The SHN #80: EZ Water and Salutogenesis

Welcome back to The Synergetic Health Newsletter! 

November 21st, 2024. Greetings from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

In this edition, we’ll learn about EZ water and how to optimize it in you body. After that, a look into salutogenesis- the study of the origins of health and well-being. Then comes the usual fun research bites and one-hitters.

Stepping back into a big city and living on the 30th floor of a high-rise apartment building is a big shift after being on the beach for the better part of the last three months. I always enjoy exploring new cities— but I’m feeling less and less a pull to return to one full time.

Similar to Manila, a lot of life here is centered around the malls. Huge, 7-story malls with countless shops and restaurants seem to be the hubs where everyone hangs out. You don’t see many people walking around the streets or in the parks but once you step into the mall— people everywhere!

I’ll catch you next week from a location TBD.

💦 The Fourth Phase of Water

Most of us learned in school that water exists in three phases: solid (ice), liquid, and vapor (gas). However, research by Dr. Gerald Pollack at the University of Washington has revealed a fourth phase of water that changes our understanding of health and cellular function.

What is EZ Water?

This fourth phase, called "Exclusion Zone" or "EZ water," exists in a gel-like state between liquid and solid. It forms when water meets hydrophilic (water-loving) surfaces, causing water molecules to organize themselves into a crystalline-like structure. This structured water has unique properties: it carries a negative charge, excludes most solutes (hence the name "exclusion zone"), and is more viscous than regular water.

In his well-received book “The Fourth Phase of Water”, Pollock discusses that EZ water acts like a battery. When it forms, it creates charge separation – the EZ layer becomes negatively charged while the surrounding water becomes positively charged. This separation of charges stores energy that can be used by biological systems.

Why Does It Matter for Health?

Your body is approximately 60% water, and according to Dr. Pollack's research, most of the water in healthy cells exists as EZ water. This structured water plays crucial roles in:

1. Cellular Function: Proteins need proper folding to function correctly, and EZ water provides the ideal environment for this to occur. When there's insufficient EZ water, proteins may misfold, leading to reduced cellular efficiency or even toxicity.

2. Energy Production: The charge separation in EZ water may help drive various physiological processes, from muscle contraction to nerve conduction.

3. Protection: EZ water's exclusion properties may help repel pathogens and toxic substances from cells. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals.

Building EZ Water in Your Body

Here are several evidence-based ways to increase EZ water formation in your body:

Sunlight Exposure

The primary builder of EZ water is infrared light, which makes up about half of sunlight's energy. This explains why sunshine often makes us feel good – it's literally charging the water in our cells. Regular sun exposure can help build EZ water.

Infrared Exposure

Beyond sunlight, other sources of infrared energy can help build EZ water:

• Infrared saunas

• Heat therapy

• Being near natural heat sources

Hydration: Drinking adequate water is crucial, but the type of water matters. Natural spring water has higher EZ content due to pressure and the melting process. Adding minerals for proper electrolyte balance helps ensure the water can enter your cells effectively.

Certain Foods and Substances

Research has shown that several natural compounds can help build EZ water:

• Holy basil

• Turmeric

• Coconut water

• Healthy fats like ghee and coconut oil

• Probiotics

Earthing/Grounding

The Earth has a negative charge, and connecting with it (walking barefoot on natural surfaces) maintains the negative charge necessary for EZ water formation.

Factors That Diminish EZ Water

Just as important as building EZ water is avoiding factors that can break it down:

• Dehydration: Without adequate water, your body can't maintain proper EZ water levels.

• Environmental Toxins: Research has shown that glyphosate (Roundup) significantly reduces EZ water formation.

• Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): There's concern that EMF exposure may disrupt the charge separation necessary for EZ water maintenance.

• Oxidative Stress: Various forms of oxidative stress can deplete EZ water, making antioxidant protection important.

Practical Implementation

So, to optimize your body's EZ water content:

• Start your day with sun exposure

• Stay well-hydrated with mineral-rich water

• Consider regular sauna sessions

• Include EZ-building foods in your diet

• Minimize exposure to toxins and excessive EMF

• Spend time in nature, especially near moving water

• Practice grounding when possible

Watch Dr. Pollack on a recent podcast.

👨🏻‍⚕️ Understanding Salutogenesis

Everyone is familiar with the traditional medical approach that focuses mainly on eliminating symptoms and suppressing disease. But have you heard of salutogenesis? This concept flips the script by asking a different question: "What creates health?"

Introduced by medical sociologist Aaron Antonovsky in 1979, salutogenesis (from the Latin salus = health and the Greek genesis = origin) emerged from his observations of how different individuals responded to life's intense stressors. While studying various populations, he became intrigued by how some people maintained good health despite experiencing extreme adversity. This led him to investigate what generates health rather than what causes disease.

To understand salutogenesis better, it helps to contrast it with pathogenesis, our current dominant medical model. Pathogenesis asks "what makes us sick?" and focuses on identifying and eliminating specific disease causes. Salutogenesis, on the other hand, asks "what keeps us well?" and focuses on strengthening the factors that support health. While both approaches have value, our healthcare system has become overwhelmingly pathogenic, often missing opportunities to build and sustain health.

At the heart of salutogenic theory is the "sense of coherence" – a life orientation that helps us navigate life's challenges. Think of it as an internal compass, composed of your ability to comprehend what's happening in your life, your sense that you can manage challenges, and your feeling that life experiences are meaningful. The stronger your sense of coherence, the better equipped you are to handle stress and maintain health.

A key component of salutogenesis is the concept of General Resistance Resources (GRRs). These are the biological, material, and psychosocial factors that help people cope with life's challenges effectively. GRRs can include:

• Social support and relationships

• Knowledge and intelligence

• Cultural stability

• Financial resources

• Physical health

• Coping strategies

• Self-esteem and identity

Traditional medicine sees health and disease as opposites – you're either healthy or sick. Salutogenesis suggests something different: health exists on a continuum. We're all moving somewhere between total wellness and illness at any given time. This perspective is liberating because it acknowledges that even in illness, there are aspects of health we can nurture and strengthen.

In everyday life, adopting a salutogenic approach might mean:

• Building and maintaining strong social connections

• Engaging in meaningful activities and hobbies

• Creating environments that support well-being

• Developing new skills and knowledge

• Practicing stress management techniques

• Fostering a sense of purpose and belonging

• Maintaining healthy daily routines

In practice, salutogenesis is gaining traction in various healthcare settings. Dr. Paul Kalnins, a naturopathic physician and professor, applies what he calls a "salutogenic terrain approach" to medicine. This involves looking at the body's entire physiological landscape rather than just targeting specific symptoms or diseases. This approach is also seen in integrative medicine clinics, wellness centers, and even some progressive hospitals in Europe.

One aspect of salutogenesis in modern healthcare is its approach to chronic inflammation and stress-related disorders. Rather than simply suppressing symptoms or inflammation, practitioners look at how to support the body's inherent healing capabilities.

For example, instead of just viewing inflammation as something to eliminate, they consider how to optimize circulation, support organ function, and enhance the body's natural resilience. This represents a shift from the traditional "anti-" approach (anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, anti-depressant) to a more supportive, regenerative model of healthcare.

The path to health is about actively creating well-being, not just avoiding illness at all costs. That's the message of salutogenesis, and it's one that could help change how we think about and approach health in the 21st century. As our healthcare systems face mounting challenges, this perspective offers a hopeful and practical alternative to the traditional disease-focused model.

Further Reading:

Book: Unraveling the Mystery of Health: How People Manage Stress and Stay Well" by Aaron Antonovsky (Free on Internet Archive)

Article: "Salutogenesis: The defining concept for a new healthcare system" by Bengt Lindström and Monica Eriksson (Article)

Research Paper: "The Handbook of Salutogenesis" edited by Maurice B. Mittelmark et al. (Springer, 2017)

𝕏 Thread of the Week

🥕 Daily Raw Carrot For The Win: This old study examined the effects of consuming raw carrots on serum cholesterol levels and colon function. The findings showed that raw carrot consumption led to a significant 11% reduction in serum cholesterol. Additionally, it increased fecal bile acid and fat excretion by 50%, and modestly increased stool weight by 25%. These changes suggest an alteration in bacterial flora or metabolism in the gut. The changes in serum cholesterol, fecal bile acids, and fat persisted for three weeks after the treatment was discontinued. I try to eat a raw carrot at least a few times a week, usually in the form of the Ray Peat Carrot Salad.

📡 EMF’s Are Nothing to Sneeze At: In Arthur Firstenberg's "The Invisible Rainbow," he documents a 2014 study by Japanese physician Tetsuharu Shinjyo that examined the health impact of cell phone antennas on residents of an Okinawa apartment building. The study followed 122 residents from 39 apartments, documenting various health issues including chronic fatigue, dizziness, headaches, eye problems, insomnia, and chronic nosebleeds while the antennas were present. After the antennas' removal, nearly all health issues resolved completely, with only a few isolated cases remaining. This study highlights the potential health impacts of electromagnetic pollution that many people may be experiencing without realizing the cause. But I’m sure your doctor asks if you live near a cell tower 😉 Antennasearch.com to see if you’re affected.

🧠 Not All Memory Is Stored in the Brain: Scientists have discovered that even non-brain cells can "learn" and "remember" in ways similar to how our brains work. Just as humans learn better when studying is spread out over time rather than crammed into one session, individual cells respond more strongly to spaced-out signals compared to one long exposure. This research from Nature Communications suggests memory might not be solely brain-based but could be a property of cellular water throughout our body. This fundamental cellular ability to count, detect patterns, and store information could revolutionize our understanding of consciousness, memory, and learning. The findings may even have implications for understanding unusual memory phenomena, including near-death experiences.

🔗 One Hitters

🎧 Somatic Descent: How to Unlock the Deepest Wisdom of the Body (Soundcloud Playlist)

❤️‍🩹 "The average medical student does not hear one lecture on trauma... not one." -Gabor Mater (Video)

🤳🏻 The unbearable sadness of the health influencer (Article)

🏋 Save 40% of your time in the gym, get the same results (Video)

📚 Read my e-book, “Self-Development for Authentic Living” for free.

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