Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity—a Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Objectives: Emerging research is revealing that direct physical contact of the human body with the surface of the earth (grounding or earthing) has intriguing effects on human physiology and health, including beneficial effects on various cardiovascular risk factors. This study examined effects of 2 hours of grounding on the electrical charge (zeta potential) on red blood cells (RBCs) and the effects on the extent of RBC clumping. Design/interventions: Subjects were grounded with conductive patches on the soles of their feet and palms of their hands. Wires connected the patches to a stainless-steel rod inserted in the earth outdoors. Small fingertip pinprick blood samples were placed on microscope slides and an electric field was applied to them. Electrophoretic mobility of the RBCs was determined by measuring terminal velocities of the cells in video recordings taken through a microscope. RBC aggregation was measured by counting the numbers of clustered cells in each sample. Settings/location: Each subject sat in a comfortable reclining chair in a soundproof experiment room with the lights dimmed or off. Subjects: Ten (10) healthy adult subjects were recruited by word-of-mouth. Results: Earthing or grounding increased zeta potentials in all samples by an average of 2.70 and significantly reduced RBC aggregation. Conclusions: Grounding increases the surface charge on RBCs and thereby reduces blood viscosity and clumping. Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events.''Erythrocytes have a strong net negative charge called the zeta potential produced by the scialoglycoprotein coat such that approximately 18 nm is the shortest span between two cells.'' -Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology 1

Grounding the Human Body during Yoga Exercise with a Grounded Yoga Mat Reduces Blood Viscosity

“…The negative charge on red blood cell membranes endows the cells with the property of repelling each other. When the charge is reduced, the ability of cells to repel each other is lessened, the tendency to clump is increased, thus increasing blood viscosity [26]. While consistent exercise can induce long-term reduction in blood viscosity, in the short-term it often causes an increase in blood viscosity [44].…”

“…Future research projects should include more subjects as well as adding zeta potential measurements, another indicator of blood viscosity [26].…”

“…When the electric potential is reduced the cells have little or no negative charge and tend to clump [26].…”

“…Red blood cells tend to lose some of the electric charge that keeps them separate and they tend to coagulate [26]. The older red blood cells also lose their ability to deform which creates a problem because without being able to bend through the capillaries, they cannot get to the cells.…”

Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Massage Therapists: An Exploratory Study

“…cosity would then increase [22]. We just don't know how much time it takes for electron depletion to happen.…”