The qi-bioelectric body

By Dr Amir Farid Isahak

THE body is made of 60 to 70 trillion cells. Groups of cells with the same or related functions together form an organ; several organs form the various organ-systems; and all together they make up the body. All the cells have to be healthy for the body to be healthy.

Each cell is made up of 60% to 90% water, along with the important components that allow the cell to function almost independently as a separate organism. The typical cell has a protective outer membrane that contains the cytoplasm, intra-cellular fluid (ICF) and organelles. Except in red blood cells, somewhat in the centre is the command-centre or nucleus (containing the chromosomes/genes), and imbedded throughout the cell are numerous mitochondriae – the energy powerhouses.

The cells are bathed in a sea of fluid called the extra-cellular fluid (ECF), through which nutrients and oxygen reach the cells. The cells discharge metabolic wastes into the ECF to be carried away.

The fine endings of the nervous system fibres and blood vessels (capillaries) terminate in the fluid that surrounds every cell. All vital functions of the cell – respiration, energy balance, metabolism, temperature regulation and so on – also depend on healthy ECF and correct pH (acid/alkaline balance).

Inflammatory conditions, injuries, bacterial infections, foreign bodies, chemicals and nutritional deficiency can cause disturbances in this crucial environment.

Bio-electric charge

Each cell in the body is like a tiny battery with a charge of 40-90 millivolts. This charge is necessary for the cell to live and maintain its many metabolic activities:

Cell membrane functions

Absorption of nutrients and oxygen

Energy production

Discharge of wastes

Defence against virus, bacteria, free radicals and chemicals

Mitosis (cell-division to form new cells)

The difference in charges of sodium and potassium ions (Na+ and K+) results in an 80mV (range 70-90mV) gradient across the membrane of healthy cells. This is important for transport of ions, nutrients and wastes; and a well-regulated metabolism. When the voltage drops below 70mV, metabolism is slowed and inhibited, causing the cell to become unhealthy and unable to cope with its usual functions.

Cancer cells are known to have only 20-30mV of electrical charge, causing greatly reduced conductivity, affecting normal metabolism and causing cells to behave abnormally. Fever and inflammation could temporarily raise the voltage to above 90mV, also causing problems.

Because of their electrical charges and activities, all the cells of the body together exert an electric current and electromagnetic field that can be detected by various methods, including ECG, EEG, corona discharge, Kirlian photography, MRI and other electronic instruments. Many diagnostic and therapeutic instruments that depend on interpreting the electrical/energy signals from the body are being used by conventional and complementary health practitioners.

Since the body is a bio-electric entity, among the most crucial health factors to be regulated is the bio-electric charge (or bio-electric potential) of the cells and the surrounding fluids. An injured or unhealthy cell will have disturbed electrical activity, resulting in an abnormal charge. Apart from the removal of the cause of damage (for example, bacteria or chemicals), the cell will need the right nutrients, oxygen, and the restoration of the electrical charge for healing to occur.

Because of modern society’s poor diet, poor lifestyle and polluted environment, the body’s cells are often bathed in an unhealthy surrounding environment, with excess toxins, free-radicals, pollutants, chemicals, and electro-magnetic radiation (for example, microwave, high-tension wires, mobile phones, computer screens, etc). All these can gravely alter the bio-electrical state of the cells and the surrounding fluid.

Bio-electric healing

If we understand how the cells work in health and disease, we can try to help the cells repair themselves. One logical way is to recharge all the body’s cells periodically with a safe, low current that will return the cells to their healthy state.

Cells that are already correctly charged will have their bio-electric potential enhanced, while those that have abnormal electrical activities will have their bio-electric potential corrected.

The Japanese, Chinese and Germans are at the forefront of using bio-electric current therapy, and the method is being used by medical doctors too. One method is to pass a safe current using a soft seat-pad that the patient sits on for about 30 minutes each session. Several or many sessions may be required for total relief of major health problems. It is not recommended for heart patients with pacemakers since the electric current may interfere with them. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.

Because this method relies on the universal re-balancing/harmonising of the bio-electric potential of cells in all organs and systems, it is beneficial for many health problems.

It has been used to treat a wide variety of health problems, including pain of most varieties, chronic headaches, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, inflammations of the joints, eczema, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, diabetes, muscle disorders, nerve disorders, and disorders of the liver and gallbladder, and cancers.

Those who know the acupoints can also apply the current at the relevant points related to the ailments (using a special probe).

It works best when the body is also replenished with good nutrition, sufficient exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Having adequate ionic minerals is important for healthy bio-electric potential.

Qi charge

In trying to understand the healing power of qi – the life force – we need to know how closely it works with the bio-electric charge of the cells.

Although science has yet to uncover it, qi is the spark of energy that initiates life at the time of conception, and continues to do so for every new cell that ensues, and maintains the health of the cells till they die.

If you understand the above description of the electrical charge of the cells, now you can imagine a parallel system also occurring in all the cells, except that this time it is “qi-charge” instead of electrical charge. Although qi has some properties of electromagnetism, it is not the same as the electrical charge explained by ions.

Whilst the electrical charge determines many functions of the cell, the qi charge also determines many of these, and other functions as well. This is the reason why qigong has often succeeded when every thing else has failed.

The healthy body functions when all the cells receive adequate bio-electrical as well as qi charges to power its metabolic activities and healing mechanisms. The body actually thrives not just on bio-electricity, but on qi-bioelectric energy.

Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic medicine and has been teaching qi gong for more than 10 years. He is the former president of the Guolin Qi Gong Association, Malaysia. You can e-mail him at starhealth@thestar.com.myThe views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles.The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.