Earthing, or grounding, is a practice where individuals connect directly with the Earth's surface electrons, which is believed to offer various health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and potentially influencing hormone levels. This leads to an important question about thyroid health: Can earthing significantly affect thyroid function?
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Can Earthing Influence Thyroid Function?
Yes, initial studies indicate that earthing might impact thyroid function, with the evidence base still growing. More research is in progress to further explore this connection.
Evidence Rating: MODERATE
The evidence supporting earthing's impact on thyroid function is rated as MODERATE, reflecting the promising yet limited studies and anecdotal evidence. Research has indicated that earthing can alter levels of thyroid hormonesShara Mae Pagsuyuin, including a decrease in free triiodothyronine (T3) and an increase in free thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These findings suggest a potential regulatory effect on the thyroid.
Pros:
- Physiological Evidence: Some studies show that earthing may adjust thyroid hormone levels, directly influencing thyroid function.
- Systemic Health Benefits: Earthing has been associated with broader health improvements, such as reduced inflammation and better sleep, which can indirectly support thyroid health.
Cons:
- Limited Research: The moderate rating primarily stems from the small sample sizes and the need for more comprehensive research explicitly targeting the thyroid.
- Individual Variability: Responses to earthing can vary significantly among individuals, making it crucial to approach earthing as a supplementary treatment with guidance from healthcare professionals.
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Scientific Evidence
Researchers conducted a study to explore the effects of connecting the human body to the Earth using a copper conductor (1). They meticulously designed five experiments, touching on various physiological aspects, from calcium–phosphate homeostasis to thyroid function. One significant finding was that grounding during nighttime sleep could adjust critical thyroid hormones. Specifically, it lowered free tri-iodothyronine (T3) and raised both free thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the participants.
This groundbreaking study suggests that grounding influences our body's mineral balance and plays a role in regulating our endocrine and nervous systems, offering a new perspective on managing thyroid health through direct contact with Earth's natural energies.
A 2015 article explores earthing or grounding as a health-boosting practice. By placing bare feet on the ground, individuals engage in an electron exchange that neutralizes free radicals, reducing chronic inflammation—a common culprit behind autoimmune thyroid disorders like Graves' Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This piece highlights the simplicity and accessibility of earthing, whether outdoors or indoors, using specialized mats and sheets, and points to the profound potential of this practice to complement dietary antioxidants in combating oxidative stress.
While it acknowledges the need for more targeted research, the article presents a compelling case for earthing's indirect benefits on thyroid health through its foundational anti-inflammatory effects (2).
Another comprehensive study explores the extensive health benefits of grounding to the Earth. The findings are remarkable: grounding enhances heart rate variability, improves tissue blood perfusion, and reduces blood viscosity (3). It even boosts immune system function and supports metabolic rates. Specifically relevant to thyroid health, the study notes grounding's ability to mitigate inflammation and autoimmune signaling in hormonal pathways, potentially addressing thyroid hormone imbalances and related conditions.
By presenting a holistic view of earthing's impact, the research makes a compelling argument for incorporating grounding into daily routines to promote overall well-being, including thyroid health.
The post, sponsored by Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC., partnered with Heather Procknal, NBC-HWC-CHC, mentioned that researchers reveal that even a single night of grounding can produce significant shifts in thyroid hormone levels among healthy individuals (4). Grounding decreased free T3 while increasing free T4 and TSH, confirming its substantial effect on the thyroid.
This study lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of how earthing directly interacts with our endocrine system, suggesting that regular grounding practices could offer therapeutic benefits for those managing thyroid conditions. It also cautions individuals on thyroid medication to consult with healthcare providers, as improved thyroid function through earthing may necessitate dosage adjustments.
Together, these studies form a compelling narrative on the potential benefits of earthing for thyroid function, supported by direct observations and broader physiological improvements. While promising, the evidence calls for more rigorous, large-scale research to fully understand earthing's role in thyroid health and its integration into holistic health practices.
References:
- Sokal, Karol, and Pawel Sokal. “Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154031/.
- “Earthing and Thyroid Health.” Natural Endocrine Solutions Dr. Eric Osansky, DC, IFMCP |, 19 Oct. 2015, www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/earthing-thyroid-health/.
- Author links open overlay panelLaura Koniver, and AbstractAn ever expanding body of research over the past several decades suggest that directly touching the earth. “Practical Applications of Grounding to Support Health.” Biomedical Journal, Elsevier, 5 Dec. 2022, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417022001585.
- “How Earthing Can Support Your Thyroid Health.” NP Thyroid, www.npthyroid.com/tipsresource/earthing-to-support-thyroid-health/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.
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