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RESULTS
The study found varying levels of
improvement in the 20 measures of hair and skin condition that were
rated. We also found improvements in the 22 aspects of mental, physical,
and energy functioning rated by participants.
At the end of the six-month program, participants scored each outcome
measure listed on our questionnaire as worse, unchanged, slightly
improved, improved, or much improved. To simplify the presentation
of data in this article, we have combined the three levels of improved
condition—slightly improved, improved, and much improved—into
one category in most of the charts included here (except Figure
1). What follows is a detailed look at the study results.
Hair and Skin Results
In Figure 1, we break down participants'
ratings in eight of the 20 measures of hair, skin, and nail status
into the five levels presented in our rating scale: worse, unchanged,
slightly improved, improved, and much improved. As shown in the
chart, participants' ratings tended to cluster in the "slightly
improved" and "improved" categories.
Figure 1: Breakdown
of Degree of Change Assessed in Eight Sample Hair and Skin Measures
(78KB .pdf)
Figure 2 shows the percentages of participants who experienced change
in the nine measures of hair status we listed. (As noted, the three
levels of improvement listed in our questionnaire have been combined
into one "improved" category in Figure 2 and all those
that follow.) The two most frequently improved hair measures were
thinning of hair (69.8% of participants) and hair texture (66.9%).
More than half of participants also scored improvements in luster
of hair (65.4%), balding (61.0%), graying of hair (58.3%), hair
loss per day/week (57.3%), and darkening of hair color (52.6%).
Participants who scored "no change" in the nine hair measures
ranged from 23.5% (thinning of hair) to 54.9% (eyebrows). Some participants
rated three of the hair-status measures as "worse": thinning
of hair (6.7%), hair loss per day/week (2.6%), and balding (2.0%).
Figure 2. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Hair Condition (75KB
.pdf)
Figure 3 shows the level of improvement in the seven measures of
facial skin that we asked participants to rate. The two measures
improved most often were skin texture (86.7%) and skin tone (81.2%).
Also improved were acne when present upon entry (65.4%), wrinkles
(63.0%), blemishes (61.4%), and eyelids (37.4%).
Figure 3. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Facial Skin Condition (63KB
.pdf)
Figure 4 shows the improvements found in four measures of body skin
and nail condition: fingernails (66.9%), body skin (60.8%), toenails
(59.9%), and neck skin (43.2%).
Figure 4. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Body Skin and Nails (69KB
.pdf)
Mental, Physical, and Energy Functioning
Results
Participants' ratings documented
a high frequency of improvement in mental capabilities and energy
status, along with positive changes in many aspects of physical
functioning.
Figure 5 shows that 91.5 % of participants rated their overall energy
status as improved. There were improvements across the board in
eight specific measures of energy functioning, including consistency
of energy (90.8%), exercise endurance (88.6%), mood (86.2%), afternoon
energy (83.3%), evening energy (81.9%), morning energy (81.8%),
episodic changes (75.6%), and rest periods needed (67.7%).
Figure 5. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Energy Function
(63KB .pdf)
Figure 6 displays results in the physical functioning category.
Of the eight outcome measures we specified in this area, the three
that were improved most frequently were overall immune resistance
(86.5%), a variety of other physical functions (78.1%), and sleep
(67.0%). Also improved were overall joint function (66.7%), sugar
reactions (65.2%), overall allergy condition (58.1%), pain (51.4%),
and headaches (36.3%).
Figure 6. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Physical Function (62KB
.pdf)
As detailed in Figure 7, overall mental function was improved in
82.9% of participants. In the four specific measures of mental functioning
that we listed, more than three-fourths said their memory (78.9%),
attention span (76.5%), and clarity of thought (76.3%) had improved.
Frequency of brain fog was improved in 64.2% of participants who
were experiencing this problem upon entry to the program.
Figure 7. Participants'
Assessment of Change in Mental Function (61KB
.pdf)
Results by Gender and Age
Men and women had similar positive
outcomes in our measures of hair, skin, and bodily functioning,
as did participants in two age subsets: below age 55, and age 55
and older.
As shown in Figure 8, we compared mean scores for the two age subsets
in our 20 measures of hair and skin condition. We found that participants
under age 55 did significantly better (p value of .05 or less) than
older participants in six of the 20 measures (acne, blemishes, skin
tone, other skin change, body skin, and toenails). However, there
was no significant difference in the age-related mean scores for
the other 14 hair and skin measures. The younger participants also
did significantly better in five of 22 measures of mental, physical,
and energy functioning.
Figure 8. Differences
in Assessment of Results by Age Group – Hair and Skin
(38KB .pdf)
Similarly, Figure 9 shows a comparison of results for male and female
participants. The mean scores of women were significantly better
than men's in six of 20 hair and skin measures (balding, thinning
of hair, other hair color change, texture of hair, hair loss per
day/week, and neck skin). But there were no significant differences
between women and men in the other 16 measures of hair and skin.
Women also did better than men in six of 22 measures of mental,
physical, and energy functioning.
Figure 9. Differences
in Assessment of Results by Gender — Hair and Skin (38KB
.pdf)
DISCUSSION
We believe that a multifactorial
approach to lifestyle change is crucial to ameliorating damage to
hair and skin. We also realize that a comprehensive approach requires
substantial discipline and a willingness to surrender some unhealthy
comforts. Hence, the need for more time and input in the self-empowerment
component of the protocol.
The feedback we received is that the better people felt about themselves,
the easier it was to sustain these rather severe lifestyle and behavioral
changes. We also questioned more than 100 people who left the study
early on, and they overwhelmingly complained that they did not have
the discipline, self-confidence, or personal support system to see
this program through. Therefore, our recommendation would be to
work intensively for the first three months on improving self-esteem,
gaining confidence, overcoming fear, and developing strength of
character while educating people on the kind of lifestyle changes
required by this intervention.
The final point to be made is that we have kept in contact with
most of the people who completed the study. We have been encouraged
to find that most are continuing with the protocols and seeing more
improvements in all areas, although we have not measured those additional
results. Despite the psychological hurdles to significant lifestyle
changes, our findings suggest that the program's protocols are safe,
nontoxic interventions that improve hair and skin status and overall
wellness at far less cost than the treatments preferred by conventional
medicine, including pharmaceuticals, plastic surgery, and other
types of surgery.
Indeed, the greatest expense associated with this program was the
cost of organic vegetarian foods for those who were able to obtain
organic items. Generally, organic produce may cost 25% to 150% more
than the same conventional items, depending on factors such as the
specific food, the season, and the geographical area.53
(On the other hand, participants could save money by eliminating
meat and junk food from the diet.) Participants also purchased certain
appliances and environmental filters. Sample costs include: juicing
machine ($180 to $360), water filter ($130 to $500), fluoride filter
where needed ($70 to $100), chlorine shower filter ($40 to $65),
and HEPA-grade air purifier ($180 to $500). Finally, some participants
joined health clubs as well (national median monthly cost of membership
for 2004: $5554; $60 to $100 per month in New York City). However,
these expenses are minor compared with the cost of medications and
health care treatments that may be needed by people who make unhealthy
lifestyle choices.
On an individual level, the study has enormous implications for
people who are not afraid to choose a more vigorous change in lifestyle
and enjoy a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life. Extrapolating from
this data would suggest that a wellness protocol could improve one's
health or prevent diseases that we as a nation are ill-prepared
to deal with constructively.
On a broader level, the findings suggest that a wellness model would
be an invaluable addition to the preventive health care system in
America. We are currently spending $2.2 trillion on disease but
little to nothing on authentic prevention. We have a health care
crisis in America. Health benefits for sick workers are a major
cost to US corporations, and more than 47 million Americans have
no or little health insurance. Patients who are self-empowered,
as were the participants in this study, do not have to wait until
there is a breakdown in bodily functioning to finally address their
health. They can take greater responsibility for their well-being
and help prevent such breakdowns from occurring.
Clearly we need a shift in perspective, and this study helps provide
that. It is the first lifestyle intervention we know of that has
studied the combined effects of the six lifestyle factors included
in our program: nutrition, exercise, supplementation, stress management,
behavioral change, and personal environment. We hope it will be
used as the new standard for a comprehensive, high-quality health
care intervention.
There were no financial sponsors of the
"Hair and Skin Study." All of the lecturers, instructors,
and medical supervisors donated their expertise at no cost.
Gary Null, PhD
2307 Broadway
New York, New York 10024 USA
Martin Feldman, MD
132 East 76th Street
New York, New York 10021 USA
e-mail: precisemd@aol.com
Gary Null, PhD, has authored more than 60 books on health and nutrition
and numerous articles published in research journals. He is Adjunct
Professor, Graduate Studies, Public Health Curriculum, at Fairleigh
Dickenson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Null holds a PhD in
human nutrition and public health science from the Union Graduate
School.
Martin Feldman, MD, practices complementary
medicine. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at
the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
"Hair and Skin Study"
Literature Citations on the Components of the Intervention
NUTRITION
The "Hair and Skin Study"
featured a primarily vegetarian diet. Fish was permitted as an optional
food item because of its health benefits. Although studies on the
benefits of nutrition have not focused on hair and skin, the literature
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and physiology.
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