I'm thinking about going on the lemon diet for 10 days, any advice?
Question:
Answers:
The diet originated as a ten-day regime (five days for those not used to fasting) under the supervision of a practitioner. The ten-day fast should not be carried out too frequently. Even for weight loss, the maximum frequency is repeated ten-day fasts with four weeks or more between each one.
Most adults benefit from a fast once or twice a year. However, because of the high xenobiotic load most of us carry due to chemical pollution in the environment, many toxins are released into the bloodstream during a fast. These are more toxic to the brain than in the past, and naturopaths now may recommend more frequent, shorter fasts, such as three days per month.
As with any fast it is extremely important to start with motivation! It is equally important to break the fast very slowly; to waken a sleeping digestive system with proteins and fats can cause serious illness such as kidney damage. First fruit juices are introduced, then fruits, followed by light foods over a few days.
During the fast, only the recommended liquids are taken, together with any prescribed medication as advised by the patient’s doctor, or homeopathic medication prescribed by a practitioner. No solid foods are taken, or vitamins, non-prescription drugs or other supplements. Patients should be able to continue their normal activities because the drink contains a good balance of nutrients and provides 600-800 calories per day, though endurance may be somewhat reduced, and during the first 1-2 days they may experience headache or dizziness as the toxins enter the bloodstream.
Light exercise and breathing exercises are a great complement as they increase blood flow and elimination of toxins through the skin and mucous membranes. Similarly, saunas and steam baths are helpful. Colon cleansing is also important. Gentle laxative (detox) herb teas (Cascara, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Licorice root, or rhubarb root) or salt water are part of the daily regime for fasts of 5 days or longer to prevent constipation. A litre of water with two teaspoons of sea salt will flush the colon effectively within an hour. The salt ensures that the fluid is not absorbed from the gut.
Before the Fast
Patients need to stock up with lemons, spring water, cayenne pepper, detox herb tea, and any other herb teas such as peppermint, as well as a litre of Madal Bal tree syrup.
The night before starting, a laxative tea may be taken.
Daily Regime During the Fast
Make up 1-2 litres of lemon drink. For a 1-litre bottle, use 70ml Madal Bal tree syrup, 70ml fresh lemon juice (juice of about 2 lemons), topped up with spring water. This is the day’s supply to be taken ad lib, warm or cool, with a dash of cayenne.
During the day, drink at least 1.5 litres of water and herb tea in addition. Mint tea complements the lemon drink well.
After the Fast
The first day after the fast, take only fruit juices.
The second day, take fruit juices and then some vegetable soup in the evening.
The third day after, eat healthy food!
Safety
Colon cleansing is optional and may not be necessary for shorter fasts. If required, first thing in the morning, cleanse the colon with salt water or laxative (detox) herb tea as described above. In the evening, take a laxative tea if required.
Fasting is NOT recommended for patients with chronic degenerative diseases, such as cancer, tuberculosis and neurological disorders, nor for hyperthyroid patients.1 Although useful for regulating underweight as well as overweight, it would not be advisable in true anorexia.
The Lemon Diet does provide balanced nutritional support to the body, but there is no formal evidence about adverse effects. Research into the benefits and risks is badly needed. The only known adverse effects are the dizziness and nausea typical of any fasting regime, as mentioned above. Its widespread use and continuing popularity are some indication of its acceptability.
The diet can be conducted unsupervised by a healthy person for short periods, but both practitioners and the supplier recommend having support, advice and supervision from a practitioner. Special caution is needed if the person is taking medical drugs of any kind. Patients with low blood pressure (hypotension) may need to take a cup of coffee daily when fasting.
Underweight patients can use proportionately more tree syrup (but not lemon juice) per litre of drink, in order to minimize weight loss. Any loss is rapidly regained after the fast is completed because of improvements in appetite, digestion, absorption and organ function.
The regime is not recommended for diabetics. Naturopaths may be interested to know that Stanley Borroughs used a modified form of his Lemonade Diet for insulin-dependent diabetic patients, but close supervision would be essential.
Alcoholics and smokers should aim to reduce their intake before the fast; the company claims that cravings are reduced or even eliminated by the fourth day, and do not return. I have not yet had the opportunity to put this to the test!
Evidence for Effectiveness
Fasting in various forms has been used for centuries in many cultures for its cleansing and health-promoting effects. Adults and children who are Hindu or Moslem regularly practise fasting (e.g. in Ramadan) in the East and the West. Fasting has not been extensively researched, but there is perhaps more formal evidence than you might imagine, especially in studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.5
In France, the fast is taught and used by the homeopathic training college set up by the late Dr Catherine Kousmine, and is used in her clinics as a basic preparatory treatment to retrain patients in healthier eating habits. Practitioners report that homeopathic medicines are outstandingly effective during the diet. A French medical doctor, Dr Tourasse, reported on a case series of 122 patients in the 1980s.4 Of these, 96 sought weight reduction, and 49 had a wide variety of other disease conditions, from ulcerative colitis to depression. In the first group, he noted an average weight loss of 3-6 kilos following the fast. Only 14% of patients were not satisfied with their weight reduction. Unexpected improvements were found in psyche, joints, skin conditions, allergies and gynaecological function. In the second group, almost all the patients reported improvement in their conditions. Laboratory tests showed reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides in the majority of cases monitored.
Other Answers:
If you're only on it for 10 days, you'll eventually gain the weight back.
What you really need to do is stop eating fast food, stop eating red meat, stop drinking soda all together. and start eating more fruits and vegetables!
That sounds awful. My advice don't do it. Start to eat right and exercise. It is much healthier.
Don't do it.
i have heard that a lot of leading men have actually done this to loose weight for movie roles. its obviously worked for them. just make sure that after youve done this diet that afterwards you dont start eating mcdonalds and kfc because youll gain the weight back. im sure its good for immediate results though
I'm sure any diet you go on will help you lose weight.but your body's organs suffer if you do something very extreme. Your kidneys and liver are filters and if you just use the lemon mixture you mentioned I'm afraid you will have side affects that are unpleasant and harmful. Call your doctor for a safe diet that gives you a safe program. You will then be able to lose without hurting yourself. Happy summer and best of luck.
LOTS OF ANTACID AND SOMETHING FOR DIAHREA.
You need some nutrition. You could try high protein powdered drinks with a salad.
sounds like its a bad idea! you will simply lose water weight and the fat you lose will be gained back as soon as you get off that diet. Might sound like Im bitter, but seriously try to eat healthy, not drastic and radical!
Source(s):
From my own experience!
Hello.be careful. You might want to re-think about that lemon diet. Lemons are high in acid, and will make your chest hurt. I know, I have experienced it before. Instead try apple cider vinegar with an 8 ounces of water 30 mins before each meal, and walk at least 2 miles 3 times a week. I did.i dropped 62 pounds!! Good luck
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