Q. Can you remove toxins through your feet with foot baths or pads?

A. Products designed to remove toxins through your feet remove dollars from your wallet, but not much else. Promoters falsely claim that our intestines, colon and bloodstream are easily clogged by undigested foods, and toxins that must be cleaned out using their products.

The human body has its own built-in detoxification system. The liver, kidneys and intestines regularly filter blood to extract waste and contaminants, which are then excreted in the urine and feces. Therefore, commercial detoxification products are unnecessary.

With detoxifying foot baths, your feet are soaked in warm water with added salts. An electric current is passed through electrodes immersed in the water. During the treatment, the water turns brown, green or blue. Promoters claim the color change is from toxins leaving the body.

However, according to chemist Stephen Lower, "This is an old parlor trick, a chemistry classroom demonstration and highly profitable scam. The color of the water actually comes from corrosion of the metal electrodes. These are made of iron, nickel and copper, all of which decompose into colored ions. Colors vary with the amount of salts in the bath, and substances in the 'soaps' used to prepare the patient's feet."

Detoxifying foot pads that you attach to the soles of your feet while you sleep are also fraudulent. The pads supposedly absorb toxins and turn brown or black. Since most toxins produced in the body are colorless, what you see during these treatments is purely for show.

According to University of Pittsburgh toxicology expert Devra Davis, "leaving the foot pads out overnight without their plastic packaging also produces a black or brown color. The pads contain little more than green tea and vinegar." Flavanoids in the tea are known to darken when exposed to oxygen and moisture.

Recently, ABC's "20/20" investigated two popular brands of detoxifying foot pads. Dropping distilled water on the pads turned them the same dark color as wearing them on your feet. Laboratory analysis of pads used by volunteers showed no evidence of heavy metals or toxins. Neither company was able to provide valid scientific studies proving that their products work.

The best way to remove toxins from your body is to drink plenty of water and to eat foods high in fiber. This helps your kidneys, liver and colon eliminate toxins the natural way.

Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Nutrition Unlimited in Kailua. Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine and diet take turns writing the Prescriptions column. Send your questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Hono-lulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 535-8170. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.