Ionic Foot Detox Systems are used to rid the body of toxins accumulated by the consumption of unhealthy foods or drinks, breathing unhealthy air, taking drugs or being exposed to harmful chemicals. You will often find them in day spas, beauty salons, and chiropractic offices. Ionic Foot Detox works by generating negative ions, which will travel throughout a person’s body collecting positively charged toxic elements. The person who is undergoing treatment places their feet into water that holds an ionizer (array) which is connected to a control unit. The array then ionizes the water, splitting it into H+ and OH- ions (and sometimes into H3O+ and H2O2 ions.) These ions enter the body through the feet, where the circulatory and lymphatic systems transport them throughout the entire body. These ions attach themselves to oppositely charged toxins, neutralizing them so they can be excreted from the body. During the process all of the body’s organs are energized and stimulated, helping them to function optimally. Once this neutralization takes place, the toxins them are sent to different systems of the body so they can be excreted naturally through perspiration, urination and defecation.

To get the best results out of ionic foot detoxification, it is important to use the machine correctly for each user’s situation. If ionic detox is attempted too frequently or for too many minutes, this could lead to excess tiredness, dizziness, headaches, hunger or fatigue. When the machine is used too infrequently, the benefits will be minimal. It is recommended that the average healthy adult undergo 30 minute sessions two times per week for 5 weeks. Following the 10 sessions, a maintenance program of 1 session every 7-10 days is recommended. It is recommended that the average healthy 13-17 year old, using the machine with adult supervision, should undergo 15-20 minute sessions one time per week for 10 weeks. Following the 10 sessions, a maintenance program of 1 session every 14 days is recommended. For healthy 10-12 year old children, sessions should be 10-15 minutes. Ionic detox is not recommended for children less than 10 years old. Do not eat or drink anything during the session. After the session, do not move rapidly. Take 3-5 minutes of rest and get up slowly. However, if you become hungry or thirsty, eat or drink 15-20 minutes after the session.

These are the general guidelines, but not everyone is average. Ionic detox treatment protocols which include the modes, treatment durations, frequencies of treatment and total number of treatments should be customized to fit your objectives, health situation and lifestyle. For example, those recovering from illness and/or surgery may prefer more frequent maintenance treatments to aid in recovery. Therefore, it is important to work together with a health practitioner that is knowledgeable about ionic detox.

Once an ionic detox program has been customized for the user, they may be able to maximize the effectiveness by adding nutritional supplements to their diet. Depending on the user’s condition, there may be specific nutrients that will aid the body in releasing toxins. If the goal is to bring the body back to optimal health, a user should never undergo ionic detox without four specific nutrients:

WATER: It is important to drink 5-7 glasses of pure water daily. Be sure to test the water you are using. The body needs water with a pH of 9.0-10.0 because it helps counteract acids ingested by food and produced in the body.

HEALTHY FOOD: The body needs plenty of the nutrients that are found in fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Be careful of eating too many sweet fruits, though.

FIBER: It is important to maintain optimal colon function by eating enough fiber. This will accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, which will help to boost the immune system to fight against disease. The best sources of fiber are whole foods (fruits, vegetables and grains.) If you cannot get the recommended amount of fiber this way, you can take a fiber supplement with your food.

MINERALS: While ionic detox will change the body’s mineral levels and help it maintain homeostasis, studies have found that it can reduce some trace minerals that the body needs to maintain optimal health. Therefore, it is important to always take a highly assimilable mineral supplement.

These four nutrients are recommended but not required.

PROBIOTIC: Probiotics are made up of of live microorganisms that are meant to help the digestive system process food. The stomach and intestines contain millions of microorganisms which are used to aid the body to fight toxins and increase the absorption of nutrients. Probiotics can be added to a normal diet through a plant based broad spectrum supplement that includes a higher lactobacillus strain. When used with an ionic detox program, this supplement can improve the function of the immune system and colon, thus maximizing its effectiveness.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Digestive enzymes are energized protein molecules essential for the digestion of food, brain stimulation, cell, tissue and organ repair and generating cellular energy. These enzymes are secreted along the gastrointestinal tract and break down food in the body so that nutrients can be absorbed properly. Digestive enzymes are also present in the food we eat but they are inactivated when cooked. They are turned off at a dry-heat temperature of 150F (65C) and a wet temperature of 118F (48C). If our bodies rely too much on their own digestive enzymes, the result is more stress placed on our systems and organs. This leaves less time and energy for other jobs such as rebuilding and replacing damaged cells and tissues and keeping the immune system strong. When one eats plenty of raw foods and takes a high quality whole food enzyme supplement during meals, this can help avoid depletion of the body’s own enzymes, thereby reducing stress. When one is eating enough whole green foods or taking green food supplements, dosages of enzymes may be reduced.

FISH OIL: Omega-3 fish oil is an important part of an ionic detox program because it helps the body to balance at a healthy lipid level, helps with cardiovascular health, boosts immunity and has numerous other health benefits. Unless the fish oil is pharmaceutical grade and molecularly distilled, it is likely to contain high levels of hazardous contaminants. We recommend taking 2 soft gels of omega 3 fish oil with breakfast and dinner (depending on tolerance) during the ionic detox protocol.

GREENS: Take a powdered greens whole food formula. This will provide primary support for all the the entire body.