What are Negative Ions?

Negative Ions are an atom or molecule with an additional electron giving that atom or molecule a negative charge. In contrast a positive ion is an atom or molecule that is missing and electron giving it a positive charge.

Why do I need negative ions?

• To neutralize positive ions which are also known as “free radicals”. Positive ions or free radicals are missing an electron so the need to find an additional electron to stabilize themselves. The positive ion or free radical will pull an electron off a neighboring molecule which causes a chain reaction or cascade of free radicals as electrons are ripped from neighboring molecules damaging the cells. A damaged cell no longer function which is the beginning of disease and degeneration of the organs.
• This chain reaction and continue to occur causing atomic structures in the human body to start cross linking. Cross linking is when two similar atomic structures must share an electron to stabilize due to the missing electron. Cross linking can occurring in DNA which can lead to various effects such as aging and cancer. Additionally other cross linking can occur between the protein and fats in our body leading to wrinkles. For example LDL (Low density Lipoprotein) will start the formation of plaque in arteries when oxidation occurs. This can lead to heart disease and stroke.
• Cellar oxidation ( free radical damage) shorten life spans and lead to other degenerative diseases.
• When we introduce negative ions we neutralize the positive ions (free radicals) so molecules become neutral. The addition of an negative brings the molecules back to their natural state.
• Cross linking that has occurred can be undone if there is a surplus of negative ions for those atomic structures.
• Negative ions help in two was; neutralizing positive ions (free radicals) before they can cause harm and additionally repairing any oxidative damage done to the body caused by free radicals.

Where do I get negative ions?

The good news is there are ample negative ions available, but the bad news is there are an ever increasing amount of positive ions counteracting them in our industrialized environment. Historically there were 1.2 negative ions to every single positive ion in our environment. However this ratio has reversed and we are more likely to find 1.2 positive ions for every negative ion. The result is our bodies are constantly undergoing free radical damage to all the excess positive ions. That is unless we provide it a surplus of negative ions.

Negative and Positive Ion Levels Measured in Various Locations

(These measurements were taken in Japan)

Forests and Plants

As you can see natural areas that have not been developed and industrialized have a vastly larger amount of negative ions. Plants are one of the main producers of negative ions which are why we find so many in forests and areas with lots of plant life. There is no coincidence that studies have shown houseplants improve air quality. The negative ions they produce do more than help of bodies fight free radicals, the negative ions produced by plants will actually purify the air by neutralizing dust, mold spores, bacteria and allergens.

Waterfalls, hot spring & other anti-oxidant rich waters

In nature hot springs and waterfalls also have a surplus of negative ions which occurs in the journey the water takes. When water travels in nature it passes over rocks and clays picking up essentially minerals which also happen to have a surplus of negative ions. We can measure these negative ions by using an ORP ( oxidation reduction potential ) meter which can tell us if we have a surplus of negative ions of positive ions. We can benefit from these negative ions by being around waterfalls (absorbing them as they come loose ), bathing in the water the hot springs, or even drinking water with additional negative ions. You can achieve this by drinking alkaline anti-oxidant water like Cerra Water.

Vitamins & Minerals

The food we eat is also another important source of negative ions as anti-oxidants (negative ions) are found in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E , beta carotene and superoxide dismutase. Unfortunately the majority of foods eaten today are low in these vitamins and minerals. This is largely due to mineral depletion in our soil. Over the last 100 years minerals in the soil has decreased 90%. Without the proper nutrients in the soil we are unable to get the proper nutrients from the food we eat.

The problem

You probably do not live in a forest and are either in a house or office at your computer so right away there are not sufficient negative ions in your environment. You are also not getting the negative ions from your tap water as all city water is loaded with free radicals. Additionally the food we eat is also poor in the vitamins we use to get our anti-oxidants from due to poor top soil. Even if you are able to get the negative ions you need those will quickly be cancelled out due to high positive ion sources. The biggest source of positive ions is the EMFs  from cell phones, wi-fi, power lines etc. The fact is unless you are living off the land in the forest your environment is full of positive ions (free radicals) and low in negative ions.