The statement on Gwyneth Paltrow's website announcing her split from Chris Martin was headlined "Conscious uncoupling" and included a 2,000-word essay explaining the concept which revolves around identifying "a negative internal object that needed healing".

It is not the first time visitors to the Hollywood star's website - called Goop - have been left scratching their heads at its mixture of diet tips and celebrity New Age lifestyle advice.

The site, which is split into different subject areas headlined Make, Go, Get, Do, Be and See, was set up by Paltrow in 2008 to "share all of life's positives" and "nourish the inner aspect".

Typical entries include a review of a book by a Buddhist monk praised for its "ability to demystify mindfulness" and detox recipes which recommend starting the day with a glass of "room-temperature lemon water".

She also uses the website to keep fans up to date with the latest twists of her celebrity lifestyle, whether recommending a brand of "non-toxic" nappies made by fellow star Jessica Alba or discussing her depression following the birth of her son, Moses, in 2006.

The site has been much mocked by critics with one website even compiling a top 10 "most absurd products" advertised on it which included a silk "peasant" dress costing hundreds of pounds.

Paltrow admitted she considered pulling the plug on the site, but told Harper's Bazaar UK she had changed her mind, saying: "There were a couple of times when I thought 'I'm just gonna stop doing it. People are so mean to me. I don't want to do it.'

"But then I was like 'Who cares what some lame person out there says?' I was in Italy once, and this old man came up to me and said 'I had the best time in Nashville because of Goop.' And that is so worth it to me."