My problems with the Master Cleanse were the following:
#1: The Lemonade Was Too Spicy and Acidic
As I mentioned, I didn't buy the book, and, in spite of research, I got the amounts of some of the ingredients wrong. I didn't always prepare my lemonade fresh, which at times made it too acidic. I often added too much lemon, which gave my mouth a burning sensation, and I added too much cayenne, which, again, I hated.
After I came off the cleanse, I seemed to find the right proportions, and when I prepared the lemonade with the right amount of lemon and maple syrup (which is what I wrote in the recipe for you) and drank it fresh (instead of storing it in the fridge and drinking it late), it was much better.
#2: I Used Too Little Maple Syrup
I reinforce this as probably the main reason I couldn't hold it. In my desire to lose more weight, I used so little maple syrup that I basically starved myself and didn't last. It's a mistake I honestly don't advise anyone making.
#3: I Had Serious Migraines
The migraines I experienced on this diet were the worst of my life. However, the migraines could have been caused by a combination of coffee withdrawal and jumping into an all-liquid diet after days of Christmas food—bad idea! If you are to do this, take it easy and prepare yourself. Apparently all of this is explained in the book, which, again, I never bought.
#4: I Had Heart Palpitations and Chest and Jaw Pain
This is why I gave up after the third day. I experienced serious heart palpitations, much worse than expected, and felt tremendous chest and jaw pain. Apparently these symptoms are associated with starvation; I must say, that night I didn't sleep at all because the pain. By the morning, I knew I just had to stop.
I have read about people giving up for the same reason. I have also read that once you get through the third day it gets a lot better. I simply didn't feel it was worth the risk.
Did I See the Detoxifying Signs?
If you do some research, you’ll find that one of the signs that you’re body is detoxing is that your tongue loses its yellow coloring after the third day. That happened to me, but to this day I have doubts about whether that was a sign of the detoxification or simply of a lemon-only diet.
If you do your research, you will see that opinions are split about this.
Do I Believe in the Detox Power of the Master Cleanse?
I honestly don't know yet. I know that people can fast for up to 40 days. With the Lemonade Diet, you drink water and get a fair amount of healthy minerals from that Organic Grade B Maple Syrup and lemons, so it should be okay, right?
Unfortunately, I can't tell you I believe or don't believe it in, because even after in-depth research and doing the cleanse for three days, I am still not sure. However, I can honestly tell you that I wouldn't do it again.
I know it worked for others. One YouTube user I saw did it for 40 days (see video below), and she said she felt great, had lost a lot of weight, experienced increased energy levels, etc. Notice that she made sure to consume at least 1,200 calories a day. However, it didn't work for me, and I felt it wasn't worth the risk of my heart palpitations and all the side effects. I would not do it again.