Detox Food Pads - Remedy or Fad?

Toxins exist everywhere around us. They are in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breath, and absored through the skin. When toxins accumulate in the body, they can have adverse effects on our well-being and health. Therefore detoxifying the body is a popular topic nowadays.

Consequently, there are several detoxification products on the market from detox teas to detox diets. One product selling on the market are detox foot pads. Unlike detox diets or colonics, detox foot pads are easy and quick to use. When you retire for bed at night, you place the pads on the bottom of your feet, and they draw out the toxins overnight. When you arise in the morning, the pads are darkened. The darkened areas are the toxins your body has eliminated. Over time, the darkened areas become lighter and lighter since there are less toxins to eliminate. Thus, both your well-being and health improve.

Some people have claimed the darkened pads are not caused by eliminated toxins. Supposedly, when the wood vinegar in the pad becomes wet from perspiration, it turns a dark color. Secondly, others think when iron-based particles embedded in the pad come in contact with moisture, they oxidize and cause the pads to darken. However, how does this explain the darkened area becoming lighter over time. The feet would continue to perspire.

Manufacturers claim there are several benefits. The benefits of detox foot pads are:

• Improves the quality of sleep
• Fights aging and fatigue
• Reduces stress
• Improves blood ciruclation by activiating red blood cells
• Improves immune system
• Relieves aches and pains in joints by reducing water retention
• Improves the uptake of nutrients
• Improves mental focus and concentration
• Soothes headaches

Are detox foot pads a remedy or fad? Considering the lack of conclusive scientific evidence, it hard to tell. They were developed by a Japanese scientist with 20+ years of research, but the research isn't publicly available. However, based on Eastern medicine, people believe that toxins travel downward in the body and accumulate in the feet. Therefore, they supposedly work by using chemicals on the pad which open up the skin pores and help draw out the toxins.

But if the pad were effective in removing toxins, there should be traces of toxins on the foot pads. Yet in a study done by 20/20 and NMS Labs, a toxicology lab, after testing 8 used foot pads, lab technicians could find no trace heavy metals or specific solvents. However, in defense of the detox food pad manufacturers, this was not a big enough test group to be statistically significant.

Furthermore, one of the detox foot pads manufacturers, Kinoki, a Lakewood-based company is being sued by the state for violating the Consumer Fraud Act, advertising regulations and mail order regulations. Supposedly, they misrepresented the medical benefits of the pads, violated consumer laws by overcharging, delivered the merchandise late, and failed to honor stated guarantees. In addition to this lawsuit, the FDA also investigated the claims made by the company. In response, Xacta 3000, the distributor of Kinoki foot pads, has since revised their advertising. In light of this controversy, although it may look like a scam, at this point, the evidence isn't conclusive.

Although detox foot pads may be a fad, as I researched this article, I noticed many of the criticizers were people that had not even used the product. Furthermore, I also looked at the Amazon reviews for the first product advertised on this hub. There were 42 customer reviews for the Body/Relief Detox Foot Pads. Out of these reviews, 38 in 42 customers were pleased. Among these customers, some reported less pain, less stiffness and swelling, less numbness, less AM grogginess, improved skin, improved sleep, improved enegy, and improved blood sugar levels.

Of the remaining customers, four customers reported no change. One discontinued using the foot pads because of the smell after the first night. One was a repeat customer but didn't them use them consistently because of the expense. Another customer who reported no change came back later and reported they were successfully relieving her daughters' shoulder pain.

Considering this, I think there must be an element of truth to the claims. Surely, the placebo effect wouldn't account for so many postive reviews. Furthermore, just because one company was sued, it does mean all manufactureres of the food pads and distribtors are guilty of the same thing. Until further research is done, the customer will have to be the ultimate authority.

There has always been differences between western medicine and eastern medicine. However, the difference in treatment modes does not necessarily mean one way is right while the other one is wrong. Therefore, if you're interested in detoxing your body, I would consider trying it. However, don't expect overnight miracles. It took time for body to accumulate the toxins, and it will take time to reduce the toxins. In the mean time, whether detox foot pads are a remedy or fad remains to be seen.

If you or someone else you know has tried detox foot pads, please leae a comment and let us know about the experiences.