Starting a 21 day cleanse next week - any advice?

rml_16 · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

verymissk · September 2013

Iif you eat food, you are going to consume toxins. Many vegetables contain low levels of toxins even if they are raised in an environment free of man-made toxins (which is pretty difficult). That's why we have organs to deal with the toxins.

But there is nothing wrong with trying to lower the amount of toxins you consume, and nothing wrong with eating mostly vegetables as long as you are getting proper nutrition.

Good luck.

what "toxins" are these exactly? can you first define "toxins" and then name the toxic substances found in vegetables?

Copper, Cyanide, arsenic, and flouride are all naturally occurring toxins that our bodies are quite capable of removing with properly working organs.

Ninkyou · September 2013

I'm assuming you're referring to the 21 Day cleanse that was featured on Oprah:

http://www.kathyfreston.com/kathy_freston_intro_to_quantum_wellness_cleanse.html
http://www.oprah.com/food/The-21-Day-Cleanse-Oprahs-Blog-1

From the first link:

"This cleanse is so simple and so powerful. For three weeks, you will refrain from eating what I call “The Big Five”:

caffeine
alcohol
gluten
animal products
and refined sugar.

On first glance, it may seem like there will be nothing left to eat or drink! In fact, you will discover that there is a whole world of delicious and nutritious food to enjoy and that will help you feel more energetic, healthy, and clean. And I guarantee you will not be hungry (unless you forget to eat!). In fact this is a “diet” you could stay on indefinitely, because it doesn’t deny your body any of its needs and is actually rich in nutritious vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and nuts, and chock full of everything you need to fuel your body for a lifetime.

Over the course of the three weeks I’ll be talking in some depth about why you’re avoiding these Big Five categories, but for now just trust me when I say that these substances are difficult for our bodies and can even be toxic, and a break from them will do you a world of good."

**Linked for people who were interested in the "toxins" bit**

IMO, this cleanse is useless and is really just to make the author some money. Your body cleanses itself pretty well to begin with. If you need a "break" from alcohol or caffeine or whatever, just don't consume it. Not really a cleanse....
Reading the intro on the first link it kind of sounded like she was selling a religion.... lol!

Mslmesq · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

I'm not saying I disagree with you necessarily...although I might disagree that 21 days of eating vegan would do much harm. But you are making quite a few assumptions about the op's particular 'cleanse' they are going to do. If these are your particular concerns, why not ask her?

rml_16 · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

I'm not saying I disagree with you necessarily...although I might disagree that 21 days of eating vegan would do much harm. But you are making quite a few assumptions about the op's particular 'cleanse' they are going to do. If these are your particular concerns, why not ask her?

I am starting a 21 day cleanse and dextox next week - All the meals are planned out and it is not a starvation cleanse but one that eliminates all the toxins in your body - it is eating mostly Vegan for the 21 days. Anyone ever done this before - seeking advice - thanks

sympha01 · September 2013

please don't

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

Come on people. I get that the word 'cleanse' and 'detox' are used a little loosely quite often nowadays....but guess what? They are. So deal.

If someone wants to eat regular calories with a particular type of 'diet' or food for a short period of time to see how they feel, why do you care. There are plenty of vegans here that do this 24/7. And the poster is not actually talking about anything extreme for and/or for an extended period of time. So who cares what label they use.

The poster is not talking a lot of specifics at all, but from what I see people are very rationally saying "Hey, eat vegan if you want, eat natural organic foods if you want, those are not bad ideas, BUT you said your goal was to get rid of toxins. You know 'cleansing to get rid of toxins' is junk science and hogwash, right?"

"Toxins" is a scary-sounding word that doesn't refer to anything specific in this context, it's a pseudo-scientific rationale to back up unverifiable claims from health cranks. When the cranks can name specific "toxins" then science can test the claims, and heavens, no one wants that!

MiloBloom83 · September 2013

Iif you eat food, you are going to consume toxins. Many vegetables contain low levels of toxins even if they are raised in an environment free of man-made toxins (which is pretty difficult). That's why we have organs to deal with the toxins.

But there is nothing wrong with trying to lower the amount of toxins you consume, and nothing wrong with eating mostly vegetables as long as you are getting proper nutrition.

Good luck.

WHAT! I've been paying top dollar to get toxin free food. This sucks!

Mslmesq · September 2013

please don't

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

Come on people. I get that the word 'cleanse' and 'detox' are used a little loosely quite often nowadays....but guess what? They are. So deal.

If someone wants to eat regular calories with a particular type of 'diet' or food for a short period of time to see how they feel, why do you care. There are plenty of vegans here that do this 24/7. And the poster is not actually talking about anything extreme for and/or for an extended period of time. So who cares what label they use.

The poster is not talking a lot of specifics at all, but from what I see people are very rationally saying "Hey, eat vegan if you want, eat natural organic foods if you want, those are not bad ideas, BUT you said your goal was to get rid of toxins. You know 'cleansing to get rid of toxins' is junk science and hogwash, right?"

"Toxins" is a scary-sounding word that doesn't refer to anything specific in this context, it's a pseudo-scientific rationale to back up unverifiable claims from health cranks. When the cranks can name specific "toxins" then science can test the claims, and heavens, no one wants that!

Well, my thoughts on the toxin issue aside, my response was to saying 'please don't'. As far as toxins, I suppose some might think of it as the scary 'big bad'. Maybe some don't. I don't know.

Point is, a lot of people do certain short term things they want to try and call them a 'cleanse' or 'detox' just cause the words have become trendy. So sometimes it helps to look at what they are actually doing. 21 days of eating vegan doesn't sound like a big deal.

And I do remember the oprah episode and her staff (a lot participated) that did it reported losing weight and feeling really good with a lot of energy. So, if that is what she is referring to, I personally don't see where the 'please don't' reply is really necessary..

Mslmesq · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

I'm not saying I disagree with you necessarily...although I might disagree that 21 days of eating vegan would do much harm. But you are making quite a few assumptions about the op's particular 'cleanse' they are going to do. If these are your particular concerns, why not ask her?

I am starting a 21 day cleanse and dextox next week - All the meals are planned out and it is not a starvation cleanse but one that eliminates all the toxins in your body - it is eating mostly Vegan for the 21 days. Anyone ever done this before - seeking advice - thanks

Yup, I already read that. I'm not sure what your point was.

rml_16 · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

I'm not saying I disagree with you necessarily...although I might disagree that 21 days of eating vegan would do much harm. But you are making quite a few assumptions about the op's particular 'cleanse' they are going to do. If these are your particular concerns, why not ask her?

I am starting a 21 day cleanse and dextox next week - All the meals are planned out and it is not a starvation cleanse but one that eliminates all the toxins in your body - it is eating mostly Vegan for the 21 days. Anyone ever done this before - seeking advice - thanks

Yup, I already read that. I'm not sure what your point was.

My point was that my assumptions were based on her OP, which basically says, "Asking you all is my research."

Mslmesq · September 2013

Please don't what? Eat vegan for 21 days?

A vegan diet can leave a person lacking essential nutrients if not done right. Doing it as a fad cleanse without sufficient research is not a good idea.

I'm not saying I disagree with you necessarily...although I might disagree that 21 days of eating vegan would do much harm. But you are making quite a few assumptions about the op's particular 'cleanse' they are going to do. If these are your particular concerns, why not ask her?

I am starting a 21 day cleanse and dextox next week - All the meals are planned out and it is not a starvation cleanse but one that eliminates all the toxins in your body - it is eating mostly Vegan for the 21 days. Anyone ever done this before - seeking advice - thanks

Yup, I already read that. I'm not sure what your point was.

My point was that my assumptions were based on her OP, which basically says, "Asking you all is my research."

I didn't read it that way. I read it as seeking advice from those that have done it and their experiences with it. I don't see at all though where she asked for our professional opinion of it or research on it. Not sure either of us knows for sure.

wanderinggypsy · September 2013

It always surprises me when people think toxins are not ever-present in our world and food and drinks. I guess I just think of toxins as any chemicals that our bodies shouldn't necessarily be dealing with....mercury in fish, various crap chemicals in makeup and soaps, even the pesticides and whatnot that are on food. If people are looking for specific names, I would say look at a box of something processed. If you can't pronounce the names in the ingredient list OR use it in an every day sentence, it's probably not that good for you!

That's not to say our livers can't process most of this gunk out, but to insist that we don't need to worry about toxins is a bit naive at best.

IMO, I don't see a harm in doing a 21 day cleanse, as long as you're still getting all your nutrients, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. If you start to get dizzy or feel unwell, then stop.

Mr_Knight · September 2013

"This cleanse is so simple and so powerful. For three weeks, you will refrain from eating what I call “The Big Five”:

caffeine
alcohol
gluten
animal products
and refined sugar.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not what I would choose to live, but really, there's nothing even remotely worrisome about 3 weeks of eliminating those things.

Confuzzled4ever · September 2013

Skip the cleanse.. eat fruit, fiber and protein and avoid processed and pre cooked

It'll take less time too.

I sit int he sauna too.. I know that doesn't' really help, but i like to pretend it does.

rml_16 · September 2013

"This cleanse is so simple and so powerful. For three weeks, you will refrain from eating what I call “The Big Five”:

caffeine
alcohol
gluten
animal products
and refined sugar.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not what I would choose to live, but really, there's nothing even remotely worrisome about 3 weeks of eliminating those things.

Except if you don't replace the nutrients you get from animal products (sufficient protein, B12, B6 and many others), even three weeks can cause some pretty serious damage.

It doesn't take long for major changes like this to affect the body. I used to be able to do a good 50 pushups, no problem. I broke my wrist and elbow and in seven weeks of not using my arms, I couldn't even do one. I did not have the strength to lower and raise my own body weight just from that short period of decreased use. And I didn't deprive my body of vitamins and minerals it needed.

Mslmesq · September 2013

"This cleanse is so simple and so powerful. For three weeks, you will refrain from eating what I call “The Big Five”:

caffeine
alcohol
gluten
animal products
and refined sugar.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not what I would choose to live, but really, there's nothing even remotely worrisome about 3 weeks of eliminating those things.

Except if you don't replace the nutrients you get from animal products (sufficient protein, B12, B6 and many others), even three weeks can cause some pretty serious damage.

Again, if these are your concerns, why not ask her. The particular one she is referring to may very well take this into account.

It is important to have knowledge of supplements on any restricted diet, although I've never seen anything to indicate that deficiencies of the things you name can ever occur within a three week period. As I don't know for sure, I'd happily look at anything you are referring to.

It IS however, and I do agree, very important to have knowledge on potential deficiencies in restricted diets. Anyone that even limits meat consumption (including vegetarians and pescetarians) should probably test their vitamin b12 levels and/or use supplements. I found this out the hard way....but, only after a year and a half of limited red meat consumption.

Here is a link with some info: http://vegetariannutrition.net/docs/B12-Vegetarian-Nutrition.pdf

bcattoes · September 2013

Iif you eat food, you are going to consume toxins. Many vegetables contain low levels of toxins even if they are raised in an environment free of man-made toxins (which is pretty difficult). That's why we have organs to deal with the toxins.

But there is nothing wrong with trying to lower the amount of toxins you consume, and nothing wrong with eating mostly vegetables as long as you are getting proper nutrition.

Good luck.

what "toxins" are these exactly? can you first define "toxins" and then name the toxic substances found in vegetables?

Or you could google it.

https://www.google.com/#q=natural+toxins+in+food

bcattoes · September 2013

"This cleanse is so simple and so powerful. For three weeks, you will refrain from eating what I call “The Big Five”:

caffeine
alcohol
gluten
animal products
and refined sugar.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not what I would choose to live, but really, there's nothing even remotely worrisome about 3 weeks of eliminating those things.

Except if you don't replace the nutrients you get from animal products (sufficient protein, B12, B6 and many others), even three weeks can cause some pretty serious damage.

It doesn't take long for major changes like this to affect the body. I used to be able to do a good 50 pushups, no problem. I broke my wrist and elbow and in seven weeks of not using my arms, I couldn't even do one. I did not have the strength to lower and raise my own body weight just from that short period of decreased use. And I didn't deprive my body of vitamins and minerals it needed.

If you start doing pushups again, it should come back quickly. I had a foot injury that meant no weight at all on one leg for a month. My leg muscle visibly wasted, at the end of the month I could not even stand on the leg. It took less than a week to be able to walk normally and less than 3 weeks to have the muscles back where they were pre-injury.

But muscle atrophe due to non-use is a completely different subject. There are millions of healthy people that don't eat meat.

garber6th · September 2013

I think when someone says they are going to do a "cleanse", there is a negative connotation to that because really most "cleanses" are B.S. and lead you to believe that something special will happen, and most people who want to do a "cleanse" really don't get that. People are so quick to jump onto whatever bandwagon they think is going to take them on a shortcut. They really need to think about what they are doing and why, and how it might affect them.