Tag: naturopathic health

1. Understanding Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
2. What is Natural Background?
3. Natural Background vs. Typical EMF Levels in the Home
4. Why Should We Care About The Profound Increase In EMFs ?
5. Steps to Reduce EMF Exposure
6. EMF ASSESSMENT IN YOUR HOME

Understanding Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible waves of energy produced by electricity, wireless devices, and digital technologies. While some EMFs are naturally occurring (like the Earth’s magnetic field), most of what we encounter today is artificial and has increased exponentially in just the last century. These modern exposures come from sources like mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, smart meters, power lines, and more.

What is Natural Background?

Natural background EMFs refer to the extremely low levels of electromagnetic radiation that exist in nature and that life on Earth evolved with. These signals come from sources like the Earth’s magnetic field, solar activity, and the Schumann Resonance—a natural frequency that pulses between the Earth’s surface and the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a layer of the upper atmosphere filled with charged particles that interact with solar energy and help transmit natural electromagnetic signals back to Earth. These signals are stable, predictable, and incredibly subtle.

They are so fundamental to life that they act like nature’s “operating instructions.” The human body—especially the brain, heart, and nervous system—uses these electromagnetic cues to regulate key functions like:

• Sleep and wake cycles – Natural EMFs help set our circadian rhythm, which controls when we feel awake or sleepy.
• Brainwave rhythms – Brain activity runs on electrical patterns that align with Earth’s frequencies, supporting focus and relaxation.
• Hormone release (e.g. melatonin, cortisol) – Hormones are released based on time cues from environmental EMFs, impacting energy, mood, and repair.
• Immune activity – The immune system is influenced by electromagnetic signals that help it stay regulated and responsive.
• Mood and mental clarity – Balanced brainwaves and hormones, both regulated by natural EMFs, affect how we think and feel.
• Cell-to-cell communication – Cells use tiny electrical charges to talk to each other, which depend on the body being in sync with natural EMFs.

An everyday example of how this works: The gravitational pull of the moon regulates the tides in the ocean—huge masses of water that rise and fall in a predictable rhythm. Just as the moon influences the ocean, Earth’s electromagnetic rhythms affect the “tides” of our biology—subtle shifts in brainwaves, hormone release, and even gene expression.

These cues are incredibly faint, but the body is exquisitely sensitive to them. Unfortunately, the artificial EMFs from modern devices are not only vastly stronger—they are chaotic, pulsed, and often completely out of sync with these natural signals. This mismatch can disrupt the body’s internal timing and cause stress at the cellular level.

Natural Background vs. Typical EMF Levels in the Home

To appreciate the difference between healthy and harmful exposure levels, we need to compare natural background levels to those found in modern homes.

Type of EMF	Natural Background	Modern Home (Typical)	Building Biology Safe Limit (Bedroom)	Increase
Radio Frequency (RF) (Wi-Fi, cell towers, Bluetooth)	<0.00002 V/m	0.434 V/m (10 million µW/m²)	<5 µW/m²	2,170,000% higher
Electric Fields (EF) (wiring, plugged-in devices)	0.0001 V/m	Up to 10 V/m	<0.3 V/m	10,000,000% higher
Magnetic Fields (MF) (appliances, power lines)	0.000002 mG	<2 mG	<0.2 mG	100,000,000% higher

Why Should We Care About The Profound Increase In EMFs ?

EMFs are not inert. They are biologically active and can trigger significant physiological changes—even at levels far below current safety guidelines. Research* shows:

1. Disruption of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels (VGCCs): EMFs activate VGCCs—tiny gateways in your cells that regulate calcium flow. When these channels open uncontrollably, they cause a calcium overload inside the cell. This leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage. This mechanism is believed to underlie symptoms like fatigue, tinnitus, insomnia, anxiety, and even cardiac arrhythmias.
2. DNA Damage: Multiple studies have shown that EMFs can induce both single- and double-strand breaks in DNA. These breaks increase the risk of mutations and are strongly associated with infertility, neurodegeneration, and cancer development.
3. Melatonin Suppression and Circadian Rhythm Disruption: Melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep and cellular repair, is suppressed by EMFs—especially blue light from screens and wireless radiation. Reduced melatonin levels are linked to insomnia, immune dysregulation, and elevated cancer risk.
4. Breakdown of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): EMF exposure can make the BBB more permeable, allowing toxins and inflammatory molecules to enter the brain. This contributes to brain fog, cognitive decline, and mood disturbances.
5. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: EMFs stimulate excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. This oxidative stress contributes to chronic inflammation and is a known factor in the progression of nearly all chronic diseases.
6. Reproductive and Hormonal Effects: The testes and ovaries have a high density of VGCCs, making them especially vulnerable. EMF exposure has been linked to decreased sperm motility, increased sperm DNA fragmentation, altered hormone levels, and potential risks to fetal development during pregnancy.
7. Neurodevelopment and Mental Health: There is growing concern about EMFs affecting children’s developing nervous systems. The bodies of children absorb twice the amount compared to adults. EMFs have been found to directly impact neuronal formation in the brain. Studies suggest increased risk for behavioral issues, attention difficulties, anxiety, and depression with early and ongoing EMF exposure.

*See scientific references below.

Steps to Reduce EMF Exposure

Safer Mobile Phone Use:

• Use speakerphone or air-tube headsets.
• Avoid wireless earbuds and Bluetooth devices.
• Keep your phone in airplane mode when near your body.
• Avoid phone use with weak signal. It emits up to 10,000 times more radiation when using with a weak signal. Don’t use whilst driving either.
• Set email to manual fetch so your phone is not frequently downloading and emitting/receiving radiation.
• Keep phone at least one foot from your body when in use.

Safer Wireless Use at Home:

• Turn off routers when not in use, especially overnight.
• Turn off at the wall to ensure full shutdown.
• Never place routers in bedrooms or next to beds and desks.
• Avoid Wi-Fi extenders and boosters near living/sleeping areas.
• Use Ethernet (hardwired) connections wherever possible.
• Keep smart meters and base stations away from bedrooms and common areas.
• Consider shielding or relocating smart meters.

Bedroom EMF Hygiene:

• Remove all smart and wireless devices from sleeping areas.
• Unplug electronics (lamps, chargers, electric blankets) at night.
• Avoid electric blankets.
• Do not use Bluetooth devices or CPAP machines with wireless functions.
• Do not sleep near waterbeds, radiant floor heating, or portable heaters.

Laptop and Appliance Tips:

• Never use laptops on your lap; place them on a desk. For instance men who use a laptop on their laps see sperm motility decrease by 25%.
• Use ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi.
• Avoid sitting, standing or sleeping near appliances. Watchout for smart TVs, wireless speakers, dimmable lights, and -in the kitchen -avoid spending time near the microwave oven, high-speed blenders or mixers, the dishwasher or toaster, and especially an induction oven.

EMF ASSESSMENT IN YOUR HOME

A building biologist can assess the home and workplace, and make recommendations to eliminate or ameliorate EMF exposure. This will reduce mast cell activation and nervous system interference (VGCCs).

To book an EMF testing technician in Australia visit this site https://www.asbb.org.au/emf-testing-technicians

Electromagnetic pollution is an unavoidable reality of modern life. But with awareness and simple lifestyle changes, we can reduce our exposure and support our bodies against its biological impact. If you’re experiencing fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, or unexplained symptoms, consider evaluating EMF exposure as a potential contributor.

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Scientific References

• Sage C. The implications of non-linear biological oscillations on human electrophysiology for electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Reviews on Environmental Health 2015, Vol. 30 (Issue 4), pp. 293-303.
• Bevington M. Electromagnetic Sensitivity and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: (Also Known As Asthenic Syndrome, EMF Intolerance Syndrome, Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance – EMF, Microwave Syndrome, Radio Wave Sickness): A Summary. 2013.
• Pall ML. Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects. J Cell Mol Med 2013;17(8):958-65.
• Lowenthal RM, Tuck DM, Bray IC. Residential exposure to electric power transmission lines and risk of lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders: a case-control study. Intern Med J. 2007;37(9):614-9.
• Baldi I, Coureau G, Jaffré A, et al. Occupational and residential exposure to electromagnetic fields and risk of brain tumors in adults: a case-control study in Gironde, France. Int J Cancer. 2011;129(6):1477-84.
• Huss A, Spoerri A, Egger M, et al. Swiss National Cohort Study. Residence near power lines and mortality from neurodegenerative diseases: longitudinal study of the Swiss population. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;169(2):167-75.
• Zhao L, Liu X, Wang C, et al. Magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia risk: a meta-analysis based on 11,699 cases and 13,194 controls. Leuk Res. 2014;38(3):269-74.
• Hillman D, Stetzer D, Graham M, et al. Relationship of electric power quality to milk production of dairy herds – field study with literature review. Sci Total Environ. 2013;447:500-14.
• Milham S. Dirty Electricity: Electrification and the Diseases of Civilization. 2012 iUniverse.
• Bijlsma, Nicole (building biologist). 2010, Healthy home, healthy family : is where you live affecting your health?
• Belpomme D, Campagnac C, Irigaray P. Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder. Rev Environ Health. 2015;30(4):251-71.
• Irigaray P, Caccamo D, Belpomme D. Oxidative stress in electrohypersensitivity self-reporting patients: Results of a prospective in vivo investigation with comprehensive molecular analysis. Int J Mol Med. 2018;42(4):1885-1898.
• Heuser G, Heuser SA. Functional brain MRI in patients complaining of electrohypersensitivity after long term exposure to electromagnetic fields. Rev Environ Health. 2017;32(3):291-299.