Negative Ions and Health

Negative Ions give the air its invigorating freshness and reduce the number of airborne bacteria, which is so beneficial to us.

Negative ions in the bloodstream accelerate the delivery of oxygen to our cells and tissues, whereas positive ions slow down this delivery of oxygen, producing symptoms markedly like those in anoxia (or oxygen starvation).

The body chemical serotonin, linked with mood and stress, is also influenced by air ion levels. Too many positive ions alter the levels, causing stress and discomfort. Increasing the negative ion concentration helps bring relief.

Researchers believe that negative ions may stimulate the reticulo-endothelial system, a group of defense cells in our bodies which marshal our resistance to disease.

Why Are Negative Ions Good to Your Health?

It has been found that when water is atomized (e.g. on impact of a water droplet), negative and positive charges are separated.

Molecules which are torn from the surface of the water bear a negative charge (small negative ions) whereas large drops or the entire mass of water are positive.

This provided an unexpected explanation for the refreshing , invigorating effect of residences close to a waterfall or spring, or even after rain.

Some of these reactions which improve well-being and physical and mental capacity have since become known.

1. Negative ions accelerate the oxidative degradation of serotonin whereas positive ions have the opposite action and inactivate the enzymes which break down Serotonin.
2. An increase in the serotonin level (5-hydroxytryptamine) produces.
• tachycardia,
• a rise in blood pressure,
• bronchospasm going as far as asthma attack,
• increased intestinal Peristalsis (contractions and dilations of the intestines to move the contents onwards),
• increased sensitivity to pain,
• increased aggression.
3. A decrease in the serotonin level is calming and increases defenses against infection (as proven with influenza 'the flu').
4. Negative ions produce an increase in hemoglobin/oxygen affinity so that the partial oxygen pressure in the blood rises but the partial carbon dioxide pressure decreases. This results in reduced respiratory rate and enhances the metabolism of water-soluble vitamins.