Negative Ionizers (Negative Ion Generators), Negative Air Ions and Their Health Benefits
By: R. Eric Madrid MD
What are air ions? In nature, there exists both positively charged ions (posions) and negatively charged ions (negions). These molecules have powerful effects on human biology, both negatively and positively affecting us. Although common sense would suggest that positive ions would have a positive effect and negative ions a negative effect- the opposite it true. Negative ions, specifically negatively charged oxygen molcules (different than ozone), have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health.
What is a negative ion? A negative ion is a molecule with a negative charge assigned to it. Negative ions occur commonly throughout nature and can create an overall sense of well-being. Negative ions are found after a rainstorm (falling water creates negative ions) or after a lightning strike. Every home has its own built in negative ionizer- your shower. The smell in the air generated after a rainfall is actually the odor of negatively charged ions in the air.
What are positive ions? Positive ions are positively charged molecules (positively charged carbon dioxide) and are believed to have negative health effects on human health. Studies have shown they can inhibit ciliary motility (the cleaning mechanism in our respiratory tract) increasing risk of infection. Positive ions are found in high concentrations before a storm when it is windy and in areas that have high outdoor air pollution. Sitting in traffic on a busy highway or freeway is a great place to get a dose of positive ions. What can they do to us? The can leave us fatigued, irritable or even depressed.
What Can Air Ionization (Negative Ions) do for you?
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Evidence shows that negative ionizers clean the air of dust, molds, bateria, soot, pollen and household odors (Ref: 1)
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Air ionizers have been reported to be helpful to people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which causes depression, by regulating hormone levels (Ref: 4)
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Air ionizers clean the air of pollen, therefore being helpful for those with hay-fever and other seasonal allergies.
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Air ionizers have been reported to help relieve tension and help improve sleep. ( I can personally attest to negative ionizers helping one sleep better. As a matter of fact, I used to turn my negative ionizer off before tests in college so I would not oversleep)
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Air ionizers help remove the airborne pollutants below, therefore those with ashtma which is triggered by the below pollutants, usually benefit.
Air ionizers can clean the air of airborne contaminants, including:
Reported Physiologic Effects of Negative Ions ( As reported in The Effect of Air Ionization, Electric Fields, Atmospherics and other Electrical Phenomena on Man and Animal by Felix Gad Sulman, MD)
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Decreased respiratory rate ( indicating a relaxed state)
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Decreased blood pressure ( no a substitute for medical therapy)
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Produces a feeling of well being
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Decreased skin temperature
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Acceleration of the conversion of succinate to fumerate ( increased metabolism, remember Krebbs cycle?)
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Stimulation of cytochrome oxidase activity
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Decreased blood sedimentation rate (ESR- a sign of inflammation and is normally elevated in disease states)
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Increased ciliary activity (allows our body to clear pollution we breathe in)
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Increased resistance to infection
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Suggested adjunctive therapy in chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraines, insomnia, wound and burn healing, asthma, hayfever, emphysema, bronchitis.. and more
How do you increase your negative ion concentration?
I recommend using negative ionizers, also known as negative ion generators in your home or auto. These units are inexpensive to run, don't require monthly filter changes and have numerous health benefits. There are many different brands available on the market, but I personally recommend the The Wein VI-2500 High Density Negative Ionizer since it has numerous research studies to back up it's effectiveness. From my research, the other brands don't have the scientific studies to prove their effectiveness. See references below. The VI-2500 Ionizer is a quality unit, we have 3 Wein VI-2500 High Intensity Negative Ionizers in our home. In addition, I use a Wein Auto Ionizer- AS1250 B in my car, as does my wife.
About the Author: R. Eric Madrid MD is a Board Certified Family Physician who practices in Southern California. A Graduate from The Ohio State University Medical School, he has studied negative ions and their health benefits for over 10 years. If you have any questions, please contact dremadrid@gmail.com
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or make specific healthcare recommendations. Please check with your physician before making any changes to your regimen.
Updated August 23rd 2008
References
1. The Effect of Air Ionization, Electric Fields, Atmospherics and other Electrical Phenomena on Man and Animal by Felix Gad Sulman, MD
2. VI-2500 Air Purification System Product Manual, by Wein Products, Inc.
3. Grinshpun, S.A., Adhikari, A., Lee, B.U., Trunov, M., Mainelis, G., Yermakov, M., and Reponen, T. (2004)Indoor Air Pollution Control Through Ionization, IN: Air Pollution: Modeling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution (Ed: C.A. Brebbia), WIT Press, Southampton, U.K.:689-704.
4. Terman Ph.D, Michael et al. Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with a High Output Negative Ionizer. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine Vol. 1, Number 1, 1995.
See more studies regarding health benefitis and negative ionizer effectiveness