"Smart" Sleep: How EMF (Electric and Magnetic Fields) and Non-Ionizing Radiation Sabotages Your Zs

Christy Williamson, MS

As you read this article, take a moment and consider the amount of radiation that is pulsing through your body. Wait...What? It is not something that you often contemplate, is it? Did you count your smartphone with Bluetooth connecting to your car or your new wireless smart speaker system? How about your router connecting to your computer, or possibly hundreds of computers if you work in a large office space? Did you consider the Smart-Meter on your home or office building? Did you count some of newest “wearable technology” for fitness tracking?

Did you know that your cell phone, tablet, and other wireless devices come with a warning?

In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with something called electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). First, there are two types of radiation. One is called ionizing and is known to be associated with structural changes to DNA. Thus, we take precautions around things like X-rays and radon. Conversely, non-ionizing radiation comes from microwaves, cellphones, wearable technology, and radio frequencies, and even the most up-to-date literature suggests that these frequencies are not harmful, if used properly. The trend in this field is to have lower power emitters that are higher frequency devices that we keep closer to our bodies. Let that sink in.

The question really lies in how do EMFs affect our bodies and in what ways? Do they change our metabolism, our immune systems, alter our sleep patterns, or perhaps do all of the above?

First, let's discuss what you may have heard about the dangers of "blue light." Blue light comes from electronic devices and alters your perception of daylight. Light helps to regulate our sleep/wake cycles via the pineal gland and its secretion of a hormone called N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine or melatonin. Interestingly, melatonin also scavenges free radicals and supports endogenous detoxification enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), and glutathione reductase (GSR).

Do you remember all of those electronic devices you counted a few minutes ago?

We have learned that light alters melatonin production, but do EMFs have any effect? Simko and Mattsson conject that chronic exposure to EMFs may inhibit the synthesis of melatonin.1 They further link this to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production which is associated with a higher incidence of structural changes to DNA in their murine model.1 To further support the connection to ROS, in 2011, the IARC at the World Health Organization declared that radio frequency electromagnetic fields from cellular phones were possibly problematic to humans.2 In contrast, in 2015, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks firmly stated that, “It seems that depending on the EMF signal, the theta and delta frequency range in NREM sleep can also be affected.” However, they quickly make sure to discredit their findings by noting that “…half of the experimental studies looking at the macrostructure of sleep (especially those with a longer duration of exposure) also found effects, which, however, are not consistent with regard to the affected sleep parameters.”3

Overall, the message is that there is a possibility that EMF radiation may decrease melatonin production and may increase reactive oxidation. Further, the distance to which the signal is from your body may determine the effect of which it will have on you and your sleep patterns.

Now, let's imagine that you have one of those really cool devices that you wear twenty-four hours a day. This wearable technology has the ability to monitor your sleep, heart rate, act as a pedometer, and boost your confidence by telling you what an incredible athlete you are! Keep in mind that when you go to bed at night you probably don't turn off your cordless phones, internet router, air conditioner, electric smart meter, or circuit breaker. In addition to the constant barrage of radiation coming from your house, you now have an emitting device under your pillow.

So what can we do? Despite having arguably better music, I don't think we need to go back to the 1980's.

Multiple studies show that a diet rich in nutrients and phytonutrients help to fight reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is a diet that is full of organic fruits, vegetables, low mercury seafood, pasture meats, and good quality fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that you would find in nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconut oil.

To reduce the stress on detoxification enzymes like N-Acetyl Transferase (NAT1 and NAT2), consider the avoidance of smoke, pesticides, insect sprays, charred meats, red meat, metal toxicity, chemicals, and solvents while considering the addition of acetylators like berries and grapes balanced with adequate fiber. Glutathione support may play a role as does vitamin C as it may affect the enzyme Glutathoine-S-Transefrase-1 or GSTT1.

If you have these wearable devices, remember that distance matters. Most of these devices do not have a “sync mode.” This means that it is always trying to connect and is always emitting radiation.

The most popular of these devices uses a 2.4ghz Bluetooth wireless signal and a Nordic Semiconductor nRF8001 to sync with your computer every second.4

The companies have not published a Specific Absorption Rate or SAR to compare these devices’ radiation with cellular phones.

However, this is classified as a Very Low Frequency device which means that it has the capacity to transmit frequencies up to 30khz and at wavelengths up to 10 kilometers.

Consider wearing the device away from vital organs and let the device sleep when you sleep.

Another consideration is to use the device for a week at a time to track your habits; then stop using the device. You will have your information logged and available for your use, but sans the daily radiation.

Several agents have been studied in ionized radiation; however, they may be applicable to non-ionizing radiation as well. Nutrient-rich foods likely offer the best protection for both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.5,6,7,8 Coenzyme Q10 works directly in the mitochondrial respiratory chain to go after ROS. Gingko Biloba extract has been studied in murine models9 and alpha lipoic acid is one of my favorites because it is lipophilic, as well as hydrophilic.10

And a few final thoughts include unplugging, getting back to nature, and listening to Bon Jovi on vinyl.

REFERENCES:

1. Simkó, M et al. J Cell Biochem. 200493(1):83-92.
2. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); World Health Organization (2011) PRESS RELEASE N° 208.  Retrieved from: http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
3. Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) 2015 Retrieved from: http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf
4. Nordic Semi-Conductors Model number: nRF800. 2016 Retrieved from: http://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/Bluetooth-Smart-Bluetooth-low-energy/nRF8001
5. Sies, H et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2012. 96(5):1179.
6. Katoch, O et al. Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 2013. 758(1-2), 29.
7. Verhoeven, D et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1996. 5(9):733-748.
8. Cornblatt, G et al. AACR; Can Prev Res. 2013. 6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr B22.
9. Emerit, I et al. Radiation Research, 1995. 144(2), 198–205.
10. Jung, JH et al. PLoS ONE, 2014. 9(11):e112253.

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