Our body cells use electricity to send messages between them. We could not think, feel, or even move without this phenomenon. We could say our bodies are batteries because we are born with this amazing power preloaded. Our human batteries use calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium ions to generate the electricity we need in order to exist. Each has their own electrical characteristics.
The Electric Power in Our Human Batteries Generates Heat
This electrical energy in our bodies generates heat. A lipid membrane enables living cells to generate electrical currents. However, these cells are negatively charged when resting. But the outside environment is more positive, allowing ions to flow through the membrane.
Our survival depends on this simple, yet profound fact. The health of our species depends on our warmth. Would you be surprised if we told that average temperature is falling? Scientists decided 98.6ºF / 37ºC was normal body temperature back in 1851. However, the new normal is now 97.9 °F / 36.6 °C according to Health 24. Does this mean our human batteries are running down, or is it something else?
Our Changing Environment is Affecting Our Metabolism
Dr Julie Parsonnet, professor of medicine, health research and policy at Stanford University and her colleagues are investigating. They analyzed over 677 000 body temperature measurements collected in the United States between 1862 and 2017.
The average male cooled by 1.1ºF / 0.7ºC during this period, while the average female became 0.6ºF / 0.3ºC cooler. The researchers suggest several reasons for this temperature drop. Firstly, healthier bodies have fewer inflammations stoking fewer fevers. Moreover, our homes and work places have better temperature controls meaning we need less energy to stay warm.
They say our human batteries are evolving physiologically as a result. Earth is not just becoming absolutely warmer. It is also becoming relatively warmer compared to us.
Related
When Human Life Equates to Battery Life
The Nature of Being Human During Change
Preview Image: Human Body Temperature Cycling
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