Many research have proven that negative ions are beneficial for the health. Negative ions or anions are electrically charged natural particles in the air, formed by the gain of one or more electrons. Examples include O- ions (from Oxygen) and OH- ions (from moisture in the air).


Microbiologist and experimental pathologist Dr. Albert P. Krueger discovered that even a small quantity of negative ions is capable of eliminating bacteria in the air, therefore reducing its chances of infecting people. That is why negative ion generators are gaining popularity to be used for homes, factories, cars, clothes, water filters, bedding materials, jewellery, computers, light bulbs and many more.

Negative ions are generated by lightning, plants, tourmaline, bamboo, charcoal, shower taps, pyramid shaped objects, ocean and waterfalls. Negative ions can help change the mood of a person. That is why people feel uplifted and relaxed when walking at the beach, garden or woods. Only 15% of negative electric ions are absorbed through the lungs, whereas 85% of it is absorbed through the skin.

The normal negative ion count in fresh country air is 2,000 to 4,000 per cubic centimeter (approximately the size of a sugar cube). At Waterfalls (Yosemite Falls), there are over 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. It is also interesting to highlight that the level is far below 100 per cubic centimeter on the Los Angeles freeways (any other roads in the world will give more or less similar readings) during rush hour.

Positive ions on the other hand have been shown to contribute adverse effects to the human body, causing bodily pains, headaches, dizziness, allergies, asthma, nausea, fatigue, respiratory difficulties, heart and circulatory disorders, and more. The source of these positive ions are such as electrical equipments (TV, Radio, Computers), emission from vehicles, harmful toxins and chemicals etc. Almost all cities in the world have more positive ions than negative ions floating in the air!

Contrary to its name, negative ions have been shown in scientific researches to bestow many positive effects, which will be introduced in this article.


Negative Ions Strengthen the Immune System
Researchers propose that one cc of inhaled air containing 5,000 to 50,000 of negative ions strengthens the body's resistance and immunity whereas one cc of inhaled air having negative ions of 100,000 to 500,000 relieves illnesses. It can stimulate the reticulo-endothelial system, a group of defense cells in our bodies that increases body’s resistance to diseases. Negative ions have been shown to reduce respiratory rate and enhance the metabolism of water-soluble vitamins.


Negative Ions Clean the Air of Bacteria, Viruses and Dust (including allergens)
Negative ions have a biologically lethal effect on airborne micro-organisms that can cause infections and diseases (eg. Salmonella that can cause food poisoning). Negative ions cause allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust, and animal dander floating in the air (which have either a neutral or positive charge) to be attracted to and stick to each other, forming 'clumps'. As more are gathered over time, these 'clumps' of particles become heavy and get pulled down to the floor, which can then be cleaned with a cloth / mop / broom.

A study showed that ionising a room led to 52% less dust and 95% less bacteria in the air. Another group of scientists also found that the use of negative ions can reduce the presence of airborne viruses by about 40%.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated:
"These results indicate that negative air ionisation can have a significant impact on the airborne microbial load in a poultry house and at least a portion of this effect is through direct killing of the organisms."

As allergens in the air cannot sustain themselves in the air high with negative ions, negative ions effectively help prevent allergy symptoms, influenza, asthma and other bronchial diseases. Dr. I. Kombluch mounted experiments at the Northeastern Hospital and Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, whereby he was able to report that 63% of the patients suffering from hay fever or bronchial asthma "have experienced partial or total relief" from negative ion therapy.


Negative Ions Help Supply More Oxygen to the Body
Negative ions absorbed in the bloodstream can accelerate the delivery of oxygen to cells and tissues in the human body. Healthy cells contribute to a healthy body. An increased flow of oxygen to the brain also increases an individual's level of alertness and focus.


Negative Ions Induced Rapid Recovery for Patients Suffering from Burns
Patients suffering from burns have been shown to heal and recover much faster after being exposed to high quantity of negative ions than those that didn't. They also claimed to have experienced lesser pain. A study showed that ionisation has reduced bacterial levels in burns and plastic surgery units by over 96% after a two-week period. This implies that negative ions can help accelerate recovery of patients in hospitals. It is also interesting to note that there are already some hospitals that use negative ion machines.


Negative Ions Create Positive Feelings
Negative ions accelerate oxidation of serotonin (5-hydroxtryptamine) in the blood that is responsible for creating a positive mood, pain relief and sexual drive. Overproduction of serotonin inside the brain is the cause of fatigue, migraine and headaches. Inhaling negative ions regulates the production of serotonin inside the brain, therefore effectively relieving one from these symptoms.

A study at Columbia University suggested that negative ion treatment is more effective than anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac and Zolof. Exposure to high quantities of negative ions was associated with feeling better about oneself and less sensitive, and more responsive or innervated (energized). So far, negative ions have not been shown to produce any side effects.


Negative ions improve sleep quality
Inhaling air filled with negative ions improves the quality of sleep, specifically promoting deep sleep. This is achieved from the regulation of the production of the chemical Serotonin in the brain. As a result, many people have claimed to feel refreshed after waking up.


Negative Ions Improve Memory, Concentration and Cognition, and Decreases Fatigue
Negative ions have been shown to improve memory and attention even in learning-disabled and mentally retarded children. As for other normal individuals, those exposed to negative ions tend to perform much better in mentally-oriented activities than those who are not. Negative ions are responsible for inducing alpha brain waves. These waves are generally found to be high in meditators. These waves are also associated with alertness and rapid ability in learning. Thus, not only can negative ions can help deepen one's meditation experience, the individual can also benefit from becoming a better learner and observer. Subjects in negative ions researches have reported experiencing faster reaction times and feeling significantly more energetic. A study by Toyota Central R and D Labs, Inc. found that negative ions can improve fatigue and cognition of drivers. This has paved the way for negative ion generators for cars!


Negative Ions Improve Metabolism
Negative ions can improve metabolism by increasing the permeability of the cell's prototype plasma membranes. A weak metabolism is the root cause of nearly all health problems. If you are suffering from a serious illness or disease, strengthening your metabolism will help you increase your chances of fighting it. Having a strong metabolism is also a good preventive measure against major diseases related to the heart, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Negative ions have also been observed to effectively lower blood pressure. Therefore, it is suggested that patients, suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure), use an ion generator to complement their blood pressure lowering medication.


Negative Ions for Cancer Treatment
Another study carried out by the University of Frankfurt illustrated the physical effects of negative ions to cancer cells. Different types of cancer cells were transfused into the bodies of mice. To have a base of comparison, one group of mice was placed in an environment exposed to plenty of negative ions, whereas another group was left to live under normal conditions. The result from this experiment showed that the mice in the first group lived, on average, for 59 days (with a maximum of 80 days), whereas mice from the second group lived no longer than 34 days. Conclusively, the mice from the first group lived, on average, 25 days longer. This experiment therefore suggests that negative ions may also be beneficial for patients undergoing cancer treatments.



You may also be interested in reading:
Are You Exposed to Harmful Radiation?
Why Be Vegetarian?



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Authors: Silambarasu Karuppiah & Genevieve Tan Shu Thung

Copyright © 2012 Sandhya Maarga Holistic Living Resources
Holistic Living Annex (Volume 1, Issue 3 - APRIL 2012 Edn)