Do detox foot pads really work?
Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
There's no reliable evidence that detox foot pads work.
Manufacturers of detox foot pads say that their products draw toxins out of your body while you sleep. Some manufacturers have claimed that detox foot pads also treat high blood pressure, headaches, cellulite, depression, diabetes, insomnia and aid in weight loss.
Detox foot pad are stuck on the bottom of your feet and left there overnight, purportedly to draw out toxins, such as heavy metals. When you peel off the detox foot pad in the morning, its darkened or discolored appearance supposedly reflects the toxins that have been removed from your body.
However, no scientific studies have been published that show that detox foot pads work or that they're safe. The Federal Trade Commission has even charged some distributors of detox foot pads with deceptive advertising.
The bottom line: As with anything that sounds too good to be true, your best bet is to wait for scientific evidence that proves a claim before investing your time and money.
With
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.
To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
May 24, 2022
- Detoxification. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 26, 2015.
- At FTC's request, judge imposes ban on marketers of detox foot pads. Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2010/11/ftcs-request-judge-imposes-ban-marketers-detox-foot-pads. Accessed Jan. 26, 2015.
Products and Services
See also
- A very happy brain
- Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider
- Candida cleanse diet
- CBD safety
- Colloidal silver supplements
- Colon cleansing
- Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
- Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
- Prickly pear cactus
- Herbal supplements and heart drugs
- Kombucha tea
- Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective
- Kratom for opioid withdrawal
- Learn to reduce stress through mindful living
- Medical marijuana
- Meditation 2.0: A new way to meditate
- Mindfulness exercises
- Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
- Tai Chi and Cardiac Rehab
- Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
- Alternative psoriasis treatments
- Do zinc supplements shorten colds?
.
