Turn-Off That Wifi Router

Technology has brought wonders to human society. It has enhanced the quality of human life. However, along with technology’s wonders, there also came dangers. The advent of the internet has made possible global connections in real time. At present, many internet functions of desktop computers have been incorporated in cell phones, making desktop computers irrelevant. As people increasingly rely on cell phones to make global connections, they found a great need for wireless connections, thus, the coming of wireless systems such as routers and Bluetooth. These systems, however, rely on electromagnetism to produce signals that can be captured by cell phones or computers.

The trouble with wireless systems is that they give off electromagnetic radiation in low-gigahertz frequency. Thus, when your router is turned on to receive wireless signals, you and everybody in your household are exposed to electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). Most health experts are in agreement that EMFs are dangerous to people’s health. In the first place, they can pass through walls, therefore, they can also pass through the human body. You can only imagine what electromagnetism can do to your brain. The worst part is that your neighbour may also be using a Wi-Fi router. And the coffee shop next to your neighbour has a Wi-Fi-ready connection to attract customers, who probably work on their laptops the whole night, which means that the whole neighbourhood is exposed to EMFs the whole day every day. This also means that you cannot avoid being exposed to EMFs even if your router is turned off, or even if you do not have a router.

Since the introduction of Wi-Fi in 1997, researchers have done studies on the effect of Wi-Fi on overall health. In 2008, the Scientific American ran an article titled “Mind Control by Cell Phone.” The article pointed out the danger of Wi-Fi on the human brain.

Dr. Edward Group (DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) of the Internet site Global Healing Center, identifies some potential health dangers of Wi-Fi, as follows:

• It causes insomnia

A study in 2007 evaluated low-frequency modulation from cell phones and its impact on sleep. Participants were exposed to the electromagnetic signals from real phones or no signal from fake phones. Those exposed to the electromagnetic radiation had a significantly more difficult time falling asleep and changes in brainwave patterns were observed

It has been suggested that sleeping near a phone, in a home with Wi-Fi, or in an apartment building with many Wi-Fi signals can create chronic sleep problems as the Wi-Fi pollution interferes with falling asleep and sleep patterns. Dr. Group said that sleep deprivation is just the start of larger problems since the development of depression and hypertension has also been linked to inadequate sleep.

• It damages childhood development

According to Dr. Group, exposure to non-thermal Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation can disrupt normal cellular development, especially fetal development. A 2004 animal study linked delayed kidney development to exposure to Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation. These findings were supported by a 2009 Austrian study, which indicated a severe disruption of protein synthesis, prompting the authors of the study to note, “this cell property is especially pronounced in growing tissues, that is, in children and youth. Consequently, these population groups would be more susceptible than average to the described effects.” In short, says Dr. Group, bathing the developmentally young in Wi-Fi increases their risk of developmental issues.

• It affects cell growth
• It derails brain function
• It reduces brain activity in females

A group of 30 volunteers, 15 men and 15 women, were given a simple memory test. First, the entire group was tested without any exposure to Wi-Fi radiation—no problem. Then, they were exposed to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi from a wireless access point for about 45 minutes. During that portion of the testing, brain activity was measured and the women had a noticeable change in brain activity and energy levels. Sorry ladies! But guys don’t get too comfortable.

• It neutralizes sperm

For a long time, it has been known that that the heat generated by laptops kills sperm. Worse, research has also found that exposure to Wi-Fi frequencies reduces sperm movement and causes DNA fragmentation. This is confirmed in both human and animal testing.

• It may impact fertility

It’s not just sperm, says Dr. Group. In a study, mice exposed to Wi-Fi radiation 2 hours a day for 45 days had significantly increased oxidative stress levels resulting in cellular damage and impact on DNA structure, suggesting a strong possibility of abnormal pregnancy.

• It provokes cardiac arrest

A study involving 69 subjects reported that many of them experienced increased heart rate in response to electromagnetic frequencies

• It may be linked to cancer

Animal models indicate that exposure to electromagnetic radiation increases the risk of tumor development. In one human case, a 21-year-old woman developed a breast tumor right on the spot where she carried her cell phone in her bra, even though her family did not have a predisposition to breast cancer.

How you can protect yourself

Eat foods that can give you plenty of melatonin and L-Carnitine supplements. Banana, cherries, oats, sweet corn, rice, ginger, barley, and tomatoes are good sources of melatonin. Red meat, pork, seafoods, chicken, and dairy products like ice cream, milk, and cheese are good sources of L-Carnitine. In animal tests, L-Carnitine provides antioxidant support for nutrients negatively affected by 2.4 GHz radiation.

Although melatonin and L-Carnitine offer a nutritional defense, they don’t block exposure. Probably, the most you can do is to purposely limit your exposure to EMFs by taking a few small steps. For one, do not keep cell phones, laptops, and tablets close to your body. For another, turn off your wireless router every time you stop using it. For still another there are devices available that can counteract electromagnetic frequencies. This can be another topic for next issue. Meantime, you can check them out on the internet.