Detoxing foot patches are very popular now, but do they even make sense? The professor gives advice My guide: health

Within one night, these detoxifying foot patches will cleanse your body, aid in digestion, promote weight loss and fight fatigue. But according to Godschalk, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. “From biology, as we now know it, these plasters are unlikely to allow your body to detox. That’s why I think scientific studies won’t be done in the near future, unless specifically called for.”

According to the professor at Maastricht University, these patches obviously cannot remove toxins from the body. “Sweat contains very small amounts of ‘toxins’. The main way the body gets rid of toxins is through urine or feces. Substances are often metabolized first in the liver, after which they can be removed from the body through urine or feces. Sweat has a contribution. Little or no detoxification.”

Godschalk explains that measurements have been made in the US of the toxins secreted in the substantia nigra beneath the patches, commissioned by ABC-News. In the end, after wearing the plasters, it turned out that there was no excess of toxins. “It is not clear why the notion that detoxification through the skin is such an important mechanism. For example, there are also rumors that using deodorant with aluminum would cause breast cancer, because the toxins would not be able to leave the body. If you look at current knowledge About detoxing, that’s very unlikely.”

So the foot patches have no detoxifying effect. But if it doesn’t help, it won’t hurt, right? Godschalk: “There are toxic substances that can be absorbed through the skin, but I don’t know if these plasters contain them. I’m not aware of any studies where there’s been targeted research on the health risks of using them. I think the most obvious risks are allergic reactions and irritation, but these Not permanent effects.” Therefore, most of the effects of detox patches are localized on the skin. “For example, it contains vinegar-like compounds that corrode the skin. Many diabetics suffer from foot neuropathy or open wounds. I advise against using plasters for this group of patients, because the short-term and long-term effects have not been sufficiently studied,” Goodshalk says.

This article originally appeared in Margaret’s Magazine.

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