Sorry to interrupt bling as this is Andrews spot, but my own answer.....

Nothing but nothing can replace or outperform a Water Fast for its efficiency and speed of healing/cleansing.
My own experience with The master cleanse, and that of others who have tried it, is that is is beneficial. You only have read the testimonies and look at the photos of the stones that have been eliminated to know this.

However, any form of external nutrition will (to a large degree) prevent the body from going into the full state of ketosis and therefore autolysis, so the benefits are somewhat diminished.

You are quite right though: herbal teas and such will have much the same effect as a juice fast (diet), which will give the digestive system a rest from the physical breakdown of solid food, but you will still be feeding or dieting if you consume liquid nourishment.

I think one thing to bear in mind here, is that the body is always in a constant state of nutrition and elimination, whether you are eating or not eating; but by consuming water-only according to thirst, then the body has the opportunity to play catch-up by eliminating toxins and healing at a much much faster rate.

Dr Shelton was against the idea of Juice fasting (what he referred to as lop-sided feeding) for his seriously ill patients for the above mentioned reasons, as his results were far superior in the recovery of full health with a water only fast than by any other method.
Juice fasting has its benefits though: of that there is no doubt, but is far less efficient.

Also, if Water Fasting is the most superior form of cleansing and healing for the sick, then how much more benefit is to be had for those in relatively good health?
Immeasurable.

Regards

Chrisb1.

I know nothing about The Master Cleanse admittedly. But it 'canna change the laws of physics' as Scotty would say. Consume calories, even add taste to the body and you will effect the ketosis and the bodies ability to heal itself. Just because The Master Cleanse claims something doesn't mean it actually does it. If they are getting the body to produce ketones that is different from entering full ketosis where the body provides all of it's own nourishment and all of the vital organs are taken care of from them and every part of the body that can take part in cleaning the system and removing toxins does. If you are ingesting any food at all the body simply cannot go into full ketosis.

Andrew.