Something to consider about magnets--
Ever tried using these boot magnets to attach paper to metal? Just how many
pieces of paper will one hold before the magnetic field no longer reaches
the metal surface? If it only takes a few sheets of paper before the magnet
no longer is attracted to the metal surface, then it's a safe bet it's not
going to influence the tissues either, much less the blood. It's a placebo
effect, sort of like that study they just did with the arthritis surgery.
Before you say, but that's paper, not tissue with all its electrolytes etc.,
think about this logically. Like Tamara points out, a magnet's ability to
influence iron and other metals which can be magnetized or attracted to
magnets is due to the ability of the ions in that substance to line up in
the proper direction, and assumes that they can come in contact with one
another--this is necessary for the magnetic field to be formed. If you have
elemental iron ions in contact with one another in the tissues or blood, you
need to be worrying about iron toxicity and stop worrying about increasing
blood flow. It also assumes that the magnetic field is a bigger attraction
to an ion than the chemical attraction of other ions within the tissue, or
protein or lipid or carbohydrate bonds. In addition, a magnetic field, to
be effective, needs to pass through ions which are identical in size and
shape and molecular weight--when you start mixing different elements, the
strength of the magnetic field becomes compromised.
Then there's the issue of a magnet being strong enough to overcome the
hormonal controls over vasoconstriction and vasodilation that regulate blood
flow to peripheral tissues--this is a very complex process. And I believe
it's a bit optimistic to think that a weak magnetic field around a fetlock
is capable of overcoming the muscular strength of the veins and arteries.
Chances are, any increase in circulation to the area of the boot is due to
the rubbing of the boot on the skin surface as the horse moves, rather than
the magnetic field. In other words, massage.
Lisa (who is skeptical of any and all marketing claims on magnets, miracle
supplements, and anything else that sounds too good to be true.)
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