Question
A friend recently gave me this website:
http://www.awesomehealthwear.com
She said that negative ion clothing really works in preventing and even curing arthritis. Is this really possible? What are negative ions and does it really work?

Answer
Hello,

Thank you for your question; this is certainly an interesting one.  An ion is an atom or molecule (atoms stuck together) that has an extra electron (negative) or is missing an electron (positive).  For example, water (H20) is two hydrogen atoms stuck together with one oxygen atom. If one hydrogen is broken off, a positive hydrogen H+ is made, it抯 electron stays with the remaining 朞H making this part negative. Both the H & OH are ions, one negative the other positive.

Now it gets very confusing after this. Some believe that if the body is a little more acidic (more positive H+ ions) this is better. But this website says more negative ions are better (more 朞H ions). To be truthful, after reading various publications for a quarter of a century, I really don抰 have a clue. There are some that say magnetic fields (ie. bracelets and other devices) help all sorts of things too. These kinds of products are interesting but not well studied.

With respect to it helping the wearing down of joints (Osteoarthritis), well, there is not much that ions can do placed against the outside skin to stop the cartilage buried deep inside joints from wearing down from friction, at least no way that I know of.  There are many many products marketed for many many ailments, but, the reality of the matter is that the true cause of many diseases is not even known, nevertheless the mechanism by which they can be stopped.  I am not trying to put down this, or any other company selling arthritis remedies, just that I truly don抰 know.  

All I do know is that Osteoarthritis is both progressive and permanent, like wearing down the brake linings of your car抯 brakes.  The only treatment is for the pain or surgery to replace the joints and the best way of dealing with it is by early detection and prevention to find out what activities the individual should and should not be doing with their joints. For example, everyone is unique but are given one-size-fits all exercises or gym machines to force themselves against. While exercise strengthens the heart and muscles, it can wear down joints like any other repetitive work. So, to answer your question the best I can, I doubt anything cures joint damage other than trying to prevent it by regular screenings like other diseases, and to learn what to modify, limit or avoid doing.

Thank you again for your question.