Actually, there is simply zero evidence that the Master Cleanse does much more than let you temporarily lose weight.
"But!", some might say: "There's no profit in it, so of course there's no evidence. Drug companies fund medical research, so they only research what they can sell you."
More...I actually think this is a legitimate concern. But it applies equally to drugs, and ideas (like the Master Cleanse) which are not directly sold to you. The money trail is harder to follow, but many people make money endorsing the Master Cleanse: magazines sell articles about it; celebrities use it to garner attention; books are written and sold; health stores sell laxative teas meant to accompany it; some enterprising pukeface has even bottled it. (This is nothing new. Easy answers are readily packaged and sold: nobody profits directly off the idea of God, either, but plenty of folks have figured out how to bottle and sell that idea. But that's another post.) Those that become thus invested in the Master Cleanse meme thereafter have a good reason to affect it's spread. These people are often far more guilty of "doctoring the data" than are the drug companies, who are at least under a degree of regulation. But this, of course, does not discredit the Master Cleanse per say - just as the products of drug companies are not necessarily discredited by the profits that they make.
I will let you ponder how lemon juice supposedly extracts heavy metals from your system, or why pathologists do not routinely encounter "disease-filled waste" in the colons of dead bodies.
One of the better points in favor of the cleanse that I have heard is: "doesn't your body need a break from constant eating?"
But eating regularly is good for you: it isn't "hard on your system". That's why breakfast is supposed to be so good for you. Your body craves healthy routine more than it craves a break from digestion. It's kind of like suggesting that giving your heart a break from constant beating is a good idea. Yes, some R&R might be good for your heart, but that does not mean that it is good for you. No one suggests that you lay in bed for 10 days to let your legs recover from all that walking around. If they are tired, you simply keep things moderate. Otherwise, last time I checked, regular exercise is considered good. Why should we not assume that the same is true in the case of our digestive tracts?
Also remember that your gut is an ecosystem. And we all know from our experiences in the external world that even small changes to ecosystems can result in the upset of their delicate equilibriums, and thus lead to wild population fluctuations. Apart from dying, the best way to mess with the state of the ecosystem in your large intestine is to change your diet. I wouldn't be surprised if many of the signs that are mistaken for "cleansing action", are in fact signs that a prokaryotic holocaust has taken place.
The Master Cleanse meme (like many others) does not persist despite scientific acceptance because it "works"; many strange ideas thrive in the unregulated domain of public discourse. That's why we have science.
this add is probably the cheeziest master cleans add I have ever seen. Designed for the ignorant masse. Let's criticize Wild Rose or Life Renew!! Than I would certainly want to do more research to mesure up your opinion.
ReplyDeleteMy very uneducated and humble opinion is as follows. Having only lasted 4 days on the Master Cleanse i cannot fully divulge the pros or cons experienced over the recommended 12 or 14 day duration. What i can comment on is what i have seen in others both during and after they have engaged in this very psychological person battle. Exhibit 1. Ex girlfriend. Very noticable weight loss. Yes it may be temporary as stated in the blog but often gives people the little step they need to keep pursueing a healthier lifestyle. 2. Again not familiar with what this means from a medical or science based outlook , but an extremly pronounced clearing of the eyes. Very clean and clear and in my ex's case f#$king sexy. 3. Increased energy , again may be temprarly but even with myself within the four days i noticed it as well. Again gives people the insight as to how living a cleaner life does increase energy and may lead to people making positive changes in their life. 4. I guess the biggest thing i have seen people take from this cleanse is breaking bad habits. The " temporary" positive changes people may or may not experience allows them to move forward in a more concious manner and and possibly put more effort in to pursuing that feeling of being light , energetic , and happy.
ReplyDeleteDear Lyne, please do not let the add stop you from doing research! I agree - it sucks! (did you click on it??:)) But that is why I choose it: I wanted to show that people make coin off the MC, and that these people can, and do, say anything to spread it's use. "Designed for the ignorant masses", maybe. But to me, that translates: "many people don't know any better than to believe in the MC for these obviously bad reasons". Many others simply whittle them down to more reasonable, but equally false, claims.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. X: 4 days!! that's hardcore! You've my respect. Good points! My response:
1. My own experience with life has suggested that lifestyle changes are best made gradually. Attempts at abrupt habit changes often seem to lead to a cycle of personal reward and punishment; the "binge/purge" kind of scenario. Everyone is different, but evidence indicates that this is exactly what happens in the majority of cases. This is why fasts are generally not recommended (outside of Magazines) to those who want to lose weight.
2. haha. I have heard this before too, but I wonder if the word "clearing" isn't used a bit too liberally; it implies a fog swept away. What really happened? Did they get brighter? Wider? If so, I would be interested as to why this is. Remember, an increase in sex appeal does not equal an increase in health.
3. Could be adrenaline? I seem to be one of the world's greatest chess players at the tail end of an all-nighter, but I doubt sleep-depravity does much for mental state, overall. It could also be simply because you feel so much lighter because you're not carrying all that food around. This is speculation of course. I really wonder if you would feel all that different if you did the TANG Cleanse.
4. See #1. I mean, if it works for someone, then great! But is it enough to justify recommending a second "phycological personal battle" to someone who is already struggling with one? Doesn't good food make a better crutch than glorified lemon-aid? Again, I'm sure everyone is different.
Your points all suggest that good may come from doing the MC, but none of them suggest that the MC is good FOR you. Good can come from many things. I think it's a good idea to make sure all that excess willpower is used constructively.
Dear Harland,
ReplyDeleteThe Mc could be good for you, in a way of sparking an idea possibly needed in one's life and habits, like a life change of any sort (like quittin Mc D) towards a happy goal or desire to become happier generally! The word "good" written right next to a lemon could be it! The word sex next to the word life could be the "detonateur" for someone!! ??
I still think that, although everyone is different, a gradual change in lifestyle is a generally more effective approach. And again, I think this is beside the point: breaking your back can also help you decide to take major steps to improve your life. It doesn't mean that it's good for you. Write the word "good" next to a nice curry. Why not?
ReplyDelete