EMF Radiation & Free Radicals: Is There a Health Cost for Convenience?

Technology has established itself as an essential part of our lives. While convenient, the electromagnetic fields (EMF Radiation) some experts claim they produce may be taking a toll on our health. If their research is to be believed, the body burden of the cumulative technological radiation could be the underlying cause of many common ailments.

Nearly everyone has or needs access to a computer, whether it’s for work, school or simply to keep in touch with family and friends. Paper maps are becoming harder to find as cell phones and cars all have GPS capabilities. Our schedules, tasks, and reminders are now predominantly stored on our computers, phones, tablets and SMART watches. Our cars park themselves, and vacuums can “see” and clean without our help. Our ovens, washers, dryers, televisions, clocks, lights, and doorbells can all wirelessly connect and communicate with a cloud full of data. In fact, many can be operated with a touch of a button through our phones from virtually anywhere.

While advances in technology have certainly made daily chores and tasks easier, the potential health consequences that may arise due to the increase of SMART devices in our home have caused many scientists to issue warnings. Studies have shown that exposure to EMF radiation can compromise our antioxidant defense system by increasing the number of free radicals in our body. This may, ultimately, make us more susceptible to disease and illness.

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Your antioxidant defense system is one of your body’s many incredible defense mechanisms that is designed to protect you. The system uses antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin A, C, and E) to help prevent (“anti”) your body from going into oxidative (“oxidant”) stress by scavenging for other molecules in your body called free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules that have lost or gained an electron from its original pair. If you need a science refresher, molecules are composed of atoms, a nucleus (center), and a pair of electrons that spin around the nucleus. The free radicals hunt through your body looking for another electron to bind to. They attempt to steal ones from other molecules like antioxidants, thus compromising and damaging them.[i] EMF radiation has been shown to increase the amount of free radical activity in the body[ii], and when the ratio of free radicals is greater than antioxidants, it leaves your body to be at risk from oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress exists when there are more free radicals than antioxidants in your body[iii]. The imbalance creates a vicious cycle in which a free radical takes an electron from your other molecules (which include antioxidants), turning that molecule into a free radical. If your body continues to be in oxidative stress, the free radicals in your body will start damaging cells, DNA, proteins, and fatty tissue (lipids).

Free radical damage can eventually lead to neurological diseases (Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, heart diseases, arthritis, and muscular dystrophy. There has also been evidence of tissue loss in different areas of the brain including: the hippocampus (controls memory, learning and emotion), cortex (responsible for motor function and sensory and language processing), and cerebellum (regulates motor movements). [iv] [v]

Safeguarding Your Health

Research on the correlation between EMF radiation and our health is continually being conducted and over time we’ll learn more about the impact of electromagnetic fields on our health. However, when it comes to the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones, delaying our actions in providing safe measures could prove fatal.

Here are some productive and protective steps you can take.

• Choose non-SMART appliances such as: refrigerators, clocks, vacuum cleaners, and ovens. This will drastically minimize the amount of radiation that is emitted into your house.
• It is almost impossible to function in today’s world without a smartphone. But you can reduce the direct contact your brain has to the radiation waves and use an air-tube headset when talking.
• Put your phone in Airplane Mode when not in use and nighttime. Nighttime is a time for your body to rejuvenate, fight, and heal, any dis-ease or illness that is trying to overtake you. Allow your body to do its work without the bombardment of radiation.
• Use computer glasses when working on any electronic device. The radiation from the blue light, while not EMF-related, is harmful and has been link to macular degeneration of the eyes.
• Build up your antioxidant system. Your body already creates its own antioxidants; however, it can always use help from you, specifically from what you eat. Make sure you eat foods that are high in antioxidants. Click here to see a list of antioxidant-rich foods.
• Invest in EMF protective products. Many businesses and individuals have done research and created practical and useful products to help diminish the harmful effects of EMF radiation. You can find some good ones here.

In short, technological advances have certainly resulted in increased safety, time-saving conveniences, and are just plain fun. Nevertheless, the potential cumulative EMF Radiation exposure risk that is a byproduct of wireless technology may require us to implement some protective strategies. By making adjustments to how we use our devices and ensuring our diets fortify our antioxidant system, we’ll be able to enjoy our beloved technology even more!

 

Need more info? Check out: 7 Antioxidants that Could Help Protect Your Body from Harmful EMF Radiation

 

SOURCES:

[i]Superberries Free Radicals https://www.superberries.com/freeradicals

[ii] National Institute of Health: Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025786/

[iii] Healthline: Oxidative Stress https://www.healthline.com/health/oxidative-stress#takeaway

[iv] National Institute of Health: Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/

[v] National Institute of Health: Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/

Additional list of antioxidant food sources: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325873