Feb 5, 2007 2:44 pm US/Eastern
Popular 'Lemonade Diet' Has Some Side Effects
by Dr. Mallika Marshall
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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On the plan, dieters drink a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, no food at all for ten days or more.
CBS
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From left, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce Knowles, and Jennifer Hudson performs in a scene from movie "Dreamgirls", Dec. 12, 2006.
AP
Anyone who saw the movie "Dreamgirls" could plainly see that Beyonce was missing her signature curves in her sequined costumes. The actress said she wanted to lose weight quickly because she was playing a character based on the very slim Diana Ross. In just two weeks, she managed to shed 20 pounds. She did it using the Master Cleanse diet.
On the plan, dieters drink a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, no food at all for ten days or more. It was actually developed as a way to rid the body of toxins found in food and the environment. That's why Lauren Campasano of South Boston does it. "I do it to feel healthier," she said. Lauren says it's difficult because she misses the sensation of chewing food, but she says it's worth it. "I've never felt better in my life," she said.
Nutritionists are skeptical. A clinical dietician at Mass General Hospital, Mary-Jon Ludy says dieters would feel weak and irritable and may actually compromise their immune systems. Lauren admits she does feel irritable at times and can have headaches from caffeine withdrawal, but she says she usually sleeps it off and wakes up feeling better the next day.
Ludy also says there's no reason to detoxify our bodies. "Our bodies have natural detoxifying systems, our lungs, our liver and our kidneys," she explained. But Lauren insists it makes her feel better and she says she has more energy.
Beyonce isn't the only celebrity to have success with the diet. Howard Stern's sidekick, Robin Quivers, says she lost 70 pounds on the diet and has managed to keep it off.
If you'd like more information about the diet, go to the Master Cleanse
web site link here.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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