Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution

by Ann Louise Gittleman

Gittleman delivers the first comprehensive, user-friendly guide that consolidates the latest research with a powerhouse, step-by-step guide to counteract the invisible hazards of everyday electromagnetic exposure from such things as cell phones and Wi-Fi.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Science, Technology, Reference

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2010

About the author

Dr. Ann Louise was recognized as one of the top ten nutritionists in the country by Self magazine and was the recipient of the American Medical Writers Association award for excellence.

She was the first to warn of the environmental hazards of parasites in her classic Guess What Came To Dinner? Parasites and Your Health. In Your Body Knows Best, Dr. Ann Louise was the first to discuss the blood type/weight theory and proclaim that one diet may not be right for every body - an idea that is only now becoming mainstream. She was the first to offer natural remedies for menopausal symptoms in Super Nutrition for Menopause (now in print as Hot Times) and is widely credited as the first to popularize the term “perimenopause” in her New York Times bestseller, Before The Change.

Dr. Ann Louise forged new ways of thinking about obesity early on in her career. She was the first to proclaim that obesity was caused by the lack of dietary fats and the wrong kind of carbohydrates in her book Beyond Pritikin, published in 1988. In Beyond Pritikin, she predicted that the fat-free, carb-rich diet was creating weight gain, sugar cravings, fatigue and diabetes.

Today, she continues to dedicate herself to carving out new landmarks in holistic health and healing based on science and ancient healing arts. Through her many books, website, and blog (Dr. Ann Louise’s Edge on Health), Dr. Ann Louise offers a “virtual” health support system for men and women that provides educational and self-health assessment services to empower people everywhere to achieve total health. Her latest book, a companion to the bestselling Fat Flush Plan, was released in December 2009. Fat Flush for Life, takes a seasonal approach to burn stubborn body fat all year long, integrating groundbreaking new Fat Flush diets with corresponding fitness and wellness programs.

Reviews

[ShaiJai · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last 12 months, I've been questioning my patients about their exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields. In this short time, I've seen some alarming effects of this radiation. I now have no doubt in my mind that over-exposure to non-ionizing radiation is definitely harmful. Just a few of the harmful effects I've see are as follows:

1. A patient presented with burning sensations in his hands and feet, which disappeared soon after he switched off the cell phone signal booster which he installed in his office, where he sat for most of the day.

2. Three patients this year suddently developed pain/numbness in their arm, but disappeared once they were advised to stop wearing their I-Watches. I even found a forum on Apple's website that was over 18 pages long, with other I-Watch users complaining of similar problems.

3. I have had many young patients, in their 20's and 30's complain of memory problems, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep difficulties. One thing they all have in common is overutilization of cell phones and WiFi. I didn't know of anyone in this age group who complained of these symptoms twenty years ago.

4. I have advised nearly all my patients this year to keep their cell phones off or at least 2 meters away while sleeping, while also switching off their WiFi at night. Many have gratefully reported an improvement in their sleep quality.

5. I have also seen many children who are not sleeping properly. One 12 year boy was sleeping in the room next door to a WiFi transmitter. He developed migraines and concentation difficulties,even requring psychotropic medication. After eliminating his night-time WiFi exposure, his headaches reduced significantly and sleep has improved.

These are just a few cases that come to mind as I write this review of this very important, and well-referenced book. My only complaint is the author has coined a euphemism ("Zapped") to describe over-exposure to EMF's, which sounds cute and catchy. However, the effects of this over-exposure are far from cute, as the rate of Alzheimer's is increasing, even surpassing heart disease as the number one killer in some countries. Brain tumors are now the number one cancer among children in the U.S. and U.K.

Most health care providers are seeing these effects in their patients and themselves, but don't realize what they're seeing. Sadly, the health care industry is more concerned with catching people after they've fallen, rather than preventing them from falling in the first place. Since the wireless industry is essentially self-regulated and highly-profitable, this technology is moving forward without much obstacle, this book is a must read for anyone who lives in the modern world.

[Ania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the basics:
Keep at least 3 feet away from electronics, and walls at night. Eat anti-oxidants, do away with needless electronics, reduce wi-fi exposure, use a landline and floss* :)

*ok so she may not have said floss, but it's still important :D

[Will Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening information and kind-of fear-based as well - just don't let all this information get to you. My recommendation would be to just buy you a himalayan salt lamp - stick that sucker beside your computer - and you're good. In regard to the cellphone dilemma - you can go to qlink.com and get you one of those q-link mini's and sticker-attach it to your cell phone. Also, I've heard that if you put a wheatgrass plant beside your bed at night - you will breath a lot easier. Anyways, good info. and an interesting read.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a reasonable introduction to the idea of reducing the amount of EMFs we are exposed to each day, and how to go about doing so without giving up your computer and your phone and so on. It gives you lots and lots of useful tips on how to reposition electrical items, the best types of items to buy and what to avoid as well as how to use simple devices to measure the radiation in your own home.

This book is well researched and referenced. The first 37 pages outline the theory and science really well and forms a sort of mini-book all in itself.

Many excellent health books briefly mention the potential problems that EMFs can cause and how to minimise them, but the most thorough book I have read on this topic by far is 'Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?; This book talks about the problems of EMF exposure, provides some brief tips for how to minimise your exposure and then focuses on 'grounding' as the best way to minimise any problems caused by high levels of EMFs.

Zapped was the opposite. It gives lots and lots of tips about minimising your exposure, but only mentioned grounding for a page or two and didn't seem to give it even remotely the level of importance that the 'Earthing' book did. It didn't come across as at all essential or hugely helpful, which was just strange when the author of Zapped had read the book and should have known how well supported grounding is as a treatment for those with EMF sensitivities and others.

For that reason I'd very much recommend the 'Earthing' book before this one.

When I first heard about the concept of earthing or grounding I was very sceptical. I am a big supporter of orthomolecular and nutritional medicine and the not-very-popular idea of treating the causes of disease and not just suppressing symptoms with drugs...but earthing just sounds so completely eye-rollingly nuts at first! I came to the book with an open but very sceptical mind and with the attitude that I would have to see a lot of impressive evidence and solid logic to be convinced that this concept was worth bothering with and worth supporting. Long story short, this book did convince me. I went out and spent $50 on a grounding mat before I had even got to the end of it.

People cut off from the electrical current of the earth for long periods of time develop all sorts of problems which are reversed by grounding, and studies have show the positive effects it has on sleep and also on red blood cells. The red blood cell before and after photos in the book are amazing as are the thermography images. At least some of the studies done were double blind as well.

The fact that trying grounding is either free or very inexpensive, very easy to do, low risk in regards to side effects (low-level healing reactions are possible but that is about it) and potentially mildly or very helpful for those battling illness and pain also helps. The main benefits described by the book from grounding are pain relief, reduced inflammation, a reset sleep-wake cycle, feeling calmer and a dampening down of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenaline surges, resynchronisation of cortisol release, protection from EMF radiation and the problems it can cause, relief of muscle tension and headaches plus speeded healing and prevention of bedsores. It can also help you cope with jet-lag.

This book explains: "Exposure to sunlight produces vitamin D in the body. It's needed for health. Exposure to the ground provides an electrical `nutrient' in the form of electrons. Think of these electrons as vitamin G--G for ground. Just like vitamin D, you need vitamin G for your health as well."

'Earthing' author Dr Sinatra's son had a near-lethal electropollution illness for 6 years, which was slowly improved through grounding. If nothing else this book is absolutely *essential* reading for anyone suffering with severe EMF health issues. This book explains that when we are grounded our bodies don't have to cope with so much electrical 'noise' and that all our interconnected electrical systems (such as the heart) can then function better. Studies have backed up the reduction of EMF radiation with grounding. For this issue in particular grounding seems very promising and makes a lot of sense. If you are ill, read this book if you can and make up your own mind I say. See if your library has a copy at least, like mine did, and then your initial risk is minuscule. Remember too that the results from grounding may not be immediate and that it is very 'dose' dependent.

Although it is not something I can discern in myself, for years I have had a number of friends and acquaintances tell me that they suffer severely after high levels of EMF exposure. It seems like sensitivity to EMFs is a bit like multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. If you have one prolonged or very big exposure it can sensitise you to 'normal' amounts for a long time or for the rest of your life, and some people are more sensitive to the effects of chemicals and EMFs and can become ill at levels which for most people would be unnoticeable.

It makes sense that we have all sorts of sensitivities to these stressors, just like people have very different tolerances to drugs and alcohol. The fact that everyone isn't made ill by low level EMF exposures is not proof that some people can't be made ill by these same exposures. People vary enormously due to biochemical individuality, and illness also greatly lowers your ability to withstand previously well-tolerated stressors. Like many poeple, I never experienced chemical sensitivities at all until I became severely ill.

I would like to remind people that there are huge financial vested interests at work in declaring various chemicals and EMF exposures as 'safe' and at turning the problem around to a 'blame the victim' mentality. Research is skewed, hidden and nowhere near enough studies are done. So you can't believe everything that you read, and should think twice before ever assuming that someone who says they have chemical or EMF sensitivities is 'making it up' or imagining it. There is no 'secondary gain' in having these problems, there really isn't, and the idea that these things could easily cause problems and do cause problems is backed up by some very solid research too.

Back to this book. The section on an anti-radiation diet and supplement plan wasn't great. It is very very hard to take seriously any type of anti-radiation or anti-oxidant plan that doesn't even include ONE MEASLY GRAM of vitamin C, let alone the multi-gram dose that would be appropriate. This is a huge omission, if you know anything at all about the impossible to overstate importance of vitamin C.

I would also disagree that whey supplements are good for you (real food is better!), tinned beans and cherry juice concentrate are superfoods, storebought yogurt is good for you, saturated fat causes heart disease (this is a myth), olive oil is the only and best oil to cook with, and that the way to boost glutathione in the body is to take GSH precursors. The best way to boost GSH is to take a liposomal GSH product - this form of GSH isn't broken down into its parts as soon as it reaches the body and is many times more effective than just taking GSH precursors. The book also doesn't specify that unrefined sea salt must be used instead of refined salt and heavily promotes all sorts of expensive so-called superfoods such as acia berries, noni and mangostein - when in reality we need all the different types of fruits and especially vegetables and variety is important than a small number of very expensive so-called superfoods. It is slightly faddish in this respect, unfortunately. I would advice readers to skip the diet and supplement advice in this book as while it isn't at all the worst out there it is far form the best as well.

I bought an EMF measuring device and was surprised at how little my appliances emitted compared to what the book suggested as estimates. Maybe this is because my house is less than 10 years old? For example my clock radio only emitted outward at a high level for far less than one foot, and so it wasn't at all necessary for me to have it 3 feet away from my head as the book suggested. This was good news as being too far away from all your switches and devices creates real practical problems when you are quite ill (as I am). So if moving all your things seems really impractical you might want to take some readings first to make sure you aren't making things more difficult for yourself than you need to. I bought my measuring device for under $50.

But overall, making the changes suggested in the book really is not very difficult. Grounding and reducing EMF exposures isn't the whole answer to regaining health or preventing illness but it does seem like one very important or even essential part of the bigger picture. For some people it is also the main cause or trigger for their symptoms, it seems. It should not be ignored or dismissed out of hand without proper open-minded investigation, particularly as the risk and cost of grounding or minimising EMFs is so very low.

All in all this book is not the last word on the subject but provides a pretty solid overview of the problems of EMFs and how to minimise them.

Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.

[Kimm]

Spent the day reading Gittleman's book on EMF pollution. Since I'm extremely sensitive to EMFs - there's alot of practical advice in this book for me.

I've never used a microwave and don't have one, rarely use a cell phone (a few times a year maybe) and I don't have a TV. Despite that - as a computer professional with scads of computer equipment running all day long - I am surrounded! :P I'm realizing there's alot more I can do to minimize the stress and disorders that EMFs cause. More about it when I finish the book!

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zapped - Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution by Ann Louise Gittleman is an informative read about the prevalence and damage that electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electronic pollution and how to mitigate these in the home and at work.

As the title suggests, this encompasses radiation from mobile phones, microwaves and high voltage power poles, all generally accepted by the majority of people to 'not be good for us.'

However Zapped goes even further to suggest that today's lifestyle is full of electronic devices such as wi-fi, laptops, ipads, cordless phones, ipods, televisions and time-saving kitchen appliances. Put simply, we are bombarded by EMF every day. Every room in our house has multiple devices plugged into powerpoints and some cases powerboards. At the time of writing this post, I have twelve other wi-fi networks criss-crossing mine at home making thirteen in total. Wow!

Some of us are sensitive to EMF and Gittleman believes that many health related problems that have been attributed to stress or other conditions can be attributed to EMF, even going so far as to suggest conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, migraines and more. Her evidence and information is quite compelling and certainly makes for interesting reading.

Zapped contains many resources including websites, and suggestions for further reading and I was pleased to see reference to Earthing - The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? by Clinton Ober which is one way to reduce EMF exposure. I've read this book, purchased and use the products daily.

Zapped is a great reference book with measurements, advice and guidance for those wanting to learn more about the environment around them. Did you know you can buy house paint to reduce your own exposure to mobile phone towers? Zapped - Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scary. Hard to act on "depriving" oneself of electronics. I appreciated seeing that I'm big on the author's top 21 zap-proof superfoods and seasonings, i.e. artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cinnamon cranberries, cruciferous vegetables, cumin garlic, grass-fed beef, mushrooms, olive oil pomegranate juice, prunces, red beans, acai, rosemary, turmeric, wild Alaskan salmon, tart cherries, walnuts and yogurt. Wish I could afford organic. Zap-proof minerals are also big in my diet, e.g. calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, melatonin, potassium, sulfur, manganese,selenium, CoQ10 and zinc. I guess I didn't learn that much new, but was able to read supporting information. I do wish there was some way of removing the cell towers from my apartment roof. Ugh!

[Megan Stokes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting. I do believe that there are some that are particularly sensitive to electronic pollution (like chemically sensitive people), but I think the majority of us don't need to follow most of the advice in this book. I've since done some things to limit my exposure, but on the whole, some of this stuff goes a bit too far.

[Kebanek · Rating 1 out of 5]

To alarmist for me. I think the author probably has a point, but this seemed like a very long pop science article.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book but especially young people need it.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feed my paranoia, why don't you? But at least it offers lots of helpful tips for reducing exposure to EMFs.

[Jarmo Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this highly enlightening book, we gain insight into the world of electromagnetic radiation (EMF), a form of radiation that exists in many variations. The book addresses numerous health risks associated with man-made radiation that surrounds us. Ann Louise Gittleman presents strong scientific arguments showing that non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (nEMF) are more harmful to us and our children than the authorities claim. Gittleman demonstrates how science indicates that biological damage can occur at much lower radiation levels than the current officially established limits, which are based solely on thermal effects. Children, in particular, are at risk.

The book does not merely paint a negative picture of this issue and the potential consequences for us as biological and electrical beings. It also outlines many practical measures that can be taken to protect ourselves in a world where we are surrounded by nEMF. Considering that the book was published in 2011, much has changed regarding radiation, especially in terms of the sheer amount, which has increased significantly since then. This makes the book highly relevant, even though more recent works on this phenomenon have been published in the intervening years.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept, poor execution.

Ms. Gittleman's points are valid and I have found that I've stopped sleeping with my cellphone in my room on those nights I'm not using it as an alarm clock. I've also made note of those foods she suggests we eat more of to combat this issue. And while I think there's a good chance that smartphones will turn out to be the cigarettes of this generation, the science behind this book is weak and her remedies are unrealistic for all but the most wealthy.

For example, she does a hypothetical inventory of electronic devices in a house but said house is a four bedroom 2 bathroom house. As a librarian, I shall never live in such opulence. So that dropped the seriousness of the issue down a few notches for me.

Another issue I have is some of the studies to which she refers have yet to be duplication. Granted she admits this fact but I think her including them despite her knowledge of their dubiousness does damage to her argument.

All that said, I think this book is at least worth a browse. The topic has the potential to be a serious one and this will serve to be a good introduction if not authoritative voice on the matter.

[David Vugteveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but hood

A great introduction for newbies to EMF pollution but lacking in some of the depth. FOr example, the author talks about monitoring EMF using a meter, but practical instructions for how and when to do this would be a nice addition.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alarming.

[Jason Comely · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening book that's made me a lot more aware of my working and living environments, and even how I use my smartphone. Ignore at your own peril.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent if you’re brand new to learning about the dangers of EMF and electric pollution. As someone who is well-versed, I found it repetitive.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, calling us to pay attention for ourselves, our employees and our families.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really important to understand how and why electricity affects our health and this book explains it! We've been told that all of these electronic devices are safe, but hopefully, yawl have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to official declarations of safety after the jab debacle. After implementing a lot of these safety measures, I sleep better and I never get colds anymore...making me firmly believe that there are no such things as viruses, just frequencies that make us sick.

[Brynna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an EXCELLENT book. God really convicted me on becoming more aware of my surroundings in efforts to maintain and improve the health of my family, and several months after learning more about EMF's, I picked up this book. I cannot believe I was so unaware of the impact of EMF's for all these years (a basis for SO many other health problems people suffer from anymore!). It makes perfect sense when you consider that the body IS technically "electrical" (after all, we are made up of atoms!), and therefore outside electrical currents- of many different forms- can absolutely affect us!n Chronic illnesses, attention/behavior disorders, suppressed immune systems, general malaise...all of these and more may very well be traced back to the harmful effects of EMF's and dirty electricity that surrounds us on a near constant basis anymore. This book makes you aware of the sources of EMF's around you.

The greatest thing about Ann Gittleman's book is that she proves we CAN make changes in our lives- even if they're just small ones- that can help protect us and improve our health, despite living in a world that is growing more and more wireless every day. It's especially important to be aware of these things with children, as it's not only their hearts and minds that are little sponges, but their bodies are as well!!

[Lacemaking Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a young and naive YA me eating out of its palm

Now I know it's more than likely full of crud. The biggest threat with these things is largely distraction and addiction, at least that's been the case in my life. The best tip I got from this was using wired headphones and keeping the phone in airplane mode, which is why it gets a 3 star rating. That technique alone helps me stay focused. If I leave notifications on, I'm inevitably distracted by the pings. It also helps to enforce a work-life balance, and boundaries from those who wish to overstep them(airplane mode before bed too!).

[Kalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had lots of information (some of which seems legit and some of which seems pretty cuckoo) so you have to sort through what you think applies to you. I really liked that it had solutions for the hazards and that most of those solutions worked for modern (and even urban) life. After the information dump part, the book felt more like a helpful guide than a "go live in a log cabin in the woods!" alarm bell.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great indicator of high energy fields in your home that I was not aware of. Like your refrigerator and other appliances you should not spend a lot of time so close.flouresecent lights, dimmer switches and electronics in your bedroom for a better night sleep.. There are websites you can find more info and cell towers near your home.
Some people are severely affected by emr and can get really sick with leukemia or breast cancer.

[Diana S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Very informative information about electronic pollution and how it affects us in our daily lives.
It doesn't scare you, like some articles I've read on the subject. What it does do, is empowers you with the facts and give you ways to conteract the effects that enter our lives.. I really liked the book a lot.

[Charmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Protect your health from dirty electricity.

2. Electric Electro-Magnetic Frequencies (EMF). Wifi, cellphones, and plugged-in appliances continuously emit EMF.

3. Eating super-foods helps to balance out the exposure.

[Nola Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from a book published by Harper (or a Harper imprint at least.) ZAPPPED needed good going over by a relentless editor. The haphazard organization of the information prevented the book from being a true call to arms.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently no-one really knows the effects of long-term exposure to EMFs and therefore limiting exposure to them, in the ways we can, is probably wise. Being forewarned allows for preparation and planning even if the situation that happens isn't are dire as first thought.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info, but a bit more technical than I wanted. Next step would be to buy/rent a Gauss meter and that is not on the top of my budget list.

[Darlene Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Not full of hype and scare tactics, lots of research, and some great, practical ideas for managing exposure in a doable way.

[David Rubenstein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Specious science. Self-promotion. I couldn't get through this book. What a waste.