As we learn more about the health hazards of heavy metals and other environmental pollutants, it's no wonder we look for ways to effectively eliminate them from our system. Detox foot patches, though not new in Asian countries, are relatively new to the Australian market and are suddenly being talked about everywhere. What are detox foot patches? Do they work or are the critics who say they can't possibly work to remove body toxins right? As yet there is no definitive answer to this question, but these are the arguments both for and against detox foot patches.

What the Advocates Say About Detox Foot Patches

The first question skeptics ask is how could foot patches, no matter what their ingredients may be, help detoxify the body? Advocates say the answer lies in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM philosophy, the feet act like a second heart, pumping blood through the body. The soles of the feet, therefore, are the natural place to apply any poultice designed to draw toxins out of the body, since they tend to accumulate in the soles before being pumped through the bloodstream again. Their use in China has been well documented for over 500 years and it is believed they have been used far longer than that.

According to proponents of detox foot patches, their real "magic" is in the special combination of ingredients the patches are impregnated with. Some of the ingredients vary depending on the product, but those that are most prevalent include:

• Tourmaline minerals: These are believed to emit health promoting negative ions. In the body, studies have shown that it may strengthen the immune system, relieve stress, aid in mental alertness and improve circulation.
  
  
• Bamboo sap vinegar is said to help the body release waste materials and toxins through the skin.
  
  
• Tree sap vinegar is believed to draw toxins out of the body.
  
  
• Powdered pearl shell is an ancient Chinese medicine that is believed to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties as well as many other benefits.

Proof of the efficacy of detox foot patches is said to be in the appearance of the patch when you remove it after 8 hours of sleep. The patch becomes covered in a brown, sticky substance that emits a foul odour. Interestingly, after wearing the patches for several days, many users notice a distinct lessening of this effect.

What the Opponents Say

The major criticisms detox foot patches receive are that there is no known biological mechanism for releasing heavy metals and other toxins through the skin and that detox foot patches have not undergone clinical trials; hence their effectiveness has not been proven. Some critics also claim that heavy metal particles are too large to pass through the skin.

Chelation therapy is the most recommended treatment for removal of heavy metal toxicity. This is a medically accepted treatment that involves insertion of an intravenous (IV) drip with a chelation agent. This method has the disadvantage of removing healthful minerals like calcium along with lead and other harmful minerals, though, and natural health practitioners recommend taking healthy mineral supplements following chelation therapy.

The Verdict

Not even the most severe critics of detox foot patches say detox foot patches are harmful to your health, so if you're interested, why not try them and see how they work for you? If you feel better after using them, that's a good sign. One way to get proof is to have your blood, hair and urine tested for heavy metals before and after you use them. To be on the safe side, get professional assistance from your doctor or naturopath if you feel your health is suffering from the toxic effects of chemicals, heavy metals and pollutants.