This article is intended to explain to you the benefits and effects of light therapy, how you can use it and whether you should expect certain risks. We would also like to give you an indication of how often you can use light therapy. To do this, we briefly explain the principles of its function and have selected a few interesting studies that demonstrate the extent to which near infrared light (NIR) can benefit your body and your health. First of all: the list of advantages is long!
Light, color spectrum and effect
If you protect yourself from the sun in summer or use sunscreen or don't stay in the blazing sun for long, you already know that Light also poses dangers. For example, the ultraviolet (UV) light contained in sunlight causes the skin to age quickly, and with it many cells in the largest organ in your body.
On the opposite side of the color spectrum you can find the 'near infrared'. In contrast to harmful UV light, this has been shown to be protective against aging in animal studies. The near infrared covers the wavelengths from 780 to 3000nm and is located in the non-visible region of the color spectrum.
In another article we have already told you something about the effect of light on sleep . There we talked about the visible part of light and discovered for the first time that light has a major influence on our everyday lives. We also learned when it is better to avoid light, especially the blue region of the spectrum, and how you can benefit from light in the morning on the other side.
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NIR at the cellular level
So what are the Benefits of Near Infrared (NIR)? A Improvement of Circadian Rhythm, reduced oxidative stress (fewer free radicals) and a positive effect on the neural networks (connections in the brain) could be detected. In addition, NIR reduces inflammation and associated pain or edema (fluid accumulation in the tissue). Furthermore, the therapeutic use improves the healing of wounds or other injuries such as broken bones or torn ligaments and has therefore been of great importance in physiotherapy for some time.
These diverse effects of NIR are attributed to the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase , which is an important component the mitochondrial respiratory chain is. You probably know the mitochondria as the power plant of the cell from your school days - this analogy hits the nail on the head, because the mitochondria are used to produce energy. The mitochondria and thus also cytochrome c oxidase are involved in many metabolic processes. Its suggestion can speed up a lot of things. Furthermore, studies have found increased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels and increased citrate synthase. ATP serves as the cells' main energy store. Citrate synthase plays a crucial role in the citrate cycle, which is also important for our body's energy production.
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Example studies: what does NIR do for you?
As early as 1903, the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to Niels Ryberg Finsen , the one demonstrated the stimulating effect of light on the tissue. He was mainly concerned with the antibacterial effects of concentrated light.
A study examined competitive athletes who were treated using NIR. Here there is a significantly improved performance of the athletes. A variety of laboratory tests were carried out, which can be used to explain the improvement: oxygen absorption from the blood and the time to exhaustion were significantly increased in a running test.
Did you know?
The American millionaire and longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson also uses NIR several times a week. But not only that. His project Blueprint is designed to prevent him from aging if possible and, in the best case, even to reach his biological age to turn back. To achieve this, Bryan Johnson takes more than 100 different food supplements every day, practices a strict fasting and exercise program and has even had his younger son's blood transfused. But this isn't even the craziest method the American has tried to live forever.
How often should you use NIR?
One session is enough for a local effect. This is the case, for example, if you want to take advantage of improved wound healing. However, if you want to benefit from light therapy in general, you should use a lamp every day or at least five times a week. Simply put: the more often you use the light application, the better the effect and your benefits will be to a certain extent. So use them consistently and not just sporadically. An application can be scheduled to take around 10 minutes.
Can too much light therapy cause harm?
Studies have not revealed any abnormalities in this regard. This means that we can speak of secure applications. However, if you use it very frequently, the benefit to you is not correspondingly higher. This is also referred to as a ceiling effect. “ceiling effect”).
For further and specific information you can contact the manufacturers of various lamps; of course there are differences in the models.
