A Cure for Chronic Fatigue, Inflammation & Insomnia Right Beneath Your Feet?

August 22, 2014
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

earthing products The Unsuspected Missing Link Triggering Today’s Health Epidemics

What if I told you that you could easily sleep through the night, overcome tiredness, and heal inflammatory conditions?

Insomnia, chronic fatigue and systemic inflammation are three of our most prevalent complaints in America these days.

And while diet, exercise, environmental toxins and stress are no doubt some of the underlying culprits, there is something more basic and fundamental than even the healthiest habits.

The solution is much closer and simpler than you can imagine.

As the cover of the bestseller “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? suggests, what is under your feet outdoors is not merely a patch of grass, dirt, sand, or concrete.

The earth itself is an omnipresent source of natural healing or grounding energy that I call “Vitamin G”—teeming with negatively charged electrons that function as potent antioxidants.

We humans, as all other living beings, are electrical creatures on an electrical planet, and the ground beneath us is more than something we just stand, walk, play, and build on. The ground is a living source of nourishment if we are connected.Earthing Book

Both cable and electrical wiring that comes into our homes and offices are grounded.

But, grounding for humans also made sense to former cable industry executive, my friend Clint Ober, who developed the concept and practical applications of Earthing.

Retired and traveling around the country, he began noticing that almost everyone wears synthetic-soled shoes—and wondered if we are, inadvertently, insulating ourselves from Earth’s natural electrical surface charges with our rubber, plastic, and synthetic-mixture shoes.

During his research, Ober learned that the steep rise in inflammation-related diseases started after the 1960s when we started wearing rubber or plastic soled shoes (replacing conductive leather) and installing wall-to-wall carpeting in our homes. That, he says, was when the big disconnect occurred.

Reflecting on the growing number of debilitating diseases in this country today—including a near fatal illness he himself suffered at age 49—Ober started to suspect that the ubiquitous and chaotic byproducts of man-made electropollution might be to blame.

After all, we are constantly bathed in a sea of electropollution from antennas, computers, cordless and cell phones, digital equipment, dirty electricity, microwaves, PDAs, satellite TVs, and WiFi.

Could the Earth itself provide stability to the human body—within our own natural electrical circuitry—as it does to other electrical systems?

Clint Gets Down to Earth

Ober conducted a simple experiment on himself, using his knowledge of electrical conductivity and grounding. He rigged up a conductive grid out of metallic duct tape to fit his bed and attached a wire to the grid, running the wire out the window to a metal grounding rod planted in the Earth outside.

First he measured his body’s own voltage from EMFs emitted by nearby wiring and electrical devices; next he laid on his “grounded” grid—where he discovered his body’s voltage had suddenly dropped to near zero, roughly the same voltage as the Earth.

effects of earthingBefore he knew what was happening, Ober fell asleep—for the first time in years without a sleeping pill.

He began working—slowly at first since university sleep researchers initially laughed at him—with biophysicists, electrophysiologists, and medical doctors to validate his own personal observations. And Earthing was born!

Anybody can ground themselves and connect to Mother Earth!  “All you have to do is take your shoes off and put your feet on the earth,”  Ober admits. It takes about twenty minutes to feel the effects of better circulation.

Earthing products, made from conductive fabric or materials, can simulate the healing electrical exchange from Mother Earth when it is impossible to go barefoot. These products including fitted sheets, mats and wrist bands all allow for convenient indoor grounding while sleeping, working or relaxing!

Each product includes a ground cord that can be inserted directly into the ground port of an electrical wall outlet or connected to an optional ground rod.

Real People, Real Results

Today, a number of studies show that Earthing products promote better sleep, more energy, quicker healing, and reduced inflammation and pain, while normalizing the stress hormone cortisol.

 

Here’s what people are saying about their experience:

Nine weeks using the grounding sheet and I am pain free! I even lost weight because I am more active and feeling better! – Mary S.

Earthing is absolutely the best source I have found. I have lowered my blood pressure. Using the Earthing Sheet, I have lost 2 pounds a week. I have been more active because I feel better and my range of motion has increased. I sleep so much better. My life has improved since Earthing! – Mary

I’ve worn the wrist bands at night for three weeks now. I didn’t think anything was really happening. I still don’t sleep very well due to extreme stress. However, I love gardening and when given the chance, always over do it. I pay the price for my enthusiastic yard work the next morning or sometimes, oddly enough, two mornings later. I wake up so stiff and sore I’d think a truck rolled over me during the night…Since wearing the Earthing bands, I wake up with virtually no soreness after gardening! I tested this theory three times now by doing yard work and going on bike rides in the three weeks I’ve used the bands. It has kept me sore-free and able to function. This is worth it to me. By the way, I’m 47.  – Christy

I LOVE Earthing! I sleep like a baby – so soundly that I don’t think I even move all night.  – Caroline

I was willing to try anything to help with symptoms of adrenal exhaustion, it all made sense. The other reviews were inspiring. I wore the Earthing bands the first night while sleeping and woke up the next day feeling a little better. I am skeptical and not always willing to give credit right away. I have been wearing the bands for a couple of weeks now and feel like I have reversed my symptoms. I haven’t felt light hearted in a really long time, and now I do. My daughter calls me her robot, because I am always “plugged” into the wall. I would definitely recommend all of the Earthing products.  – Brandie C.

When my Earthing Mat arrived, I was excited to test my outlet and plug it in. I had already read the Earthing book and noticed a lot of benefit to walking barefoot on the beach or grass. I live on the second floor and use wireless internet a lot. I was wondering why I was feeling sluggish and run down every morning even though I have a really healthy lifestyle. I began to notice a marked improvement almost as soon as I began Earthing. I figured since I usually use my wireless devices right before bed, I could recharge while I sleep with the Earthing pad. Let’s just say I no longer wake up sluggish and run down. Great product! – Art F.

My husband and I can not believe how well we sleep on this sheet. I have had the most vivid dreams and no longer get up in the middle of the night. I have a deep mattress on my bed and the sheet fits well and stays in place. At first I thought it was very expensive but a good night’s sleep is priceless. So glad I ordered it.  – Crissy

After using the Earthing Half Sheet for one day – that evening I experienced the best sleep I’ve had in awhile – previously I woke up with pain in the deltoids muscle – but not after using the pad for just one day! After several days of usage the best word I can use to describe the feeling throughout my body is “fluidity” of movement. I have arthritis in my spine, hands, neck and also fibromyalgia. I can’t wait to continue my Earthing experience during sleep. – Diane L.

When I first learned about these products I was a bit of a skeptic. Now that we own and have used them for awhile, I would never be without them. We have the half sheet on our bed, and take it with us when we travel. We have the bands at our recliners, and use them whenever we sit down. We have the mats at our computers both at home and at work. We are seniors with the usual collection of aging symptoms. We now sleep better, ache less, and have more energy. I even healed from a crushed knee at record speed according to my doctor. He was amazed, and started using the products himself. Everyone needs these products.  – Linda

 

And the Benefits Keep Accruing…

As I alluded to in last week’s blog“Trouble Sleeping”, several studies have confirmed that, when this grounding system is used during sleep, “it normalizes the daily cortisol [stress hormone] rhythm, improves sleep, and reduces pain and inflammation,” writes James L. Oschman, PhD, in the Journal of Bodywork Movement and Therapy.

Other research in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine shows that this technique uses free electrons from the Earth to neutralize positively charged free radicals in the body that cause inflammation.

In another study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Dr. Oschman explains that grounding or Earthing “enables both diurnal electrical rhythms and free electrons to flow from the earth to the body,” setting our biological clocks for hormones that regulate sleep. In fact, Dr. Oschman compares this grounding technique to antioxidants that neutralize harmful free radicals.

In Dr. Amalu’s research, a 33-year-old woman with significant knee pain and swelling from an injury—a condition that caused her to be unstable on her limbs for 18 years—reported that her pain was cut in half after six days of 30-minute exposure to Earthing. She could also stand for long periods and no longer needed to sleep with a pillow between her legs at night.

After four weeks of this treatment, she was able to play soccer again, and by 12 weeks, she went water skiing for the first time in years. Not surprisingly, her thermogram showed considerably less inflammation in her knee.

Men benefit as well. A 57-year-old man suffering chronic bilateral ankle and foot pain for two years slept on an Earthing system for just two nights before most of his pain was gone. And within four weeks, he was pain free with only occasional stiffness in his feet and ankles.

A real estate agent diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago “tried all kinds of remedies, creams, and pain relievers that might help for about an hour or so, but that was it.” Then 10 years ago, she started grounding herself with an early prototype Earthing mat. “The very first night, I feel asleep right away and woke up refreshed without any pain. I couldn’t believe it.”

Ground Yourself

The Earthing Half Sheet  (placed at the foot end of any bed, over the bottom fitted sheet, and tucked around and under the mattress) grounds your body to the Earth for sound sleep. You can also sleep grounded on an Earthing Fitted Sheet, but I have personally experienced the most relaxation and healing benefits from wearing a wrist or ankle band to bed.Earthing sheet

The Earthing Wrist Bands, in my opinion, enable the most secure “ground,” and the coil cord allows for plenty of mobility–I also wear it at the computer and carry them with me while traveling!

Earthing wrist bandThe victorious American-sponsored Tour de France Cycling Team credits grounding for their success! Team chiropractor, Jeffrey Spencer reports the cyclists slept better after sleeping on bed pads woven with conductive silver threads that are grounded to the Earth. The team also had more energy, stamina, and strength plus less tension, despite the physically grueling, highly competitive nature of the Tour de France. The cyclists even healed better from their injuries, Spencer reports.

Throughout most of human history, we have walked, sat, and even slept on the Earth—separated only by natural materials from its natural and healing electrical currents. The Earth’s own natural grounding discharges and prevents the buildup of artificial and harmful man-made EMFs from all our digital, electronic, and wireless gadgets.

Earthing can benefit respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system functions. It also shows promise for weight loss by balancing cortisol production and increasing metabolism.

So isn’t it time you tried a Summer Barefoot Cure…both indoors and out?

Earthing Wrist Bands

For additional Earthing options, check out the Universal Mat, Fitted Sheet, Half Sheet OR the Earthing Starter Kit. SHOP ALL EARTHING PRODUCTS >>

 

Sources:
Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn’t Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution
http://energyresearch.homestead.com/Editorial_-_Our_place_in_nature_-_Reconnecting_with_the_Earth.pdf
www.equilibrauk.com/Sinatra_Review.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083655
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18047442
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15650465

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

7 Comments

  1. Brad Reed

    Thank you, Ann Louise, for this blog. With increased grounding usage, I slept so much more deeply and woke up more relaxed. I have never dreamed so much in my life! I use the wrist bands.

    Reply
  2. Maria

    About a year ago I asked if anyone knew about where to get good leather shoes with leather soles so that even in cold winter weather grounding can occur while walking outside. Anything available now??

    Reply
  3. Team ALG

    We wonder if Juil can be of help. They sell “grounding” shoes, although we’re not certain if they sell leather soled shoes or not. Worth a look!

    Reply
    • Juil

      While our soles are not all leather, we use copper running through the sole of the shoe to keep you grounded and have several great new styles for Fall and Winter.

      Reply
  4. Allen

    This looks great, my partner has trouble sleeping wondering if not being grounded has something to do with this? Would like to try this out. Thank you for posting this.

    Reply
  5. Gail

    will those plastic baby outlet covers help with EMF pollution?

    Reply
    • Team Ann LAcnouise

      No they do not afford any kind of protection.

      Reply

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