We love this article by Bio-Practica summerising the affects of EMFs on our health and how we can protect ourselves from them! 

Electromagnetic fields 

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is increasing but did you know their health effects? Every day we are exposed to EMFs from electricity production by power lines, power distribution networks, internet, household appliances, mobile phones, and computers. EMF exposure can disturb:

• Brain activity
• Hormone activity
• Enzyme function
• Cell cycle regulation
• Protein synthesis
• RNA/DNA synthesis
• Nervous system function
• Cognition and learning
• Liver function
• Eye function

These disruptions can lead to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, learning disorders, and sleep disturbance. Not only that, EMFs have also been linked to childhood leukaemia, adult brain cancer, and increased risk of miscarriage.

EMFs were actually classed as a carcinogen by the International Agency of Research on Cancer.

The brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative damage and is most affected by EMF exposure.

Detrimental effects of EMFs
Mobile phones emit radio frequency EMFs that can penetrate 4 to 6 cm into the brain, even when on a call. This can cause blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, liver damage, and eye damage. The damage caused by EMFs is thought to be due to the electric fields, thermal effects, and radiation depending on the frequency and strength of exposure.

Research suggests that EMFs alter calcium metabolism pathways, increase intracellular calcium levels; as well as increasing free radical production, and damaging protective endogenous antioxidant systems. The result is oxidative damage, cell dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Oxidative stress in the brain is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

EMFs can alter sleep patterns
Melatonin, the main sleep hormone, also acts as an antioxidant, which the central nervous system (CNS). However, as EMF exposure may reduce the activity of the pineal gland (a small endocrine gland in the brain that produces melatonin) and suppress melatonin production, the body loses this antioxidant benefit, further increase the oxidative damage of EMF exposure. Suppression of melatonin can also lead to sleep disorders, depression, and cancer.

EMF exposure may reduce the activity of the pineal gland and suppress melatonin production.

EMFs in stress, depression, and anxiety
Nitric oxide is an intracellular messenger formed in the CNS. It is involved in many physiological and pathological processes, especially in the brain and particularly in the stress response. EMFs can cause excessive levels of intracellular calcium which increases nitric oxide production.

The nitric oxide pathway is closely linked to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate levels. A distribution to nitric oxide levels due to EMFs is known to disturb HPA feedback mechanisms, disrupt GABA/ glutamate balance, and linked to anxiety and depression.

This was demonstrated in a study of 132 power plant workers exposed to EMFs. Stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances were higher with increased exposure. A separate study showed that participants experiencing reactions to EMFs also had a higher level of physiological symptoms like fear and anxiety, Researchers found a potential bi-directional relationship of EMF exposure and psychological disorder, with each influencing the other.

Less screen time, more green time!
‘Screen time’ refers to time spent on devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, and televisions. Many children and teenagers have a high level of screen time, often exceeding the recommendation of a maximum of two hours per day.

You all know that screen time can be linked to poorer health outcomes. A higher amount of screen time is associated with:

• Increased risk of overweight/obesity
• Lower life quality due to isolation and lack of social interaction
• Psychological issues such as lower self-esteem, impaired social behaviour, reduced academic achievement, and increased risk of depression.

The treatment for the damaging effects of EMFs:
If you think EMFs are affecting your sleep, mood, or health (most of you will be affected) these strategies can help:

• Reducing screen time, especially in children and adolescents
• Using a metal protector to protect from EMFs
• Utilising natural antioxidant protective agents to protect from EMF-induced oxidative/inflammatory damage

Natural antioxidants:
Phytomelatonin: It is a natural plant-based source of melatonin that can help to improve sleep, reduce oxidative damage, and protect against the detrimental effects of EMFs.
Because it is a low-dose sustained release formula, it provides physiological levels of melatonin to match the body’s natural production.

Glutathione: It is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect and repair damage to the brain. Low levels are known to be linked to neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, immune disorders, and accelerated ageing. The liposomal supplement form of glutathione is more bioavailable and is effective in combating oxidative stress.

Glutathione and phytomelatonin can be used as part of a holistic treatment plan to help protect against the adverse effects of EMFs.

As I mentioned exposure to EMFs can cause oxidative damage, inflammation, sleep issues and disruption to many body systems. If you think you are adversely affected by EMF exposure, lifestyle recommendations as wells as the use of phytomelatonin and glutathione is important to improve systems and health outcomes.

References:

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Bagheri Hosseinabadi, M., Khanjani, N., Ebrahimi, M., Haji, B., & Abdolahfard, M. (2018). The effect of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep quality, stress, depression and anxiety. Electromagnetic Biology And Medicine, 38(1), 96-101. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1545665

Kjellqvist, A., Palmquist, E., & Nordin, S. (2016). Psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life in idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields. Journal Of Psychosomatic Research, 84, 8-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.03.006

Warille, A., Altun, G., Elamin, A., Kaplan, A., Mohamed, H., Yurt, K., & El Elhaj, A. (2017). Skeptical approaches concerning the effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on brain hormones and enzyme activities. Journal Of Microscopy And Ultrastructure, 5(4), 177. doi: 10.1016/j.jmau.2017.09.002

Lewczuk, B., Redlarski, G., Zak, A., Ziółkowska, N., Przybylska-Gornowicz, B., & Krawczuk, M. (2014). Influence of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on the circadian system: current stage of knowledge. BioMed research international, 2014, 169459. doi: 10.1155/2014/169459

Ortiz, F., Fernández-Gil, B., Guerra-Librero, A., López, L., Acuña-Castroviejo, D., & Escames, G. (2016). Preliminary evidence suggesting that nonmetallic and metallic nanoparticle devices protect against the effects of environmental electromagnetic radiation by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory status. European Journal Of Integrative Medicine, 8(5), 835-840. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2016.06.009

Bruenig, D., Morris, C., Mehta, D., Harvey, W., Lawford, B., Young, R., & Voisey, J. (2017). Nitric oxide pathway genes (NOS1AP and NOS1) are involved in PTSD severity, depression, anxiety, stress and resilience. Gene, 625, 42-48. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.04.048

Baram, T., & Bolton, J. (2018). Parental smartphone use and children’s mental outcomes: a neuroscience perspective. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(2), 239-240. doi: 10.1038/s41386-018-0184-8

Saunders, T., & Vallance, J. (2016). Screen Time and Health Indicators Among Children and Youth: Current Evidence, Limitations and Future Directions. Applied Health Economics And Health Policy, 15(3), 323-331. doi: 10.1007/s40258-016-0289-3

Roenneberg, T., & Merrow, M. (2016). The Circadian Clock and Human Health. Current Biology, 26(10), R432-R443. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.011

Salehi, B., Sharopov, F., Fokou, PVT., Kobylinska, A., Jonge, LD., Tadio, K., Sharifi-Rad, J., Posmyk, MM., Martorell, M., Martins, N., Iriti, M. (2019). Melatonin in Medicinal and Food Plants: Occurrence, Bioavailability, and Health Potential for Humans. Cells. 8(7), 681. doi: 10.3390/cells8070681

Arnao, M.(2014). Phytomelatonin: Discovery, Content, and Role in Plants. Advances in Botany. 2014, 1-11. doi: 10.1155/2014/815769

Schmitt, B., Vicenzi, M., Garrel, C., & Denis, F. (2015). Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study. Redox Biology, 6, 198-205. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2015.07.012