In 2010, Earthing was tested on rodents in a laboratory setting. The unpublished results revealed significant improvements in several biochemical factors associated with metabolic syndrome in humans, a widespread precursor to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
In the experiment, two healthy groups of thirty rats each were used. One group was housed in cages fitted with grounded mats. The other group, the control animals, lived in similar but ungrounded cages. Blood samples were taken every month for six months and analyzed. Continued grounding resulted in progressive improvements.
The substances monitored were alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme), triglycerides, blood sugar, and C-reactive protein (a widely used indicator of chronic inflammation discussed in the previous chapter). The values of these substances were considerably lower in grounded animals, suggesting less risk for metabolic syndrome. Just as in the DOMS study, there were also fewer white blood cells measured.
The results tie in neatly with the increase in metabolic activity documented in the earlier experiment with human subjects where a relationship between Earthing and a more efficient cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous system function was observed. It makes sense that an increase in metabolic activity results in a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
The experiment, along with other observations over the years, permit the suggestion–if nothing more at this time -that living in an ungrounded state may be another important cause of metabolic syndrome. One has only to look at today’s youth, who generally consume large amounts of inferior quality convenience food and drinks high in sweeteners and calories, who are increasingly sedentary, and who wear insulated running hoes from morning to night. For young people as well as for adults, the inholy trinity for metabolic svndrome, and the serious disorders it gives se to, may thus be poor diet, lack of exercise, and lack of grounding. It ; something to think about.
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a group of metabolic risks that iclude the following:
Excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen.
Blood fat disorders -high triglycerides, low “healthy” HDL cholesterol, and high “harmful” LDL cholesterol- that contribute to plaque buildups in arterial walls.
Elevated blood pressure.
Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance conditions chat interfere with the body’s ability to properly use insulin or blood sugar.
A tendency to form clots in the blood.
A pro-inflammatory state in the body, that is, the presence of chemical substances associated with inflammation (such as elevated CRP).