Inflammation seems to be the culprit behind nearly every chronic disease these days. Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes - all have been linked to chronic inflammation. But where does this inflammation come from in the first place? New research suggests that being disconnected from the earth's natural electrons may be a contributing factor.
What Does Grounding Have to do With Inflammation?
When your bare feet touch the ground, your body soaks up free electrons from the earth. These electrons neutralize damaging free radicals in your body that lead to inflammation. Without proper grounding, your body doesn't get enough electrons to neutralize these threats. The result is low-grade chronic inflammation that quietly damages your tissues over time.
Studies show that grounding can significantly reduce key markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. One study found that grounding the human body during sleep reduces nighttime levels of cortisol and resynchronizes cortisol secretion more in alignment with the natural 24-hour circadian rhythm profile. This is crucial for reducing chronic stress that leads to inflammation.
The Inflammation Epidemic
Rates of chronic inflammatory diseases have skyrocketed over the past 50 years. Here are some statistics:
- Heart disease has increased by over 25%
- The percentage of people with diabetes has nearly quadrupled
- Autoimmune disease diagnoses have increased by over 300%
- Chronic inflammatory diseases are now the leading cause of death and disability worldwide
While diet and sedentary lifestyles do play a role, lack of grounding in our modern shoe-wearing and concrete-dwelling society may be the hidden culprit behind this inflammation epidemic.
Combat Inflammation By Getting Grounded
The solution is simple: get grounded! Here are 5 easy ways to reduce inflammation by grounding more:
- Walk barefoot outside for 30 minutes per day
- Sit or lie down on grass, sand, or dirt with bare skin
- Use grounding mats or sheets on your bed
- Sit on the ground while working instead of in a chair
- Choose leather or cork footwear when possible to stay connected
Making grounding a daily habit is a simple way to combat chronic inflammation from the ground up. Our ancestors evolved with constant earth connection. It's time to restore this primal link for better health. Reconnecting to the earth's natural electrons is medicine you should walk all over.