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Fringe “Essentials” Supplements
At Fringe, we believe that foundational health starts with giving your body what it needs to function every single day. That's why we created our Essentials line: three core supplements that we think most people should take on most days. The fringe essentials Line These include: Vitamin D & K Mix – for bone, immune, and cardiovascular health. Magnesium Mix – to support over 800 enzymatic processes in the body. Electrolyte + Mineral Mix – to replenish the vital nutrients missing from modern water. Each was chosen not because they’re trendy, but because they fill real gaps created by how we live today — from sun avoidance to soil depletion to water purification. Here’s Why These Three Have Earned Their Place in Our Essentials Line 1. The Vitamin D & K Combo: A Vital Synergy The Widespread Problem of Vitamin D DeficiencyDespite being called the "sunshine vitamin," most people today don’t get enough vitamin D — especially in North America, where long winters, sunscreen use, and indoor living are the norm. Over 90% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D from their diets, making supplements essential to raise vitamin D levels when sun exposure is inadequate. Why does this matter? Vitamin D plays a crucial role in: Calcium absorption Bone mineralization and remodeling Immune function, including pathogen defense and inflammation control Mood regulation and brain health But supplementing with Vitamin D alone isn’t enough. How your body uses that calcium matters too.Vitamin K: Vitamin D’s Partner in Calcium TransportVitamin K (especially MK-7, the most bioavailable form of vitamin K2) acts like a traffic director for calcium, whose absorption from the intestines is regulated by vitamin D. It activates proteins that help shuttle calcium into bones and teeth (where it belongs), and away from soft tissues like arteries (where it absolutely does not belong).Without adequate vitamin K, high vitamin D and calcium levels could contribute to arterial calcification and cardiovascular issues. That’s why we combine Vitamin D3 and K2 (MK-7) in our Fringe Vitamin D & K Mix.In short: Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium. Vitamin K makes sure it goes to the right places. 2. Magnesium: The Mineral You're Probably Not Getting Enough Of Magnesium is involved as a cofactor or activator in more than 800 enzymatic reactions in the body — everything from energy production and muscle function to blood sugar regulation and stress modulation.Yet it’s one of the most commonly deficient nutrients, with over 50% of adults falling short of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Why Is Magnesium Deficiency So Common? Modern agriculture has depleted our soil of magnesium, so plants (and animals that eat them) contain less. Processed foods — which make up the bulk of the modern diet — are stripped of minerals. Stress, caffeine, alcohol, certain medications, and sugar all increase magnesium excretion. Most multivitamins either lack magnesium or contain forms with poor absorption. Even people trying to eat a whole-foods, nutrient-dense diet may struggle to get enough, especially if they have higher needs due to exercise, stress, or underlying conditions.What Magnesium Supports: Nervous system regulation and resilience to stress Muscle relaxation and prevention of cramps or twitching Heart rhythm stability Sleep quality and circadian rhythm regulation Blood sugar control Bone strength (working hand-in-hand with Vitamin D) Fringe Magnesium Mix is formulated with bioavailable forms (including glycinate, orotate, and malate), making it gentle on digestion and effective at raising magnesium in the body.In short: If you’re not actively supplementing with magnesium, there’s a good chance you’re not getting enough. 3. Electrolyte + Mineral Mix: What Water Is Missing Most people think of electrolytes only when they’re sweating — but these charged minerals are always working behind the scenes to keep your body in balance. What Are Electrolytes? Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge. They’re critical for: Hydration Muscle contractions (including your heart) Nerve signaling pH balance Nutrient transport in and out of cells The key players include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride.The Hidden Problem: Modern Water Is Mineral-EmptyOur ancestors drank natural water from springs and rivers — water that picked up minerals as it flowed over rocks and through earth. This water was a meaningful source of nutrients, especially calcium and magnesium.Today, most of us drink filtered, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water. While necessary to remove contaminants like lead, arsenic, or chlorine, these processes also remove beneficial minerals.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), natural water can contribute 1% to 20% of daily intake for key minerals. Removing them leaves us not only with nutrient gaps, but with “hungry” water that can actually pull minerals from the body.Filtered water has been linked to: Increased mineral losses in urine, sweat, and feces Reduced hydration (water is less retained) Impaired electrolyte homeostasis Why Supplementing Electrolytes Daily Makes SenseFringe Electrolyte + Mineral Mix is formulated to: Re-mineralize filtered or RO water Restore hydration balance Support energy production and exercise recovery Replenish electrolytes lost via sweat, urination, or stress Help offset mineral-poor modern diets It's a simple, effective way to bring your drinking water closer to what nature intended.In short: Supplementing with electrolytes daily helps restore the essential minerals missing from modern, filtered water — supporting hydration; energy, nerve and muscle function; and overall mineral balance. Why We Chose These 3 as Our Essentials You might be wondering: Why these three? Why not include more? Here’s what makes them “Essential”: They’re fundamental – They address chronic, widespread deficiencies They're backed by science - There are decades of research supporting their safety and benefits They’re difficult to get from nature in our modern world – Because of depletion of soil, water, and our indoor lifestyles, the nature-based sources of these nutrients are hard to access. They’re interconnected – Magnesium and Vitamin D work together; electrolytes and magnesium support hydration and muscle function; and vitamin K2 ensures D3 doesn’t misplace calcium. It’s true that some people would benefit from taking additional supplements. But these are the three that most people need most often. Our future plans include developing supplements for special populations, but we’re committed to always being transparent about who would (and would not) benefit from taking them. Our primary goal isn’t to sell products – it’s to educate, support, and empower people to enjoy optimal health as naturally as possible What Makes Fringe “Essentials” Supplements Unique? There are a lot of supplements out there. So, what makes Fringe’s Essentials line stand out? Here’s what sets our Essentials apart: Better Forms of Nutrients – Backed by Science + Vegan Vitamin D3 Unlike most D3 supplements sourced from lanolin (derived from sheep’s wool), ours is 100% vegan, derived from sustainable lichen. + MK-7 Vitamin K2 We use the most bioavailable, long-acting form of Vitamin K2, shown to stay active in the body for up to 48 hours and effectively direct calcium into bones and away from arteries. + Water-Soluble DK Formula Most fat-soluble vitamins are difficult to absorb without food. Our DK is designed for optimal absorption even without fat in a meal, supporting consistency and convenience. + Three Forms of Magnesium Our Magnesium Mix contains a thoughtful blend of magnesium glycinate, malate, and orotate — three highly bioavailable forms that are gentle on digestion and support energy, calm, muscle, and cardiovascular health. + Electrolytes + Trace Minerals Our Electrolyte & Mineral Mix includes a broad spectrum of trace minerals, not just sodium and potassium. Supporting everything from thyroid health to enzymatic function and mimic the natural balance found in spring water. Clean Formulations We skip all the unnecessary extras found in most supplements: No natural flavors No stevia or artificial sweeteners No sugar No gums or thickeners No unnecessary fillers No soy, dairy, or gluten Our belief is simple: If your body doesn’t need it, it doesn’t belong in your supplement. Our Small Scoops Mission One of our core values is helping people feel better, without overwhelming them with capsules or giant scoops. That’s why we’ve committed to our Small Scoops Mission.We formulate our powders to be low in volume and high in impact, so they can easily be mixed into water, added to a smoothie, or even mixed into foods. No giant tubs or 4-pills-a-day protocols. Just what your body needs, in a form you’ll actually want to use. Final Thoughts Health doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s about giving your body the basic building blocks it needs with consistency.Fringe’s Essentials line isn’t about treating symptoms. It’s about supporting your body’s capacity to thrive by filling in modern-day nutrient gaps with the most foundational support we can offer.Because sometimes, feeling better starts with getting back to what’s essential.
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Should I Take a Magnesium Supplement?
Should I take a magnesium supplement? The simple answer to this question is: Most likely, yes. Scientific evidence suggests that many people are at risk of magnesium deficiency, even those consuming a healthy diet. There are many reasons for this, most of which are out of our control. Given the critical importance of magnesium in the human body, and the significant health risks that accompany even a subclinical magnesium deficiency, regular supplementation with a high-quality dietary supplement is a wise investment in your health. shop fringe magnesium What is Magnesium? Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals, both in the earth and inside the human body. Most magnesium in the body is found inside cells, rather than in the blood, and it is especially concentrated in the muscles and bones. In the body, magnesium carries a positive charge, and is therefore referred to as an ion or electrolyte. The recommended intakes of magnesium have been determined and are based on age and gender. These values are known as the dietary reference intakes (DRI’s). Recently, it has been suggested that the DRI’s for magnesium are too low because they haven’t been adjusted for rising body weights. The new estimates recommend an additional intake for adults of between 60-235mg magnesium per day beyond what is shown in table 1. What does magnesium do in the body? Magnesium is involved in virtually every cellular metabolic and biochemical process in the human body. As a cofactor or activator for over 800 chemical reactions, magnesium regulates everything from metabolism to protein synthesis, to DNA repair and synthesis. It is also involved in conveying messages between molecules within the cell as well as in regulating cell replication. What are good sources of magnesium? Magnesium is found in many foods, both plant and animals. Some good sources of magnesium are: Green leafy vegetables Legumes Nuts Seeds Whole grains Good sources of magnesium should contain around 40-80mg per serving. Meat, dairy and fruit also contain some magnesium but at lower amounts. A general rule of thumb is that the more highly processed a food, the less magnesium it will contain (unless it has been fortified). Although there are many food sources of magnesium, a drastic loss of magnesium from agricultural soil over the last century has led to a decrease in the magnesium content of plant foods due to their inability to absorb sufficient magnesium from the earth. For example, the magnesium content of vegetables has decreased by 80-90% over the last century. As a result, supplementation with magnesium may be necessary to avoid deficiency. What is the prevalence of Magnesium deficiency? There are two types of nutrient deficiencies, frank and subclinical. Frank deficiencies have obvious signs, while subclinical deficiencies do not. Frank deficiencies of magnesium are rare because the kidneys can limit its excretion. But subclinical deficiencies are extremely common, since over half of the US population don’t consume the recommended amount. In fact, according to a research article in the Open Heart medical journal, “the evidence in the literature suggests that subclinical magnesium deficiency is rampant and one of the leading causes of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and early mortality and should be considered a public health crisis.” What are the causes of Magnesium deficiency? As already described, two of the main causes of magnesium deficiency are (1) low intake of dietary magnesium, and (2) a substantial loss of magnesium from agricultural soil causing a decrease in the magnesium content of foods. These two issues will be compounded, such that even when people attempt to consume sufficient dietary magnesium, they may be unable to. There are also several other factors that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency. These include: Magnesium also interacts with other nutrients, which can increase the risk of deficiency. For example, taking high doses of vitamin D can increase the loss of magnesium from the body, while taking high doses of zinc can interfere with magnesium absorption. High doses of fiber can also interfere with magnesium absorption. What are the health risks of Magnesium deficiency? Because of its nearly ubiquitous role in the body’s processes, low levels of magnesium can create widespread physiological dysfunction. And because of the widespread incidence of low magnesium intake, magnesium deficiency is recognized as an important global concern. A frank magnesium deficiency will manifest with clinical signs, including: Low appetite Nausea and vomiting Fatigue and weakness Muscle spams or tremors Abnormal heart rhythm Convulsions Psychiatric disturbances But because the kidneys regulate the excretion of magnesium from the body, it’s rare to have magnesium be depleted to the point where these potentially life-threatening symptoms occur. Far more common is subclinical magnesium deficiency, which often does not have obvious signs. Because it’s so easy to under consume magnesium, and since the signs of subclinical magnesium deficiency are hard to spot, it often extends over time leading to long-term adverse complications. These include a wide range of health problems and chronic diseases, including: Cardiovascular diseases Diabetes Migraines Osteoporosis Asthma Metabolic disorder Alzheimer’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Premenstrual Syndrome Dysmenorrhea These conditions have potentially devastating consequences, which makes magnesium a critical nutrient of concern for public health. How could taking a magnesium supplement help me? There are both long-term and short-term benefits to ensuring adequate magnesium intake, which for many people, will require taking a magnesium supplement. As just described, there is a long list of health problems and chronic diseases associated with a long-term subclinical magnesium deficiency, many of which can be helped by taking a magnesium supplement. Can I take too much magnesium? Magnesium toxicity is mostly seen with consumption of high doses of magnesium containing laxatives and antacids. Consumption of more than 5000mg per day can cause toxicity, with symptoms including low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and even cardiac arrest. It would be nearly impossible to consume this much magnesium through dietary supplements, which usually contain less than 300mg per serving, and totally impossible through food. Because the excretion of magnesium is regulated by the kidneys, it is difficult to take too much, and is not a concern except with consumption of magnesium containing medications. How do I choose a Magnesium supplement? Read the ingredients - Most dietary supplement will contain both active and inactive or “other” ingredients. You need to pay attention to both. The active ingredients are the ones that you are looking for; for example, a magnesium supplement will contain at least one form of magnesium as the active ingredient. Some supplements, like multi-vitamins, have many active ingredients. Usually, these are vitamins, minerals, of phytochemicals derived from plants. Although this information may be hard to find, it’s helpful to know where these active ingredients are sourced from. Naturally sourced ingredients are always better than artificial ones. The inactive ingredients are usually there to: (1) provide bulk (filler), (2) hold the product together (binding agents, coatings), (3) add flavor or sweetness, or (4) keep the product from clumping together (flow enhancers). Sometimes this list is long, and it’s often where some undesirable ingredients sneak in, such as potassium sorbate, artificial colors, or titanium dioxide. It’s best to keep this list short and naturally sourced. Verify product purity – Only choose high quality products that verify their purity via an unbiased chemical analysis performed by a third-party lab. These analyses should be reported in a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that is readily available to consumers, often through a QR code link. COA’s should be available for each batch of products, and will measure contaminants such as heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides. Consider the form(s) of magnesium in the supplement – There are several different forms of magnesium that are included in dietary supplements, each of which has unique properties. Look for ones that are bioavailable and easy on digestion. The forms of magnesium that are most likely to cause diarrhea are magnesium chloride, carbonate, oxide, and gluconate. Magnesium malate shows high bioavailability compared to the commonly supplemented forms of magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate. Other organic forms of magnesium such as magnesium glycinate and magnesium orotate also show high bioavailability. Some forms of magnesium have also shown unique health benefits; for example, magnesium orotate helps with cardiovascular and gut health. While all magnesium supplements can help to prevent magnesium deficiency, some forms may be better suited to your unique needs. Choose the supplement form you prefer – Supplements come in three main forms: capsules/tablets, powders, or liquids. Which one you choose is really a personal preference. Powders and liquid can be added to liquids, like smoothies, and are a great option if you don’t like swallowing pills. Fringe Essentials Magnesium Powder The Fringe Essentials Magnesium Powder contains three forms of magnesium: orotate, malate, and glycinate, at 173mg total and 41% of the recommended Daily Value. These forms of magnesium have been shown to be better absorbed into the body, and they’re easily digested. Each one has unique health benefits that make them well suited to not only ensure sufficient magnesium intake, but also to reap a wide range of health benefits. Here’s what they do: + magnesium glycinate: Magnesium glycinate is a standout in helping to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, support deep sleep, reduce muscle tension, and balance mood. _____________________________________ + magnesium orotate: Magnesium orotate is one of the best forms of magnesium to consume for heart health. It’s been shown to help with hypertension and heart disease, and to reduce risks of heart attacks. It also supports gut and mental health and helps with exercise recovery. It may even be helpful in diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. _____________________________________ + magnesium malate: Magnesium malate is great for chronic pain, inflammation, energy production, and muscle tension and recovery. _____________________________________ The other ingredients in Fringe magnesium powder are all natural, and include non-GMO inulin to help with dosing, organic monkfruit extract for a bit of natural sweetness, and vitamin C for an antioxidant boost. Simply mix 1 scoop of magnesium into your water, smoothie, or favorite beverage 1-2 times per day. shop fringe magnesium
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What is Earthing?
Earthing means connecting the body to the earth’s surface electric charge. Earthing is said to be a form of “electric nutrition” and a “universal regulating factor in Nature” because research has shown that it has a profound impact on human health (Menigoz et al., 2020). In fact, the simple act of regular contact with the earth has been shown to positively influence immune function, enhance muscle healing, improve bone health, reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow, enhance nervous system functioning, and improve sleep and mood. The earthing movement came out of Germany in the late 19th century and promoted sleeping on the ground outdoors and being barefoot outside as ways to achieve health (Just, 1903). In the 1920’s, Dr. G.S. White reported that sleeping on the ground, or connected to the earth such as by copper wire attached to grounded pipes, resulted in improved sleep (White, 1929). However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that these ideas gained traction, when Clint Ober (Ober, 2000) and Sokal and Sokal (Sokal & Sokal, 2011) in Poland confirmed through research studies that there were many health benefits to being grounded to the earth. Ober, who worked with cable TV, realized this association through his experience with electrical systems, which require contact with the ground in order to be electrically stable. When these systems are connected to the negative charge on the earth’s surface they are said to be “grounded”. The term “grounding” is used synonymously with the term “earthing”. There are two ways to connect to the flow of electrons over the surface of earth: (1) directly, by putting the body in contact with natural conductive surfaces such as grass, soil, gravel, stone and sand; (2) putting the body in contact with grounded conductive mats, pads, body bands, or patches (usually while sitting or sleeping). The earth’s electron flow comes primarily from lightning strikes, solar radiation, and other atmospheric phenomena. These electron sources are continuous and give the earth a natural negative electric charge, since free electrons are negatively charged. (Menigoz et al., 2020). Until quite recently, it was the natural human state to be grounded virtually 24 hours a day. Humans walked barefoot and slept on the ground for most of our evolutionary history. Even when we adapted to wearing footwear and using bedding, it was made from animal skins that when moistened with ground moisture or sweat were able to conduct electrons from the ground to the body. Only recently have we shifted to wearing footwear with synthetic soles, living primarily on top of concrete. In this way, we might be said to be disconnected from our “electric roots” (Sinatra et al., 2017). The theory of “electron deficiency syndrome” states that as a consequence of the loss of an electric connection to the earth, that a natural source of electron flow to the body has been lost, which will have significant adverse physiological consequences (Oschman et al., 2015). Following this, it is possible that the loss of electric connection to the earth, a relatively recent phenomenon, might underlie (at least in part) the rise in global illness of the 21st and 22nd century (Menigoz et al., 2020). Humans As Bioelectrical Beings The idea that electron flow from the earth may play an important role in regulating human physiology is consistent with our understanding of humans as bioelectrical beings. Internal bioelectric signals regulate the function of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune and endocrine systems. The measurement of the body’s electrical character is called electrophysiology. The flow of electrons over the surface of the earth can be transferred into the human body through direct contact. Electrons have a negative charge, and in the body, like to occur in pairs. These electrons can act to neutralize free radicals, which have an unpaired electron that makes them unstable. Some free radicals are also known as reactive oxygen species. Free radicals are readily produced in the body and can do damage to surrounding cells and tissues. The free electron of a free radical can be “quenched” by an electron donor, stabilizing it in a pair. This is how antioxidants work – they act as electron donors to neutralize free radicals. In this way, the earth is seen as a giant antioxidant (Menigoz et al., 2020). Probing into this mechanism more deeply, it has been proposed that the electron flow provided by earthing may be able to break through the “inflammatory barricade” that can slow the healing response. This barricade develops in response to trauma or infection and serves to wall off damaged tissues and prevent bacteria, pathogens, or debris that result from an injury from travelling to (and harming) nearby tissues. However, the barricade also prevents treatments like antioxidants from accessing the site of injury, which can reduce the rate of healing. Because the barricade is made of the connective tissue collagen, which is a semi-conductor, electrons are able to cross through and perform their healing antioxidant action at the site of damage. In fact, all proteins act as semi-conductors which could have profound implications for the movement of electrons throughout the body. This may be particularly relevant for chronic inflammatory diseases (Sinatra et al., 2017). The effect of earthing on the electrical potential of the body has been demonstrated in research. Measurements of the body’s electrical induced fields in the left breast, abdomen, and left thigh were measured while both grounded and ungrounded, and it was found that the measured voltage in the grounded state was equalized with the Earth’s electrical potential. This voltage stayed constant despite the application of an electrical field. In contrast, when ungrounded, the application of an electrical field to the three body positions resulted in a large increase in electrical potential at the surface of the body, which is thought to disturb the electrical charges of molecules inside the body (Applewhite, 2005). As described by Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman, when the electric potential of the body is the same as the Earth’s electric potential (which is what has been shown to occur during grounding), the body becomes an extension of the Earth’s electrical system in a phenomenon known as the “umbrella effect”, which results in the person being unaffected by electrical disturbances (Feynman et al., 1963). Earthing has also been shown to result in rapid changes in measures of body electrophysiology as measured by brain electroencephalograms (EEG’s) and muscle electromyograms (EMG’s) (Chevalier et al., 2006). This evidence clearly indicates that the concept of earthing affecting the electrical nature of the body is not merely theoretical. Effects of Earthing on the Body Immune System: The immune system regulates inflammation. Earthing has been shown to alter the inflammatory response to an injury, especially chronic infection. This is thought to be accomplished by passage of electrons through the inflammatory barricade previously described, which allows for healing following infection and injury. Inflammation has been shown through infrared imaging to decrease within 30 minutes of earthing, which is accompanied by metabolic changes that suggest tissue healing (Oschman et al, 2015). Earthing the human body has also been shown to speed up the immune response following vaccination. This has been demonstrated by measuring levels of immune markers in the blood following vaccination (Sokal & Sokal, 2011). Musculoskeletal System: Earthing helps muscles to recover from exercise. Three studies have shown that earthing is able to reduce delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) that occurs 24-72 hours after unusual or strenuous exercise. In the first study, 4 healthy men experienced a reduction in DOMS as well as pain and inflammation compared to a control group (Brown et al., 2010). In the second study, a larger group of 16 healthy men experienced similar effects (Brown et al., 2015). In the third study, subjects slept on an earthing sleep mat and compared to a control group, experienced positive effects such as a faster recovery, decreased inflammation, and less muscle damage (Müller et al., 2019). Earthing during cycling exercise has also been shown to significantly reduce the level of blood urea, which is an indicator of muscle and protein breakdown (Sokal et al., 2013). Based on these findings, it appears that earthing may be a simple and effective method to enhance recovery after exercise, which is important as very few interventions are known to help with DOMS. Bone health has also been shown to benefit from earthing. After a single night of sleeping grounded, subjects showed decreases in levels of the minerals calcium and phosphorus in both the blood and urine, which suggest a reduced rate of bone loss (Sokal & Sokal, 2011). Cardiovascular System: Earthing has been shown to improve blood flow in adults. Specifically, earthing has been found to increase the Zeta potential of red blood cells. The zeta potential is an indicator of the strength of the negative charge on the surface of red blood cells that helps to maintain the spacing of the blood cells while in the blood, which reduces the “viscosity” or thickness of the blood. When the zeta potential is higher, blood cells repel each other and there is less clumping and improved blood flow. In one study, the zeta potential increased by an average of 270% within two hours of earthing (Chevalier et al, 2013). The relationship of this effect to negative charge, and the speed of the effect, seems to clearly illustrate the electrical influence of earthing on the body. Earthing has also been shown to reduce blood pressure. In a study of 10 patients with hypertension, all subjects experienced a decrease in blood pressure with earthing. Blood pressure decreased when patients grounded themselves for at least 10 hours per day using a grounding mat. Systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 14% (Elkin & Winter, 2018). Other cardiovascular related effects have been found with earthing. A placebo-controlled study found an increase in respiration rate, stabilization of blood oxygenation, and an increase in the pulse rate and perfusion index (a measure of blood flow) variability when grounded. These changes are thought to indicate the onset of a healing response that requires an increase in oxygen consumption (Chevalier, 2010). Autonomic Nervous System: Earthing affects the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in both infants and adults. The ANS is responsible for regulating body processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and digestion. When earthing patches were placed on the skin of premature babies, within minutes increases in heart rate variability (HRV) were observed, which indicate better functioning of the ANS. This may help to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, which is severe illness that affects about 10% of premature infants and can cause death (Passi et al., 2017). In adults, earthing has been found to cause a shift from an overactive expression of the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) to a parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state that regulates heart rate, respiration, digestion, and other functions (Chevalier, 2010). Earthing also exerts a normalizing effects on levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol (Ghaly & Teplitz, 2004). In this way, earthing has the effect of reducing stress. Skin: Earthing has been found to increase blood flow to the skin. Following earthing, there was a rapid increase in blood flow to the face in a placebo-controlled study in which the control group was given a “sham” earthing experience (Chevalier, 2014). This might explain the results of a survey that found that women reported having better facial complexions after earthing (The Earthing Institute). Increased blood flow to the face, neck and torso has also been shown following earthing (Chevalier, 2015). The effects of earthing on the skin have also been studied in the context of wound healing. A case study of an 84 year old woman with an eight-month old open wound near her ankle responded dramatically to two weeks of using an earthing patch after several unsuccessful treatments at a specialized wound center (Sinatra et al., 2017). This is consistent with animal research that shows that electric currents increase energy production and protein synthesis in rat skin (Cheng et al., 1982). Sleep: Many people report better sleep with earthing. The first report of improved sleep with grounding came in the 1920’s from Dr. G.S. White (White, 1929). More recently, in a study of 12 participants, 11 subjects reported that they fell asleep faster and all subjects reported fewer nighttime awakenings after 8 weeks. Subjects also showed normalization in their 24-hour profile of cortisol secretion (Ghaly & Teplitz, 2004). Similarly, in a controlled, blinded study of 60 subjects who reported disturbed sleep and chronic muscle and joint pain, the group who slept on the grounded sleep mats reported a wide variety of benefits, including improved sleep and sleep apnea after one month (Ober et al., 2010). Mood: Earthing has been shown to improve mood. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 adult men and women, those who spent an hour sitting comfortably in a recliner on a grounded mat, with their head on a grounded pillow, and with grounding patches on their palms and soles showed significantly improved mood compared to the control group, who used the same products that were not grounded. Specifically, participants reported a more pleasant mood, feeling less tired and more relaxed, and feeling more positive (Chevalier, 2015). Clinical Recommendations Earthing represents an incredibly safe, inexpensive, and effective intervention that can easily be integrated into one’ life. There are three ways that health care providers can recommend earthing to their patients. These are: 1. Earthing outdoors. Sessions of 30-40 minutes daily have been shown to be effective (Sinatra 18). This is also the most inexpensive method of earthing. People can go barefoot outdoors or can buy outdoor conductive footwear. Unfortunately, time and weather may be limiting factors. Also note that in order for electron transfer to occur, one must be on a natural conductive surface, such as soil, sand, gravel, grass or stone. 2. Earthing products. There are a number of grounding products that are available commercially. These include sleep mats, blankets, bands, patches, chairs, and mats. These products are connected via an electrical cord to a grounded outlet, or less commonly, to a grounding pole placed in the earth. Prices vary but are quite reasonable. 3. Earthing in clinic. Health care practitioners can provide treatments to patients while lying on an earthing mat, or can provide in-clinic earthing sessions where patients use grounding products like chairs, mats, and patches. Conclusion Our modern lifestyles provide us with many benefits, but they also have served to disconnect us from the earth. It is becoming increasingly clear that this may have adverse effects on our health, and conversely, that health can be improved by reconnecting with the “electric nutrition” of the earth in some way. While earthing outdoors is a free and easy way to get grounded, there are many accessible products available that can facilitate this connection. Given the ease and safety of this intervention, it is recommended that everyone incorporate earthing into their routine of health maintenance and disease prevention. For more information about Fringe light products, go to: https://fringeheals.com/shop-all-products/ References Applewhite R. (2005). The effectiveness of a conductive patch and a conductive bed pad in reducing induced human body voltage via the application of earth ground.” European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics; 1: 23–40. Brown, D., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2010). Pilot study on the effect of grounding on delayed-onset muscle soreness. 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