Did you know that your body is mostly water and minerals? Did you know that this makes you a good conductor of electricity? Surely you know that if you are struck by lightening it will travel through your body and cause damage because we are such good conductors. There is a connection between humans and the naturally balancing electric frequencies of the earth. This is called earthing or grounding. However, unless your bare feet are touching the ground, we lose this connection and suffer the consequences.
Chronic inflammation is a primary cause of disease
It has become clear that the most basic underlying cause of disease is chronic inflammation. An intrinsic cause of chronic inflammation is positively charged free radicals. Free radicals are produced by metabolic processes in the body that are created by over active immune responses. Even with antioxidants in the diet, the amount of immune/inflammatory reactions may far exceed the neutralizing effects of antioxidants.
In our modern world we are bombarded with toxins and foreign particles our immune systems react to. Because of poor diet, chemical additives and damage to the gut lining, we are prone to hyper reactive responses to our environment.
Every time an immune response is activated, chemicals called cytokines are released. These cytokines are purveyors of inflammation. Therefore, each time an immune response is initiated, inflammation occurs under the radar. If the person’s immune response is unbalanced in the two arms (Th1 and TH2) the response may be inappropriate and will create inflammation.
We are disconnected
In recent decades the incidence of chronic diseases, allergies, auto-immune conditions, and insomnia has skyrocketed in modern societies. One overlooked reason for this situation is the disconnect between humans and the earth we walk on. We no longer actually touch the earth with bare feet or sleep on the ground. Since this disconnect from the earth’s energy, our immune systems began functioning less efficiently.
The human immune system evolved over a long span of time during which we were in virtually constant barefoot contact with the earth 24/7. In our modern society, we no longer walk barefoot. We wear shoes that insulate us from the earth’s energy. We live in homes high above the ground. We never come into contact with the earth — skin to skin.
As a result, we are isolated from the natural healing energies of the earth and many people may now be considered electron deficient. Being electron deficient can lead to an abundance of free radicals and result in chronic inflammation which is now known to be an underlying factor in ongoing pain and many illnesses.
When we connect to the earth, the amount of the electrons we absorb is governed by the amount our body needs to balance the electrical charge of our body. It is always the perfect amount. It is nature working at her best.
Studies show that earthing affects the human body
In a study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine in April 2011, the authors, Karol Sokal, MD, PhD and Pawel Sokal, MD PhD, concluded that grounding… “may be the primary factor regulating the endocrine and nervous systems.”
In a study on the biologic effects of grounding during sleep, published in the same journal in 2004, the author tested cortisol levels of 12 subjects as an objective marker, as well as taking subjective reports from the subjects. The results showed that grounding the subjects at night via a grounded mattress pad, reduced night time cortisol levels and synchronized them to be more in alignment with the 24 hours circadian rhythm pattern. The subjects reported that their sleep was improved and pain and stress was relieved.
A multiparameter double blind study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, by G. Chevalier, reproduced the physiologic changes in humans after grounding for 40 minutes. This research had been done before and he wanted to replicate it. And he did. He found that several physiologic parameters, such as, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, etc. were changed. He concluded that grounding could become important for relaxation, health and disease prevention.
In an editorial article by James L. Oschman, PhD., published in the Journal for Alternative and Complementray Medicine in April 2011, the author reviews the Sokal research and concludes,
Evidence from the Sokal study, along with related studies reported in this and other journals, show that Earthing may be a major piece of the inflammation/chronic disease puzzle. The Sokals studied the effects of Earthing on the reaction to vaccination. This is the first study of its kind, and provides a foundation or a model system for future investigation of the role of Earthing in inflammation and for testing the inflammation hypothesis. While much more research is obviously needed to substantiate or refute the inflammation hypothesis and the role of Earthing, the subject is obviously of profound importance and worthy of further investigation, given the toll chronic disease takes on our health and happiness.
I don’t know about you, but I am sold on the beneficial effects of earthing. I’m always pretty skeptical about claims that appear to be out on the fringe of science. But I also know that many things are unquantifiable. Science doesn’t prove everything — maybe it proves nothing. There is no science proving the SCD or the GAPS diets. But I know they work.
Reading the book, Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever Made, revealed to me the importance of being grounded. We are also exposed to many elctromagnetic fields (EMFs) from computers and other electronic gadgets all around us. The neutralizing flow of electrons that grounding imparts, can be protective against EMFs. I do have a concern about this because of the amount of time I am in front of a computer these days.
How to get grounded
Walk barefoot contacting the earth as much as you can. Go into your backyard and walk around barefoot or sit in a chair with your feet firmly on the ground.
Swim in the ocean. The salt water is a great conductor of the earth’s energy. This is not an option unless you live near the beach. I do live near wonderful beaches on Long Island, but I do not have time to go there everyday.
Dig a hole and lay in it, contacting the earth with your bare skin. Again this is clearly not much of an option for most people.
Buy grounding equipment such as grounding pads for working at a computer or grounding sheets for the bed.
It also makes sense, because I know I feel great after a day at the beach where I am barefoot all day. Of course, the fresh air, salt water and sun also play a part, but these studies were conducted inside with earthing equipment. I’m ready to buy some earthing equipment and change my ungrounded life into one that is more grounded… Are you?
Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Where to buy grounding equipment
This post is shared at: Sustainable Ways, Whole Food Wednesday, Healthy 2Day, Allergy Free Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, These Chicks Cooked, Mommy Club, Creative Juice Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, Seasonal Celebration, Sunday School, Sugar-Free Sunday, Monday Mania, Barnyard Hop, Real Food 101
Photo Credit
