12/21/2024
'Tis the season for light therapy! 💡🎄 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.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩:
🚨 Researchers discovered that using a specific type of red light, at a wavelength of 670 nm, could positively influence blood sugar.
🚨 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 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 compared to the group that didn't get the light treatment.
🚨 The red light exposure reduced the overall rise in blood sugar after consuming glucose by 𝟐𝟕.𝟕% and also reduced the maximum blood glucose spike by 7.5%.
🚨 The study also showed that the red light 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝, indicating that the body was using more glucose for energy. This means the red light was likely increasing the body's metabolic rate.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?
🚨 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.
🚨 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. ...
