Note: The information and opinions stated in this article are solely those of the authors and are unrelated to pyroenergen.com. For the pyroenergen.com edition of Aqua Detox scam article, please read “Detox Foot Spa, Is It a Scam? You'd Better Know the Truth”.

The Aqua Detox Scam: How it Works – The Truth

The Aqua Detox system produces a frequency of positive and negative ions, which according to the manufacturer, gently resonates through the body and stimulates the cells within it. This has the effect of rebalancing the cellular energy, enabling the cells to perform effectively and to release toxins that may have built up.

How Does it Work?

Very simply the user of the system places the feet in a bath of lukewarm water that has a small amount of salt added to aid the conductivity of the water. The manufacturer states that when the apparatus is switched on and the array immersed in water, the unit creates an electrolytic flow (a flow of electrons), which imparts to the water a bio-energetic field, which allows a gentle bio-energetic resonance to travel through the body. The water in the footbath (or bath) becomes an extension of the water in the body, from which it is separated by nothing more substantial than a thin membrane—the skin.

The manufacturer claims that the bio-energetic stimulation has a positive effect on microcirculation. The microcirculation is the part of the body's fluid circulation directly involved in the interchanges of substances between the blood and tissues of the body. Microcirculation plays a very important role in regulating both the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and proper excretion of waste products out of the body.

The manufacturer also cites that if the microcirculation is good, the body is more likely to be healthy. When there is an imbalance, there is more likely to be a dysfunction. As the body re-balances its Bio-Energetic Field it plays an important part in regulating both supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and the proper excretion of waste products (toxins) out of the body. The body is therefore more likely to be healthy, allowing the body to restore its natural healing energy levels.

Possible Scam?

Some manufacturers claim that the color of the bath indicates what areas have allegedly been cleansed of toxins: black for liver, orange for joints, green for gall bladder, and so on. Critics say that foot detox machines are simply AC/DC transformers attached to ferrous electrodes that corrode to generate rust (producing "brown" color) when used to electrolyze the saline water in the footbath. The different variations in color can be accounted by varying amount of salt added to the water and variations in the compositions of the electrodes. It's just a simple chemistry called electrolysis. The water will change color regardless, whether there are feet in the water or not.

Dialysis results from several sources also show that the brown stuff that appears in the bathwater is iron-based, and that the bathwater showed no sign of urea or creatinine, supporting the fact that detoxification does not apply.

Some critics say that companies are using the change in water color to impress the general public and no more than a sales pitch. They also say that manufacturers use pseudoscience of toxins, bio-energy, bio-stimulation, cellular energy, and other science jargons to mislead people.

ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) and Aqua Detox

Aqua Detox International, maker of one of the major brands of detox foot baths, is the subject of an Advertising Standards Authority adjudication for April 6, 2005. The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Trading Standards department objected to the mailshot, challenging the efficacy of the device.

According to its makers, Aqua Detox can "re-establish the bio-energetic fields", whatever they might be. The blurb goes on to say it will help treat conditions from eczema to brain tumours. It will, apparently, even help the lame to walk. Just one problem. Aqua Detox International of Surbiton, Surrey, couldn't prove any of its claims when challenged by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Adjudication

1. Complaint upheld

The advertisers did not respond to that point. The Authority was concerned by the advertisers' lack of response, which it considered was a breach of the Code; it reminded the advertisers of their responsibility to respond to its enquiries and told them to do so in future. The Authority considered that the advertisers had not substantiated the efficacy of the device. It concluded that the mailing was misleading and told the advertisers not to make claims in future unless they held documentary evidence to support them. It told the advertisers to seek help from the CAP Copy Advice team before advertising again.

2. Upheld

The advertisers said they would remove the testimonials from the advertisement. The Authority was concerned that the testimonials referred to serious medical conditions and that readers could be discouraged from seeking medical advice from a suitably qualified health professional. It welcomed the advertisers' decision to remove them.

References

Aqua Detox International
http://www.aquadetox-international.com/

Device Watch
http://www.devicewatch.org/reports/aquadetox.shtml

Apothecary's Drawer Weblog
http://www.raygirvan.co.uk/apoth/2004_05_01_arc.html#108575608886281343

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication+Details.htm?Adjudication_id=39570