By Helen Chan

Miss Hui Lai-kwan, 50, from Tsz Wan Shan, suffers pains in her wrist whenever wet weather comes. This is a symptom of rheumatism.

She does not believe in magic spells, but she does believe in a magnetic bangle. “I have used the magnetic bangle for 4 years and some,” said Miss Hui. “I wear it when I feel pain in my wrist and it does help.”

A magnetic health company claims that with a layer of 24K non-nickel gold, the magnetic health products are non-allergic and do not irritate the skin.

However, Miss Lam Ching-wan, 56, stopped wearing a magnetic necklace when red marks had appeared on her neck.

These are experiences resulting from magnetic health products to heal pain or maintain health.

Besides necklaces and bangles, there are other things such as bracelets, earrings, rings, bio-infrared watches, belts and pillows.

Kamable (International) Co. Ltd. was the first company to introduce magnetic health products.

The assistant to the general manager of the Company, Miss Delia Lai, said their products combine Japanese technology with traditional Chinese acupuncture and magnetic healing techniques.

Miss Lai explained the operation of magnetic health products. She said, “When someone uses the products, a magnetic field is formed inside the body.

“Blood flowing through the field generates weak static electricity, which can improve blood circulation and body metabolism.”

The secret of these products is a physical theory:

A magnetic field is formed when two magnets are put together. Any conductor in the field will be attracted to the magnets. When a moving conductor is going round the field, electricity will be generated.

If the conductor is human blood, the electric field formed enables ions in blood vessels move faster. Blood circulation is thus stimulated.

Faster blood circulation means more oxygen can be brought to body cells and more metabolic waste, such as carbon dioxide, can be taken away. These enhance body metabolism.

Magnetic health products are often associated with magnetic field therapy, which helps relieve pain, helps lower blood pressure, prevents inflammation and reduces swelling and the chances of infectious tumours and cancers.

In these ways, magnetic field therapy can heal internal diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and bronchitis, as well as surgical diseases like sprains, tendon sheath inflammation, diseases related to skin, and eye-ear-nose-and-throat infections.

It is also proved to be effective in some obstetrics and gynaecological conditions.

However, one authority says that the use of magnetic necklaces does not mean magnetic field therapy.

Mr. Lee Chun-hung, department head of the Biology Department at Heep Yunn School, said, “There is no significant evidence that these products function like magnetic field therapy.”

However, Miss Lai said that duration of application should be considered.

“A couple of weeks is needed to acquire the effects,” she said.

Having worn the health bangle for a long time, Miss Hui found it had turned light brown, leaving a green band on her waist.

Miss Lai explained that the magic exists not only in the magnets, but also in the metal on the magnetic accessories. The metal is copper.

“Copper on the back of magnetic bangles can take away a body’s ‘damp’ elements which cause rheumatic pain,” said Miss Lai.

“The green band contains the ‘damp’ elements taken from Miss Hui’s body.”

However, one of Miss Hui’s magnetic bangles has turned green even though she has not used it.

On the contrary, Mr. Lee construed the green to be a result of chemical reactions.

“Metals such as copper will be oxidised and turn green when exposed in the air,” said Mr. Lee.

“It doesn’t matter about element absorption from the body.”

The representative of the Consumer Council said they have not yet received any complaints about magnetic health products.

According to Miss Lai, the salesmen give customers explanations on the uses and effects of the magnetic products before they buy them.

“No complaint has been lodged against our products,” said she.

“We are planning to conduct a survey on the effectiveness of our products perceived by our customers,” said Miss Lai. “We will improve our products if we detect problems.”

However, Mr. Lee insisted that if people have health problems, they should go and find a doctor.

October 1996

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