PEMF and Immune System

In this article we are going to explain what PEMF therapy is and how it affects your immune system.

In case if you are looking for a PEMF device, please read this article where we compare the best PEMF devices currently available on the market.

Keeping your immune system strong is not easy, these days.

It is bombarded with negative influences, and counteracting these requires a mindful effort.

Our immune system is our main defense against possible pathogens, but it is also very fragile.

If we do not take good care of it through nutrition, exercise, supporting a healthy mind, etc., it will weaken, and fail to perform its duty properly.

Another way in which we can strengthen the immune system is with PEMF therapy.

Numerous studies have proven a correlation between PEMF therapy and a stronger immune system, so let’s take some time and learn more about it.

 

What Is the Immune System?

The immune system is a system of defenses in our body, composed of many types of proteins, cells, tissues, and even organs.

Its crucial role is to fend off attacks from the viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other harmful organisms that we encounter on a daily basis.

Its main weapon, but not the only one, is white blood cells.

These cells move through our blood and tissue, constantly fighting off pathogens.

Neutrophils are another type of immune cells; these are among the first ones to reach the site of infection, and play a crucial role in healing it.

 

White Blood Cells

White blood cells are also known as leukocytes.

These are primarily located in lymphatic and blood vessels, and constantly circulate throughout the body.

When they spot a potential target, they start multiplying and sending signals to cells of the same type to engage, as well.

Our body has four so-called lymphoid organs, where all of our white blood cells are stored. These are:

• Lymph nodes – These small glands are spread throughout the body, and connect to each other via lymphatic vessels.
• Spleen – This is an organ that functions as the blood’s filter. It is located in the upper left part of the abdomen.
• Bone marrow – Located inside the bones, this produces both white and red blood cells.
• Thymus – A gland located above the lungs and just below the neck.

There are also two main types of white blood cells:

• Lymphocytes – This type of white blood cells allows our body to remember familiar pathogens if they attack again, and deploy defense
• Phagocytes – This type of white blood cells attacks pathogens and destroys them, eventually, essentially, eating them.

 

Immune System Disorders

Immune system disorders are just as complex as the immune system itself.

However, we can group them into three main categories:

• Immunodeficiencies – Can be caused by obesity, age, alcoholism, disease, and so on.
• Hypersensitivity – The immune system overreacts and attacks healthy tissue. Anaphylactic shock is an example.
• Autoimmunity – The immune system cannot differentiate between the body’s tissue and foreign tissue, and attacks healthy cells. This disorder causes type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and so on.

 

Strengthening the Immune System

The good news is that we can strengthen our immune system and keep it in good shape if we maintain some healthy habits.

Key ones are:

• Get eight hours of sleep – Sleep deprivation can have detrimental effects on the immune system.
• Avoid drinking alcohol – A glass of wine or a bottle of beer will harm you, but too much of it will weaken your immune system.
• Eat nutritious foods – Eat a diverse diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
• Spend time outside – Sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D, which impacts the immune system positively.
• Use PEMF therapy – PEMF therapy has very beneficial effects on the immune system, as numerous studies prove.

 

PEMF Therapy and Immune System

PEMF therapy works at the cellular level to provide its benefits.

Unlike many other treatment methods, it does not favor one type of cells over another.

Certain PEMF therapy settings are better for any given specific type of cells, but in general, PEMF therapy can benefit all the body’s cells equally.

The immune system is a system of cells that play the same role within the body.

Like any other type of cell, they can become fatigued and dysfunctional, which is when infections and diseases happen.

PEMF therapy can help us recharge our white blood cells, and keep them in optimal condition at all times.

PEMF has highly beneficial effects on neutrophils, which are, along with leucocytes, the immune system’s main weapon in fighting pathogens.

Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the link between the two, one of which, especially, caught our eye.

 

A Study on PEMF and the Immune System

A study was conducted in 2002, at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Unit, University of Ferrara in Italy, that examined the effects of low-frequency PEMF therapy on A2A adenosine receptors in human neutrophils.

The study’s principal investigators were Varani K, Merighi S, Gessi S, Cattabriga E, Iannota V, Cadossi R, Spisani S, and Borea PA. (1)

The study participants were split into two groups – the control group, and the PEMF-treated group.

Before the study, a series of tests was performed to establish the adherence of the participants to the study’s requirements.

A high-affinity adenosine antagonist was used to perform saturation experiments, and establish that there is one class of receptors both in the control and in the PEMF-treated group.

After one hour of exposure to PEMF stimulation, the density of binding sites was dramatically increased (P<0.01).

This effect was most prominent in A2A adenosine receptors.

It is also important to note that the effects were dependent on the temperature, intensity, and time.

The A2A receptor agonists in the adenylyl cyclase assays, NECA and HE-NECA, improved the accumulation of cyclic AMP in untreated human neutrophils with an EC50 value of 43 (40 – 47) and 255 (228 – 284) nM, respectively.

After the exposure to PEMF therapy, the ability of NECA and HE-NECA to stimulate cyclic AMP levels increased (P<0.01).

NECA and HE-NECA also inhibited a generation of O2- (superoxide anion) in human neutrophils not treated with PEMF.

Moreover, in those neutrophils treated with PEMF, the same compound shows a much lower value.

These results tell us that PEMF therapy leads to a significant change in the functionality and in the expression of adenosine A2A receptors, which can have a benefit the immune system greatly.

 

Other Benefits of PEMF Therapy

In addition to the noteworthy positive effects PEMF therapy has on the immune system, it can strengthen the rest of our body, as well.

One of the unique features of PEMF therapy is that is equally beneficial for both sick and healthy people, as well as for animals, pets, and plants.

Since it affects our body at the cellular level, and all of our organs and body parts consist of more than 70 trillion cells in total, there isn’t a part of the body where PEMF therapy does not have at least some effect.

Take a look below at a list of the most well known, scientifically proven health benefits of PEMF therapy.

 

Improves Range of Motion

Cervical osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis, and can be quite serious.

One of the typical symptoms of this disease is the reduction in range of motion, especially in the neck area.

Patients might experience their most severe symptoms in the morning, but these don’t disappear at any time during the day.

In 2005, a study was conducted in Ankara, Turkey, which showed that PEMF therapy could help such patients.

After regular exposure to PEMF stimulation, the patients experienced a reduction in symptoms such as neck pain, muscle spasms, and range of motion. (2)

 

Promotes Nerve Repair

Sciatic nerve injury is an injury from which both young and old people frequently suffer.

When it happens, it creates problems for weeks at a time; patients may end up bedridden, and the injury can turn into a chronic problem.

Research conducted in 1993 shows that PEMF therapy can accelerate neuroregeneration.

The study was conducted on rats who suffered crush lesions of the sciatic nerve; the subjects showed much higher rates of nerve repair when treated with PEMF therapy.

These results give hope to all patients who suffer from this persistent problem. (3)

 

Decreases Diabetic Factors

Diabetes is a disease with usually many complications, one of which is called diabetic polyneuropathy.

This health condition affects the peripheral nerves in the body, causing numbness, weakness, and pain.

A study conducted in 2003 showed that PEMF could significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from DPN.

It was proven that, with regular use, this therapy reduces the symptoms of the disorder and improves nerve function. (4)

 

Stimulates Bone Healing in Nonunion Fractures

Nonunion fractures are a complication of a normal fracture which does not heal completely or properly after an expected period.

These are serious complications, and often require surgery.

However, PEMF therapy has proven to be a good solution, as well.

In 1999, a study was conducted by scientists in Bangladesh, who examined how PEMF therapy would affect patients suffering from nonunion fractures.

Thirteen patients participated in the study, 11 of whom experienced full recovery after 14 weeks of treatment. (5)

 

Reduces Migraines

Migraines are a frequent consequence of the modern lifestyle.

They can be caused by stress, too much work, bad sleep, lack of healthy lifestyle, etc.

When they happen, they usually bring our day to an early end.

However, a study conducted in 1999 showed that PEMF therapy could significantly reduce the symptoms caused by migraines.

After one month of regular use, patients reported less-severe symptoms and fewer migraine attacks in general. (6)

 

Reduces Symptoms of Depression

A major problem in treating depression is that the typical approaches are not always effective.

At least 30% of patients do not respond well to antidepressants, and some of them even experience intensified symptoms as a result of taking the medication.

PEMF therapy can change that, according to Danish scientists; they conducted a study that proved that PEMF therapy, when used alongside antidepressants, increased the drugs’ positive effects and decreased their side effects.

Therefore, the two therapies, when used in conjunction, could provide an enhanced positive effect for patients. (7)

 

Helps with Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive, potentially debilitating, disease affecting people worldwide.

It mostly strikes older demographics, but it sometimes occurs in younger people, as well.

Its symptoms include pain, inflammation, and swelling, and tends to worsen over time.

A study was conducted in India in 1998 which proved that PEMF therapy could alleviate the most common symptoms patients feel, and greatly improve their overall quality of life.

These results were most prominent in seronegative patients, but appeared to some degree in all of the study participants.

 

Conclusion

Keeping your immune system strong is not an easy task, mostly because of its complexity, but because of external factors, as well.

Simply changing your lifestyle and incorporating some better daily habits will help you a lot.

However, if you want to go the extra mile, you should incorporate PEMF therapy, as well, which will increase the likelihood of positive results.

In some cases, the immune system is so weak that it cannot fix itself alone, but needs some additional help.

This usually happens due to certain health conditions, such as infections, which target the immune system.

Numerous studies have been conducted to date which have examined the correlation between PEMF and the immune system.

The one we have shared with you shows how this therapy affects neutrophils, which are one of the most important types of cells in fighting infections and diseases.

To get the best results from PEMF therapy, you should incorporate it into your health regimen and use it regularly, over a long period.

The most affordable and convenient option would be to buy a PEMF device and use it in your own home. Try it; you definitely won’t regret it!