Anyone heard of "The Master Cleanse"?

southernbelle82 · January 2010

One of my friends (who has sadly always had an unhealthy view of her weight) is trying this. It seems awfully dangerous and a terrible approach to losing weight. I tried talking to her about her eating habits back in college but it was little use. It's in her head and the sad thing is...she's a pretty, tall and slender girl but she can't see it and the way she eats is so unhealthy. You can literally see the toll it takes on her...like her hair and skin and such.

So she's started posting how she's doing this and everyone keeps saying 'be careful.' We're not really close anymore so I don't feel like I can/should say anything. I'm not into these fad 'lose weight quick' diets and haven't heard of this until now. How dangerous is this diet? I mean literally every time she posts about it, at least 5 people tell her to be careful.

I'm just worried for her and I know/feel there's nothing I can do

ETA: I think she's just doing it to fit in a bridesmaid dress this weekend but it still concerns me. I have always wished she could see how beautiful she is

violetvirgo · January 2010

i've heard of it and done a variation of it, but it's certainly not supposed to be a weight loss tool. it's supposed to be used as a detoxing (i.e. "cleansing") tool.

eta: and along what jar said, you have to be careful with it. the first two i did were under the supervision of a nutritionist. now i know what i'm doing. but yeah...i have to reiterate. it is NOT meant to be a weight loss plan.

star173 · January 2010

Is your friend my SIL? She's the same way. She did the master cleanse for 3 days- some do it up to 10 or 15. I don't know if it's dangerous...I think the 3 days was okay for SIL...it's the prescription diet pills I worry about when she was a size 6!!!

I wish eating disorder type things were not so common among women. It's sad.

JARbaby · January 2010

I have done cleanses in the past and you really have to know what you are doing! I do not do them to lose weight though. The toxins the cells released can make her very sick or worse.

GracieWK · January 2010

From a person who has eating problems, it is VERY hard to change your ways. Even with the whole world telling you it's dangerous and to stop, you can't.

I wish your friend the best of luck. Hopefully she's careful and knows when enough is enough. I don't think I would say anything to her, but you know your relationship. If you think it would benefit her for you to say something, go ahead!

Parks2Be · January 2010

H and I did it a few years ago but we only lasted about 4 days. Maybe 5. It wasn't a weight loss tool but I didn't feel any healthier afterwards either.

brideatbeach · January 2010

violetvirgo:
i've heard of it and done a variation of it, but it's certainly not supposed to be a weight loss tool. it's supposed to be used as a detoxing (i.e. "cleansing") tool.

This exactly. If you are doing it to loose weight you are doing it for the wrong reasons and not to mention you will gain the weight back. However I did a cleanse once before and it made me feel better all around but from that point on I began eating healthier and living a better lifestyle.

kelbrian · January 2010

I've used it as a weight loss tool before. When I had an eating disorder. Not saying she does or anything, but that is the only time I've used it. My mom goes on it a lot, and she has really screwy eating habits.

I would never do it again. I don't consider it very safe.

southernbelle82 · January 2010

GracieWK:
From a person who has eating problems, it is VERY hard to change your ways. Even with the whole world telling you it's dangerous and to stop, you can't.

I wish your friend the best of luck. Hopefully she's careful and knows when enough is enough. I don't think I would say anything to her, but you know your relationship. If you think it would benefit her for you to say something, go ahead!

I'm not going to say anything - like you said, it won't change anything and I certainly don't want to offend her in any way. Everyone telling her to be careful while on it is just making me nervous for her. I just hope she's careful.

cc605 · January 2010

is this the maple syrup/lemon juice/cayenne pepper drink stuff? Didn't Beyonce do it to look super skinny (like she needed it!) for Dream Girls?

kyfirewife · January 2010

OMGoodness, one of my best friends did this a few years ago. She only lasted 2 days because it made her so sick. The final straw was when she was at work and started vomitting & had diarrhea at the same time. Pretty much within an hour of her first "drink" she started feeling ill, sweating, etc. It was bad.