12/21/2024
'Tis the season for light therapy! ๐ก๐ Did you know that red light might help to reduce the impact of those Christmastime carb splurges? A fascinating new study has found that exposure to red light (even in very modest amounts) can help to lower blood sugar levels.
๐๐๐ซ๐'๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ:
๐จ Researchers discovered that using a specific type of red light, at a wavelength of 670 nm, could positively influence blood sugar.
๐จ In this controlled study, participants were given a glucose tolerance test, which is a sugary drink that spikes your blood sugar. Those who received a 15-minute exposure to 670 nm red light on their back 45 minutes before the sugary drink had ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ compared to the group that didn't get the light treatment.
๐จ The red light exposure reduced the overall rise in blood sugar after consuming glucose by ๐๐.๐% and also reduced the maximum blood glucose spike by 7.5%.
๐จ The study also showed that the red light ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฑ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐๐, indicating that the body was using more glucose for energy. This means the red light was likely increasing the body's metabolic rate.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค?
๐จ The red light is believed to stimulate the mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of our cells. When mitochondria are stimulated with red light, they produce more energy (ATP), which requires more glucose to be used up.
๐จ This stimulation of the mitochondria appears to be due to the red light being absorbed by the water surrounding the mitochondrial ATP pumps, which allows them to work more efficiently and produce more ATP.
I am continually amazed at all of the benefits that light (red, infrared, full spectrum sunshine) has to offer. This is just one of many examples. So this holiday season, as you're enjoying your festive treats, consider getting some red light exposure. Whether it's a walk outside in the sun or using a red light therapy device, you may find it helps keep your blood sugar in check. And no, this isn't a replacement for healthy eating and exercise, but it could sure be a useful tool to reduce the glycemic impact!
(Don't have a red light therapy device? There is evidence to suggest that exposure to good old natural sunshine and infrared light is likely to have a similar impact. Try it!)
For more information, see Dr. Roger Seheult's walkthrough of the study in the video.
Dr. Seheult from MedCram explains how red light therapy speeds up metabolism in the mitochondria, utilizing more glucose and making more energy. See all Dr. ...
