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HEALING NEWS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE "Earthing," or the direct physical contact of the human body with the surface of the earth, is gaining a ground swell of support in wellness circles, thanks in part to two recent studies whose findings support earthing as a potential game changer in the fight against chronic health problems. Both studies point to the power of the earth surface's electrons to promote positive physiological changes. For the first study, "Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity – a Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease," which appears in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a group of doctors and scientists "grounded" indoor subjects by attaching conductive patches to the soles of their feet and connecting them to wires inserted in the earth outdoors. By then applying an electric field to subjects' blood samples, researchers were able to detect an increased charge in their red blood cells, indicating a reduction in the blood Targeting Plastic Are plastic waste materials hazardous to our health? Long considered an "inert" material, plastics have been classified by the U.S., Europe, Japan and other nations as "solid waste," putting them in the same category with grass clippings and food waste. But some scientists, including San Diego State University/ University of California, Davis doctoral student Chelsea M. Rochman, are urging a change. According to recent research, including Rochman's and co-author Mark Anthony Browne's "Ecotoxicity of Marine Plastic Debris," when plastic breaks down, the resulting microscopic specks contain toxic pollutants that can be inhaled or ingested by humans and animals. Scientists have designated four plastics they believe should be reclassified as "hazardous material." They are: polyvinylchloride (PVC), used to make plastic pipes; polystyrene, aka Styrofoam; polyurethane, found in furniture and car seats; and polycarbonate, used in electronics, appliances and even baby bottles. Supporters believe that reclassification of these plastics would result in new cleanup efforts spearheaded by environmental agencies, and more research and innovations when it comes to developing safer plastics. For more information, visit earthinginstitute.net. viscosity and clumping often responsible for cardiovascular disease. For "Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Environmental and Public Health, researchers looked at the potential ability of earth's electrons to: 1) neutralize the free radicals that compromise immunity and trigger the inflammatory response; 2) regulate sleep cycles, and 3) regulate the secretion of stress-causing cortisol. Subjects were given conductive carbon fiber mattress pads to sleep upon, with only half the subjects actually grounded to the earth's surface (and none aware of the group to which they were assigned). After one month, most grounded subjects reported improvement in symptoms such as sleep disturbance and chronic muscle and joint pain; most in the control group did not. To learn more about earthing, go to earthinginstitute.net or check out the book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? (Basic Health Publications, 2010) by leading experts Clinton Ober, Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra and Martin Zucker. 32 DAYSPA | APRIL 2013 _THIS JUST IN… In the January issue of DAYSPA, we printed an excerpt from Be Well (Beneficial International, 2011) by M'Lisa Jackson, LCSW, a spiralbound workbook that presents straightforward explanations and easy-to-follow exercises for balancing the mind, body and spirit via healthy lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, we did not include the appropriate ordering info. We want to thank you for all your inquiries regarding this special guide, and urge you to call 801.973.7778 or visit bewell-guide.com to order your copy! © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons," published in the Journal of