Effects of Single Ionic Foot Bath on Urinary pH in Health College Aged Individuals
Department
Applied Health Sciences
Advisor
Seth Paradis
Document Type
Event
Version
Metadata Only
Abstract
PURPOSE: Ionic foot baths have become a common modality to detoxify clients in a clinical setting. A reported benefit of this practice is an increase in urinary pH, which helps neutralize acid in the bloodstream. Normative physiological pH is between 7.35-7.45, due to environmental stressors, most people operate under pH homeostasis. Undergoing an ionic foot bath can stabilize the urinary pH to dynamic equilibrium. However, there is limited evidence to support this practice. This study examined the effects of a single-session ionic foot on urinary pH in a healthy population. METHODS: 17 males and 12 females took part in this study with a mean age of 21.4 ± 0.903. Prior to participation, subjects self-monitored their sleep ensuring they got at least 7 hours a night, 2 nights before their scheduled appointment. Water intake was also monitored with men drinking at least 70% of 250 oz. and women drinking at least 70% of 182 oz. within 48 hours of appointment. Both sleep and water intake were confirmed via google spreadsheets and verbally confirmed. After informed consent was obtained, researchers collected initial urinary samples and tested pH before conducting a 35-minute ionic foot bath, immediately followed by the second urine sample and pH test. Each foot bath contained 2 tbsp of himalayan pink salt and was operated between 1.70-2.00 amps. During the footbath, participants were not allowed to be in contact with any metal objects in order to keep the microcurrent consistent. RESULTS: SPSS V28 was used to run a paired sample t-test. No statistical significance was found (p<0.001) between pre- and post- test urinary pH levels (p=0.489). The mean pH value pre-footbath was 6.667 ± 0.4011 while the mean post-footbath pH was 6.633 ± 0.2916. CONCLUSION: The results show a single 35 minute ionic foot bath does not affect urinary pH on healthy college aged individuals. Stable pH levels through homeostasis are typical in healthy individuals, eliminating the need for fluctuation of pH. However, in diseased populations such as cancer, where cellular repair is vital, cellular alkalization is required. An ionic foot bath is not beneficial in healthy populations, but it may be useful in diseased populations as mentioned above.
Recommended Citation
Fraser, Drakee; Kidder, Joseph; and Paradis, Seth, "Effects of Single Ionic Foot Bath on Urinary pH in Health College Aged Individuals" (2024). Science Symposium. 5.
https://spark.bethel.edu/science_symposium/spring2024/schedule2024/5
Effects of Single Ionic Foot Bath on Urinary pH in Health College Aged Individuals
PURPOSE: Ionic foot baths have become a common modality to detoxify clients in a clinical setting. A reported benefit of this practice is an increase in urinary pH, which helps neutralize acid in the bloodstream. Normative physiological pH is between 7.35-7.45, due to environmental stressors, most people operate under pH homeostasis. Undergoing an ionic foot bath can stabilize the urinary pH to dynamic equilibrium. However, there is limited evidence to support this practice. This study examined the effects of a single-session ionic foot on urinary pH in a healthy population. METHODS: 17 males and 12 females took part in this study with a mean age of 21.4 ± 0.903. Prior to participation, subjects self-monitored their sleep ensuring they got at least 7 hours a night, 2 nights before their scheduled appointment. Water intake was also monitored with men drinking at least 70% of 250 oz. and women drinking at least 70% of 182 oz. within 48 hours of appointment. Both sleep and water intake were confirmed via google spreadsheets and verbally confirmed. After informed consent was obtained, researchers collected initial urinary samples and tested pH before conducting a 35-minute ionic foot bath, immediately followed by the second urine sample and pH test. Each foot bath contained 2 tbsp of himalayan pink salt and was operated between 1.70-2.00 amps. During the footbath, participants were not allowed to be in contact with any metal objects in order to keep the microcurrent consistent. RESULTS: SPSS V28 was used to run a paired sample t-test. No statistical significance was found (p<0.001) between pre- and post- test urinary pH levels (p=0.489). The mean pH value pre-footbath was 6.667 ± 0.4011 while the mean post-footbath pH was 6.633 ± 0.2916. CONCLUSION: The results show a single 35 minute ionic foot bath does not affect urinary pH on healthy college aged individuals. Stable pH levels through homeostasis are typical in healthy individuals, eliminating the need for fluctuation of pH. However, in diseased populations such as cancer, where cellular repair is vital, cellular alkalization is required. An ionic foot bath is not beneficial in healthy populations, but it may be useful in diseased populations as mentioned above.