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Recuperation After Exercise |
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This article has been
reprinted from Muscle & Fitness, October 1993, vol 54, no 10. Interested in an absolutely safe, effortless way to help the body recuperate from demanding workouts, the myriad physical and chemical pollutants in our environment, illness or stress at home or on the job? Do you want to enhance sleep quality (and dreaming), improve alertness, concentration, reaction time, mood, skin condition, healing of wounds and overall immune function? I know it sounds impossible. But devices are now available that have been shown in objective studies conducted in universities, hospitals, industrial and athletic settings around the world to do all those things and more. These devices are negative ion generators (or ionizers). Ions are nothing more than atoms or molecules that have gained or lost an electron. Those that have lost an electron (which carry a negative charge) are called positive ions, while those that have gained an electron are negatively charged (negative) ions. In unspoiled natural settings, a balance of ions contributes to one's sensations and perceptions in "fresh country air." Positive ions are produced by, among other things, friction, including the movement of air over the ground, especially in desert and mountain areas ("witches' winds," such as California's Santa Anas), air over metal (such as a car body), air over air (before a storm), and even between air and the particles swept up and carried by it. Negative ions, the so-called "good ions" or "happy ions" because of their effects on mood, energy, libido and sense of well-being, predominate near waterfalls, on mountain tops and at the seashore as well as after storms. Negative ions are what we're after. They can improve sleep, recuperation and all affected areas. Health & Performance Effects - Many benefits noted Researchers from the former
Soviet Union have noted that more than 5,000 scientific documents support
the concept that high doses of negative ions have positive effects, while
the opposite is true with exposure to high doses of positive ions. They
were among the first to become convinced of the benefits of negative ion
treatment for individuals with various illnesses, especially asthma,
bronchitis and upper respiratory problems. The Soviets published numerous reports indicating that even brief periods of negative ion exposure (15 minutes a day for 25 days for example) resulted in improved responses to training in runners, boxers, swimmers and other athletes. These responses included greater rates of gains in both strength and endurance as well as in improved psychological characteristics, sleep habits and appetite. The greater the level of physical stress, such as from a training overload, the greater the effect the ion treatments seemed to have. This finding agrees with the beliefs of the leading ion researchers worldwide that those who benefit the most include the very young, the old, those most severely stressed and those with compromised immune systems. The most exciting new research development in the ion field is the finding at La Trobe University in Melbourne that exposure to negative ions results in significant increases in Immunoglobin A, an important immune factor. It is believed that this effect is mediated by the well documented effects of negative ions on serotonin metabolism. There Ain't No Free Lunch Out There - Beware "positive ion poisoning" Along with all the benefits modern technology has provided, unfortunately the 20th century industrial environment has drastically upset ion levels and the "natural" electrical quality of the air. While very few human activities add the beneficial small negative ions to the atmosphere, many practices increase the levels of positive ions. Positive ions are also produced by combustion, by electronic apparatus and by synthetic materials and fabrics - all of which are extensively used in urban societies. And outdoor air quality, while important, is not the major issue. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that average people spend 80-90% of their lives indoors, where the air is usually worse. Most indoor time is typically spent in relatively tightly sealed "energy efficient" buildings, where many pollutants - both gases and particulates - become concentrated and reach their highest levels. It's also indoors - including inside cars, trucks, airplanes, etc. - where, as Albert Krueger, MD (the late UC Berkeley researcher and founder of the Air Ion Research laboratory) argued, most individuals are exposed to either ion depletion or a condition called "positive ion poisoning." The problem is further compounded by central heating and cooling systems and by the effects of people crowded together and breathing in confined spaces. The result: increased levels of tension, irritability, depression, reduced work efficiency, lethargy, sleepiness or headache - any or all of these conditions, with the symptoms worsening as the day (or exposure to the adverse environment) wears on. The syndrome is also associated with insomnia and increased frequencies of colds and other minor illnesses. It should go without saying that these symptoms, even on a very minor scale, reflect a physiological state that is non-productive from a bodybuilding standpoint. The Cutting Edge - New-generation ionizer Back in January 1991, MUSCLE & FITNESS had a feature on negative ions in which we pointed out that, despite the absence of absolute proof from controlled double-blind studies, an enormous amount of positive evidence suggests that use of negative ion generators could significantly affect one's physiology to enhance results in the gym as well as overall quality of life. Since then, negative ions have made the news again. This time it involves the development of a new-generation ionizer with innovations lacking in previous commercial models. Australian Joshua Shaw, who's worked with virtually every major researcher as well as manufacturers of ionizers for more than a quarter century, designed and produced the new device. This ionizer incorporates multiple advanced microprocessors (four to be exact), state-of-the-art circuitry, new alloys with gold-lined holders for the needle electrodes, and programmability for different conditions and situations. Far more than simply an air cleaner that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi, the machine consistently produces small, highly mobile (ingestible) negative ions - the key to beneficial physiological effects - over extended periods. Because of its efficiency, the machine, trade-named Elanra, has been classified as a medical device by the Australian government. In Shaw's own words, "Regular exposure to Elanra's ions can help create an environment in which your body is better able to recover on its own and heal itself... an environment that facilitates optimal health and performance - both mental and physical ... and an environment that was easier to attain before our bodies and immune systems were impacted by the multitude of chemicals, preservatives, airborne pollutants and other stresses imposed upon it in the 20th century." With absolutely no adverse effects ever reported in nearly a century of negative ion research and use, I can't think of another means to enhance recuperation that I could recommend so highly. And better recuperation and health definitely mean better bodybuilding. References 1. Baron, R. Effects of
negative ions on cognitive performance. Journal of Applied Psychology
72:131-137, 1987. |