Light is just as crucial to our body as food and water are. It plays a vital role in many body functions, and diminished exposure to it can adversely affect your health. Just as a poor supply of food can bring malnutrition, an inadequate supply of light can cause mal-illumination.
What Is Mal-Illumination?
Mal-illumination is the limited exposure to full spectrum daylight and supplementing it with artificial indoor light and excessive exposure to blue light from devices. It can also be brought about by too much shielding of the skin from healthy doses of light by using excessive sunscreens, sunblocks, sunglasses, and putting heavy tint on windows and windshields.
When you’re mal-illuminated, you deprive your body of the sun’s healthy wavelength that could help body processes that control mood, libido, sleep, energy, and appetite. Every body-mind function needs the augmentation of sunlight energy. When this is reduced, there could be a decrease in metabolism, reduced vitality, difficulty in fat-burning, and compromised immunity.
Today, light therapy is utilized to supply the body with healthy doses of light to treat several conditions. There are several types of light therapy available today, including blue, green, yellow, red, and near-infrared light therapy. This article will focus more on red light therapy (RLT) and its benefits to the body.
What Is RLT?
RLT is a technique that uses low wavelengths of red light to treat skin ailments like psoriasis and many other medical conditions. Interestingly, studies show promise in using red light to treat kidney ailments; if you want to know more, you may head over at this website.
How Does It Work?
When the wavelengths of light enter the body, it stimulates the microscopic cellular component in the body called mitochondria. When mitochondria are stimulated, there’s an increase in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body. ATP is the primary energy source for most biochemical, metabolic, and physiological processes like growth, movement, and homeostasis.
When the cells are energized, they can work on efficiently repairing the skin, enhancing skin rejuvenation, and encouraging new cell growth. They do the same in other body functions, such as the bone and the brain, which will be discussed later.
The History Of RLT
Did you know that the great physicist Isaac Newton was the first scientist who was able to split light into different wavelengths? Yes, he’s not only the father of the laws of motion, but he also initiated the field of optics. Over two centuries later, the electric light bulb was created by Thomas Edison.
However, it was in 1893 when light was used for the first time as a form of medical therapy. A Danish doctor used red light to treat smallpox and soon after used it to treat lupus. Many discoveries were made after that, including the discovery of vitamin D and its effect on the body, the discovery of phototherapy, the invention of LED, and NASA’s discovery of using red light in wound healing.
Today, thousands of studies show the benefits of RLT. Among the studies that show promise is improving sleep, cognitive function, and inflammation.
A Study On How Red Light Could Improve Sleep
In 2012, a 14-day red-light treatment on a group of elite Chinese basketball players showed improved sleep and higher melatonin production in their bodies. The excessive training endured by players daily affected their sleep and decreased their sports performance.
It has been pointed out that the cause of lack of sleep is overtraining. However, when these players were exposed to red light for two weeks, they demonstrated improved muscle regeneration because of sufficient sleep contributed by the red light’s effect on melatonin production. Red light therapy beds have become popular in recent years, you can see some examples here.
A Study On How RLT Improves Inflammation
Light-emitting diode therapy has been beneficial in wound healing, analgesia, and reducing inflammation. The treatment inhibited mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and significantly prevented thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, which the body produces when exposed to oxidative stress. This is why many people use RLT today to treat arthritis.
A Study On How Red Light Can Improve Cognitive Function
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation using near-infrared light was used on several healthy humans in a study and revealed a more positive emotional state. The low-level laser stimulation positively affected the frontal cortex measures of mood, attention, and memory. Another study also showed improved neurological outcomes, especially for those who suffered from a stroke.
Other Benefits Of RLT
Increases energy
Enhances collagen production
Fat loss and cellulite reduction
Enhances physical performance
Reduces hair loss and promotes hair growth in alopecia
Reduces lesions in psoriasis
Helps with carpal tunnel syndrome
Boosts testosterone
Enhances fertility
Improves eye health
Combats gingivitis
There are many claims about the efficacy of red light in helping the mentioned conditions. Moreover, it has shown immense promise in various treatments and in improving general wellness, but more clinical trials are required to cement its effectiveness on them.
The Potential Side Effects Of RLT
Unlike UV light from the sun, low levels of red light are safe and pain-free, but anything that crosses the boundaries can be harmful. A practitioner with little or no experience can expose the skin to too much of the therapy, which could potentially cause tissue and cell damage.
In addition, those using the product at home without following safety measures can suffer from damage to the skin, like burns or inflammation, and even damage to the eyes. That’s why it’s crucial to follow safety measures when using this treatment and only go to a reputable practitioner.
Is It Worth It?
Because RLT is still an emerging therapy, its efficacy is founded on limited research. If you’re interested in trying this treatment, it would be best to discuss it with your healthcare provider. They need to examine you first and determine if RLT suits your body and condition.
Conclusion
You’re often on the lookout for things to try to improve the condition of your body. These can be to keep you revitalized and strong, make you look younger than your age, or take away the pain you feel that comes with illness or age.
RLT has many positive outcomes for many people. Whether it can positively affect you is a question that can only be answered once you have tried it. But again, the studies are limited, and using them will need careful thought.
This was very informative! I knew people did RLT, but not the real reasons.
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