Medical Benefits of Ionic Foot Bath Detoxification

It is hard to find a single article from a reputable source or scientific authority that demonstrates proof of medical benefits from ionic foot bath detoxification, other than the relaxed feeling of well-being from soaking your feet in hot water and bath salts. The plethora of articles proclaiming the benefits of ionic foot baths all come from websites or aestheticians with a direct financial interest in selling the treatments or devices.

The Propaganda

• Ionic foot baths are touted as a gentle, effective way to cleanse the body by drawing years of accumulated toxins, heavy metals and impurities in your body out through the feet. Proponents claim this improves overall health and reverses or cures health conditions including asthma, worms, herpes, fibromyalgia and cancer. This works by osmosis. A low-voltage electric ionizer releases ions into the water, changing polarity periodically, to create positive and negative ions and a tingling sensation. The ions bind with toxins in the body and are drawn into the water. As the toxins are released into the water, the water discolors and tiny bits of black or gray material are visible, demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment. The color of the water at the end of the 30-minute treatment indicates what toxins were withdrawn.

The Facts

• There is no scientific evidence or opinion to support the claims that toxins are actually pulled out of the body through the feet. The water in an ionic foot bath discolors and shows tiny black deposits even if your feet are not in it. The color is created by the electrolytic corrosion of the metal electrodes in salt water and varies widely by the types and amounts of salt present. Electrodes are made of iron, nickel or copper, all of which decompose into different colored ions. Byproducts are bubbles of hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide, commonly known as "lye," which render the skin softer, and this feels good. This display convinces the "patient" that the treatment actually worked. If you put two identical ionic foot baths side-by-side and soaked someone's feet in only one, the color of the water after 30 minutes would be the same in each.

Conclusion

• Soaking your feet in hot foot baths relaxes and reduces stress but does not rid your body of toxins. The only thing that ionic foot bath treatments ($45 to $200 each) do clean out is your bank account. Take a trip to the spa for a pedicure and massage when you need a little pampering. Otherwise, buy some bath or foot salts and soak your feet at home.