Real or Hoax: A Foot Detox Can Flush out Body Toxins

Updated on April 17th, 2020
foot detox

Do you know why millennials love detox? Have you also heard that a foot soak could flush out your body toxins? Difficult to believe right! But then why is it getting so popular? Don’t you think that there might be some reality in it? Well, stop pulling the reigns of your brain imagining its possibilities as we here have it all formulated for you in one article.

But to understand the whole mechanism, it is imperative that you get a brief idea about the mere requirement of a detox. Read ahead as we ponder your knowledge bank with it and also reveal the truth behind detoxifying the body through a foot detox!

Foot Detox – Flush out Body Toxins

  1. Why Body Detox?
  2. Different Types Of Foot Detox
  3. Benefits Of Body Detox
  4. Foot Detoxifiers – DIYs
  5. How Does Foot Detoxification Work?
  6. Who Should Use Foot Detox?
  7. Warning

Why should you detox your body?

The human body is a composition of the innumerable count of cells that together form tissues and organ system. It tends to accumulate various impurities, metals, and toxic elements over some time due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Alike machines, the body also needs lubricants from time to time for cleansing, smooth functioning and healthy running of all the organs.

Detoxification acts as a lubricant for the body. It draws out toxic substances and heavy metals from the body. It stimulates the liver to perform the action and weed out toxins through the kidneys, intestines, and lungs. It also regulates optimum blood circulation and refills the body with essential nutrients. But the question here is can a foot detox aid to flush out toxins from the body?

Can a foot detox actually flush out the body toxins?

According to some health spas, a foot bath that helps to remove harmful toxins from the body through your feet is called Foot Detox.  And yes! It can definitely aid in the removal of body toxins present in the blood through your feet. It is a convenient way to purify your body.

Researchers claim that foot detox not only helps to eliminate harmful toxins and heavy metals out of the body, it also serves many purposes. It helps to balance the pH levels, relieving stress, uplifting mood, reducing inflammation, terminating deleterious microorganisms, assisting in weight loss, providing resistance to the body to fight against diseases, and keeping the heart-healthy.

Many practitioners believe that food detox has long-lasting effects and continues to alkalize the body for 48 hours in a row!

What are the different types of foot detox that can help?

Ionic foot detoxing techniques are available at various health spas and skin care centers.

However, most people choose to detoxify the feet by alternative methods. The most popular among them are as follows:

1. Foot Soak

The foot soak is the easiest and the most convenient way of detox bath. All you need to do is soak up your feet in tepid water and relax for some time. You can also add a pinch of Epsom salt or a few drops of essential oils to it. It helps to amplify its effect on the body.

2. Foot mask

A foot mask, often made up of clay, helps to cleanse and exfoliate your feet. It also smoothens rough feet as an additional advantage. Generally, people use foot masks for a specified period and wash it off after the time is up.

3. Foot scrubs

Regular use of foot scrubs helps to clean and soften your feet. It also aids to remove foot odors and dead skin cells. You can also take up a foot massage after foot scrub to enhance its overall impact. It helps to soothe muscular pain and distress your mind.

4. Footpads

Use of foot pads causes sweating of the feet. Many people believe that this sweating helps in the removal of harmful toxins out from the body.

5. Acupressure

Pressing specific points on the feet by way of massage helps to reduce tension and promote relaxation. Some supporters also claim that acupressure enhances the results of foot detoxifiers.

8 Fantastic Benefits of Detoxing your Body through your Feet

There are several benefits of flushing out toxins from your body through your feet. These benefits are as follows:

  1. The most primary advantage of it is that it removes toxins from your body. It is the chief purpose of foot detoxifiers.
  2. Further, it helps to reduce swelling by soothing your skin. It also aids to slow down the rate of formation of lactic acid in the muscles.
  3. Fosters your immune system as well.
  4. Helps to uplift your mood by hydrating your feet and refreshing your body.
  5. Assists in the process of weight loss by burning calories in your body.
  6. Regulates the blood sugar levels too.
  7. Foot detox gets considered healthy for the heart as well. It helps to promote cardiovascular health and boosts your stamina.
  8. It keeps your feet clean and odor-free. It is considered the best way to pamper your foot health.

Interesting and Effective Foot Detoxifiers DIYs

Read ahead to find some of the best foot detox recipes and method:

1. Epsom Salt foot soak

foot soak-
Image: ShutterStock

It is one of the chief methods of foot detoxification. For this foot soak, you need to add one cup of Epsom salt to warm foot bath water. Immerse your feet in the water for 20 to 30 minutes to soak up the contents of Epsom salt.

Avoid using Epsom salt foot soak in case of any skin allergy or open wounds.

2. Apple cider vinegar soak

To make apple cider vinegar soak, add one cup of apple cider vinegar in lukewarm water.  Soak up your feet for 20 to 30 minutes in the solution. Vinegar helps to remove bad odor from your feet and acts as a deodorant. Some people also consume apple cider vinegar directly to foster detoxification.

Apple cider vinegar helps to treat medical conditions like obesity, diabetes and bloating. It also regulates the level of glucose in the body.

3. Baking soda and sea salt soak

Mix one cup of baking soda to one cup of sea salt in a tub of warm water. Soak up your feet in the solution for at least half an hour.

Baking soda deodorizes your feet, and sea salt helps to remove harmful toxins from the body. It also aids to relax your muscles and eases out any tension.

4. Bentonite clay foot mask

To prepare a bentonite clay foot mask, you need:

  • Bentonite clay
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Tea tree essential oil
  • Lavender essential oil

Mix three tablespoons of bentonite clay with three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Add three drops of both tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil to it. Blend it well together.

You can also add some more bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on your feet and let it dry out for half an hour. Wash off the mask after 30 minutes and use a towel to pat dry your feet.

This mixture is especially helpful in the treatment of fungal infections and lousy foot odor.

5. Olive oil foot scrub

To make an olive oil foot scrub, you need:

  • Epsom salt
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon essential oil
  • Peppermint essential oil

Dissolve one cup of Epsom salt to half a cup of olive oil and add five drops of lemon essential oil and two drops of peppermint essential oil to it. Mix it well.

Apply the scrub to both the feet and massage it into the skin gently. Do not forget to rub it on your sole and the space between your toes especially. Wash the scrub off after 10 minutes and dry up your feet with a towel.

The mixture helps to keep your feet hydrated, soothe your foot skin, remove infection and odor effectively.

The Ionic Foot Detox

Many studies unveil a recently increasing rage for Ionic foot detoxes. The name might not be sounding familiar, but you must have heard of the foot baths that are known to pull out the stubborn toxins out from your body through feet.  It changes the color of the water in dark brown. This dark brown shade gets recognized as the eliminated toxins.

An ionic foot bath is an easy and quick process of detoxifying your feet. You need to immerse both your feet in the tub containing warm alkaline water.  An electronic line-up is also kept in the foot bath to pass electric current into the water. The solution tends to neutralize the charged particles in the body and pull out the toxins from the body by way of feet.

But there isn’t any validation yet to prove its working. Researchers are still working to find out whether the ionic foot detox process is a fact or myth.

How does ionic foot detoxification work?

A standard foot detoxification technique works by towing the toxins out of the body through your feet.  Likewise, the ionic foot detox works to ionize the foot detox water and provide instant relief from inflammation, stress, swelling, and skin irritation.

Mechanism: Foot detox process gives a positive charge to the hydrogen present in the water. The positively charged hydrogen ions attract the negatively charged toxins in your body and pull them out. It is presumed that the ions in the foot bath water tend to fetter the toxins and heavy metals together in the body. Its mechanism is almost similar to that of a magnetic field. And in this way, it pushes the toxins and metals out from the body through your feet.

In some cases, supporters claim that you can ensure its working by observing the color of the water which changes after the toxins are released out and the body gets detoxified.

What causes the water to change its color?

Some researchers claim that if the foot detox water changes its color after a while, it means that the detoxification method is working. Although, it is not necessary to be true. The mechanism of foot bath detox has no connection with the changing color of the water.

The water changes its color due to various tedious reasons like the presence of impure particles in the water. It is likely to happen when you use tap water.

The water can also change its color due to the foot detox itself. The sellers and manufacturers claim that the ionizing charge in the water pulls the heavy metals out of the body, but it does not explain how this charge leaps the minerals that are actually present in the water.

The electrical power of the product causes some of the heavy metals from the foot to get abraded by use. It can also be one of the reasons due to which the water changes its color.

Many foot detoxification methods also involve the use of salts (like sea salt and Epsom salt), which can react with the water and change its color.

Who should use foot detox?

Almost everyone can use foot detox to eliminate toxins from the body. However, people with open wounds or fungal infections on their feet should avoid using foot detox. If they still use foot detox, it might worsen their situation, so precaution is better than cure.

You don’t have to go for expensive Ionic foot detox or foot massages to serve the intent. Instead, you can use Epsom salt foot soak to detoxify your body. It cleanses your feet and makes you feel fresh and hydrated.

Also, it is exceptionally efficient for an athlete’s foot.

Warning

  • Certain side effects of using foot detox frequently include nausea, hurling, and dizziness.
  • In case you purchase a foot detox apparatus instead of preparing one at home, you must ensure that you know how to use it and how it works.
  • People who have diabetes should consider asking their doctor first, before using the foot detoxifier at home. It is because the foot detoxifier may influence the level of your blood sugar.
  • If your feet are not very prone to prickle, you may experience minor burns in your foot due to soaking up your feet in hot water for a long time.

On the whole,

There is no scientific evidence to back up the benefits of a foot detoxing bath so far. But there is no reason either to doubt the safety of using it. It is entirely safe and sound to use the several foot detoxes for the purpose it serves.

If you are keen to experience the wonders of foot detoxification methods, you might start by using simple detoxifiers like Epsom salt or essential oils. Soaking up your foot in warm water containing the contents of these detoxifiers can be exceptionally relaxing and refreshing for your body. It is one of the most helpful ways to pamper your feet and keep them healthy. There is no denying to the reinvigorating impact of using foot detoxifiers.


FAQs

1. Does Epsom salt foot soak remove toxins?

Yes, it does remove toxins from the legs and helps in relaxation and also reduces inflammation and pain.

2. How often should you detox?

There is no specific time period that you should regularly repeat, however, it is suggested that you could do it once every week.

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