Studies

Halo Protocol Studies

The most scientifically backed dietary and lifestyle protocols - Peer Reviewed Human Studies - The Highest Level of Medical Research!

“We have scientific evidence that it’s the quality of your diet that matters. Through diet, we can favorably support the detoxification process, oxidative stress levels and blood vessel health, and enhance weight loss. That’s an important public health message,”
​- Paul Arciero, Ph.D., FACSM, FTOS

Nutrition Journal study compared 2 days of intermittent nutritional fasting used in the HALO Protocol to 1 day of Intermittent nutritional fasting.

  • Participants following 2 days of Intermittent Fast Days (detox days) had 34% more weight loss than 1 day of detox.
  • Participants following the 2 days of detox lost 67% more in their waist circumference.
  • Both 2 days and 1 day of detox using the HALO protocol had a 2% increase in lean body mass.
  • Both groups saw a 17% reduction in cholesterol, a 12% drop in LDL-C (bad cholesterol), and a 15% reduction in triglycerides (blood fat).
  • There was an overall 44% reduction in hunger for both groups, with those completing 2 days of detox seeing a 40% greater reduction than the 1 day group

Comparison of 8 weeks of protein pacing with nutritional fasting used in the HALO protocol versus heart healthy Mediterranean-style diet on body composition and cardio-metabolic health outcomes (NO exercise). Groups were matched for total calorie intake and physical expenditure. The HALO protocol results in comparison to the Mediterranean Diet.

  • 80% greater weight loss with the HALO protocol
  • 78% greater fat loss with the HALO protocol
  • 136% greater visceral fat loss with the HALO protocol
  • 17-fold greater decrease in desire to eat with the HALO protocol
  • 100% increase in proportion of lean body mass with the HALO protocol
  • 91% reduction in sugar intake with the HALO protocol
  • 6-fold increase in dietary fiber with the HALO protocol

Comparison of 8 weeks of protein pacing with nutritional fasting used in the HALO Protocol versus the heart-healthy Mediterranean-style )diet on gut microbiome health outcomes. Both groups were matched for total calorie intake and physical expenditure.

  • 80% greater total and visceral fat loss in the HALO protocol versus the Mediterranean Diet
  • 25% greater gut microbial diversity in the HALO protocol than the Mediterranean Diet
  • 55% reduction in GI symptoms with the HALO protocol versus the Mediterranean Diet
  • The HALO protocol featured a participant with a 105 lbs. weight loss in 120 days, who maintained the loss for 1 year, significantly remodeled his gut microbiome in a healthier way, and maintained the same gut microbiome a year later.

The comparison of intermittent fasting with protein pacing (IF-P) protocols, specifically IF1-P and IF2-P, yielded several notable results in body composition and metabolic outcomes. Both groups experienced significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, and visceral adiposity, though the degree of fat reduction was more pronounced in the IF2-P group, which involved two fasting days per week.

  • Weight Loss: The IF2-P group demonstrated approximately 80% greater total weight loss compared to IF1-P.
  • Fat Loss: Participants in the IF2-P protocol achieved 78% greater total fat reduction.
  • Visceral Fat Loss: The reduction in visceral fat was 136% higher in the IF2-P group, illustrating its superior effectiveness in targeting abdominal fat stores.
  • Desire to Eat: There was a 17-fold greater decrease in hunger and desire to eat in the IF2-P group.
  • Lean Body Mass: The proportion of lean body mass increased by 100% more in the IF2-P group compared to IF1-P.
  • Sugar Intake: Sugar consumption dropped by 91% in the IF2-P group.
  • Dietary Fiber Intake: There was a six-fold increase in dietary fiber intake in the IF2-P group.

The increase in fiber and reduction in sugar in both groups reflect improved food quality choices, within the calorie-matched diets. While both groups showed healthier eating patterns, the IF2-P group saw greater benefits, likely due to the extra fasting day.

*New - Verified - Traditional Ver.

Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women.

The findings show that the strategies used in the HALO Protocol:

  • Displayed greater adherence to the program
  • 56% greater reduction in average weight loss
  • 47% greater reduction in average body fat loss
  • 2x as much visceral fat loss
  • Had a more pronounced lowering of lipid indicators of cardiovascular risk.
  • These beneficial modulations in cardiovascular risk can be mediated by reductions in visceral fat mass

"The novel findings from this study may very well revolutionize how we prescribe weight-loss diets moving forward because of the increase in proportion of lean muscle and drastic reductions in abdominal and visceral fat mass during initial weight loss and the ability to maintain these favorable changes over the long term.”

​- Paul Arciero, Ph.D., FACSM, FTOS

Skidmore College Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance Study

“These were very impressive findings and clearly established our protein-pacing and intermittent fasting diet regimen as an effective short- and long-term strategy to promote healthy body weight, abdominal and visceral fat mass loss as well as enhanced metabolism and cardiovascular health compared to other commonly prescribed diets.” 
​- Paul Arciero, Ph.D., FACSM, FTOS

“As an active nutrition and exercise science researcher for over 30 years, these were very impressive findings and clearly established our protein-pacing [Shake Days] and intermittent fasting diet regimen [Cleanse Days] as an effective short- and long-term strategy to promote healthy body weight, abdominal and visceral fat mass loss as well as enhanced metabolism and cardiovascular health compared to other commonly prescribed diets,"
​- Paul Arciero, Ph.D., FACSM, FTOS

During Phase 2 participants were separated into 2 groups:

  • Group 1: Continued on strategies used in the HALO Protocol maintenance system, by replacing two meals per day with IsaLean Shake or IsaLean Bars, eating a normal diet without food restrictions, and performing 1-2 Cleanse Days per month.
  • Group 2: Transitioned to a dietitian-counseled diet that emphasized eating whole foods, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables in line with American Heart Association recommendations for being “heart healthy.”

Results: A Third of Visceral Fat Lost, Lean Mass Gained, Better Arterial Health, and Enhanced Metabolism.

Key findings after 12 weeks (phase 1) of following strategies used in the HALO Protocol (for all 3 data sets):

  • Men and women lost weight equally (10% reduction in total body weight)
  • 20% reduction in fat mass
  • 9% increase in lean body weight percentage
  • Cardiovascular health markers significantly improved (11% improvement in arterial flexibility.)
  • 33% increase in total PCBs released from fat stores
  • 25% decrease in oxidative stress
  • 5% increase in total antioxidant capacity

Key findings after 52 weeks (phase 2) comparing weight maintenance with The HALO Protocol vs. a heart-healthy diet (for all 3 data sets):

  • The HALO protocol group maintained weight loss and continued to lose body fat and abdominal fat (6% lower body weight & 10% lower amount of total body fat)
  • The HALO protocol group continued to increase lean body mass percentage (5% greater)
  • The HALO protocol group maintained improved cardiovascular health markers
  • The heart-healthy group returned to baseline (original state) or trended toward baseline for all markers despite their lower average calorie intake
  • The ease of use and flexibility of the HALO protocol contributed to long-term compliance and success
  • 20% greater decrease in PCB release in the heart-healthy group compared to the HALO protocol group

*New - NV- Traditional Ver.

Comparison of High-Protein, Intermittent Fasting Low-Calorie Diet and Heart Healthy Diet for Vascular Health of the Obese

*New - NV - Traditional Ver.

Protein-Pacing Caloric-Restriction Enhances Body Composition Similarly in Obese Men and Women during Weight Loss and Sustains Efficacy during Long-Term Weight Maintenance.

*New - NV Gen - Traditional Ver.

Serum Polychlorinated Biphenyls Increase and Oxidative Stress Decreases with a Protein-Pacing Caloric Restriction Diet in Obese Men and Women

A 12-week protein-pacing calorie-restricted (P-CR) diet effectively reduced weight, improved redox balance, and increased blood PCB levels equally in obese men and women. A 52-week modified P-CR plan prevented weight regain without harmful effects like oxidative stress or abnormal blood results. This approach, with proper monitoring and guidance, is a safe and effective strategy for weight loss, improving redox status, and mobilizing PCBs.

  • Participants achieved an average weight loss of 10% from their initial body weight during the intervention
  • The study found a positive correlation (r = 0.65) between the percentage of weight loss and the increase in serum PCB levels, indicating that greater weight loss was associated with higher PCB mobilization.
  • Participants following the P-CR diet experienced a significant increase in serum PCB levels, with a mean rise of 4.2% over the study period.
  • The P-CR diet led to a notable decrease in oxidative stress markers, including a 15% reduction in plasma oxidized LDL and a 20% decrease in urinary F2-isoprostanes.

Comparison Studies

The comparison between studies on the strategies used in the HALO Protocol, published in the Nutrition Journal, Obesity Journal, and Nature Communications, compared to the meta-analysis from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the New England Journal of Medicine, looking at around 48 randomized trials (studies) on well-known diets, highlights significant differences in outcomes regarding weight loss and improvements in various health markers.

Discover a 12 Month Study analyzing all diets by name. The results were very poor with an average weight loss on all diets of only 16 lbs. in a year. Note: The Journal of The American Medical Association Study was not conducted by Dr. Arciero. It was done by the American Journal of Medicine.

Results after 68 weeks were as follows:

  • 34 lbs. weight reduction, but the weight loss was 40% lean muscle mass or 13.6 lbs
  • The loss of lean muscle slows down metabolism (slowing of metabolism leads to rapid weight gain once any diet is stopped) and muscle loss also negatively affects the immune system.

This was a 12-month study broken into two groups. Group #1 reduced calories (as in most traditional diets) Group # 2 did Time-Restricted Eating where they did not eat for 16 hours and ate in an 8-hour window. This is known as the 16-8 diet.

  • Group #1 17.6 Lbs. in a year
  • Group #2 13.86 Lbs. in a year
  • The Study stated: Both the time-restricted-eating group # 2 and Group # 1 the daily-calorie-restriction diets led to the loss of lean muscle mass, abdominal visceral fat, and liver fat; subcutaneous fat, and liver fat; there was no significant differences between the groups.

Examines the impact of weight loss interventions on skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and strategies to mitigate muscle loss during weight reduction.

  • 20–40% of weight loss is from skeletal muscle, impairing metabolism, glucose control, and physical strength
  • High-quality protein, rich in essential amino acids (EAAs), is crucial for preserving muscle during weight loss. Distributing protein evenly across meals enhances muscle retention.
  • Higher protein diets (1.2–2.4 g/kg/day) are effective at reducing muscle loss.
  • Resistance and aerobic training, especially combined, significantly protect against muscle loss during weight loss.
  • Weight-loss strategies should emphasize SMM preservation through protein optimization and exercise.
  • Protecting muscle reduces sarcopenia risk, especially in older adults, and supports long-term health.

This was a 12-month study broken into two groups. Group #1 reduced calories (as in most traditional diets) Group # 2 did Time-Restricted Eating where they did not eat for 16 hours and ate in an 8-hour window. This is known as the 16-8 diet.

  • Group #1 17.6 Lbs. in a year
  • Group #2 13.86 Lbs. in a year
  • The Study stated: Both the time-restricted-eating group # 2 and Group # 1 the daily-calorie-restriction diets led to the loss of lean muscle mass, abdominal visceral fat, and liver fat; subcutaneous fat, and liver fat; there was no significant differences between the groups.