insights

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Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of radiation that are created both naturally (e.g., earth’s magnetic field and sunlight) and by human invention (e.g., cell phones and power lines).¹ Advancing technologies and higher electricity usage have increased daily exposure to artificial EMF sources, and some research studies, from animal models to human-based observational studies, suggest potential negative health impacts associated with long-term EMF exposures.^2-6 What are common sources of EMFs, the potential health implications, and the functional medicine approaches to address a patient’s total environmental toxicant load?

EMF Pollution: Common Exposure Sources & Potential Health Impacts

Both electric and magnetic fields are produced by electricity and grow in strength as voltages and currents increase. Of interesting note, it has been reported that electric fields are produced whether a device is turned on or not and are weakened by walls and other objects while magnetic fields are only produced when current is flowing and can pass through buildings, living things, and other materials but decrease in strength farther from the source.¹ While there are many EMF sources to consider, some common exposures may include:^1,7

• Higher frequency EMFs such as ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays.
• Low and mid-frequency EMFs from electric power lines and appliances, radio waves, microwaves, and visible light.
• Extremely low frequency and radiofrequency EMFs from computers, wireless networks, cell phones, cell phone towers, and Bluetooth devices.

This list is only a sample of potential EMF exposure sources for the general public. EMF exposures, especially in the extremely low frequency range, are ubiquitous in the modern digital world, and research continues to detail the health impacts of these chronic and cumulative EMF exposures. Some official agencies point to limited and conflicting EMF research on health effects and maintain that at current levels, low and extremely low frequency EMF exposures are not associated with increased health risks such as cancer.^1,7,8 However, some agencies and studies have raised concerns about the current established EMF exposure limits due to co-exposures to other potential carcinogenic agents in the environment, an individual’s potential sensitivity to EMFs and radiation, and the cumulative impact of widespread EMF exposures.^1,9-11

Recent observational studies and meta-analyses of human studies have suggested that exposure to various levels of EMFs may result in clinical patterns of toxic health effects among some populations, such as endocrine disruption,⁴ mental health disturbances,¹² cardiovascular abnormalities,¹³ increased oxidative stress,¹² and increased Alzheimer’s disease⁶ and tumor risk.⁵ As an example, a 2023 observational study examined the effects of electromagnetic radiation at the common frequencies for Wi-Fi data transmission and 4G mobile networks on heart rate variability among younger healthy adults (n=30).¹³ During the study, EMF exposure was applied for five minutes to the chest area of the participants, and results indicated a shift in cardiac autonomic regulation toward sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic underactivity during exposure. Authors concluded that these abnormal shifts during EMF exposure may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular complications among this population.¹³

Clinical Applications & the Functional Medicine Approach

With all environmental toxicants and pollutants that may negatively impact health, the first steps of a functional medicine approach are to identify and evaluate patterns of potential toxic exposures and to ultimately reduce levels of those exposures. Specific to artificial EMF sources such as cell phones and electrical devices, a patient may choose a variety of options to help reduce exposure such as using a headset or speaker mode, choosing to text over making calls, increasing distance from electrical devices, turning off Wi-Fi, or replacing wireless devices with wired alternatives.

After addressing levels of exposure, assessment of a patient’s total toxic load and supporting the body’s detoxification and elimination pathways through lifestyle modifications as well as nutritional support are essential pieces of a personalized therapeutic treatment in functional medicine. Optimizing a patient’s nutritional status, ensuring adequate fiber and water intake, eating more phytonutrient-dense and diverse foods, and supporting liver function through targeted, nutrient-dense diets are all dietary treatment approaches within the functional medicine model that may help to improve the elimination of toxic compounds and to alleviate toxic burden. And while the research continues to develop, preliminary results from animal model and human-based research suggest that nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and various plants and herbs may mitigate some of the negative health impacts that have been suggested for chronic EMF exposure such as increased oxidative stress and endocrine disruptions.^14-18

At IFM’s Environmental Health Advanced Practice Module (APM), learn more about EMFs, how your patients’ physical environment and toxicant exposure levels may impact their health outcomes, and what functional medicine tools and lifestyle-based approaches may benefit their wellness path.

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References

1. Electromagnetic fields and cancer. National Cancer Institute. Reviewed May 30, 2022. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet
2. Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Norouzi P, Mirbadie SR, Fazli M, Mirzaii M. Oxidative stress associated with long term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields. Work. 2021;68(2):379-386. doi:3233/WOR-203244
3. Schuermann D, Mevissen M. Manmade electromagnetic fields and oxidative stress—biological effects and consequences for health. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(7):3772. doi:3390/ijms22073772
4. Khosravipour M, Gharagozlou F, Kakavandi MG, et al. Association of prolonged occupational co-exposures to electromagnetic fields, noise, and rotating shift work with thyroid hormone levels. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024;270:115837. doi:1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115837
5. Choi YJ, Moskowitz JM, Myung SK, Lee YR, Hong YC. Cellular phone use and risk of tumors: systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(21):8079. doi:3390/ijerph17218079
6. Gunnarsson LG, Bodin L. Occupational exposures and neurodegenerative diseases—a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(3):337. doi:3390/ijerph16030337
7. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Non-ionizing radiation from wireless technology. Updated August 29, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://www.epa.gov/radtown/non-ionizing-radiation-wireless-technology
8. National Cancer Institute. Cell phones and cancer risk. Reviewed April 4, 2024. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet
9. International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF). Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G. Environ Health. 2022;21(1):92. doi:1186/s12940-022-00900-9
10.  Belpomme D, Irigaray P. Why electrohypersensitivity and related symptoms are caused by non-ionizing man-made electromagnetic fields: an overview and medical assessment. Environ Res. 2022;212(Pt A):113374. doi:1016/j.envres.2022.113374
11.  Hardell L, Koppel T. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity close to mobile phone base stations – a case study in Stockholm, Sweden. Rev Environ Health. 2022;38(2):219-228. doi:1515/reveh-2021-0169
12.  Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Ebrahimi MH, Mousavi SH, Nazarkhani F. Investigating the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on job burnout syndrome and the severity of depression; the role of oxidative stress. J Occup Health. 2020;62(1):e12136. doi:1002/1348-9585.12136
13.  Parizek D, Visnovcova N, Hamza Sladicekova K, et al. Electromagnetic fields – do they pose a cardiovascular risk? Physiol Res. 2023;72(2):199-208. doi:33549/physiolres.934938
14.  Mohammadi H, Golbabaei F, Dehghan SF, Imani H, Ramezani Tehrani F, Khodakarim Ardakani S. The influence of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids on reproductive health indices among male workers exposed to electromagnetic fields. Am J Mens Health. 2022;16(1):15579883221074821. doi:1177/15579883221074821
15.  Hosseinabadi MB, Khanjani N, Norouzi P, Mirzaii M, Biganeh J, Nazarkhani F. Investigating the effects of vitamins E and C on oxidative stress and hematological parameters among power plant workers: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Toxicol Ind Health. 2020;36(2):99-109. doi:1177/0748233720908993
16.  Asbaghi O, Rezaei Kelishadi M, Larky DA, et al. The effects of green tea extract supplementation on body composition, obesity-related hormones and oxidative stress markers: a grade-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2024;131(7):1125-1157. doi:1017/S000711452300260X
17.  Gazwi HSS, Mahmoud ME, Hamed MM. Antimicrobial activity of rosemary leaf extracts and efficacy of ethanol extract against testicular damage caused by 50-Hz electromagnetic field in albino rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020;27(13):15798-15805. doi:1007/s11356-020-08111-w
18.  Raghu SV, Kudva AK, Rajanikant GK, Baliga MS. Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review. Electromagn Biol Med. 2022;41(1):1-14. doi:1080/15368378.2021.1963762