The Master Cleanser is a ten-day fast consisting of lemon or lime juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water, all mixed into a (surprisingly tasty) drink. Consuming this Master Cleanser drink will help purify your body, renew your energy, and lose weight.

Having completed the Master Cleanser (also known as the Lemonade Diet) twice now, and having spent a lot of time reading up on it, I know one of the biggest mistakes people make is with the ingredients. They seem simple enough, but if you try to save money or time by settling for cheap substitutes, your cleanse won't be nearly as worthwhile.

The quality of the maple syrup is one of the most important factors of the drink. I have seen some people try to use regular pancake syrup (highly processed and full of many other ingredients) -- please don't! You absolutely must use Grade B maple syrup, preferably organic. Grade B maple syrup is a very dark syrup with a very strong maple flavor and a hint of caramel. The problem with other syrups is that they lack essential nutrients and are overly refined.

The best place to purchase Grade B maple syrup is at a local health food store. Some grocery stores have it as well. I purchased mine at Trader Joe's, a national health food chain, for around $8 per 32 ounces. This will last you about four days if you drink eight drinks a day, so you should buy several.

If you cannot find it locally, try online. I have seen a gallon of grade B maple syrup go for just around $50 with shipping on eBay. This will last you around 16 days -- longer than the standard Master Cleanse, but if you are doing it with someone else, it could be a good option. Half gallons are also available.

By spending the extra money and buying the proper grade B maple syrup for the Master Cleanser, you can have a successful cleanse that will leave you feeling like a brand new person. If you are interested and have not tried it before, you should be aware that the Master Cleanser is a great cleanse for someone who has not cleansed before because the cleanser drink gives the body the proper nutrients and calories to function, but can still purify the body at the same time.

I wish you the best of luck with your fasting experience!