I'm doing a research project on detox foot patches. How can I measure those toxins through experimentation?

Question

I will be doing a study on how detox patches extract toxins from the body that can lead to various chronic illnesses. The object of this study is to see whether or not natural detoxification by means of these patches can actually improve one's overall health and vitality. Since I'm a college student at a small college so there are some limitations for use of equipment and technology. If anybody knows of an easier/effective way to collect data, I'd really like to know. Thanks.

Answer 1

the patches darken when exposed to air ..itsa gimic

Answer 2

No need to repeat this testing. Recently I watched, I believe Dateline NBC, and they did just that. They had volunteers wear the pads. They then took the used pads and submitted them to a lab for an assay. The results showed nothing but a trace amount of lead that they attributed to the dust on the floor of the homes where the pads were worn. They are indeed a total joke, scam and are making the scam artists a lot of money.

Answer 3

You would have to start by defining what 'toxins' are.

This is the problem I have with detox. What exactly are they supposed to be getting rid of? But, I am not against research, if its done well, and is unbiased.

Also you would have to have control patches, to rule out the placebo effect.

Then you yourself and all other researchers on the project would have to be blinded to what patches they have, to minimize bias.

There are some established questionnaires that you could use to define "well being". Although they are not ideal, they are cheap, and all we have. I'd look into that.

Answer 4

The patches are a scam, just as Judy says.  Don't waste your time or money.