Earthing / Grounding
Earthing therapy, also called grounding, uses a connection to the energy of the earth as a natural antioxidant in order to support health and well being. Although it sounds very “New Agey” there is actually some published and emerging scientific data to support it. The concept of grounding, and indeed the use of antioxidants, has been criticized by many in the scientific community, it however warrants further review and discussion.
The hypothesis of earthing is that the earth contains an endless supply electrons and these can be used in order to neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable compounds that lead to cell destruction and chronic inflammation. A free radical can be defined as any molecular species capable of independent existence that contains an unpaired electron in an atomic orbital. Many radicals are unstable and highly reactive. They can either donate an electron to or accept an electron from other molecules, therefore behaving as oxidants or reductants.
Free Radicals
Free radicals attack important macromolecules leading to cell damage and homeostatic disruption. Targets of free radicals include all kinds of molecules in the body. Among them, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins are the major targets.Free radicals are capable in the nucleus, and in the membranes of cells of damaging biologically relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Free radicals and other ROS are derived either from normal essential metabolic processes in the human body or from external sources such as exposure to X-rays, ozone, cigarette smoking, air pollutants, some foods, and industrial chemicals. Free radical formation occurs continuously in the cells as a consequence of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions.
Some internally generated sources of free radicals are: mitochondria, inflammation, phagocytosis, arachidonic pathways, exercise, ischemia/reperfusion injury. Some externally generated sources of free radicals are:, cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants, radiation, certain drugs, pesticides, industrial solvents, ozone Free radical reactions are expected to produce progressive adverse changes that accumulate with age throughout the body.
Once free radicals are formed, a chain reaction can occur. The first free radical pulls an electron from a molecule, which destabilizes the molecule and turns it into a free radical. That molecule then takes an electron from another molecule, destabilizing it and tuning it into a free radical. This domino effect can eventually disrupt and damage the whole cell. Such “normal” changes with age are relatively common to all. However, superimposed on this common pattern are patterns influenced by genetics and environmental differences that modulate free radical damage. These are manifested as diseases at certain ages determined by genetic and environmental factors.
The free radical chain reaction may lead to broken cell membranes, which can alter what enters and exits the cell.. The chain reaction may change the structure of a lipid, making it more likely to become trapped in an artery. The damaged molecules may mutate and grow tumors. Or, the cascading damage may change DNA code. Cancer and atherosclerosis, two major causes of death, are “free radical” diseases.
Oxidative stress refers to the condition of oxidative damage resulting when the critical balance between free radical generation and antioxidant defenses is unfavorable. Oxidative stress, arising as a result of an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses, is associated with damage to a wide range of molecular species including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Several studies throughout the last few decades have suggested that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of many conditions, including macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, emphysema, alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ulcers and all inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and lupus. Free radicals are also associated with aging. The free radical theory of aging states that we age because of free radical damage over time.
An antioxidant is a molecule stable enough to donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its capacity to damage. These antioxidants delay or inhibit cellular damage mainly through their free radical scavenging property. Some of such antioxidants, including glutathione, ubiquinol, and uric acid, are produced during normal metabolism in the body. Other lighter antioxidants are found in the diet. Although there are several enzymes system within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamins) antioxidants are vitamin E (α-tocopherol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and B-carotene. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients, so they must be supplied in the diet.
Grounding / Earthing
The main hypothesis about earthing is based on the connection to the surface of the Earth, which is satiated with free electrons. This indirect or direct contact with the Earth enables “mobile” electrons to migrate into the body. The theory suggests that grounding reduces oxidative stress from occurring in the body, which in turn prevents related health disorders.
Grounding, also referred to as electric nutrition, refers to being in direct body contact with the ground (earth). Grounding includes walking barefoot on humid soil or grass, swimming in the ocean, or using grounding equipment such as grounding mats and sheets indoors which are designed to connect the body to the earth. Previously reported benefits from grounding include reduced inflammation (both chronic and acute), improved sleep, normalization of cortisol levels, decreased stress (both physiological as well as psychological), faster recovery from muscle damage during exercise, wellness and positive mood.
The simplest and most natural method of grounding is to go outdoors and place your bare feet and hands directly on the earth—many people choose to go for a barefoot walk in the park or on the beach) It has been suggested that at least a half an hour of exposure is required to access significant health benefits, a minimum of thirty minutes of barefoot time outdoors daily has been recommended, if possible. For people who don’t have safe access to a place to walk barefoot (or for whom it’s inconvenient to do so for long periods of time), there are grounded mats that allow people to work grounded, with their bare feet placed on the mat.
There are currently over 20 peer reviewed studies published in the literature concerning grounding. Recently, a study published from the Chopra Center, randomized in a blinded fashion 16 massage therapists As a group, therapists experienced significant increases in physical function and energy and significant decreases in fatigue, depressed mood, tiredness and pain while grounded as compared to not being grounded. At one-month following the study, physical function was also increased and depressed mood and fatigue were decreased.
Chevalier et al., J Environ Public Health. 2012; 2012: 291541.Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons.
Sinatra et la., Altern Ther Health Med 2017 Sep;23(5):8-16. Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing)
Chevalier et al., EXPLORE Volume 15, Issue 3, May–June 2019, Pages 181-190.The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers' Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Resources
https://earthinginstitute.net/research/
https://earthinginstitute.net/