Many advertisements for ionic foot baths and foot detox pads claim dramatic reductions in metal and organic toxins, although most do not validate their claims, with any test results.
Some detox foot pad manufacturers publicize graphs, indicating dramatic reductions in hair mineral concentrations of toxic metals, including mercury, lead and cadmium. Florida Detox and Wellness Institute performed before and after hair mineral testing on someone who used 30 bamboo vinegar detox footpads, in 3 months. Hair aluminum decreased about 50 percent, while more toxic mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and arsenic all increased about 100 percent.
One ionic foot bath manufacturer appears to have performed extensive red blood cell mineral testing revealing significant decreases in aluminum and arsenic levels. I do not have experience with this device or any financial connection to this company, but was impressed with the thoroughness of testing they appear to have performed. The Metametrix Laboratory is a legitimate clinical laboratory.
Steven Sponaugle, Research Director, Florida Detox and Wellness Institute
www.floridadetox.com
http://www.ahrfoundation.org/dlfiles/study_results.pdf
ABSTRACT
Ionic footbaths are currently being used as a way to assist the body in eliminating harmful substances such as heavy metals. The currentstudy examined whether whole blood levels of heavy metals declined in individuals receiving ionic foot bath sessions in conjunction with
meditation and nutritional supplementation. A non-experimental design with no control group was used. Thirty-one participants received ionicfootbaths twice a week for twelve weeks. Whole blood samples were taken prior to starting the sessions and after the twelve week program.
During each ionic footbath session, the participants were instructed to meditate. After each ionic footbath, the participants were instructed to take one ounce of intraMAX™. Whole blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma/mass spectroscopy to test for levels of
aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Levels of aluminum and arsenic declined over the study period. EMPHASIS ADDED
BACKGROUND
Ionic footbaths are one of a growing number of alternative health care products available to consumers through chiropractors and spas.
Manufacturers of ionic footbaths believe that footbaths assist the body’s natural ability to purge itself of toxins that accumulate in the body over time and potentially diminish the health of the individual. One of the most commercially successful ionic footbaths is the IonCleanse®
which is manufactured and distributed by A Major Difference, Inc.
This report examines whether long term use of ionic footbaths, IonCleanse®, along with meditation, and nutritional supplementation, is associated with the release of different toxins from the body. It is hoped that findings from these studies will help practitioners and their
customers better understand the potential benefits of assisting the body’s natural detoxification process with the Ioncleanse®.
This report focused on five metals humans are commonly exposed to: aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The current study examined levels of each heavy metal in the whole blood of the people participating in the study. Heavy metal levels were measured before and after the 12 week program to observe any changes in blood levels of those heavy metals.
The five metals studied here are present in the normal environment of all humans, but pose some health risks with acute exposure to high dosages or when too much of the metal accumulates in the body. Information about how humans are exposed to these metals and what is known about their potential impact on health is provided in the next sections. We then describe the research methodology and findings from the current study.
METHODS
Participants
Participants included 31 adults recruited in Colorado (CO) and North Carolina (NC). They ranged in age from 21 to 77 years, with a mean age of 45.4 years. The majority of participants were from Colorado (see Table 1). A variety of methods were used to recruit participants.
• Metal workers at the CO plant that produces components of the IonCleanse® were invited to participate (n =
• People attending an alternative health clinic in North Carolina for other reasons were invited to participate (n =
• Referrals from current IonCleanse® users in CO (n = 15)
Beyond the free IonCleanse® sessions and free supplementation, participants were not compensated for their participation.
Ionic Foot Bath Session
Participants received two ionic footbaths per week for a total of six months, although this study only details results from the first twelve weeks. The IonCleanse® footbath manufactured by A Major Difference, Inc was used for the study. Participants were instructed to relax and
meditate during the ionic foot bath session. There was a minimum of 48 hours between each foot bath session. If participants missed a session, they could reschedule it within the same week as long as there was still a 48 hour lapse between successive sessions. Participants in North Carolina received the sessions at an alternative health clinic. Participants in Colorado received the sessions at the Integrated Health and Energy Center which is a natural health clinic.
Following each session with the IonCleanse®, participants were asked to drink a minimum of eight 8 oz glasses of water within the next 24 hours. They also replaced electrolytes with a 1 oz Intra Max mineral drink.
Blood Analysis
Participants visited a Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) patient service center where blood was drawn using sterile techniques and stored in the royal blue top tube containing a sodium heparin preparation (Metametrix, 2008a). Whole blood samples were sent by LabCorp to Metametrix laboratories which analyzed the samples using inductively coupled plasma/mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). ICP-MS is a desirable method for analyzing trace elements because of its fast analysis and because of its accuracy and very low detection limits (Worley & Kvech, n.d.). The technology enables the measurement of some elements at the parts per trillion (ppt) level. For example, the threshold for measuring arsenic and lead are 400 – 500 ppt and 50 – 100 ppt respectively.
Metametrix reported outcomes in parts per billion (ppb) and all data presented in this report use that scale. All trace elements were measured in whole blood which according to Metametrix should be interpreted to indicate recent or increased exposure to the tested elements (Metametrix, 2008b).
Questionnaire
All participants completed a background questionnaire developed by The Alternative Health Research Foundation that included questions about age, sex, occupation, common health complaints (e.g., nausea, headaches, and fatigue), cigarette use, potential occupational
exposure and major health problems.
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Limitations
In the current study, all heavy metals were measured in whole blood. There are a variety of mediums for measuring heavy metal exposure in humans. For example, blood, hair, and urine have all been used to assess levels of exposure (ATSDR, 1999a; ATSDR, 2007a). There is no
single medium that is recommended for measuring all heavy metal exposure. In other words, while blood might be the recommended medium for measuring one heavy metal, it is not recommended for measuring all heavy metals due to factors such as the half life of the specific heavy metal in blood (ATSDR, 2007a). According to Metametrix, the laboratory that conducted the analyses, “whole blood generally reflects increased or recent exposure to toxic elements” (Metametrix, 2008b).
When reading this research report, one should keep in mind that a non-experimental design with no control group was utilized. As a result,
no causal conclusions can be drawn. Rather, all that can be concluded is that following IonCleanse® sessions levels of each substance
measured in whole blood did or did not change. Any observed changes could be due to the IonCleanse® session or could be due to some
other factor that was not measured or controlled in this study.
QUESTIONNAIRE DATA
Thirty-one people participated in the study at Colorado or North Carolina sites. General background information on the sample is reported in Tables 1 through 3 below. Prior to initiating session with the IonCleanse®, participants reported a variety of common health complaints. The
most frequently reported health complaints in the sample were joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and allergies.
Table 1. Participant Sex and State of Residence
N %
Sex
Male 15 48.4
Female 16 51.6
Site
CO 23 74.2
NC 8 25.8
Joint pain and tremors were related to blood levels of cadmium and mercury respectively. EMPHASIS ADDED Specifically, people with cadmium levels above the
median for the sample prior to starting the IonCleanse® sessions reported significantly more frequent joint pain than people with levels below
the median, F(1, 29) = 4.3, p < .05. People with mercury levels above the median for the sample prior to starting the IonCleanse® sessions
were significantly more likely to report experiencing tremors than people with levels below the median, X2(1, 31) = 7.1, p < .01.
A dose reponse relationship between tremors and level of accumulated mercury has been previously reported in the literature (Auger, Kofman,
Kosatsky, & Armstrong,2005).
Table 2. Frequency of Self Reported Health Symptoms
Symptom Never /
Rarely
Sometimes Almost Always
/ Always
Symptom Never /
Rarely
Sometimes Almost Always
/ Always
Nausea 83.9 16.1 0.0 Irritable 64.5 25.8 9.7
Diarrhea 74.2 22.6 3.2 Loss of Appetite 87.1 9.7 3.2
Edema* 80.6 12.9 3.2 Memory Loss 54.8 41.9 3.2
Joint Pain 32.3 48.4 19.4 Dehydrated 64.5 25.8 9.7
Respiratory Problems 83.9 16.1 0.0 Depressed 67.7 29.0 3.2
Constipated 67.7 25.8 6.5 Metallic Tastes 80.6 19.4 0.0
Trouble Sleeping 45.2 29.0 25.8 Itchy Skin 71.0 29.0 0.0
Headaches/Migraines 54.8 35.5 9.7 Nervous/ Anxious 54.8 38.7 6.5
Fatigue 35.5 48.4 16.1 Tremors 87.1 9.7 3.2
Allergies 45.2 35.5 19.4
*3.2% of responses were missing
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Table 3. Self Reported Lifestyle Risk, Healthy Eating, and Health Risks
N %
Lifestyle/Career Risks
Smoke Cigarettes 5 16.1
Work with Metals 10 32.3
Work with Plastics 10 32.3
Work with Chemicals 7 22.6
Healthy Eating
Eat Organic Food 12 38.7
Drink Filtered Water 26 83.9
Health
Have a Pace Maker 0 0.0
Have a Transplanted Organ 0 0.0
Pregnant or Nursing 0 0.0
ANALYSIS
Before any analyses were conducted, all data were examined to ensure the data met the assumptions of the statistical tests that would be used. When working with small samples, these assumptions are often violated and other methods of statistical analysis must be used. In the
current dataset, there were distributional problems. To account for these, the aluminum, arsenic, lead, and mercury data were log transformed and the log transformed variables were used in all analyses. The distributions of the cadmium data could not be corrected, so non-parametric tests were used to test for significance. Raw data are presented in tables for ease of interpretation.
The goal of the statistical analyses was to determine whether levels of heavy metals measured in whole blood changed from the pre to the post-test. Pre-test samples were taken prior to initiating IonCleanse® sessions. Post-test samples were taken after the individuals received
two IonCleanse® sessions per week for 12 weeks.
Aluminum Findings
Prior to starting session, aluminum measured in whole blood varied as a function of sex, F(1, 27) = 7.3, p < .01, and state of residence, F(1,27) = 5.9, p < .02. Specifically, men had significantly higher aluminum levels than women (raw values: 93.0 vs. 67.4) and Colorado residents had significantly higher levels than North Carolina residents (raw values: 87.1 vs. 58.6). However, after 12 weeks of the IonCleanse® session there were no differences in measured levels of aluminum between these groups.
A paired-samples t-test examined whether aluminum levels measured in whole blood changed from the pre-test to the post-test. There was a significant change, t(30) = 6.0, p < .001, indicating that the level of aluminum in the whole blood samples was significantly lower after 12 weeks of session with the IonCleanse® than prior to starting the sessions. Follow-up tests indicated there was a significant change for men and women as well as residents of both states. However, the largest changes were observed in men and residents of Colorado.
Table 4. Mean (and Standard Deviation) Raw Data for Each Metal Measured at Pre and Post Test
Metal Data Mean SD Metal Data Mean SD
Aluminum Lead
Pre Test 79.8 29.6 Pre Test 13.7 6.4
Post Test 43.1 19.4 Post Test 13.2 5.9
Arsenic Mercury
Pre Test 4.6 2.3 Pre Test 1.8 1.4
Post Test 3.5 1.0 Post Test 1.8 1.2
Cadmium
Pre Test 0.5 0.3
Post Test 0.5 0.2
Arsenic Findings
Contrary to the aluminum data, there were no sex or state of residence differences in whole blood levels of arsenic detected in the pre or post-test data. A paired-samples t-test examined whether arsenic levels measured in whole blood changed from the pre-test to the post-test.
There was a significant effect, t(30) = 2.9, p < .01, indicating that the level of arsenic in the whole blood samples was significantly lower after 12 weeks of session with the IonCleanse® than prior to starting session.
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Cadmium Findings
Cadmium levels measured in whole blood did not differ as a function of sex or state of residence at the pre- or post-test. Cadmium levels were initially low and there was no significant change in measured levels of cadmium from the pre-test to the post-test.
Lead Findings
Lead levels measured in whole blood did not differ as a function of sex or state of residence at the pre or post test. A paired-samples t-test
found no significant difference in levels of lead prior to session compared to after session.
Mercury Findings
There was a significant main effect of sex, F(1, 27) = 8.3, p < .01, and a significant sex by state of residence interaction, F(1, 27) = 6.0, p <.02, on pretest levels of mercury. At the pretest, males had higher levels of mercury than females. However, that difference was primarily due
to participants from North Carolina. As can be seen in Table 5, pre-test mercury levels did not differ for males and females in Colorado, but males from North Carolina, had higher pre-test mercury levels than all other groups. These effects were no longer present at post-test.
Given the small sample size, this interaction should not be over interpreted.
A paired-samples t-test found no significant difference in levels of mercury prior to sessions compared to after sessions.
Table 5. Mean Levels of Mercury Showing the Main Effect of Sex and Sex by State of Residence Interaction at Pre-Test
Sex Pre Post Sex X State of Residence Pre Post
Male 2.2 2.0 Female CO 1.8 1.7
Female 1.5 1.6 Female NC 0.9 1.3
Male CO 1.8 1.8
Male NC 3.7 2.7
SUMMARY
Manufacturers of ionic footbaths argue that the devices, along with supplementation and relaxation, assist the body in its normative process of purging itself of toxins such as heavy metals. This research report demonstrates an association between changes in the levels heavy
metals present in whole blood and the use of ionic footbaths, specifically the IonCleanse®, in conjuction with mediation and a nutritional supplement.
The current research study utilized a pre-post design with no control group to examine the association between levels of Aluminum, Arsenic,
Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury measured in whole blood prior to initiating the sessions with the IonCleanse® and after 12 weeks of sessions.
A whole blood measure of these metals typically reflects recent exposure, making it a less than ideal medium for the current study. Future planned studies will utilize urinary or hair samples to track the release of toxins.
Significant differences were found for both Aluminum and Arsenic with measured levels declining from the pre-test to the post-test period.
The aluminum findings were complicated by the presence of main effects for sex and state of residence indicating that the initial levels of exposure were higher for males and for residents of Colorado. However, aluminum declined for both males and females as well as residents
of both states over the study time period.
Findings from this initial research study can be used as a building block for future studies to explore whether ionic foot bath sessions assist the body in its natural efforts to purge toxins from the system. This initial study was limited by the non-experimental design and the use of only whole blood assays for determining exposure. Future studies can be substantially improved by the addition of a control group and by using alternative or multiple measures of toxins.
GENERAL REFERENCES
Metametrix (2008a). Toxic metals whole blood kit instructions. Retrieved June 13, 2008 from
http://www.metametrix.com/DirectoryOfServices/pdf/pdf_kit_0026ToxicMetals-WholeBlood.pdf.
Metametrix (2008b). Toxic metals whole – whole blood. Retrieved June 13, 2008 from
http://www.metametrix.com/content/DirectoryOfServices/0026ToxicMetals-WholeBlood?overview.
Worley, J., & Kvech, S. (n.d.). ICP-MS. Retrieved June 13, 2008 from
http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/smprimer/icpms/icpms.htm.
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ALUMINUM REFERENCES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2006a, September). Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5. Division of Toxicology and
Environmental Medicine ToxFAQs. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May
2, 2008 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts22.pdf.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2006b). Toxicological report for aluminum (Draft)). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May 13, 2008 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp22.html
Blaurock-Busch, E. & Griffin, V. (1996). Mineral and Trace Element Analysis: Laboratory and Clinical Application. Boulder, CO: TMI/MTM
Books.
Hellstrom, H. O., Mjoberg, B., & Mallmin, H. (2005). The aluminum content of bone increases with age, but is not higher in hip fracture cases
with or without dementia compared to controls. Osteoporosis International, 16k 1982-1988.
McLachlan, D. R. C., Bergeron, C., Smith, J. E., Boomer, D., & Rifat, S. L. (1996). Risk for neuropathologically confirmed Alzheimer’s
disease and residual aluminum in municipal drinking water employing weighted residential histories. Neurology, 46, 401-405.
Meyer-Bacon, M., Schaper, M., Knapp, G., & van Thriel, C. (2007). Occupational aluminum exposure: Evidence in support of its
neurobehavioral impact. Neurotoxicology, 28, 1068-1078.
Petrela, J., de Magalhaes Camara, V., Kennedy, G., Bouyahi, B., & Zayed, J. (2001). Health effects of residential exposure to aluminum
plant air pollution. Archives of Environmental Health, 56, 456-460.
Sohler, A., Pfeiffer, C. C., & Papaioannou, R. (1981). Blood aluminum levels in a psychiatric outpatient population: High aluminum levels
related to memory loss. Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 10, 54-60.
ARSENIC REFERENCES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2007a). Toxicological report for arsenic (Update). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May 13, 2008 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp2.pdf.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2007b, August). Arsenic CAS # 7440-38-2. Division of Toxicology and Environmental
Medicine ToxFAQs. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts2.pdf.
Argos, M., Parvez, F., Chen, Y., Hussain, I., Momotaj, H., Howe, G. R., Graziano, J. H., & Ahsan, H. (2007). Socioeconomic status and risk
for arsenic-related skin lesions in Bangladesh. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 825-831.
Benbrahim-Tallaa, L., & Waalkes, M. P. (2008). Inorganic arsenic and human prostate cancer: Review. Environmental Health Perspectives,
116, 158-164.
Borak, J., & Hosgood, H. D. (2007). Seafood arsenic: Implications for human risk assessment. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 47,
204-212.
Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] (2008). Chromated copper arsenate. Retrieved June 12, 2008 from
http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/reregistration/cca/.
Lundstrom, N. G., Englyst, V., Gerhardsson, L., Jin, T., & Nordberg, G. (2006). Lung cancer development in primary smelter workers: A
nested case-referent study. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 48, 376-380.
Zartarian, V. G., Xue, J., Ozkaynak, H., Dang, W., Glen, G., Smith, L., & Stallings, C. (2006). A probabilistic arsenic exposure assessment for
children who contact CCA-treated playsets and decks, Part 1: Model methodology, variability results, and model evaluation. Risk
Analysis, 26, 515-531.
CADMIUM REFERENCES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1999a). Toxicological report for cadmium. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May 13, 2008 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp5.pdf.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1999b, June). Cadmium CAS # 7440-43-9. Division of Toxicology and Environmental
Medicine ToxFAQs. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts5.pdf.
Akesson, A., Bjellerup, P., Lundh, T., Lidfeldt, J., Nerbrand, C., Samsioe, G., Skerfving, S., & Vahter, M. (2006). Cadmium-induced effects on
bone in a population-based study of women. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, 830-834.
Akesson, A., Lundh, T., Vahter, M., Bjellerup, P., Lidfeldt, J., Nerbrand, C., Samsioe, G., Stromberg, U., & Skerfving, S. (2005). Tubular and
glomerular kidney effects in Swedish women with low environmental cadmium exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113,
1627-1631.
Barany, E., Bergdahl, I. A., Bratteby, L. E., Lundh, T., Samuelson, G., Skerfving, S., Oskarsson, A. (2005). Iron status influences trace
element levels in human blood and serum. Environmental Research, 98, 215-223.
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