The Health Benefits of Negative
Ions
What are air ions? In nature, there exists both positively charged
ions (poisons) and negatively charged ions (negative ions). These
molecules have powerful effects on human biology, both negatively
and positively affecting us. Although common sense would suggest
that positive ions would have a positive effect and negative ions a
negative effect- the opposite it true. Negative ions, specifically
negatively charged oxygen molecules (different than ozone), have been
shown to have beneficial effects on human health.
What is a negative ion? A negative ion is a molecule with a negative
charge assigned to it. Negative ions occur commonly throughout
nature and can create an overall sense of well-being. Negative ions
are found after a rainstorm (falling water creates negative ions) or
after a lightning strike. Every home has its own built in negative
ionizer- your shower. The smell in the air generated after a
rainfall is actually the odor of negatively charged ions in the air.
What are positive ions? Positive ions are positively charged
molecules (positively charged carbon dioxide) and are believed to
have negative health effects on human health. Studies have shown
they can inhibit ciliary motility (the cleaning mechanism in our
respiratory tract) increasing risk of infection. Positive ions are
found in high concentrations before a storm when it is windy and in
areas that have high outdoor air pollution. Sitting in traffic on a
busy highway or freeway is a great place to get a dose of positive
ions. What can they do to us? The can leave us fatigued, irritable
or even depressed.
What Can Air Ionization (Negative Ions) do for you?
1. Evidence shows that negative ionizers clean the air of dust,
molds, bacteria, soot, pollen and household odors
2. Air ionizers have been reported to be helpful to people with
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which causes depression, by
regulating hormone levels (Ref: 4)
3. Air ionizers clean the air of pollen, therefore being helpful for
those with hay-fever and other seasonal allergies.
4. Air ionizers have been reported to help relieve tension and help
improve sleep. ( I can personally attest to negative ionizers
helping one sleep better. As a matter of fact, I used to turn my
negative ionizer off before tests in college so I would not
oversleep)
5. Air ionizers help remove the airborne pollutants below, therefore
those with asthma which is triggered by the below pollutants,
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