Ion cleanses are becoming more popular as our culture looks to rid the body of toxins built up by smoke, food, alcohol and the air we breathe.
So what is an ion cleanse?
Before we tackle that question, the Times wants to make clear that this article is by no means a substitute for professional health care. We do not have the staff to extensively research this relatively new form of detoxification.
We interviewed an ion cleanse provider and spoke with other ion cleanse users. This reporter also tested out the ion cleanse system.
So, to answer that question, the ion cleanse is basically a foot bath.
Its an electronic detoxification system that acts like a reverse osmosis system, magnetizing the ions with positive and negative electronic currents.
We could delve into neutrons, protons and electrons, however this is isnt a science class.
Basically, its putting negative ions into the body and pulling out positive ions.
Positive ions are bad ions, negative ions are the feel-good ions, according to Mary Marsh.
Marsh is a natural health practitioner who has her doctorate and masters degrees in the field.

She offers the ion cleanse, along with other detoxification techniques like the raindrop technique that uses essential oils and biofeedback which helps reduce hypertension, stress and pain.
The customer does nothing during the half-hour ion cleanse process except sit back and relax.
The feet are placed in a tub of clear water, which contains the ion cleanse machine, and some sea salt is added to make the water more conductive.
Once the machine is turned on, it generates ions that travel through the body attaching themselves to different toxic substances and neutralizing their positive or negative charges.
Changing colors
What the customer can expect to see is a change in the waters color.
According to the manufacturer, A Major Difference, the water will change color whether or not feet are in the tub, however it is only a slight amount and is due to the added salt and the impurities in the water.
The company also states that the different water colors reflect the area of the body being detoxified.
For instance, the first color I experienced was a yellow color, which apparently means the bladder, kidney and urinary tract are being detoxified.
Next it turned orange - detoxifying the joints. Marsh believes many toxins settle in the joints and that causes problems like arthritis.
It also turned dark green, which is the gallbladder. Then it went brown. Brown means toxins like tobacco and cellular debris are emanating.
Mind you, tobacco can build up in non-smokers due to second-hand smoke at restaurants, bars, smog in the air, etc.
There was also a lot of scummy-looking stuff that was gathering around the machine itself.
Marsh said that was likely yeast.
Everybody has yeast. We all have too much of it, she said. Its the sugar in our diets.
Needless to say, it was all really gross.
In the end, my particular bath water was black. Apparently, this means the liver was being detoxified.
In addition, there were small black flecks of heavy metals that have built up in my system.
Now, the metal didnt come out of my feet that way, but the magnetization of the ions caused the metal to gather and form larger flecks.
It wasnt the most attractive tub of water. In the end, it basically looked like stagnant swamp water.
Ive seen it look a lot worse, Marsh said encouragingly.
I sat in disbelief at this toxic waste that was inside of me. If that much came out in one sitting - how much more is inside me, I wondered.
Part way through the half-hour session I did experience some slight nausea and I was momentarily light-headed.
Marsh said this was because a lot of toxins were leaving my body at that time. A glass of water and a few minutes time rid me of those symptoms.
Not everyone will have the same experience. In fact, users have said that every session they have is different.
Marsh recommends 14 sessions initially to get all the toxins out, however even one session a month would be beneficial, she said.
If youre relatively healthy, you probably wont feel the difference, Marsh said.
A half-hour session with Marsh at Radiance Salon in Milaca is $35.
Testimonies
Eileen Sanborn of Princeton began a series of ion cleanses in May 2005. She originally witnessed her daughters session and said she found it very intriguing.
Sanborn was intrigued during her first session primarily with the water changing color, as well as being able to feel changes in her body.
I saw the floating stuff and learned what the different colors meant, Sanborn said. I was full of questions.
Sanborn was experiencing a great deal of joint pain and said she had tried everything.
So she decided to give the ion cleanse a try. It should be noted she also did the bio feedback and the rain drop massage.
The ion cleanse was the real visual thing that said I have work to do on my body, Sanborn admitted. I could feel it in my body where I was having the pain - in my lower back, hip and knee. There was sensation there.
Each session was different for Sanborn. The pain and the water color would change. Sometimes there would be swelling or tingling sensations.
I didnt personally experience any swelling or tingling. My feet must have been swollen before the session, however, because my shoes were extremely loose on me when I left.
Just knowing those toxins are coming out of your body is just real encouraging for me, Sanborn added.
Sanborn conceded she will never be completely free of the joint pain.
But it helped a lot, she said. You have to believe in the health care path that you take. Some people choose different methods - physical therapy, chiropractic. When things dont work for you, you have to start asking yourself, why isnt this working?
When I started doing this, it all started to make sense for me. The way I had been eating, the way I had been taking care of my body. I was exercising but I was exposing my body to toxins. I wasnt treating my whole body.
For Sanborn, the natural path meant less medications.
By week two I had stopped taking all medications, like Ibuprofen, she said. You get caught in that vicious circle and I just wanted out of that.
John Monroe of Milaca has had several sessions after a friend recommended the process. A diabetic, Monroe was suffering from pain in his feet.
It definitely makes my feet feel better, without a doubt, Monroe said. Youre surprised every time you have it done. I dont really understand it.
My feet were really sore and tight, now theyre limber.
Monroe felt nothing during the sessions except relaxation from having his feet in water, but his feet definitely felt better following the sessions.
Detox has become a major issue with our health, Marsh said. The more you can get out, the healthier you are. This is a simple, easy way to do that.
Marsh also talked about the benefit of using essential oils in massage.
She showed an example of how essential oils can help rid the body of toxins, in particular the plastic that builds up in our bodies.
Think about the plastic containers we use in our microwaves, for instance. Ever notice how little bits of the plastic have pulled away from the sides where the food is? Where is that plastic going?
Marsh recommends using ceramic or glass containers in the microwave.
Taking a small piece of Styrofoam, Marsh placed a couple drops of pure lemon oil on the Styrofoam. Immediately, the oil began interacting with foam. Within a few minutes, the oil ate a hole right through the Styrofoam.
The essential oils will break down and eat the toxins, Marsh said.
We ingest plastic in other ways as well, such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Think about your morning routine, Marsh said.
You use shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, after shave, lotions, makeup, hair gel, hair spray, perfume/cologne - all man-made chemicals. And thats just before youve gone out the door.
The ion cleanse is most beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and fibromyalgia, Marsh said. The manufacture also states those with edema, inflammation and gout will notice the biggest difference.
A lot of people tell me they sleep better, Marsh added.
Because they are so absorbent, the ion cleanse targets the feet.
Marsh said kids whose yards have chemical treatments are 40 percent more likely to get cancer than those who dont use chemicals.
The reason? Kids run around barefoot a lot. The feet absorb those chemicals.
Youre taking in stuff, toxins, all the time, Monroe said. If it does something and makes you healthy, great! Thats all I need to satisfy myself. If its all in your mind, so be it.
Sanborn said, I felt like I was stuck at a wall and couldnt get over.
Thanks, in part, to the ion cleanse, Sanborn feels as though shes gotten over that wall.
I highly recommend it, she said.
Editors Note: It is recommended that those who wear pacemakers, organ transplant recipients, and those on heartbeat regulating medication should not have an ion cleanse.

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