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What Are Detox Foot Pads?
Detox foot pads are one of the latest health products to claim roots in traditional Asian medicine. Presently there are numerous vendors offering detox foot pads clad in tantalizing packaging replete with sales pitches referencing reflexology and/or traditional medicine from Asia capable of curing a laundry list of ailments. Still many consumers are left with the burning question: what are detox foot pads?
In the most general of terms detox foot pads are essentially adhesive pouches which contain a variety of herbs typically combined with mixtures of ground or pulverized stones such as tourmaline. The exact composition varies not only from brand to brand, but also inside each product of some brands.
According to a 2005 FDA preliminary survey of detox foot pads it was discovered that even products within the same brand had inconsistent compositions. That is to say that the contents of a detox foot pad from the same manufacturer may be different than another similarly labeled detox foot pad that was produced at a different facility and/or at a different time.
It is important to note that the FDA guidelines are very strict, and the differences noted may be due to quality control or fluctuations in market conditions. Also beware that these variations aren’t found in every brand, and those brands that did demonstrate inconsistencies may have improved since the time of the tests in an attempt to receive FDA recognition.
Various manufacturers make claims that their unique mix of herbs and minerals are consistent with some form of traditional Asian medicine. This manner of claim is exceptionally easy to make due to the simple fact that various Asian cultures have thousands of years of expertise in herb lore, a substantial amount of which was gained by trial and error. However the inconsistent contents of detox foot pads calls into question the validity of any claims regarding ancient medical practices.
Despite the numerous reasons for variations to the herbal and/or mineral contents of detox foot pads, there are two key ingredients which are common to nearly all brands: dehydrated wood vinegar and distilled bamboo vinegar. This particular combination of vinegars is probably chosen in an attempt to convince customers that detox foot pads are working as advertised; Detox foot pads are supposed to darken and emit a potentially noxious odor once they’ve completed their alleged detoxification task.
In truth the dark discoloration is a byproduct of sweat liquifying the wood vinegar and potentially interacting with the mineral constituents. The odor is almost certainly a byproduct of the herbal elements coalescing with sweat and vinegar. These two factors are often offered as tangible proof that a body has detoxified properly. Some promotional literature even goes so far as to directly state that the discoloration and odors are caused by heavy metals extracted from the lymphatic system, microscopic parasites, and toxins.
Consumers should also be aware of an independent survey of a particular brand of detox foot pads conducted in August of 2008. The results of the NPR sponsored test revealed that used detox foot pads contained no heavy metals. The reason this should be noted is not only as an example of detox foot pads not living up to their claims, but primarily because multiple consumer advocacy groups have raised the concern that trace amounts of heavy metals may be intentionally added to detox foot pads in order to convince researchers that the products are functioning as advertised.
The exact shape and style of various detox foot pads varies nearly as much as their contents. When it comes to discussing design and shape most detox foot pads refer to an alleged science known as reflexology. Reflexology is not a recognized science but actually a collection of beliefs and quasi-medical practices that support the fundamental tenet that ailments are caused by blocking proper energy flows, or Qi, and that cures should be focused on restoring energy flows.
Reflexology is infamous in medical circles which tend to view its practices and treatments as completely qualitative and thus not a true science. This view may be somewhat exacerbated by the lax licensing standard which allows many to call themselves a doctor of reflexology in very little time compared to traditional medical school. In response, modern reflexology relies on products such as detox foot pads to attempt to garner public recognition. A detox foot pad designed to meet supposedly exacting reflexological standards is really nothing special or unique; it is a pouch filled with assorted herbs, minerals, and vinegars which is designed to adhere to the sole of ones foot.
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