Do Detox Foot Pads Really Work?
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT
Detox foot pads are an over-the-counter (OTC) product that claims to remove toxins from the body while you rest at night. The makers of these adhesive pads, which you stick to the bottom of your feet, also assert that they can improve various other medical conditions. These claims have never been proven, and the product is widely viewed as a scam.
This article will debunk some of the claims made by detox foot pad manufacturers and discuss the body’s natural methods of detoxifying itself.
Carolin Voelker / Getty Images
What Are Detox Foot Pads?
Detox foot pads are adhesive patches that are placed on the bottom of your feet before you go to bed at night.
The product is left in place while you sleep. It's claimed that ions in the pads draw toxins—like heavy metals—out of your body.
When you wake up in the morning, the pads are typically discolored and may be stained with a brown or blackish hue. The manufacturers of this product claim (incorrectly) that this is proof that harmful or toxic materials were effectively removed from your body.
Related: How to Do a Detox Cleanse At Home
Do Detox Foot Pads Work?
Contrary to the claims of their manufacturers, detox foot pads do not remove toxins from the body. There is no proof that they effectively treat any medical condition. The makers of this product have been fined and penalized by the FTC for these false assertions.
Many of the claims made by the makers of detox foot pads are both false and misleading. In fact, not only might this product be both a waste of money and time, but its ingredients can actually cause harmful side effects, as noted below.
Sale of Detox Foot Pads
In 2010, Kinoki, a manufacturer of detox foot pads, was penalized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for falsely claiming that its product could detoxify the body and treat medical conditions. These supposed benefits were proven to be false and the company was barred from selling or advertising the patches.
Claims About Detox Foot Pads
In addition to drawing out toxins, claims by manufacturers of this product include that the foot pads are beneficial for other medical conditions.
For instance, Kinoki has asserted that its product is able to:
Reduce the effects of depression
Treat arthritis
Treat diabetes
Eliminate parasites from the body
Treat a compromised immune system
Each of these claims is both false and misleading. To date, no research supports the use of foot pads to treat any medical condition, nor is there any proof that they detoxify the body.
Why Do Detox Foot Pads Change Color
Foot pad manufacturers often point to changes in the color of the patch as proof that toxins are being removed from the body. This claim, however, is also inaccurate.
The dark color that is often seen on these pads after use is actually a result of the wood vinegar that they are infused with. When this substance is mixed with the perspiration from your foot, a color change occurs. In fact, the same blackish or brownish hue can also be seen if the patch is spritzed with tap water.
Risks and Side Effects From Detox Foot Pads
While they do not provide any actual benefits, detox foot pads are often viewed as being relatively harmless, but this is not necessarily the case. Most of the foot patches are infused with either wood or bamboo vinegar to provide the color changes while you wear them.
These substances contain pyroligneous acid, an ingredient that can cause a number of side effects, including localized burning or irritation of the skin. In addition, this acid can cause dizziness or difficulty breathing if it is inhaled.
Because of this, the use of these foot patches is not without risk.
Related: Drug and Medication Side Effects
Detox and the Body
While people spend large amounts of time and money trying to cleanse their bodies of toxins, in most cases, body cleansing is unnecessary. This is because your body has its own natural methods of removing harmful substances, as described below.
How the Body Detoxifies Naturally
There are two types of toxins found in the body:
Endotoxins are substances that are created as a byproduct during normal bodily functions. This includes things like lactic acid buildup after exercise or fecal matter production after digestion.
Exotoxins are toxic substances that are inhaled from the environment or consumed when you eat or drink.
No matter the type of toxin, your liver is designed to process and eliminate these toxins. It does this by filtering harmful substances from your bloodstream and converting them into waste products. These toxins may be chemical byproducts from activities like digestion or exercise. They may also be inhaled pollutants or substances in the food or liquids you ingest.
Your liver also transforms nutrients and medications into beneficial proteins. Keeping this organ healthy is the key to effectively detoxifying your body.
Related: How to Choose Good Foods for Your Liver
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Liver Function
There are several telltale signs that can indicate your liver is functioning inefficiently and not properly filtering out toxins. These include:
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, indicating a bilirubin buildup)
Stomach pain or swelling
Itchy skin
Swollen legs or ankles
Chronic fatigue
Bruising easily
Paying attention to the presence of these symptoms can help alert you to a potential problem with this organ. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns you have about your liver.
How to Improve Liver Function Naturally
Instead of taking supplements or using detox foot pads, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your liver is functioning effectively. These include:
Avoid excessive alcohol use
Maintain a healthy body weight
Avoid recreational drug use or unprotected sex with multiple partners (which may increase your risk of contracting hepatitis)
Get screened for liver disease if it runs in your family
Stay hydrated
Avoiding unsafe detox practices
Consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements
Related: Types of Liver Disease and How to Treat Them
Summary
Detox foot pads are advertised as a natural way to remove toxins from the body as you sleep. They have been deemed useless and their manufacturers were penalized by the FTC for making deceptive health claims. The ingredients found in the patches may even be harmful.
Keeping your liver functioning effectively is the most effective way to naturally detoxify the body.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
