Lemon Diet Cleanses

The lemon diet cleanse, also called the Master Cleanse diet or the Lemonade Diet, is basically a fasting diet with a touch of spice. With celebrities such as Robin Quivers extolling its weight loss and other health benefits, it is rapidly gaining in popularity across America.

Function

The lemon diet cleanse is credited to the late naturopath Stanley Burroughs. This fasting regime is formulated to eliminate toxins and impurities from the body, cleanse the digestive and glandular system, decongest the colon and strengthen muscular structure. What's more, detoxifying and limited nutritional intake promotes healthy weight loss in users.

Formula

The typical lemon diet cleanse involves a regimen of fasting and consuming a lemon-and-maple syrup cocktail. This cocktail is made by mixing 1 1/2 tbs. of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice, 1 to 2 tbs. genuine maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper with 8 oz. of water (see Resources below).

Dosage

Drink a freshly prepared, 8 oz. cocktail once every 1 to 2 hours. A minimum of 12 glasses should be consumed per day, but you may drink as much as you like. The lemon diet cleanse regimen should be continued for 10 days.

Since the diet has no fiber, a laxative or a salt flush must be taken all through the diet to facilitate waste elimination. An herbal laxative tea is recommended, and is available at most health stores. You can make a salt flush by stirring 2 level tsp. of un-iodized sea salt in four 8 oz. glasses of lukewarm water.

Nutrition

The lemon juice offers a rich source of vitamins and minerals, while maple syrup provides a healthy, natural source of energy and is rich in calcium and potassium. Cayenne pepper contains active compounds that are effective in cleansing toxins, particularly from the digestive and circulatory systems. It is also rich in the super vitamins B and C.

Considerations

For optimal results, the lemon diet cocktail should be made from fresh, organic lemon and organic, Grade B maple syrup--the darker the syrup, the better. Agave may be substituted for maple syrup. The more cayenne pepper you use, the more potent the cleanse will be, so gradually increase the amount from one pinch of cayenne as you adapt to the taste. Use purified or spring water to avoid the chemical additives such as fluoride that are found in most water.

Probiotics

Once you complete your lemon diet cleanse regimen, you should begin to take probiotics in order to replace the good bacteria that tend to be lost from your colon. These good bacteria produce vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B12 and K and help control the bad bacteria that cause infections such as candida.