Have you heard of National Geographic’s exploration into the lives of the longest lives around the world – the Blue Zones? This can serve as a great jumping-off point for an EMF lesson on longevity! The Blue Zone’s creator, Dan Buettner’s research and writing has inspired numerous cities in the U.S. (including nearby Brevard, NC) to seek certification as Blue Zone communities that promote and inspire healthy living.
Fortunately, there is so much to learn from the Blue Zone’s “Power 9” criteria for longevity without having to move anywhere! This blog highlight’s six of the Power 9 and takes each one to a higher level of potential through protection from EMF’s (electromagnetic fields).
Creating healthy communities is a vital, long-term goal that takes the time and talents of a large body of caring individuals. It is a goal I 
have been part of for nearly 35 years as a public health professional. Yet our immediate home environments are the most crucial for our wellbeing. It is also in these environments that we usually have the most control of our EMF exposure.
EMF Protection is profoundly important – both for our immediate health and wellbeing – and for our longevity. This is very clear to me as now as an EMF Consultant / Building Biologist for the past five years, as well as EMF educator for the past decade. While there are four types of EMFs that I measure and mitigate, this article will focus on the most ubiquitous EMF on the rise all around us: radiofrequency radiation (RFR). Our beloved cell phones all emit massive levels of RFR, as do cell towers, 5G antennas, Wi-Fi, smart utility meters, and all wireless and “smart” devices.
Let’s Begin with what’s Basic for Longevity & EMF Protection.
At the opening plenary session of the first U.S. EMF Medical Conference in 2019, Dr. Sharon Goldberg taught us how oxidative stress is the most important “mechanism of action” underlying the many adverse effects associated with RFR. These adverse effects include not only cancer, but cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many other chronic conditions which can make aging particularly challenging. You can check out Dr. Goldberg’s 2019 lecture here. An update to Dr. Goldberg’s lecture: In an overwhelming 91% of 288 studies, oxidative stress increased with exposure to RFR!
Do you eat fruits and vegetables to help stay healthy? Do you remember the nutrition campaign to “five-a-day” to fight “free radicals”? Oxidative stress occurs when cells cannot adequately stop excess free radicals. Think oxidation – like rust! Oxidative stress advances aging, increases inflammation and pain, and suppresses immune function. It also makes it harder to repair DNA damage, putting us at greater risk for cancer and other conditions.
Preventing cancer and effective cancer care are crucial to longevity! The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified RFR as a possible human carcinogen in 2011. In 2018, the National Toxicology Program, based in Durham NC, found “clear evidence” of carcinogenesis and DNA damage in its final report of a gold-standard, $30 million study of RF radiation from cell phones. Dozens of other well-designed studies have found the same results. 
Let’s look at several of the Blue Zone’s “Power 9” and how they related to EMF/RF Protection.
Move Naturally: The Blue Zones encourage movement without machines and modern conveniences. While many active folks opt for smart watches to count steps, all smart watches emit RF radiation! It is always important to keep smart watches and cell phones off the body, 
just as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. Fortunately, the Garmin brand of smart watch can be put on “Airplane mode,” which stops the RFR emissions and still allows it to count your steps. Breast cancer has been found in many young women without cancer histories who wore their phone in their bra while exercising. A safer way to carry the phone is to keep it off the body in a backpack or purse, and best on Airplane Mode or in a shielded case.
80/20%: Or don’t eat until you are stuffed! Putting cell phones away at mealtimes can help us reduce our RF exposure and connect more authentically with those at our table. It can also improve our concentration on eating, so we can better assess our level of hunger and making healthier choices.
Purpose: I love this very deep dive into long-term wellness! When we feel chronically ill, it is so easy to lose sight of our passions and our purpose.
Bravo to Brevard NC’s Blue Zone (rebranded as Spark Point), which has focused most on this principle of purpose for longevity, particularly given the mental health crisis among local youth. Unfortunately, RF exposure impairs focus, memory, creates “brain fog,” and increases the risks of many mood symptoms, including depression. These symptoms make it harder for us to reach for greater purpose in our lives. Time unplugged, and using technology can help improve our focus and creativity. Here are several tips for safer use of your cell phone, all which follow the principle that Distance is Your Friend!
- Use speaker phone when possible
- Texting with the phone away from you emits less radiation than talking
- Type on the screen with a stylus – again for distance!
- Use an air-tube headset each time you talk. No wireless headphones!
Downshift: Resting while reducing screen time also reduce stress/anxiety and improves sleep. It is simple to turn a Wi-Fi router off at night or during a nap, or have it hard-wired, which eliminates all the RF radiation! For more details on EMF protection for your sleep and nap time, check out my blog: Sweet Dreams: Sleep Hygiene for EMF Sensitive Souls
Belong: Attending faith gatherings without wireless devices can improve our ability to feel calm and allow us to connect more deeply with friends and our Higher Power. I I offer workshops on “Taking a Tech Sabbath” – which can done in collaboration with local faith leaders. 
Some local faith communities in Western NC are now requesting that attendees put their phones on Airplane mode, to help improve focus, meditation, and accommodate those who are sensitive. (Incidentally, this also improves the bandwidth for congregations which live-stream their services.)
Right Tribe: Interacting face-to-face, rather than by texting or talking on cell phones, improves our mental health while also reducing our RFR exposure. Family connections are also strengthened from face-to-face encounters. Eye contact actually boosts our levels of oxytocin – a feel-good, bonding hormone! 
“The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.” — Søren Kierkegaard
To learn more about EMF/RF health effects and how to prevent them for living long and healthy lives, see some of the reliable websites below.
- Physicians for Safe Technology: MDSafeTech.org Education, research
- Environmental Health Trust EHTrust.org Science, policies, resources for education
- Baby Safe Project.org Advice for pregnant women and those seeking to conceive a child
- BioInititive.org Compilation of more than 8,000 studies from 29 scientists worldwide
To schedule an EMF assessment to create a healthier home for you and your family, call me at (828) 628-5003 (landline! No texting!) or use my contact page.
Wishing you a long and healthy life. Blessings, Mary Anne