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Let me start off by saying that we are each entitled to do with our bodies as we please. This is not a judgment, just an observation and sharing of experience.
"Cleansing" your colon or body through a restricted calorie, restricted nutrient "diet" program is not necessary. You liver filters out toxins from your blood and organs. Your kidneys process and remove waste. Your colon and digestive system is where food products are digested and eliminated.
While many people may have used these programs without noticeable harm, there are several things to think about when entertaining the idea.
- restricting calories below 1200 per day (or below your basal caloric needs just to wake up and breathe) can cause your metabolism to slow down in response to a "starvation" reaction. When the body senses that calories are at a minimum, it will become more efficient at keeping weight on to protect vital organs. A few days may not screw up your metabolism, but longer periods of reduced caloric intake can and will.
- consuming large quantities of lemonaid or highly acidic foods/beverages can wreak havoc on your esophagus and stomach. You can suffer episodic and perhaps chronic problems with heartburn and gastric reflux.
- it is imperative to maintain nutrient levels, even if you are changing your dietary intake for a few days.
- taking laxatives and diuretics can mess up your electrolytes and potassium levels, causing fatigue, fainting, even heart failure.
- any weight loss will be mostly due to dehydration and thus will not permanent. Remember that to lose one pound, you must burn 3500 calories.
- if you have any health problems, please talk to your doctor first. Thyroid, endocrine, and cardiac issues can be exacerbated by extreme changes in your daily diet.
I am not a professional, but have much experience meeting with nutritionists and physicians. Please be careful.
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