I was really surprised by the negative reviews. I have been using supplements for many years now and the renew first cleanse and cleanse smart have been part of that discipline.
I am a wife and mom, therapist, fitness instructor and overall health food enthusiast. I have done extensive research on many different antioxidants, herbs, minerals and whole foods with healing properties. I do believe these renew life products are beneficial to the body and facilitate holistic cleansing. (I can only comment on the first cleanse and cleanse smart formulas because these are the only ones I use, but I have been using them literally for years with good results)
I really think the key here is understanding what cleansing is all about. These formulas are not about traditional colon flushing. In fact, the evening formula, focused on the colon specifically, does not use any of the more typical yet more harsh laxative herbs that most colon cleansers use-like psyllium husk, cascara sagrata, senna, etc.-which are good if you are really constipated, but many people find too strong unless in small doses. It does use magnesium hydroxide (think milk of magnesia) which is a naturally occurring mineral, an antacid which also increases water in the intestines. It is an important mineral for the body, especially the muscles and nerves. It CAN have a laxative effect-causing diarrhea in some people--which in turn causes cramping due to loss of potassium. If you add potassium (eat a banana or two perhaps) the cramping subsides-and taking one pill every other day until your system finds the right dosage should eliminate the diarrhea.
The dosage in the cleanse smart (2 capsules) is less than half of the other ingredients and also a little over half the DV for magnesium for a day. It is a relatively small amount--nonetheless, you CAN overdose on it in very large quantities, and you dont want to take anything without knowing your body and specific medical needs. I would say to talk to a medical doctor, but most of them simply dismiss herbal supplements without understanding them and prefer processed pharmaceuticals, which, in many people's opinions, clogs your body further! But this, of course, is a personal choice and responsibility.
Cleanse Smart and first cleanse has added aloe, one of the greatest lubricants in nature, and ginger, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial root to this nighttime colon formula. But even better, it has Triphala, which is an Ayurvedic blend of three (dried) fruits, one to correlate to each dosha and therefore balance the body and encourage homeostasis. It is said to support the entire digestive and gastro intestinal function while strengthening nutritional assimilation.
That is really what cleansing is about on a greater level than just treating constipation. It is about cleansing and nourishing all of the body systems that have been damaged and are malfunctioning due to years of toxic build up. A lot of this is focused in the colon because a blocked colon does not allow for assimilation of nutrients -this means that if you arent already sort of cleaned out, even the herbs in the cleanse smart formulas will not be as effective.
When I first started out, I used the first cleanse and started making changes to my diet slowly. I waited a week or so and then repeated the first cleanse. Now I use the cleanse smart on a need basis-when Ive eaten too much or unhealthy food too frequently-or when I notice I havent had a bowel movement that day. Some days I only take one am pill and one pm pill and Im good.
I especially like the am formula because it has a really great blend of herbs for the other important organs and body systems-dandelion root is a blood cleanser, milk thistle for the liver, hawthorn berry for the heart, etc. If you just google all of the herbs in the formulas, you will see why I think the products are so great.
If you have not had a good experience with these products, I would say try again with a different understanding of what cleansing is-a long-term process of eliminating toxic build up and reestablishing homeostasis or equilibrium in the body so that all systems are functioning synergistically. I have tried many products and these are really some of the best for that purpose. But it has to be part of a whole life-style change-choosing healthier, organic foods more often while reducing chemicals, processed foods, simple white sugars and flours, etc, drinking lots and lots of water, adding antioxidants to prevent further build-up, exercising and relaxing the body-getting enough sleep, laughter, spiritual nourishment and practice. Cleansing is more than just about taking a few pills and expecting a miracle.
I used the First Cleanse product exactly as directed. I found it worked to my expectations which was that it would gently encourage bowel and other digestive organ elimination. I did not expect to miraculously lose weight or regrow my hair; I did not have unreasonably optimistic expectations.
The purpose of this product is to prepare the body for the more potent, 30-day Cleanse Smart program (which I just started). So if your expectation is to gain the benefits of this program using the two-week First Cleanse product, then surely you will be disappointed.
If the directions are read (and I'm not sure that some of the readers have done so), one would see that for added bowel cleansing, a product called Cleanse Smart (of which a sample was included) should be used to relieve constipation and for added stimulation. In addition, FiberSmart (a soluable/insoluable flax product) should be used to absorb toxins released from the cleanse as well as to provide the mass needed for effective intestinal elimination.
Those who have written saying "they did get the expected results" are probably correct because they didn't read the directions and didn't use the supplementary products recommended. Those who wrote that "they achieved mild results", should realize that is expected since this is a preparatory product for a stronger program; they should now move on to the Cleanse Smart program.
Everyone's body chemistry and balance is different and if the product makes you feel peculiar or dizzy, then it should be stopped (again as directed).
Happy Cleansing!
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First off, before you put any type of pills in your system-you should thoroughly research what exactly is in each pilland who should not take the pills, side effects, etc. Just because it's over the counter doesn't necessarily mean it's safe for you.
I've done cleanses in the pastand felt like I was just taking over priced sugar pills.
That's until I did my research on detox/body cleansing. Detox/cleansing is not just about taking a few pill for 7,14, or 30 days and hoping for more "elimination". Detox is really about cleaning your inner body (liver), outter body (skin, hair), lowering stress level, maintaining a good sleep cycle, and eating a proper detox diet.
If you think you are going to take a few pills and not follow the rest of those points (for however many days), you will be highly disappointedand yesprobably experience negative/opposite side effects.
Detoxing is perfect is you are about to start a diet, get into a healthier routine, or want a positive change in your life. But DON'T buy this product if you think you are going to lose 20 pounds in 14 days.
Also, when you start a detox, expect to get sick. On day 2 of taking these pills I had a pretty bad cold for 2 days. And I hardly get sick. But I knew it was my body basically resetting itself, and getting rid of the crap I've put in it recently.
Along with a detox kit like this, I would highly recommend getting a detox book. A good one I found is Detox by Sara Rose. It's simple to read and covers about every point of a detox and why you should do it (what to expect, what not to expect).
Did I lose a couple pounds? Yes...even though I didn't want to. Did I drink TONS of water? Yes. Even with the cold I got, I was waking up feeling great, like I could take on the world...not sluggish, wanting more sleep--and this is in the winter time! My head also felt clearer, more open for thinking, and positive mood all around.
Overall, product is good. It's a great addition to a full detox because it consolidates all the supplements you should take into a nice pill.
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I tried this cleanse for two weeks after my daughter gave it to me. I became bloated and constipated. I followed directions, drank plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetables. After 2 weeks of constipated torture, I threw the bottles away. My daughter then told me she experienced the same problems and thought something was wrong with her for the pills not to work. Don't waste your money!
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Like some of the other reviewers, this cleanse had the opposite affect on me than what was intended. In order to cleanse you need to eleminate that didn't happen. I expected this cleanse would increase my bowel movements and it did for the first day. After that, I have been so painfully constipated that I had to stop the cleanse. I was very careful with my diet and water intake but did not purchase more supplements like Cleanse More. $25 was enough. I can understand if you need help to increase bowel movements but this cleanse basically stopped them! Sort of defeats the purpose! I increased my fiber intake and will probably need to use Miralax per my dr's recommendation, to get things going.
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I find this a very good cleanser. It's gentle and doesn't leave my skin feeling all dried out, but still does a very good job of cleansing. I don't know how it does with removing cosmetics, but it removes sunscreen very effectively. I use it in conjunction with the Physiological Soothing Toner and I find that I'm getting far fewer spots and blackheads. Very pleased.
