The surface of red blood cells carries a negative electric charge that maintains spacing of the cells in the bloodstream. The stronger the negative charge the greater the potential of the cells to repel each other, the better the viscosity (thinner!) of the blood, and the better the flow. This potential is referred to as the zeta potential
In this short video clip, you see a demonstration of the effect of grounding on the zeta potential of red blood cells taken from one of ten participants in an experiment published in 2013. The participants were grounded for two hours by means of Earthing patches (electrodes), placed on the bottom of both feet and the palms of both hands, and connected with a wire to a ground rod placed in the soil outside.
In the experiment, a single drop of blood was taken from each participant before and at the end of the grounding session. Each time the blood sample was exposed to an electric field and monitored with respect to the field’s effect on red blood cell movement as seen under a dark field microscope. The image on the left shows red blood cell movement and aggregation (clumping) before grounding. The image on the right was taken at the end of the grounding session and shows the results of the enhanced zeta potential effect: improved red blood cell aggregation (less clumping) and greater red blood cell flow.
These changes indicate a greater negative surface charge on the red blood cells, a result of grounding, that produces a stronger zeta potential and blood thinning effect.
Technically, among the ten participants in the study the average zeta potential value increased by a factor of 2.70 – almost three-fold!
The implications are significant. Thicker blood viscosity is associated with a number of clinical situations, including hypertension, smoking, lipid disorders, advancing age, and diabetes mellitus. Research has found poor red blood cell zeta potential among diabetics, and poorer yet among diabetics with cardiovascular disease.
The Earthing zeta potential pilot study, if confirmed by subsequent research, indicates that connection with the Earth’s natural electric charge and surface electrons can promote desirable blood electrodynamics, and specifically better blood flow.
Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM. Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2013; 19(2): 102-110.
