May 13, 2008 12:20 am US/Eastern
Detox Foot Pads: Are They Padding The Truth?
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
If you like to channel surf, you may have spotted a new infomercial for Kinoki Foot Pads, which boldly claim to use an ancient Japanese medical cure to lessen health woes.
The infomercial claims the Kinoki Foot Pads can remove toxins from your body, through your feet, even while you sleep.
When Markus Mitre saw the infomercial on late night TV, he started thinking about toxins that could be coursing through his body.
"Today with the kind of food you eat, and the stress. I was concerned you had to get rid of them," said Mitre.
So he decided to give them a try. After just one night, he described the pads as "pitch black, very, very dark."
But do the patches, which contain a mixture of Bamboo vinegar, tourmaline crystals and so-called 'detox' herbs, really work?
Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger says no. "There is no benefit at all."
Dr. Wollschlaeger authored a major textbook on herbal medicine, and is an editor at the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association.
"There is no evidence that any of those products can enhance or promote detoxification, which is controlled by the liver," according to Dr. Wollschlaeger.
But what about that amazing detox discoloration?
When purified water was dripped onto the pads, the same thing happened.
While the company claims the pads can promote health and energy, Markus didn't notice any changes at all.
"I don't feel changes at all, I feel like I had a good night's rest but I don't see the difference from any other night," said Markus. He went on to say that the pads were also smelly, like bacon or a barbeque.
So if you're thinking the pads will help you detox while you sleep, experts say 'keep dreaming'.
"Most likely, it's a waste of money, the discoloration you see on the foot pad, you'll probably see on your socks too," said Dr. Wollschlaeger.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
