August 13, 2015 general

We have become pretty dependent on fancy cell phones because their ever expanding list of features gives us good reason to be. But, there are questions about cell phones and health. They can even benefit our health in some ways. For example, there are good references like the Cures A-Z app. (You can also visit our library or even read this newsletter on your phone!) The app that lets you monitor your pulse could help you identify a food sensitivity using the pulse test. However, as is so often the case with technological advances, there are unintended consequences. The following factors are evidence that some caution is in order with how we use the devices.

Brain wave warping
We’ve known that cell phones could mess with the electronics in airplanes and hospitals. Now a new study reveals a significant effect on the human brain when a 3G cell phone is held to the ear for even 15 minutes. The researchers concluded that “significant radiation effects were found for the alpha, slow beta, fast beta, and gamma bands”. Article with a link to the study. We don’t have to know what all those waves do to get that it probably is not a good thing. The latest technology, 4G, may have an even stronger effect. Previous research showed that among the brain waves altered were the ones that help us sleep. Using speaker phone or ear buds seems a safer choice.

Radiation in your pocket
Holding the phone to your head apparently is’’t a great idea, but surely it is okay to carry it around in your pocket, right? The government says there is no proof that the radiation from phones causes cancer or other diseases. (The Mayo Clinic weighs in on that controversy.)  The feds do regulate the amount of radiation relative to the distance the device is held from the body. Those limits date to 1996 when the equipment was quite different. Currently, various manufacturers recommend the phone be carried at different distances away the body—starting at roughly 1/4 of an inch and going to upwards of ½. Unless you wear really really thick pants, it looks like they mean to use a belt clip.  More details.

Text Neck
We know it is critical to have a good ergonomic setup for your work desk because too many hours in the wrong position can cause repetitive stress trouble. The head weighs 10-12 pounds (perhaps less for some folks in Washington) and creates quite a burden if not held directly over the spine. These days some folks spend so much time bent over their mobile devices that even teens are suffering structural problems in their necks, shoulders and backs. Read what the Cleveland Clinic recommends.

Distracted walking
You readers are way too smart to need me to tell you not to text while driving. However, many of us might benefit from a reminder that even talking on the cell phone makes us less safe drivers. It seems that some also need a heads up (literally) that walking and texting can be deadly. Recently a 48-year old Dallas personal trainer died when she was hit by car. You guessed it. She had wandered into its path because she was focused on the phone screen instead of where she was walking. The rest of the sad story.

Depression indicator
Researchers did not say that cell phones cause depression, but usage may indicate a problem. Scientists at Northwestern University said, “The more time you spend using your phone, the more likely you are depressed. The average daily usage for depressed individuals was about 68 minutes, while for non-depressed individuals it was about 17 minutes.” The study also used the phones’ GPS to determine that folks who got around town less were more likely depressed. Again, not cause and effect, just an alert.

Nutritional help against radiation?
It certainly makes sense to reduce our exposure to radiation as much as possible. (Not just phones, but challenging the need for a CT scan, etc.) For extra assurance, note a study that concluded that: “high doses of Vit C can show life-saving radioprotective effects.”

I think that I’m pretty safe because half the time I don’t even know where my cell phone is.