, grade-B maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Doesn’t sound so bad; however, it’s important to know it’s not meant to be taken alone. In addition to the juice, you’re expected to drink a salt-water flush every morning and a laxative tea in the evening.

The lack of food combined with the daily consumption of a laxative makes it relatively easy to understand how and why weight loss results. It also makes it clear why the diet isn’t as ideal as it may seem.

And though the liquid concoction may qualify as a sort of nutrient powerhouse (lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper all qualify as health foods), it certainly doesn’t provide the nutrients necessary to sustain our body during everyday life.

Not to be redundant, but I'm going to say essentially the same thing with different wording: not only is the diet not providing the nutrients necessary to maintain good health, it’s also depleting your body’s stored nutrients during its cleanse.

In one of my previous articles I asked if you would knowingly consume a laxative on a daily basis (not only is it incredibly unhealthy, it’s also disgustingly unpleasant). Answer? The vast majority will say no. So why, then, do people continue to put themselves through the Master Cleanse, when they know the potential effects such a diet may have?

Despite the many unpleasantries (I’m not going to detail them, you can read for yourself), many consumers also report increased energy and an increased sense of self (it goes without mentioning that weight loss is also on that list).

But as I mentioned in regards to other Body Cleanses, weight loss is just one of its effects. And it’s short-term. It’s like the Atkins (or an other diet): as soon as you go back to eating real foods, you’re going to start packing on real pounds.

Ooh – my bad. Not what you wanted to hear? Then it’s unfortunate you’re reading this, because it’s the truth. The diet is (and was intended to be) a temporary fix. It was never meant to be used more than a few times each year and it certainly wasn’t meant to be implemented for more than two or three weeks.

So it comes as no surprise that when it is (used for longer than recommended), youre body has a hard time recooperating. It wipes your systems of any and all materials present (good, bad, necessary or not) and depletes your energy and nutrient stores faster than you'd imagine.

May not seem so bad for a few weeks, but just think of the long-term effects. What sort implications might this diet have? I’m not talking about hunger pains, energy-loss and anal mucus (yup – it’s a result); I’m referring to the permanent damage not eating and flushing your system at the same time will have.

And it will have them, dieticians and physicians will attest. So in the event that you (or anyone else you know) be injured by a weight loss aid or drug, contact the Lombardi Law Firm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on January 10, 2009 (boomark / email).