He is just one of many nutritionists who caution that fasting can be counterproductive. Some say it can even slow down the metabolism, making it even more difficult to lose weight in the future.
Try telling that to the converts. Peter Glickman, the author of Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days, is among them. Glickman, who at 188cm once weighed more than 104kg, had already made over his lifestyle, going on a vegan diet and losing 19kg, when he came across the fast three years ago online. He lost 10kg in 20 days, he said. He sold his software company and went into the business of promoting the diet.
It has proved lucrative. On his Web site, themastercleanse.com, he sells Burroughs' original book (US$8.95), his updated version and an accompanying CD (US$31.95), and a master cleanse kit (US$49.95; just add lemons). He wouldn't give specifics, but he said his book is in its fourth printing. "I just put in an order for 10,000 more the other day," he said.
Adaora Udoji, an anchor at Court TV, grew up watching her father use the fast. "We all just thought he was a weirdo," she said.
But after quitting smoking last year, she fasted for 14 days, and now she is a believer. "It's almost like a religious experience," she said. "The first few days you're obsessing about food and by the fourth or fifth day, you get this inexplicable burst of energy and you feel like you can run laps around the world."
Bauer, the nutritionist, is not convinced. "I really think this chanting about people feeling so invigorated by this really comes from the happiness that people feel about losing weight," she said.
Running laps was the furthest thing from Wong's mind during her fast. She found herself staring longingly at takeout menus and scouring food blogs. "I drive a car that runs on vegetable oil so it smells kind of like a fast-food restaurant, and there were times when I was so hungry I just wanted to pull over and put my mouth around the exhaust pipe," she said.
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