Re-Wilding the Body with Red Light Therapy

Light is a key component in human health. In the environment we have created for ourselves we are secluded from the many orderly spectrums of light formerly provided by the sun, and are exposed to intensity of other spectrums we would not have been exposed to in the past. As is often the case in the modern world we must meet artifice with artifice and supplement with light. The advent of light technology, from incandescent to LED allows for full manipulation of timing, place, and spectrum since one can control where, when and what light one is exposed to. The body searches for stability in higher-order, we call it healing, or homeostasis. The body can be assisted by red light therapy toward homeostasis.

Visible red light easily passes through the skin and other tissue to a depth of about 10 mm. The light energy is converted into cellular energy, by absorption and utilization by the mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of the cell. Mitochondria absorb red light due to a key energy-producing copper enzyme, cytochrome coxidase, which absorbs light at various wavelengths. Metabolism in the mitochondria is usually restricted by a biologically active molecule, nitric oxide, which binds to cytochrome oxidase and prevents it from using oxygen. Red light acts by photodissociating or detaching this nitric oxide molecule, allowing cytochrome to resume its energy-producing metabolic function. This available stream of energy allows for greater metabolic activity and thereby circumventing entropy, finding homeostasis, creating healing.

  • Some of the measurable effects which lead to upstream and downstream health improvement are the following:
  • Increased circulation and the formation of new capillaries.
  • Increased clearing of the lymph system.
  • Increased production of collagen and fibroblasts.
  • Increased release of ATP, or raw cellular energy.
  • Increased phagocytosis, or cellular clean up.
  • Cognitive enhancement.
  • Inflammation reduced.
  • Improved structure of water inter and intracellular.
  • Body sculpting through stimulation of fat cells that release fat, that is then metabolized into carbon dioxide and water.
  • Testosterone production.
  • Sports performance.

Home therapy is simple, affordable, and doesn’t take much time. Exposure can be localized or general, that is, focused on a particular area of the body or on as much skin as possible. It can be done with an easily purchased device and for 20 seconds to 15-minute duration, longer duration providing diminishing returns. At Rebecca’s, we sell an inexpensive and effective LED lamp, perfect for therapeutic use. Bill, our grocery manager, has experimented widely with Red Light therapy for a variety of applications.

Curious about red light therapy? Come see us at Rebecca’s and we’re happy to answer your questions.