Down to earth – A new type of hygiene

Abstract

In the current issue of the Biomedical Journal a special section introduces the influence earthing (or lack thereof) has on the human body. A variety of enlightening articles elaborate how electromagnetic hygiene involving earthing may lower the occurrence of various diseases, reduce inflammation, improve sleep and help maintain a well-functioning circadian rhythm. Another article has a closer look at the connection between sunspot extrema and pandemics, and the relief grounding may exert on the main complications encountered in COVID-19 infection. This issue furthermore contains articles about the principles and safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the use of lidocaine against the cytokine storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2, and hypocalcemia as predictive marker in COVID-19. The reader learns about two miRNAs playing a role in colorectal cancer, diffusion characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid, and an approach of rotational radiography leading to a lower radiation exposure. The final articles present the use of dynamic arthroscopy to refine diagnosis of the origin of shoulder pain, the application of traditional Chinese medicine in analysis of chronic kidney disease, and an exchange concerning neuroimaging abnormalities in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Spotlight

A new type of hygiene

The evolution of personal hygiene strongly varies across centuries and countries. In Ancient Rome, public bath complexes were ubiquitous. However, for the Romans communal bathing also served as a social event and hence public baths were at the same time community centers to convene, meet friends, read and more [1]. Public bathhouses continued to play a central role in the Byzantine Empire. Muslim bathhouses and hammams were highly popular in the Ottoman Empire and incorporated religious next to social significance.1 Moreover, cultures in Japan or among Mesoamerican populations are known for an early history of bathing rituals.2^,3 In contrast, bathing was highly uncommon in Medieval times until the 18th century for most Western Europeans.4

Anecdotally the Vikings seemed to have left an especially deep impression on the English in terms of hygiene. According to an outraged account from the year 1002 by a Catholic monk from Oxford, men from Scandinavia were undermining the virtue of married English women and seducing the daughters of the English noblesse. Following Wallingford's report, Viking men were able to do so simply they had the habit of taking care of their hair, regularly changing their clothes, and bathing once a week [2] – a level of cleanliness in men which apparently was a novelty for English women of that time.

In the current age, a new type of hygiene is emerging. As several article in this issue of the Biomedical Journal point out, grounding is not only beneficial in terms of wellbeing. Beyond a mere wellness aspect, grounding or earthing is considered essential for keeping up health, and it might even restore the biological performance of the human body where necessary.

It has been shown that earthing of an electrically insulated human organism at night influences various physiological processes. Examples are the reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetes patients, decrease of free triiodothyronine, increase of free thyroxine as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone, lowering of serum concentrations of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and reduction of renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus [3]. (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

A selection of effects the human body experiences in an insulated versus grounded state in the presence of electromagnetic frequency. Left side: Lack of earthing may increase inflammation, chronic as well as autoimmune diseases, and interfere with circadian rhythm, sleep, the central nervous system, neurodevelopment and various other biochemical processes. Right side: Grounding decreases inflammation, and lowers blood viscosity. Earthing at night has been shown to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes patients, serum levels of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus and free triiodothyronine (T3). It also raises free thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Image source: adapted by Koniver [18].

Jamieson provides a review of grounding as part of electromagnetic hygiene to reduce communicable and non-communical diseases. The author considers techniques like barefoot walking and sleeping grounded, and expresses the desire that the insights of his review aid in driving medical innovation and next-generation technology incorporating grounding [4].

Vitamin G

The Old Norse god Thor was known for his enormous appetite. It is said that he once ate an entire ox along with eight salmons, finishing the meal with eight barrels of the fermented honey beverage mead.5 By wielding his hammer Mjollnir, Thor would be able to summon lightning to be struck down on his enemies.6 Electric currents such as in lightning are also part of solar winds and the source of polar auroras. Furthermore, the cells of the human body are specialized in generating, controlling and conducting electric currents.7 Electric currents flowing through the Earth are critical for the biological functions of all organisms, not to mention the dependence of modern life on electricity.

Electron transfer is involved in inflammatory responses [5,6] as well as antioxidant activities. Hence means to improve electron transport are in demand for instance in the efforts against mitochondrial diseases and in relation to anti-aging measures [[7], [8], [9]].

The movement of charged carriers like electrons or ions generate a magnetic field.8 A consequence of the ever-growing needs of the ongoing technical revolution consists in the increasing amount of artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Once upon a time regular hygienic measures like bathing have been dismissed as nonsense or useless in some areas of the world. Insights about the effects of grounding on the human body currently still have a comparatively small foundation in scientific research databases. Although study results of the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation and lack of grounding are in part causing controversial discussion, general concerns have been justifiably raised concerning the negative influence EMFs and an insulated lifestyle may have. Man-made EMFs appear to inter alia exert unfavorable effects on the central nervous system and neurodevelopment. They furthermore negatively impact other organisms on Earth like insect populations, for instance bees whose magnetoreception is highly sensitive [[10], [11], [12]].

Earthing, the contact of the body with the earth without insulation, has been revealed to have anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing effects [13,14]. In this issue of the Biomedical Journal Sinatra et al. review the importance of grounding, Vitamin G as they call it, to prevent inflammatory diseases. According to the authors, Vitamin G includes the effect created by the Schumann resonance. The Schumann resonance is a very low frequency component of Earth's magnetic field, affecting the motion of electrons in the surface of the Earth. The Schuman resonance thus contributes to the Earth's electronic dynamic [15]. The Schumann resonance is for example excited by natural lightning activity within the Earth-ionosphere waveguide [16]. Sinatra et al. speculate that the supply of free electrons through grounding exercises a neutralizing effect on free radicals and furthermore support synchronizing hormonal rhythms of the body [15].

To lose the ground under one's feet

Oschman reviews the effects lack of grounding may exert on a population with regard to chronic and autoimmune diseases. With the evolution of a technologically advanced civilization the rise of a variety of health issues can be observed. The author traces those health challenges back to electron deficiency in the body due to lack of earthing. Loss of contact with the surface of the earth occurs as humans change in behavior and wear for example non-conductive materials as opposed to walking barefoot on the earth. Electric fields from home wiring can interfere with sleep and electrical as well as biochemical processes in the body. Therapeutic effects of grounding may allow optimization of an individual's physiological function, prevent chronic inflammation and even slow down aging [17].

Powering up

It seems that especially the direct current (DC) has a profoundly healing effect on the human body. Koniver agrees with Oschman that the health of the modern human suffers as a consequence of a lifestyle insulated from the earth. The human body is inherently conductive, but humans tend to artificially separate themselves from contact with the earth by wearing plastic shoes and fibers on the body and living in insulated dwellings. According to the author, humans hence need to intentionally ground their bodies and thus connect again to the Earth's natural energy circuit. Contact to this DC may not only boost health but on top helps in overall maintaining a well-functioning circadian rhythm (Fig. 1). In her review, the author presents inter alia a circadian study showing that the effects of grounding are not simply related to the exposure of light, but that the Schumann Resonance is a major contributing factor to improving circadian rhythm [18].

Also in this issue

Section grounding & earthing

Editorial

Martel and Ojcius introduce the special section about grounding, paying tribute to the recently deceased Dr. Sinatra, who contributed several insights from his research about earthing to this issue. Martel and Ojcius suggest Vitamin G, as grounding is sometimes labeled, to possibly be the missing puzzle piece in terms of health. They present Oschman's model of the living matrix that allows electrons from the ground to circulate inside the body, and furthermore the hypothesis that this process exerts an antioxidant effect, protecting the body against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Martel and Ojcius highlight the importance of grounding in nature following Jamieson's findings.

Although the two researchers acknowledge that the results published in this special issue need to be considered as preliminary in part, they clearly advocate looking deeper into the benefits and limitations of grounding as a practice to be integrated within a healthy lifestyle [19].

The impact of solar activity in pandemics

Circadian rhythms are crucial in processes such as the sleep–wake cycle, hormone secretion, cardiovascular health, glucose homeostasis, and body temperature [20]. Martel et al. review electromagnetic influences impacting circadian rhythms and the subsequent potential implications on human health. The research team elucidates correlations between solar activity and various major pandemics humanity endured including influenza, the Spanish flu and COVID-19, suggesting that electromagnetic factors may be involved. Importantly it seems that sunspot maxima as well as minima may be disruptive to physiological functions in the human body, possibly mediated through the circadian axis and the immune function. However, only a percentage of the population shows a sensitive reaction to solar activity and geomagnetic events, and susceptibility may be related to aging, health status, or reduced resistance to stress [21].

How grounding affects blood viscosity

On the base of the correlation between pandemics and sunspot extrema, it is suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic could have been predicted [16]. Grounding has shown to reduce blood viscosity, a factor critical in cardiovascular disease [22]. Also COVID-19 is associated with hyper-viscosity and hyper-aggregation of red blood cells [23]. Mousa investigated the effect of grounding in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. His observational and interventional study included 71 COVID-19 patients that performed grounding for 15 min to 6 h per day. The approach revealed to improve symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, weakness as well as loss of taste and smell within 2 h–11 days after the start of the grounding protocol. Mousa hence suggests that earthing could relieve main complications of COVID-19 like hypoxemia, coagulopathy, inflammation and immune defect. Earthing could be effectively applied at any stage of disease without negative side effects that conventional drugs might have [24].

Short review

Racing to win

Lee et al. summarize the principles, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. They highlight the group effort performed by different scientists. Their collective accomplishments allowed to bring together the components needed for delivering mRNA vaccines into the human body in a safe manner. The combined effort includes elaborate research work to ensure the stability of modified mRNA and of course also the assessment of the innate immune response to such mRNA vaccines. Lee et al. conclude that vaccine safety should be continuously monitored to obtain long-term insights. They point out the lack of experience of massive mRNA vaccine programs such as the one performed against COVID-19. Concerns include the induction of autoimmune antibodies as well as provocation of systemic inflammation as a consequence of the currently available mRNA vaccines. Assessing risk versus benefit, recent results however encourage the ongoing development of mRNA vaccines as they may harbor even more potential that so far has not yet been reaped [25].

Original articles

A local anesthetic against SARS-CoV-2

At the beginning of the 20th century the world developed a sports fever. The first modern Olympics were held in 1896, inspiring the physical ideal of the Ancient Greek athlete. It was during this time that Eugen Sandow became the father of modern bodybuilding.9 The German bodybuilder presented revolutionary ideas in terms of physique development and strived himself to look as closely as possible to what he called the Grecian ideal.10 Sandow was considered a sex symbol and his performances are reported to entail a frenzy among the audience that would be comparable to the impact the Beatles caused during public appearances much later on.11

In an effort to obtain large muscles considered esthetically pleasant according to modern day bodybuilding standards, some contestants use synthol as so-called site enhancement. Synthol is an oil that also contains lidocaine. The substance is injected as a temporary implant and the enlargement effects are immediate. Long-term consequences however include nerve damage, muscle deformation, myocardial infarction and infectious complications [26].

Lidocaine is a widely used local anesthetic for treating arrhythmias. However, it has also been noted for its anti-inflammatory and pro-homeostatic activities. Elizagaray et al. studied the capacity of lidocaine to modulate cytokine secretion in mouse and human myeloid cell lines. Their goal was to apply the substance against the cytokine storm characterizing COVID-19. The team's research results confirmed anti-inflammatory effect of lidocaine on SARS-CoV-2 triggered immune pathways [27].

Hypocalcemia in COVID-19

Hypocalcemia is common in critically ill individuals and has been correlated with a poor outcome in COVID-19 patients [28]. Alvarez et al. were interested in identifying possible parameters influencing the outcome in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and cancer. Their retrospective evaluation of 511 patients in 2020 led to the conclusion that hypocalcemia was a major parameter associated with poor prognosis in the according cohort as serum and ionized calcium were prevalently altered [29].

Comorbidities and predicting the outcome of COVID-19 infection

It has been reported, that underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or hypertension affect the prevalence and outcome of COVID-19 [30]. Lin et al. set out to identify predictors for disease progression in COVID-19 patients. Reliable predictors could provide support in identifying infected patients prone to developing severe symptoms. 239 patients with either mild, moderate, or severe symptoms as well as critical cases were enrolled in the multi-center, retrospective, observational study. Results showed that patients with disease progression were more likely to present with comorbidities, decreased lymphocyte and platelet counts, and increased inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. Independent predictors also included underlying comorbidity with coronal arterial disease and cerebrovascular accident. Disease progression was furthermore associated with a higher viral load [31].

Unconventional myosin gene in colorectal cancer

The myosin motor superfamily with more than 20 distinct classes serves various functions. An example is conventional myosin II that forms thick bipolar filaments which pull actin filaments together producing muscle contraction, while moving towards the positive end of those actin filaments. Unconventional myosin motors do not form bipolar thick filaments. Myosin VI encoded by MYO6 is considered unique as it moves towards the negative end of actin filaments, therefore in the opposite direction to other myosins. It is suspected to have an impact in cancer metastasis [32,33].

Wang et al. studied the expression of circ_0011385, miR-330-3p, and MYO6 colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. They showed that miR-330-3p expression was downregulated whereas circ_0011385 and MYO6 were significantly upregulated. Circ_0011385 expression has been associated with tumor size, tumor node-metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis in CRC patients. Silencing of circ_0011385 or absence of MYO6 led to repressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It is suggested that circ_0011385 is able to modulate MYO6 expression through sponging miR-330-3p [34].

When an ubiquitin code leads to organ defects

The ubiquitin code is beyond simple as each signal is assigned to a specific output. The complexity of reversible ubiquitylation ensures a robust signal transduction in eukaryotic cells [35]. Ubiquitylation can be distinguished as monoubiquitination, multi-monoubiquitination, or polyubiquitination [36]. Lysine-63(K63)-linked polyubiquitin chains are the second most abundant linkage type in cells and have been discovered to regulate proteasome-independent pathways [37]. They furthermore seem to play a pivotal role in pathways related to inflammation and cancer development [38].

Wu et al. performed a study to elucidate the role of K63-polyubiquitinated Usp7 in USP7 point mutation knock-in mice [39]. There are close to a hundred known deubiquitinases and a main member consists of ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs) [40]. The research team observed multiple organ defects in vivo including decreased liver weight, deficient liver glycogen storage and polycystic kidneys [39].

The third circulation

Diffusion MRI is applied for producing images of brain tissue structure and connectivity, and is nowadays also used to map the circuitry of the human brain [41]. The non-invasive method does not require any exogenous contrast agent and is based on the diffusion of water molecules in tissue [42]. Traditionally it was understood that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates through the ventricles, cisterns and subarachnoid space to be absorbed into the blood. However, CSF physiology appears to be much more complex. The third circulation, as the macrocirculation of the CSF is also denoted, is not only characterized by a directed flow. Additionally there is a pulsatile to and fro movement throughout the brain causing local fluid exchange between blood, interstitial fluid and CSF [43].

Tazoe et al. proposed that assessing subarachnoid cisterns around the midbrain of rats as opposed to lateral ventricles would provide useful diffusion information of the CSF system. Their study showed that brain injury like for instance stroke may modify characteristics of free water diffusion not only in the parenchyma but also in the CSF system [44].

miRNA signature of colorectal cancer tissue

Historically seen, most research on colorectal cancer (CRC) has been focusing on genetic and epigenetic changes involved in CRC initiation and progression. After discovery of the implications microRNAs (miRNAs) have in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the small nucleotide RNAs have received more attention in terms of cancer biology. MicroRNA expression of CRC is distinctly different than in nontumor tissue, and has been reproducibly confirmed as altered in this disease [45].

Chen et al. performed a retrospective study of stool samples of CRC patients. The team found a miRNA signature that is highly associated with poor outcome of CRC and could hence serve as biomarker in fecal immunochemical tests to identify most at-risk patients [46].

Rotationally radiating

Rotational angiography (RA) is used for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms and for guidance in interventional neurovascular procedures as well as in electrophysiological and peripheral vascular procedures. Since the technique is based on the use of X-rays, it may contribute to a significant patient radiation dose [47].

Siow et al. present a method employing deep-learning based algorithm to lessen the number of radiographs needed in order to acquire a diagnosable RA. The results the team obtained using different models of angular super-resolution showed that the images they made were of non-inferior quality in regard to the ground truth. An advantage of the approach is that it allows to roughly reduce radiation exposure by one third [48].

Fine-tuning a diagnosis with dynamic arthroscopy

Long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) instability and biceps reflection pulley (BRP) lesions are a common source of shoulder pain and frequently associated with rotator cuff (RC) pathology [49,50]. Detecting and classifying BRP and LHBT lesions with RC pathologies happens as a consequence of lack of definite diagnostic tools. Thus isolated pulley lesions tend to be underrecognized. Kao et al. hence decided to performed a retrospective, observational study of LHBT instability and BRP lesions to evaluate the relationship between pulley lesion and intraarticular pathology. The team describe a technique using dynamic arthroscopy to facilitate the diagnosis of biceps pulley lesions and the subsequent surgical interventions [51].

Connecting ancient and modern medical knowledge

For centuries traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used and the diagnosis within this practice is established through the following examinations: visual inspection, smelling and listening, inquiry and palpation. The TCM practitioner then prescribes a specific treatment according to the patient's individual pattern to maximize the protocol's effectiveness [52]. Diagnosis of the tongue in TCM allows to differentiate between symptoms since the tongue is thought to be connected to the internal organs, hence reflecting the physiological and pathological condition of the body [53].

In a cross-sectional, case-controlled study Chung and team applied the non-invasive Automatic Tongue Diagnosis System (ATDS) for analysis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Specific patterns like blood deficiency and stasis with Qi deficiency are shown to be present in CKD patients. The study results confirm a thicker tongue fur, a paler tongue, as well as more teeth marks, red dots and ecchymosis in CKD patients than in the control group [54].

Letter

Emerging neuroimaging abnormalities in pediatric COVID-19 patients

Wong and Toh answer a letter by Dr. Finsterer [55] who shares the team's interest concerning neuroimaging manifestations in cases of pediatric COVID-19 infection. Finsterer noted that the neuroimaging mimics should have included a broader presentation of neuroimaging abnormalities. Wong and Toh explain that they made a selection due to space limitation. They furthermore expect more imaging material to emerge as COVID-19 infection still continues spreading among children globally [56].

Disclaimer

None.

Conflicts of interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.