How Magnesium Offers Natural EMF Protection

natural emf protectionExposure to electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, is an expected occurrence in our daily lives. Although this is not a new development, the dose and frequency has continued to rise significantly over the last decade.

With the majority of the public continuously exposed to EMFs, researchers estimate up to 13% of these individuals experience adverse health complications (1).

Where do EMFs come from?

EMFs are produced both naturally in our environment and through technology. Now, it has become increasingly difficult to avoid EMFs as our cellphones, laptops, electricity in our homes and businesses, appliances, and industrial equipment all generate EMFs.

How do EMF’s create unhealthy side effects?

EMF research continues to uncover the unhealthy side effects of frequent EMF exposure and their findings suggest this is becoming a growing public health concern. (2). One of the key negative effects on health associated with prolonged EMF exposure is oxidative stress (3)

Oxidative stress, or an imbalance of oxygen in the body, occurs when there are more unhealthy molecules in the body compared with the anti-oxidants like vitamin C and E.  The anti-oxidants can neutralize and dissolve unhealthy oxygen molecules, which act to cause cell damage, a variety of illnesses, and increase the effects of aging over time.

Other complications of EMF exposure include the opening of calcium channels in the brain (4), along with an increased use of magnesium, calcium and zinc, leading to depleted levels of these crucial nutrients (5).

How calcium channels work

Calcium channels exist in the body to selectively allow calcium ions into our cells. Calcium ions are charged molecules that play an important role in cell activity and function.  They help with communication between cells and affect all stages of our cell’s life cycles. This system is tightly regulated, so when these channels begin opening abnormally due to EMF radiation, it can lead to symptoms such as (6):

  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Pain/tingling due to nerve stimulation

A natural remedy for this can be selecting magnesium-rich foods to eat, as well as taking magnesium supplements. Both can offer natural EMF protection.

The benefits of magnesium for natural EMF protection

Magnesium is a great example of a nutrient important for EMF radiation protection. Why? Well, it is involved in over 300 chemical processes in the body, including the support of several anti-oxidant enzymes (7).

Enzymes play a vital role in our bodies and they help speed up chemical reactions that take place in nearly all cells.  With magnesium acting to fuel our anti-oxidant enzymes, it ultimately has the ability to help decrease oxidative stress due to sustained EMF exposure. In addition, magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker (8).

Beyond magnesium’s role in improving anti-oxidant capacity and calcium channel blocking, it regulates neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain that affect our mood and stress response) and enables us to transition away from our fight and flight reactions, and into a calm, more peaceful state (9).

In fact, the calming effect of magnesium is so significant that it has been coined “the original chill pill”. So for those struggling with poor sleep quality or impaired immunity due to stress, EMF exposure, or inflammation, magnesium supplementation is key.

Top dietary sources of magnesium

Despite its crucial role in the body, about half the U.S. population aren’t getting enough of it (10).  Magnesium is considered one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies in the United States, following closely behind vitamin D deficiency.

Deficiency is easily remedied by incorporating foods rich in magnesium into your diet. Top sources of magnesium include:

  • Seeds – 764 mg in 1 cup pumpkin seeds
  • Nuts – 307 mg in 1 cup of nuts
  • Dark leafy greens – 157 mg in 1 cup of cooked spinach
  • Fatty fish – 53 mg in ½ salmon filet
  • Legumes – 48 mg per serving
  • Avocado – 42 mg in a whole avocado

Final thoughts

If you struggle from symptoms of EMF exposure and are looking to implement natural EMF protection measures in your life, ensuring you are receiving adequate doses of magnesium in your diet is key. The daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for magnesium are as follows:

  • 400 mg/day for men between 19-30 years
  • 310 mg/day for women between 19-30 years
  • 420 mg/day for men over 31 years
  • 320 for women over 31 years

Another option is to supplement with a highly absorbable form of magnesium. An example of a product that contains this is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. In addition to containing magnesium that’s mixed with healthy oils in a softgel form, it also includes calcium and zinc, which can become depleted over time due to prolonged EMF exposure.

References:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26372109/
  2. https://www.who.int/gho/phe/emf/en/
  3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11011-017-0016-2
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26368042/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20872091/
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15031956/
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26404370/
  8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1494942/
  9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19621270/
  10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28140318/
What EMF protection works?

Magnesium is a great example of a nutrient that’s important for EMF radiation protection. It is involved in over 300 chemical processes in the body, including the support of several anti-oxidant enzymes. With magnesium acting to fuel our anti-oxidant enzymes, it ultimately has the ability to help decrease oxidative stress due to sustained EMF exposure.

What is the best EMF protection?

It’s helpful to turn your Wi-Fi connection off when you’re not using the internet and also at night to protect your immune system while you sleep. EMF-blocking clothing can make a difference, such as beanies and shirts that contain silver threading. Avoid wireless watches, headsets and other wireless devices. Use regular, old-fashioned light bulbs rather than compact fluorescent ones that can give off “dirty energy.”

Cell Phone Safety – How’s Your Screen Time?

cell phone safetyBy Susan Doktor

Look around your house and ask yourself, what couldn’t I live without? If you’re like nearly half the population, your smartphone is on the list.

That’s because our smartphones connect us to so many other things we love, from the people who are precious to us to the music that enriches our lives.

Knowing that we can’t live without our smartphones raises a question, though. How can we live more healthfully with them? From finding the best cellular service plan, to choosing a cell phone case that reflects our unique personalities, we invest a lot of time ensuring we have the best smartphone experience. You might want to think about it this way: adopting healthy cell phone habits is part of your overall smartphone optimization plan.

Cell Phone Safety During Cold and Flu Season

While the greatest risk of being infected with colds and the flu comes from inhaling airborne droplets released by people who are ill, a virus can also spread via contaminated surfaces. Plastic and metal, two of the materials commonly used to manufacture smartphones, can harbor a virus for two to three days.

What’s more, because we hold our phones close to our faces and speak directly into them, they are more likely than other objects — like countertops or pots and pans, for example — to carry traces of a virus.

The first step you can take to reduce your risk comes down to common sense. For best cell phone safety, don’t share your smartphone with others and don’t use other people’s phones. That means not handing your phone to someone else to view your Facebook photos. If someone wants to do a quick Google search on your phone, do it for them.

Don’t reach over to hand someone their phone just to be courteous. Our phones have become so ever-present in our lives, we are barely aware of how often we touch them.

Keep it Clean

It’s also a smart practice to disinfect your phone periodically. Phone manufacturers have recently advised users that common disinfectants like alcohol and bleach wipes can be used to clean screens without damaging them. But some products might be too harsh so it’s best to follow your phone’s manufacturer’s advice on the subject. If you’re into gadgets, you may also want to consider one of the phone disinfecting devices that uses UVC light to kill germs.

UVC is ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is a type of radiation that makes black-light posters glow and is responsible for summer tans.  Light in the UVC wavelength can be used for disinfecting water, sterilizing surfaces, destroying harmful micro-organisms in food products and also in the air.

UVC light has been used for years to stop the spread of disease. It’s also a component of the best air purifiers for home use. Choose a model that encloses your phone and bathes it in light, rather than a wand-style model, to avoid exposing yourself or others to the low level of radiation the devices emit.

Cut it Short

There is a body of evidence connecting too much screen time to health problems, whether it’s cold and flu season or not. In studies of cell phone safety, screen time has been linked to obesity and it can also disrupt our sleep patterns. Studies show that poor sleep can lead to chronic inflammation, an underlying cause of health problems ranging from asthma to heart conditions.

Shutting the cell phone and computer off a couple hours before bedtime can lead to a better night’s sleep. The light from these devices has been shown to reduce the sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin and make it harder to stay asleep at night.  Another tip for better sleep would be to take  some highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium such as those found in the natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.  Magnesium has been proven to help reduce the harmful effects of radiation from cell phones.

Caring for Kids

Some parents have all but given up trying to limit their kids’ screen time.  But limiting our kids’ use of smartphones remains important. Ironically, while adults may experience a greater sense of connectedness by using their phones, too much screen time can make kids less interested in being with their friends and family.

The shows and games that appear to keep the kids’ minds engaged may actually impair their thinking and learning abilities later in life. It’s safe to say that family members of all ages can improve their health by taking steps to use their cell phones safely.

Author Bio:

Susan Doktor is a journalist and businesswoman who hails from New York City. She writes guest and ghost-blogs internationally on a wide range of topics, including health, technology, finance and consumer products.