College students are addicted to “microwave” solutions, anything that takes longer than a cup of Raman noodles, is not the answer. Many have this same approach when it comes to losing weight, regardless of the side effect.
Christian Harper, third-year business student from Cleveland said he tried the Master Cleanse Diet and would recommend it, even with the side effects.
“I tried the diet for seven days and lost 10 pounds unintentionally,” said Harper. “I don’t believe it is completely healthy, but it works. I was sleeping a lot and I usually don’t sleep because I am so active. It made me weak.”
The lemonade diet also known as “the Master Cleanse” is a drink that cleanses and removes toxins from the body and gives it a fresh start with glowing skin and it lasts up to 10 days or more. There is no eating involved. The drink is made up of fresh water, organic lemons, grade b maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
“It burn calories so fast, which means you are going to gain that weight right back because your body is not used to it. As far as weight loss it’s not a good idea. Your body doesn’t have the calories needed to burn,” said Ashleigh Head, a third-year nursing student from Atlanta, GA. “Talk to your doctor first because you don’t know how your body will react.”
Dr. Ernest Hoffman, FAMU Student Health Services doctor, said he doesn’t necessarily agree with the diet.
“Taking in something without nutrients are actually weakening the body,” said Dr. Hoffman. “To go on laxative diets stresses the body.”
The founder of this liquid only diet is Stanley Burroughs. Burroughs book called The Master Cleanser with special needs and problems, gives step by step advice.
“I would tell anyone to research the diet before you try it,” said Harper. “There are steps to take when you eventually stop the diet.”
According to Burroughs, the benefits of this diet to give you a burst of energy, healthier and clearer looking skin and of course the idea behind dieting weight loss.
“It’s unhealthy it’s not giving you the nutrients your body needs,” said Head. “I know a lot of people who have attempted this diet unsuccessfully. They lost weight in a short amount of time. They are not exercising so it didn’t help.”
The lemonade drink can also be taken with a salt water flush that is used as a laxative to help get rid of built up waste in the body. It consists of warm water and sea salt.
“I can image that any diet that’s all liquids void of any nutrients, and has some type of laxative may cleanse your system,” said Dr. Hoffman. “The best diet is increasing the amount of vegetables, lightening up on the meat sources, reducing the overall choleric intake, increasing your fluid intake with water and juices.”