Negative Ions and Health
Among its other benefits, The Harmonic Shield is also a strong generator of negative ions. For those with just average knowledge of science, this term may at first seem intimidating - but it’s not an impossible concept to grasp. The following should help you understand what negative ions are, and how they may be of beneficial to your health
Negative Ions Demystified
Ever wonder why a walk outdoors after hours sitting at your work desk somehow makes you feel better ? To understand this, it may help to do a quick review of high school chemistry
Atoms and molecules have a positive or negative charge based on their number of their protons (positive charge), compared to their number of electrons (negative charge). If it has more protons than electrons, an atom or molecule is positively charged, it’s a positive ion or cation (“cat-ion”). If it has a surplus of electrons it is negatively charged, and is a negative ion (“an-ion”)
When significant energy is introduced into a substance or environment (the air, water), electrical bonds are loosened ; electrons are released, and substances enter more vigorous interaction. Characteristics of positive and negative ions may become more pronounced, and this may also extend to their effects on health. High concentrations of positive ions are associated with inflammation and free radical damage. At the extreme, many poisons have a strong positive charge
Back to you at your work desk, after a long day. Electronic devices, fluorescent lights, other electric devices and machinery are constantly producing positive ions which drain you of energy. The result may be a host of health issues including allergies (altered immune response), headaches, back pain, and an overall sense of fatigue
Negative ions for their part are generally more favorable in their health effects. This isn’t just a matter of conjecture, as long term studies have shown that they’re good for us. They’ve been called “vitamins of the air” because of their numerous health benefits - from enhancing mood to enhancing the immune response
The benefits below are just a small sampling of how an abundance of negative ions can create improvements in your health and well being :
The Science of Nature’s Antidepressant
The health benefits of negative ions have long been studied. One of the earliest research was work conducted in 1879 when the European monk Abbe Bertholon, who recorded responses of healthy subjects and patients to electrical changes in the air. He also noticed that plants watered from a can placed near an electrostatic generator grew to significantly greater size
Later, in 1932, Dr. Clarence W. Hansell of RCA Laboratories noticed a co-worker who had frequent mood swings. It turns out that the co-worker in question was working near an electrostatic generator. Later he also noted the behavior of his own 10-year old daughter, dancing in delight in the aftermath of a thunderstorm
It wasn’t until the 1950 however, that studies were done on specific health-boosting effects of negative ions. The first of these studies was done by Albert Krueger, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of California, who worked on mice and found that negative ions influenced the rodents’ hormone levels.
Inspired by Krueger’s findings, Dr. Felix Sulman, head of the department of Applied Pharmacology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, hypothesized that certain winds such as the Santa Ana winds in California and the Sharave in the Middle East increased people’s irritability and made them more prone to allergies and migraines. Furthermore, Dr. Sulman studied the effects of artificially-produced positive and negative ions in an enclosed room. When exposed to positive ions, subjects displayed signs of fatigue and irritability while the same individuals, when exposed to higher concentrations of negative ions, were alert and more relaxed
Recently, negative ion researcher Dr. Michael Terman of Columbia University Medical Center postulates through his recent findings that negative ions can certainly do wonders in improving one’s sense of well-being
“Summer air, in contrast to winter air, is highly concentrated with negative ions. The negative ion machines we use are designed to mimic summer-like conditions by supplementing the sparse winter ion supply. We are finding that this evokes beneficial mood effects. Although the ions emitted from the machines are not perceptible to your senses, studies have indicated clear improvement in patients with winter depression” Dr. Terman explains
Specific Health Benefits of Negative Ions
Get More Negative Ions In Your Life !
Nature is the most abundant source of negative ions, and they’re typically responsible for our sense of improved well-being when we take a swim in a lake, walk along a river or stand on a beach near a pounding surf. They’re plentiful in places where large amounts of energy or turbulence break air and water molecules apart. This explains why it’s hard to stay sad or feel bad about yourself when you’re outdoors, be it in the highlands or by the seashore
Taking a shower also refreshes us because of the increased negative ions in the splashing shower spray. The turbulence of the spray splits electrons free from the water molecules, and releases them to the surrounding atmosphere, where they may in turn attach to surrounding molecules. The same splitting of molecules occurs during a thunderstorm, contributing to the fresh, healthy quality in the atmosphere afterwards. Naturally-occurring substances such as tourmaline have also been found out to produce negative ions
In the opposite direction, air pollution generates higher concentration of dust and other substances that becomes statically charged, absorbing negative ions and depleting their numbers in the air. The same occurs in indoor areas where static from synthetic fabrics and furniture upsets the balance of negative ions in the air. Cigarette smoke and devices running on electricity also deplete the negative ions in their vicinity.
While the outdoors is not always accessible, you can have your steady dose of rejuvenating negative ions through other means. Ways of generating more negative ions include indoor plants, air filters, tourmaline bands - and our EMF protection product, The Harmonic Shield
While The Harmonic Shield patch is not offered as a therapy, nor claimed to provide specific health benefits, its component materials make it a robust source of negative ions !
Article by : Kyjean Tomboc RN / Jeff Smith RN
All rights : Living Waters Wellness Products
The Harmonic Shield : Order Direct
Among its other benefits, The Harmonic Shield is also a strong generator of negative ions. For those with just average knowledge of science, this term may at first seem intimidating - but it’s not an impossible concept to grasp. The following should help you understand what negative ions are, and how they may be of beneficial to your health
Negative Ions Demystified
Ever wonder why a walk outdoors after hours sitting at your work desk somehow makes you feel better ? To understand this, it may help to do a quick review of high school chemistry
Atoms and molecules have a positive or negative charge based on their number of their protons (positive charge), compared to their number of electrons (negative charge). If it has more protons than electrons, an atom or molecule is positively charged, it’s a positive ion or cation (“cat-ion”). If it has a surplus of electrons it is negatively charged, and is a negative ion (“an-ion”)
When significant energy is introduced into a substance or environment (the air, water), electrical bonds are loosened ; electrons are released, and substances enter more vigorous interaction. Characteristics of positive and negative ions may become more pronounced, and this may also extend to their effects on health. High concentrations of positive ions are associated with inflammation and free radical damage. At the extreme, many poisons have a strong positive charge
Back to you at your work desk, after a long day. Electronic devices, fluorescent lights, other electric devices and machinery are constantly producing positive ions which drain you of energy. The result may be a host of health issues including allergies (altered immune response), headaches, back pain, and an overall sense of fatigue
Negative ions for their part are generally more favorable in their health effects. This isn’t just a matter of conjecture, as long term studies have shown that they’re good for us. They’ve been called “vitamins of the air” because of their numerous health benefits - from enhancing mood to enhancing the immune response
The benefits below are just a small sampling of how an abundance of negative ions can create improvements in your health and well being :
- Reduce incidence of colds, flu, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, by improving function of the respiratory tract’s cilia (microscopic hairy structures that help sweep out allergens, viruses, and bacteria)
- Bind with dust, cigarette smoke, pollen and other airborne allergens and irritants, so that they become more subject to gravity, and fall to earth
- Bind to bacteria and viruses in a similar way, with similar effects
- Elevate mood and promote a heightened sense of well-being, through increased oxidation of serotonin
- Reinforce collagen renewal, which in turn slows down skin aging
- Speed up metabolism by increasing permeability of the skin membranes
- Boost blood circulation and oxygen delivery to cells and tissues
- Facilitate better absorption of nutrients
The Science of Nature’s Antidepressant
The health benefits of negative ions have long been studied. One of the earliest research was work conducted in 1879 when the European monk Abbe Bertholon, who recorded responses of healthy subjects and patients to electrical changes in the air. He also noticed that plants watered from a can placed near an electrostatic generator grew to significantly greater size
Later, in 1932, Dr. Clarence W. Hansell of RCA Laboratories noticed a co-worker who had frequent mood swings. It turns out that the co-worker in question was working near an electrostatic generator. Later he also noted the behavior of his own 10-year old daughter, dancing in delight in the aftermath of a thunderstorm
It wasn’t until the 1950 however, that studies were done on specific health-boosting effects of negative ions. The first of these studies was done by Albert Krueger, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of California, who worked on mice and found that negative ions influenced the rodents’ hormone levels.
Inspired by Krueger’s findings, Dr. Felix Sulman, head of the department of Applied Pharmacology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, hypothesized that certain winds such as the Santa Ana winds in California and the Sharave in the Middle East increased people’s irritability and made them more prone to allergies and migraines. Furthermore, Dr. Sulman studied the effects of artificially-produced positive and negative ions in an enclosed room. When exposed to positive ions, subjects displayed signs of fatigue and irritability while the same individuals, when exposed to higher concentrations of negative ions, were alert and more relaxed
Recently, negative ion researcher Dr. Michael Terman of Columbia University Medical Center postulates through his recent findings that negative ions can certainly do wonders in improving one’s sense of well-being
“Summer air, in contrast to winter air, is highly concentrated with negative ions. The negative ion machines we use are designed to mimic summer-like conditions by supplementing the sparse winter ion supply. We are finding that this evokes beneficial mood effects. Although the ions emitted from the machines are not perceptible to your senses, studies have indicated clear improvement in patients with winter depression” Dr. Terman explains
Specific Health Benefits of Negative Ions
- It has been shown in one study that large concentrations of negative ions can significantly improve function of the cilia (hair-like structures that help sweep away bacteria and viruses) in the respiratory tract, resulting in reduced incidence of colds, flu, asthma and other respiratory health issues
- Scientists at the US Agricultural Research Service found out that negative electrostatic charge can remove dust and mold spores in poultry houses, subsequently reducing cases of salmonella.
- Negative ions have also been shown to improve blood flow by separating blood cells from each other
- Individuals suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) benefit from negative ions through the increased production of alpha brain waves which creates a calming effect while encouraging REM (Rapid Eye Movements) to occur early in the sleep cycle. The occurrence of REMs during the sleep cycle makes one feel well-rested
- Dr. Igho Kornblueh of the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate Hospital found through brain wave patterns that exposure to negative ions has a tranquilizing effect amongst burn patients who are in pain
Get More Negative Ions In Your Life !
Nature is the most abundant source of negative ions, and they’re typically responsible for our sense of improved well-being when we take a swim in a lake, walk along a river or stand on a beach near a pounding surf. They’re plentiful in places where large amounts of energy or turbulence break air and water molecules apart. This explains why it’s hard to stay sad or feel bad about yourself when you’re outdoors, be it in the highlands or by the seashore
Taking a shower also refreshes us because of the increased negative ions in the splashing shower spray. The turbulence of the spray splits electrons free from the water molecules, and releases them to the surrounding atmosphere, where they may in turn attach to surrounding molecules. The same splitting of molecules occurs during a thunderstorm, contributing to the fresh, healthy quality in the atmosphere afterwards. Naturally-occurring substances such as tourmaline have also been found out to produce negative ions
In the opposite direction, air pollution generates higher concentration of dust and other substances that becomes statically charged, absorbing negative ions and depleting their numbers in the air. The same occurs in indoor areas where static from synthetic fabrics and furniture upsets the balance of negative ions in the air. Cigarette smoke and devices running on electricity also deplete the negative ions in their vicinity.
While the outdoors is not always accessible, you can have your steady dose of rejuvenating negative ions through other means. Ways of generating more negative ions include indoor plants, air filters, tourmaline bands - and our EMF protection product, The Harmonic Shield
While The Harmonic Shield patch is not offered as a therapy, nor claimed to provide specific health benefits, its component materials make it a robust source of negative ions !
Article by : Kyjean Tomboc RN / Jeff Smith RN
All rights : Living Waters Wellness Products
The Harmonic Shield : Order Direct
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