Magnets have been used for healing purposes since the time of ancient Greece. Many chiropractors, naturopaths and holistic doctors believe that the fields generated by magnets can have a positive effect on the body by influencing the natural electrical charges of the cells. Typically biomagnetic therapy is used to relieve pain, but because it can influence cellular signals, it's possible magnets can also be used to help people lose weight.
How Biomagnetic Therapy Works
Scientists have known for more than a hundred years that electricity is critical to how your body works. In 1924, Dr. Willem Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize for building the first electrocardiogram, a machine that measures electrical impulses in the heart. Mainstream medicine also uses electromagnetic fields produced by the body to measure activity in the brain and take internal images of the body. Every one of your cells carries a small electric charge, and your central nervous system communicates using electrical impulses. Magnetic fields can influence the electrical charges in your cells and may even help restore proper electrical function to damaged cells.
At this time, research regarding biomagnetic therapy as an aid to weight loss is slim, but there is research to support the use of biomagnetic therapy for conditions that exacerbate weight gain. In this way, biomagnetic therapy may assist some people with losing weight.
Losing Weight with Magnets
Biomagnetic therapy may help relieve inflammation and improve circulation. Good circulation is important when trying to lose weight. In one Hungarian study published in the peer-reviewed Hungarian journal Orvosi Hetilap in January 2009, researchers found that increasing the amount of oxygen reaching the cells helped overweight individuals improve their body mass index. The method used for bettering oxygen uptake was oxyhydromassage, but researchers speculate that combining this method with biomagnetic therapy may have even better results because it also increases circulation.
According to biomagnetic expert Gary Null, who holds a Ph.D. in public health science and human nutrition, biomagnetic therapy also helps relieve stress, increase energy and improve athletic performance and endurance. All these potential benefits may help you to stick with an exercise program and therefore lose more weight.
Considerations
The main caveat to using biomagnetic therapy to assist with weight loss is that there is not direct evidence showing that it will produce significant results. Biomagnetic therapy is safe, so it may be worth a try, but you should not plan to rely on it alone. Better eating habits, eating fewer calories and getting regular exercise all play an important role if you plan to succeed at reducing your weight.
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