# Alimtox Ion Generator (Foot Spa Toxin Sucker: bunk?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262 "2008-09-19T03:29:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/1 "2008-09-19T03:29:37Z")
[Their link.](http://www.alimtox.com/Home.html) Okay, so apparently they are these foot spas that go for two grand ($2,000). The gimmick: They’re supposed to use mystical ionic energy to pull the “toxins” from your body, thereby changing the color of the water your feet are being soaked in. Among the color change (from greenish-black to pale yellow), could be flecks, froth, and cottage cheese like crap floating in it. They also have a chart, that depending on what color the water turns, they can pin point what ailments you might have. And of course it’s supposed to rejuvenate you, restore your chi, and align your astral plane to your central meridian. Or something. Anyway, my google-fu hasn’t been very productive, but I would desperately love any debunking. Sounds like utter bullshit, and even my averagely skeptical wife (who had it done at at a vendor party of friends and acquaintances) was pretty convinced. Upon the very first three words of her descriptions of the event, my skeptical klaxons where blaring at full tilt. So, anyone hear of this? What’s the Dope? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/2 "2008-09-19T11:57:41Z")
There was a discussion about those a while back, but other than the consensus that’s it’s bunk, I don’t remember the details. But you can buy one here for $199. [http://www.jdsorientalhealthsupply.com/catalog/item/4928649/4959621.htm](http://www.jdsorientalhealthsupply.com/catalog/item/4928649/4959621.htm) And it’s a dual unit too. No, not both feet, two persons can be fooled at once.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/3 "2008-09-19T12:18:09Z")
That product fails my personal test for snake oil by including both “ions” and “toxins” in the same sentence. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/4 "2008-09-19T16:01:40Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > That product fails my personal test for snake oil by including both “ions” and “toxins” in the same sentence. Precisely. Those were two of the first three words out of her mouth. I suppose I can try and search for the older thread. Thanks peeps. ETA: But if anyone has anymore current info or remembers how to find the old thread, please post here. I need ammunition. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/5 "2008-09-19T16:20:10Z")
Here is a [Quackwatch discussion](http://www.devicewatch.org/reports/aquadetox.shtml). QUACK!! ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/6 "2008-09-19T17:44:27Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > There was a discussion about those a while back, but other than the consensus that’s it’s bunk, I don’t remember the details. But you can buy one here for $199. [http://www.jdsorientalhealthsupply.com/catalog/item/4928649/4959621.htm](http://www.jdsorientalhealthsupply.com/catalog/item/4928649/4959621.htm) And it’s a dual unit too. No, not both feet, two persons can be fooled at once.:dubious: If 30 minutes in a foot bath turned the water the color shown on that website I think I’d probably want to call a doctor, that just ain’t normal. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/7 "2008-09-19T21:02:24Z")
> [@nd\_n8](#): > > If 30 minutes in a foot bath turned the water the color shown on that website I think I’d probably want to call a doctor, that just ain’t normal. As the quackwatch link shows, that _is_ normal. As long as you have a footbath with corroding electrodes. And you don’t even have to put your feet in it. How’s that for efficient detoxing? ---
**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/8 "2008-09-19T21:05:39Z")
> [@naita](#): > > As the quackwatch link shows, that _is_ normal. As long as you have a footbath with corroding electrodes. And you don’t even have to put your feet in it. How’s that for efficient detoxing? That lightening sensation in your back-left pocket tells you that it’s working. ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alimtox-ion-generator-foot-spa-toxin-sucker-bunk/464262/9 "2008-09-20T02:22:45Z")
> [@naita](#): > > As the quackwatch link shows, that _is_ normal. As long as you have a footbath with corroding electrodes. And you don’t even have to put your feet in it. How’s that for efficient detoxing? Ah, the old stick your feet in a tub full of rusty water schtick. Meh, I’ll stick to hot water, boric acid and ultrasound, at least that does something for my skin and feels good.