ConsumerLab.com uses JavaScript to provide the best possible experience for our content, but your browser has it disabled. Learn how to enable it here.
- Home
- / CL Answers
- / Do detox foot pads or ionic foot baths remove heavy metals or other toxins from the body?
www.consumerlab.com/answers/do-detox-foot-pads-remove-heavy-metals-or-other-toxins/detox-foot-pads/
Save to favorites
This feature is restricted to active members.
Join now to save favorites and get all member benefits, including over 1,400 reviews.
Join Now
Already a member? Sign in here.
Our Members Asked:
Latest Update
Ionic Foot Bath Claims
Written by Meredith Worthington, Ph.D. — Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Updated January 20, 2025 ⓘ
Answer:
Detox foot pads and ionic foot baths are promoted for removing toxins from the body.
The adhesive pads are applied to the bottom of the foot before bedtime to draw toxins such as heavy metals and other chemicals out of the body through the skin while the wearer sleeps. In the morning, when the pad is removed, the appearance of dark green or gray coloration purportedly indicates that toxins were removed from the body during sleep.
According to the manufacturers of popular ionic foot baths such as IonCleanse Solo and Healifeco Ionic Foot Spa, ionic foot baths purportedly use a current to "split" water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions that act like magnets to draw oppositely charged heavy metals and other toxins from the body. During the process, the water changes color, which is allegedly, in part, due to removal of toxins from the body.
Sign in as a member to find out if there is any research to support these claims.
+ — 6 sources
In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:
Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,400 reviews.
Join Now
Already a member? Sign In Here.
Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/
Loading Comments…
Submit your comment
This feature is restricted to active members.
Join now to add comments and get all member benefits, including over 1,400 reviews.
Join Now
Already a member? Sign in here.
Agree to Comment Terms
Please abide by the following:
- If you make a statement of fact, such as whether a type of treatment does or does not work, state your basis -- such as personal experience or a published study.
- If you make a positive or negative comment about a product, note whether or not you have a financial interest in the product or in a competing product.
- Please be respectful in your tone.
- Please do not submit any type of HTML markup or scripting as it will not be accepted, nor will posts that exceed 2,500 characters.
For your privacy, only your first name (from your account) followed by a random number will appear with your comment. Your last name and email address will not be displayed.
Your comment has been submitted
We will review your comment before it is posted.
Latest Research Updates (Clinical Updates)
Ionic Foot Bath Claims
January 20, 2025
Ionic foot baths (such as IonCleanse and Healifeco Ionic Foot Spa) allegedly draw heavy metals out of the body. But is this supported by evidence? Find out in our article about foot pads and foot baths for removing toxins from the body.
Related CL Answers (1)
Related Content
- Do detox supplements work and are they safe?
Join over 95,000 Members
Find the best products with instant access to our latest tests & reviews of over 1,400 health products.
Save money by finding high-quality products at lower cost.
Stay safe with the latest clinical findings, warnings, and expert answers.
Suggest products to test.
Stay informed with our e-newsletter.
Join Now
Ratings of ConsumerLab
The "Updated" date indicates when new information was most recently added to this article. In the full article, the newest information is highlighted in yellow.
