Negative Ions
Sometimes negative is good...

Learn about negative ions and how they affect your health.
If you thought that negative things are not good, this is the exception that confirms the rule :)

You most certainly have noticed how you felt tired and stressed in a confined environment, and even more so when there are too many people in sharing the same space.

On the other hand, you have certainly noticed that great sense of wellbeing when walking in a forest, by a lake or on the beach, near a waterfall or in fresh snow.

Well, it's all related to the existence of negative or positive ions in the atmosphere.

What are Negative Ions?

They are actually nothing special - just electrical charged particles (atoms or molecules), part of our body and all the surrounding environment.

Atoms and molecules become positively or negatively charged continuously, as part of the chemical reactions that keep us alive. Nothing wrong with this :) - the only thing that can bother us is when there are too many positively charged versus negatively charged particles.

A very relevant fact is that laboratory tests shown that in spaces with no negative ions different animals cannot survive for more than few days.

Unfortunately in our modern life, we are daily exposed to conditions producing positive ions, like:

• Electromagnetic radiation from power lines and household wires
• Electric heating and air conditioning devices
• Cellular phones, computers, TV's, microwave ovens
• Pollution from exhausts, smog, cigarette fumes
• Radiation and harmful chemicals and toxins (also from synthetic fabrics materials used for house building or decor)
• Closed air at home, office, cars or busses

Positive ions can damage our cells by changing the Acid-Alkaline balance in our body, and are believed to be the reason for the deterioration of our physical and emotional well being heaving a role in the aging process and cancer.

No wonder people spending too much time indoors suffer from headaches, poor concentration, allergies, and depression.

Sources of good ions in nature

As early as 18th century a measuring device built by de Saussure was the instrument showing the health benefits of negative ions in places like forests, mountains or near waterfalls.

In nature they are released by:

• Water waves and waterfalls
• Water evaporation produced by forests or gardens
• Photosynthesis
• Summer rains
• Sunny weather
• Fresh Snow

So, let's go for them in the nature as often as we can!

BTW: Here is a table showing the amount of negative ions existent in different environments:

Kids are more sensible to the air pollution than adults

Due to their bodies' immaturity, kid's bodies are much less capable of defending themselves from airborne and toxic pollutants that can penetrate deep into their respiratory tract and other vital organs.

Health Hazards Of Electromagnetic Radiation, 2Nd Edition: A Startling Look At The Effects Of Electropollution On Your Health - by Bruce Fife

"We are under continual attack from electromagnetic fields (EMF's) radiating from power lines, household wiring, microwave ovens, computers, televisions, clock radios, cellular phones, electric blankets and other appliances.
Researchers have correlated electro pollution with increases in cancer, birth defects, depression, learning disabilities, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome"

It becomes obvious that we either have live in a place close to nature or use some kind of negative ion generator, to clean the air we breathe.