Anything specifically wrong with....

[SerenaWelsh]

a heart patient following this diet for 3 to 10 days?

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/articles/Nutrition/leach73.htm

The jist is you only drink this concoction of water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and tree syrup during the fast (along with regular prescribed heart meds, of course). There clearly isn't anything in it that would in itself be harmful, but I'm more curious I guess about the safety of fasting in general.

Not anorexic, or looking to become one - so I don't need those particular warnings.

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

I don't know about 10 days but three days may be ok. I would love to try it too I just read it but I don't know how I'd handle the wanting to eat thing

[SerenaWelsh]

oh, I know how I'd handle it. I'd be a grumpy you know what.

:D

[JAMESFETT]

I think the regimen is potentially dangerous, and particularly for a person on heart medications. What about potential harmful interactions with the heart medications? No tests, I'll bet. What about the number of calories? Potentially starvation diet with potential harmful effect on electrolytes, potentially dangerous for the heart patient. What is actually contained in the "tree syrup?" I have known tree bark teas in Africa that have been shown to cause cancer of the liver. I would say, "Be very careful." Those who are promoting this may be more interested in dollar returns than in your health.

JDF

[SerenaWelsh]

Thank you, Dr. Fett. The "nutritional information" is listed on the website, and posted below - but you're right. I hadn't thought about the dangers of the syrup itself and was asking more about the act of fasting/cleansing. I suppose if I really wanted to engage in risky herbal behavior I could just go graze on the fox glove in my garden.;)


Nutritional Content
The syrup is high in natural plant sugars, which provide the body with energy during the fast and satisfy hunger pangs. The calorie content is about 300 calories per 100g. A typical daily intake of ten glasses therefore provides about 600 calories.4
Table 1. Mineral Content of the SyrupMineral Contentmg per 100g
Iron2.88
Manganese1.20
Zinc2.69
Magnesium20.3
Calcium86.8
Sodium45.7
Copper0.15
Potassium395.0



The mineral content is rich in potassium, manganese and zinc. The ratios of calcium to magnesium and sodium to potassium are almost ideal for the human body’s needs.
Table 2. Syrup CompositionCompositiong per 100g
Water23.3
Protein0.56
Fats0.30
Carbohydrate (fruit sugars)74.6

[heartfulloflove]

Hmm...anything where you are on a liquid diet for ten days, regardless of what the liquid is, seems unsafe to me. I would think it would be a stress on the heart and the body. I'm also wary of herbal remedies, as they are not regulated, even if they do disclose the ingredients. Most of these cleanse diets are just people out there trying to make a buck.