"Detox" methods ranging from diets to colon cleanses are said to rid the body of harmful substances such as drugs and poisons. Getting rid of toxins, according to supporters of detox programs, will reduce risk of maladies that range from joint pain to depression, according to Harvard Health Publications. Some proponents of so-called "detox" methods believe that toxins can be removed through the feet.
Types
One foot detox method uses an adhesive pad to be worn on the bottom of both feet, intended to pull out toxins during sleep. Another common foot detox method involves soaking the feet for 30 minutes in a basin, known as an ionic foot bath, that contains salt water and two low-voltage electrodes, according to Harvard Health Publications.
Claim
Makers of detox foot pads say that their products contain natural ingredients such as herbs, plants and wood vinegar, according to the MayoClinic.com. These ingredients allegedly react with the body and emit infrared energy to boost cell function and draw out toxins. The darkened appearance of the foot pad the next morning is supposed to reflect what toxins have been drawn from the body, according to the MayoClinic.com. Detox foot bath water is also said to turn dark as a result of the electric charge pulling toxins out of the feet.
Research
No scientific evidence proves that "detox" foot pads and ionic foot baths stimulate toxin removal through the feet, according to Harvard Health Publications. The wood vinegar in foot pads turns dark whether the foot pads absorb tap water or foot perspiration and the foot bath water changes color due to the metal electrodes corroding.
Charges
In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, charged marketers of "detox" foot pads called Kinoki Foot Pads with deceptive advertising after it found that all of the manufacturers' claims of the product -- including treatment of high blood pressure and depression -- were found false or unsupported by evidence. With the charges, the FTC seeks to bar the makers of Kinoki Foot Pads from deceptively marketing their products as well as force the makers to provide monetary compensation for consumers who bought their product based on false information.
Considerations
Wait until scientific evidence proves foot "detox" methods to be effective before you buy into one, recommends the MayoClinic.com. If you want to maintain your body's self-cleaning system, rely instead on the benefits of eating a well-balanced diet, drinking water throughout the day, getting enough sleep and getting medical check-ups, recommends the Harvard Women's Health Watch.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Detox Foot Pads: Do They Really Work?
- Harvard Health Publications HEALTHbeat: The Dubious Practice of Detox
- Harvard Health Publications: Detox Diets, Procedures Generally Don't Promote Health
- FTC.gov: FTC Charges Marketers of Kinoki Foot Pads With Deceptive Advertising; Seeks Funds for Consumer Redress
