You may have wondered if detox foot pads truly produce the miraculous results the manufacturers claim. Although the ads are impressive and the purported benefits numerous, the actual effectiveness of the pads is questionable. Published reports indicate that while generating little or no benefit, detox foot pads can also produce several adverse effects.
Deceptive Claims
In January 2009, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, charged the makers of Kinoki Foot Pads with deceptive advertising and ordered that Xacta 3000, Inc. and its owners provide compensation to consumers who purchased the product. The FTC also permanently barred the company from further deceptive marketing for the product.
The company claimed the pads could relieve high blood pressure and depression as well as promote weight loss, supposedly from the action of "drawing" toxins from the body through the bottom of the feet, according to Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., writing for MayoClinic.com. However, the pads contain little more than vinegar and green tea, according to Devra Davis, M.D. on MSNBC.com. Additionally, the skin on the soles of your feet does not allow substances to flow freely from inside the body unless it is punctured or cut, Stephen Barrett, M.D. explains, on his "Device Watch" website.
Delayed Treatment
The placebo effect caused by detox foot patches could cause vulnerable individuals to put off vital treatment for potentially life-threatening medical conditions, according to George Friedman-Jimenez, M.D. on ABC News/Health. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause serious complications, including heart failure, metabolic syndrome, which can lead to type-2 Diabetes or stroke. Severe, untreated depression can lead to suicide. The longer you delay treatment, the greater the damage, MayoClinic.com claims.
Unpleasant Odors
Reports published by ABC News/Health and MSNBC.com claim that test users of detox foot pads experienced very strong, extremely unpleasant odors as a result of using the pads. One test user reported that the pads created odors that were transferred to her bed and hands. According to MSNBC.com, the odor resulted from the same chemical reaction that creates the dramatic color change from white to dark: heat and moisture from the user's feet reacted to the ingredients contained in the pads. Strong body odors, such as those created from using foot detox pads, can cause occupational and psychological consequences, along with social embarrassment, MayoClinc.com claims.
References
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission: FTC Charges Marketers of Kinoki Foot Pads With Deceptive Advertising; Seeks Funds for Consumer Redress
- MayoClinic.com: Do Detox Foot Pads Really Work?
- Device Watch: Sap Sheets -- a Device for Saps
- MSNBC.com: Kinoki Foot Pads -- Sucking Away Toxins or Just Your Money?
- ABCNews/Health: Ridding Yourself of Toxins, or Money?
- MayoClinic.com: Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) -- Complications
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