Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself [Hardcover]

Alejandro Junger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009

How many of us can honestly say we do not suffer from at least one of the following:

• Colds or viruses each year
• Allergies or hay fever
• Extra pounds that won't come off
• Restless nights
• Recurrent indigestion, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome
• Itchy skin, acne, or any other troubling skin condition
• Depression, anxiety, or frequent fatigue

If you were to seek medical advice for any of the above, you would likely be prescribed pills, topical lotions, injections, or even surgery. Such treatments are used to manage the symptoms and do not address the root of the problem. Too often, doctors treat these common ailments as inevitable costs of living a modern life. The result is a patchwork approach to health care that has become the norm.

In Clean, a New York City cardiologist and a leader in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Alejandro Junger offers a major medical breakthrough. Dr. Junger argues that the majority of these common ailments are the direct result of toxic buildup in our systems accumulated through the course of our daily lives. As the toxicity of modern life increases and disrupts our systems on a daily basis, bombarding us through our standard American diet and chemical-filled environments, our ability to handle the load hasn't accelerated at the same rapid pace. The toxins are everywhere, but Clean offers a solution.

Clean is an M.D.'s program that provides all the tools necessary to support and reactivate our detoxification system to its fullest capabilities, and can be easily incorporated into a busy schedule. The effect is transformative: nagging health problems will suddenly disappear, extra weight will drop away, and for the first time in our lives we will experience what it truly means to feel healthy.

Every day spent on the Clean program is a major step in healing not just the symptom but the root of the problem, effectively and simply. Dr. Junger's life-changing program restores what rightfully belongs to you—your health, vitality, and peace of mind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Alejandro Junger, a hypercharismatic Uruguayan, is poised to become the detox movement’s It Boy” (Elle )

“A whole-body, whole-foods plan...designed by a cleansing expert.” (Chicago Tribune )

“Alejandro Junger, M.D., is his message – brilliant, compassionate and embodied. Clean is visionary medicine, an initiation into the spirit of healing and its author’s credentials prove that science and spirituality are finally dancing cheek to cheek. ” (Gabrielle Roth, author of Sweat Your Prayers: Movement as Spiritual Practice )

“I am a /CLEAN/ believer, and I recommend its study and practice with the greatest confidence and enthusiasm.” (Robert Thurman, author of Inner Revolution )

“Through “Clean” Dr. Junger teaches us methods of cleansing, not only our physical bodies but also cleansing as a way of life-he shows us the power we have on a day-to-day basis to strive to be the healthiest, positive most beautiful beings possible.” (Donna Karan )

“Clean is a masterpiece of healing... Dr. Junger shows us how we don’t have to suffer any longer, nor feel tired, sick and weighed down with the sludge of modern life. You will discover that you didn’t know how badly you felt, once you have gotten Clean.” (Mark Hyman, MD, Author of the New York Times best-seller The UltraMind Solution )

“With an acute understanding of the interconnectedness of body and mind, CLEAN presents a view of detoxification as a spiritual as well as physical necessity. Dr. Junger has given us a roadmap not only to greater health but also to greater joy.” (Marianne Williamson, author of The Age of Miracles )

“The Clean program works.... I have turned many of my friends on to this program and each one has experienced profound benefits, from weight loss to mental clarity to the end of chronic depression. The wisdom and information contained in this book is deeply helpful and life changing.” (Gwyneth Paltrow )

“I have seen the incredible results of the CLEAN program with hundreds of patients, from changing their relationship to food, to weight loss to improving health to enjoying life again. If you want to achieve any of these, CLEAN is the book for you.” (Frank Lipman, M.D. author of SPENT )

About the Author

Alejandro Junger, M.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of Clean. Dr. Junger completed his training in Internal Medicine at New York University Downtown Hospital and his fellowship in cardiology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. In addition, after completing his medical training, Junger studied eastern medicine in India.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061735329
• ISBN-13: 978-0061735325
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (205 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alejandro Junger, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology, having trained and now practicing in New York City. In addition, after completing his medical training, Junger studied Eastern medicine in India. He was the medical director of WE Care Holistic Health Center in Palm Springs, a world-famous center for fasting, cleansing, and detoxification. Currently, he lives in Los Angeles with his family, is writing his second book , CLEAN For LIFE and sees patients privately.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

512 of 513 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, supplement alternatives!!!, April 22, 2011

By 

Deborah - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself (Hardcover)

I truly hope this post will help others like myself who would like to follow The Clean Program in it's entirety, but who does not have $450.00 for the "Rebuild Kit." I looked everywhere, but I wasn't really able to find a clear breakdown of what each of these supplements actually are and what a close match might be should I decide to purchase them individually. So, now that I have taken the time to do the research myself, and have broken down The Clean Program's Rebuild Kit, I would like to offer my determination to anyone else out there looking for this information. If you are interested in getting the supplements but don't have the finances for the kit like myself, you may want to consider the below listed supplements instead. In all, I would say I spent appx. $100-$150.00 which is a big jump from the $450.00 kit! Keep in mind, none of the supplements are required and many people have been very successful without purchasing any of the supplements at all!!! There are plenty of other reviews to support this statement. However, if you want to follow the program as closely as possible and elect to take the supplements, I have deciphered The Rebuild Kit and came up with a pretty accurate compromise to the kit's products listed individually as Nourish, Move, Clean 1, Clean 2, etc. I welcome any additions to my post or suggestions that anyone else may have that could be useful as well :-)

---- MILK THISTLE, vegetarian capsules- used for daily liver support and detox

---- DETOX SUPPORT, vegetarian capsules- supports the body's natural defenses against toxic substances we are exposed to in everyday life

---- DAILY FIBER, vegetarian capsules- provides gentle support for gastrointestinal health and natural friendly flora

---- MULTI-PROBIOTIC, vegetarian capsules- promotes healthy bowels and balanced digestion

---- DIGESTIVE ENZYMES, vegan- a digestive aid that breaks down proteins, fats, carbs, fiber, and milk sugar

---- A MULTI-VITAMIN, plant based/ vegetarian capsules or tablets- to ensure you re getting every important nutrient daily

---- BROWN RICE PROTEIN, vegan- vegetable protein (Try NutriBiotics Rice Protein)

---- NATURAL FIBER/ COLON CLEANSE POWDER, vegetarian- assists in cleansing the colon of accumulated build-up and helps prevent the formulation of new build-up (Try Dr. Natura Colonix Intestinal Fiber. All Colonix products are 100% vegetarian)

*******All products must be free of common food allergens: yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy, wheat, and sugar*******

IF YOU CANNOT PURCHASE EVERYTHING, but still want to take some supplements, the most important to the program are the MILK THISTLE, NATURAL FIBER POWDER, and PROBIOTIC! So, if nothing else, just get those three and you will still be successful!

It is also suggested to drink 2 tablespoons of olive oil everynight before bed and eat a clove of garlic daily. I don't know about you, but I am not a person who can eat a clove of garlic by itself. A suggested alternative:

---- AGED GARLIC EXTRACT, vegetarian capsules

It is also note worthy to mention that Dr. Junger want's you to have a bowel movement everyday. If you do not, he wants you to get a colonic or castor oil and make it happen. You know your body and it's struggles. So, this may be something to consider in preparation as well.

*** If you go to THE CLEAN PROGRAM website, you can actually pull up the "Rebuild Kit" ingredients for yourself. This will allow you to confirm the main ingredients in the products before you purchase anything if you don't want to just take my word for it. Again, $450.00 was not an option to me but I want to follow the program as closely as possible. They also have a shopping list that you can get an idea of the groceries you will want to get in preparation of The Elimination Diet.

I REALLY HOPE THIS INFO PROVES USEFUL TO ATLEAST ONE PERSON! I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY APPRECIATIVE TO HAVE HAD THIS INFO AT HAND :-)

285 of 295 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bottom line...it works., July 9, 2009

By 

Susan Towers (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself (Hardcover)

I have to confess that I didn't find this the easiest book to read - it's a bit repetitive but the bottom line is that Dr. Junger knows what he's talking about, is a caring physician and he's on to something. I met him, read the book, followed the program and I have to say that by the second week, I felt a lot better. My skin glowed, I slept well and I just felt altogether much better (the flat tummy helped!). My seasonal allergies also seemed to evaporate. Finally - I lost ten pounds which had been dogging me for two years - so frankly I was thrilled. It's a little tough on your social life but I plan to juice more regularly, take some supplements he prescribed and try and do the Clean program annually. I've cut back on my dairy / bread consumption overall but it's made me rethink my diet substantially, which was what I wanted. I'd recommend this...

510 of 536 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Clean Maybe, Hungry Yes, June 10, 2010

By 

Starry1 (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself (Hardcover)

The basic premise of this book is that if you give your body a break from having to expend so much energy digesting food (and particularly food it was never meant to consume), it can finally get around to detoxing and healing.

The book advocates an elimination diet where you CANNOT eat the following foods:

-Oranges, orange juice, grapefruit, strawberries, grapes, and bananas
-Dairy and eggs, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream, nondairy creamers
-Wheat, corn, barley, spelt, kamut, rye, couscous, oats
-Raw fish, pork, beef, veal, sausage, cold cuts, canned meats, hot dogs, shellfish
-Soybean products (soy sauce, soybean oil in processed foods, tempeh, tofu, soy milk, soy yogurt)
-Peanuts, peanut butter, pistachios, macadamia nuts,
-corn, creamed vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers
-butter, margarine, shortening, processed oils, salad dressings, mayonnaise, spreads
-alcohol, coffee, caffeinated beverages, soda pop, soft drinks
-refined sugar, white or brown sugars, honey, maple syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice
-chocolate, ketchup, relish, chutney, soy sauce, bbq sauce, teriyaki sauce, other similar condiments.

You have 1 smoothie or juice (made in your juicer or blender) for breakfast and one for dinner. You have an elimination diet meal for lunch. If you are hungry, you may have a small mid-morning snack and late afternoon snack. The book suggests you drink water if you think you are hungry and see if that does the trick. You are also to drink lots of distilled or filtered water throughout the day.

You must have a bowel movement every day and if you don't, he wants you to get a colonic (they are quite expensive) or take herbal laxatives or do an enema. Either way you must have a bowel movement.

Another big rule is that you must wait 12 hours between dinner and breakfast.

There are a few other points, but you'll have to read the book for those. :)

For me, I think the concept sounds good, but after 12 days on the program (ideally you do it for 3 weeks), I was so hungry I could barely think. I got off it and ate everything in sight. Guess it just wasn't the program for me.