nursing and cleansing

[appleaddict]

HI all this will be brief , I'm new I am nursing I want to start the master cleanse diet but can I do it while I am nursing. Please type Yes. I really want to do this also is this master cleanse and the 30 day challenge the same thing? Thanks.

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi and welcome appleaddict!

I was always advised NOT to do the MC while nursing (sorry, not the answer you wanted, I know) only because when you do it, you detox kinda heavily and you don't want to risk the toxins seeping into the breastmilk. I've heard some say it won't because breast aren't an elimination channel used by the body and if you're doing the bowel cleansing via the sea salt flush and detox tea that it won't affect the milk. But then I've heard others say that it does get into the milk regardless.

No, the MC and the 30-day challenge are not the same. The MC is the lemonade drink only and the 30-day challenge for this site is eating a raw/living foods diet with no cooked food for 30 days (which might be better for you since the detox is usually slower and more gradual than doing such a strict fasting-type cleanse).

And it also kinda depends on your diet prior to all of this. If you were already a pretty healthy eater, eating vegan healthy foods for a while, then you might not detox as heavily as someone coming off a strict standard American cooked food diet or one who has health challenges and is very toxic.

[askcassyfirst]

Hi! Welcome. Your main question about the MC cleanse and the 30 day challenge was answered, but I thought I would throw in a response about nursing/pregnancy and cleansing.

I am an educator for a digestive care company, and we get similar questions all the time. We do not recommend beginning and sort of cleasing/detox program while you are nursing. Indeed, as your body begins to release toxins from your cells, they will be channeled out thru all 7 organs of elimination: the liver, lungs, lymph, kidney, skin, blood, & bowel. Therefore, your nursing child will be consuming the toxins in breast milk. We always recommend that moms consult with their practitioner (Midwife, doctor, etc.) before beginning any new program. That way all your bases are covered.

Many women do maintain high raw and 100% raw diets while childbearing, (you may want to do some web searches for this, and then contact and communicate with them about their experience,) but Rawkinlocs is right when she mentioned that it has a lot to do with your body's state prior to beginning the cleanse or eating regime...If you consider yourself toxic, you may benefit from working up slowly...A living food diet can only bring you better wellness in the long run. Continue to research and consider! You are on the right track.

Cassy.:)

[Pailani]

I agree with everyone else. Eating a cleaner diet is a good idea, but doing the Master Cleanse might be too drastic. It might even jeopardize your milk supply.

[newbie]

Pailani,

I've been wondering the same thing. It's difficult to want to do a big cleanse but be held back because of nursing or in my case pregnancy. Of course, I can't think of a better reason to be unable to cleanse:-) I think from all I've gathered that the best thing is to do like suggested above, work your way up to a healthy 100% raw diet slowly. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm only 4 1/2 months along so I've got quite a long time to go before I can do a big cleanse. I'll be happy with the 100% raw for now.

By the way, from a previous post I saw that you had this surprise baby at 43. That's encouraging to me. I'll be 38 when this baby is born. This will be baby number 4. My husband and I are hoping for more children which would put me in my 40s having children. Of course, whatever God's will is is what we want. This is a great reason, like you said, to be raw - so you can be healthy well into later life and enjoy your children!

FYI, I just tried my 3rd recipe from Alissa's book - the collard wraps - and my husband, 12 yo, and I all enjoyed them very much.

Take care,
Tina

[appleaddict]

Thanks rawkinlocs, that was some really good info. I see you have moderator under your name. What does that mean? By tghe way nice biceps how's your tummy coming along. Oh yeah when I joined last night I tried to respond to your thread about your mom but I messed up. Basically what I was typing was my mom's pretty much in the same boat. She likes her cigarettes and wine but she hates the way colitis/chrones is tearing her up. Some times you have to just give them what they need "expert medical advice" there is a doctor named Dr Day. www.drday.com. She was in the final stages of cancer and by being on the raw diet with the help of our creator she healed herself. check her out her video tapes are inexpensive and she knows her stuff. My mom is fearful for her life and Dr Day don't play.