Earthing as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for Red Blood Cell Physiology and Vascular Health

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health burden characterized by hyperglycemia, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress, which together drive vascular dysfunction and micro- and macrovascular complications. Red blood cells (RBCs) are particularly vulnerable to oxidative and inflammatory injury, resulting in altered morphology, reduced deformability, increased aggregation, and impaired membrane fluidity. These abnormalities elevate blood viscosity, disrupt microcirculatory flow, and promote pathological thrombogenesis, thereby exacerbating cardiovascular risk in T2DM. While conventional therapies target glycemic control and thrombosis, there remains a need for adjunctive interventions that address the underlying hemorheological derangements. Earthing (grounding), defined as direct contact with the Earth’s surface, provides a continuous influx of free electrons that may neutralize reactive oxygen species and modulate inflammatory responses. Evidence indicates that grounding can improve redox balance, normalize diurnal cortisol rhythms, and enhance blood rheology by increasing RBC zeta potential, reducing aggregation, and lowering viscosity. Furthermore, mitochondrial studies indicate that grounding stabilizes electron transport, reduces reactive oxygen species generation, and improves ATP synthesis, providing a mechanistic basis for its systemic effects. Collectively, this suggests that earthing can be a safe, low-cost, and non-pharmacological adjunct with potential to ameliorate RBC dysfunction and vascular complications in T2DM. Rigorous clinical trials are warranted to establish its efficacy and therapeutic integration.