Super Cleanse Review
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By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Jul 24, 2024 |
Super Cleanse Claims
On the website, they give little information on the product as a whole and do not spend a lot of time selling the potential customer. They do warn, however, not to take this supplement longer than 30 days in a row, as the goal is to see 2-3 bowel movements per day. It is also advised that you drink 8-10 cups of water per day so you don’t get dehydrated. They make a few quotes below regarding this Super Cleanse and how it can be effective.
“This proprietary blend of ingredients is designed to nourish, stimulate, and cleanse the lower intestinal tract to support the body’s natural detoxification process. More than just a simple cleansing formula, Super Cleanse® can help to flush toxins out of the intestinal tract, while improving colon health and digestive function overall.” [2]
On GNC’s site they mention,
“SUPER CLEANSE™ contains 13 natural ingredients in a synergistic formula that is recommended by natural practitioners throughout the world. Super Cleanse is 100% natural, aqueous coated, and utilizes a special tableting process that promotes the rapid release of the ingredients in this formula.” [3]
I also wanted to add that they did mention the Prop 65 Warning at the bottom of the website regarding certain ingredients.
“California Residents Proposition 65 WARNING:(State of California Prop 65) This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
There is a warning on the GNC site,
back to menu ↑“This product contains Cascara Sagrada Bark. Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before use. Not intended for long term use. Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, under 18 years of age, or have a medical condition. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.”[3]
Super Cleanse Ingredients
Cascara Sagrada Powder (bark), Fennel powder (seed), Licorice powder, Ginger powder, Irish Moss powder, Slippery Elm powder (bark), Barberry powder, Cayenne Powder, Chlorella powder, Marshmallow powder, Red Raspberry powder leaf, Triphala powder, Belleric Myrobalan powder, and Chebulic Myrobalan powder. [2]
back to menu ↑The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Super Cleanse
It is no secret that everyone loves to cleanse and detox their body a few times per year to feel healthier overall. Is this specific blend safe to use? Will you feel okay after taking it? Also, what is the actual science behind why they claim it works for making you feel better overall?
I will dive into a few key points below answering these questions so that you can make an informed decision for yourself on whether or not you want to take this supplement. When they quote the cleanse will help flush out your lower abdominal tract, they are referring to the ingredient known as cascara sagrada bark.
When looking into what this ingredient actually is, there was quite the fuss about its safety once consumed, which is why the California Prop 65 warning was issued at the bottom of the website. So what exactly is this ingredient that has caused some eyebrows to be raised? This ingredient is known as a stimulant laxative, which in turn helps progress bowel movements. It was, however, cautioned by the FDA as an unsafe ingredient back in 2002, which keeps people cautioned to this day when taking it.
The FDA quotes,
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule stating that the stimulant laxative ingredients aloe (including aloe extract and aloe flower extract) and cascara sagrada (including casanthranol, cascara fluidextract aromatic, cascara sagrada bark, cascara sagrada extract, and cascara sagrada fluidextract) in over-the-counter (OTC) drug products are not generally recognized as safe and effective or are misbranded. This final rule is part of FDA’s ongoing OTC drug product review.” [4]
This specific ingredient can cause abdominal cramping and fluctuation in electrolytes. It is not advised for pregnant women or children at all, so always clear it with your doctor before taking it. It is also not recommended for people who have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. If you have appendicitis, kidney disease, blocked intestines, or even stomach pain for unknown reasons, it is strongly advised that you do not take any supplements with cascara sagrada bark in it. [5]
What about some of the other ingredients used in this formula?
When looking into the nutritional properties of fennel powder, it was clear that this ingredient is meant for aiding with flatulence and indigestion, as well as colic and digestive distress in babies. There is nothing harmful about this specific ingredient, and it is used medicinally, as well as in the kitchen for culinary purposes. [6] Another notable ingredient is slippery elm powder, and its main use is for soothing the intestines if they become inflamed. [7]
Lastly, another notable ingredient that has been studied and looked into quite extensively is called barberry powder. This powder is best known to help with a variety of bodily functions.
According to Wellness Mama,
“Barberry is noted in folk medicine as a cure for nearly every gastrointestinal ailment, lymphatics, urinary tract, and respiratory infection. It has been used as a bitter tonic and antipyretic. Berberine, the primary alkaloid, is a potent antibiotic, astringent and anti-fungal.” [8]
This ingredient can either be found straight in capsules or in powder form and added to supplements like the Super Cleanse at GNC. It’s effectiveness and production has been only positive with no real negative side effects tied to it.
Overall, I would not refer to the Super Cleanse diet as a “diet” because it is more or less just a cleanse with no other supplementation or eating plan included. There is one questionable laxative, which happens to be the main ingredient found in these tablets, which is somewhat concerning. The other ingredients, however, have been said to help soothe and relieve the gastrointestinal functions in the body. So what did actual customers have to say about this cleanse, and how they felt while taking it? Take a look below to find out more.
back to menu ↑Word On The Street About Super Cleanse
When looking into Super Cleanse reviews, it was apparent that this product is not for everyone. Some suffered headaches, and the urge to go to the bathroom much more than they wanted. Others liked it and felt okay on it, but there were definite negative experiences involved when taking this supplement.
NMC (2016, 4 star),
Sherry (2015, 2 star),
The Bottom Line: Is Super Cleanse Worth A Try?
Risky. There is not enough evidence to prove that this supplement is going to come without side effects, or even work at all when all is said and done. The risky part is the cascara sagrada that is found in the supplement, as it was not even deemed safe by the FDA back in 2002. A lot of unhealthy supplements still are passed through, but the thought that this was flagged worries me. The customer reviews were rather shaky as well, which holds a lot of weight at the end of the day. However, there are some ingredients proven to help cleanse the digestive tract such as barberry and fennel seed, so there are some positives there. Taking this supplement is not too risky financially, but more in the side effects and effectiveness of this supplement.
I am here to tell you that this product that I’ve been taking for seven years relieved me of my impaction and IBS I I started taking it as directed and I kept increasing it I experimented with it and I went up to 10 pills a day and when I became once a day of movement I slowly decreased it to five pills a day and for the last five years I have taken it without any side effects five pills a day and I am regular with no bloating no gas I take it at night before I go to bed and at 8 AM I have my movement and I swear by it before this I was in the hospital twice a year removing impaction and suffered from diarrhea from the drugs that they gave me for three years prior to taking this and I would not change a thing I am not an advertiser I am not a owner I am a consumer it may not work for everyone that I suffered before I I started this product which my daughter gave me and I was skeptical but if I had to give this up I would be miserable