Light As Nutrition: The Specific Benefits of Infrared Light

In the last few years, I have been viewing light more as an essential nutrient instead of merely something that enables humans to see.

Early in my naturopathic medical education, I learned about doctors using "air bathing" as a therapy for the sickest patients.

From approximately the late 1890’s to early 1930’s, heliotherapy (sun therapy) was common practice in Western Medicine, and there’s evidence that ancient civilizations also recognized the healing power of sunlight. The Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen was even awarded the Nobel Prize in 1903 for discovering the bactericidal properties of sunlight and its ability to stimulate tissue generation, leading to its use in treating tuberculosis and lupus vulgaris.

Gradually, medicine began to rely more on antibiotics and viewed heliotherapy as an antiquated way to treat disease.

But are we foolishly trying to hack our biology with supplements and peptides when the real master nutrient is sunlight?

The challenge with things that are invisible is that it is hard to make the connection between it's presence or absence and its effects on us.

The infrared spectrum of light is invisible to the human eye. The only way we know it is present is in the form of heat (e.g. from a fire or incandescent light bulb) or with cameras and imaging equipment specifically for detecting infrared.

For years, I have used a far infrared (FIR) sauna at home, used different low level laser therapies for treating injuries and musculoskeletal issues, and continue to use a red light panel at home for recovery and mood.

But how does it all work?

Does it work at all?

I want to help you understand why many in both the mainstream and non-mainstream medical world are becoming more bullish on red and infrared light therapies and our light environment as a first line strategy for health and performance.

Before we jump into it, I caution you to avoid thinking, "this is too simple!""

Every therapy can be a potentially infinite rabbit hole. This is why so many of us can fall into the habit of using a protocol or dismissing it completely without truly understanding what is behind it.

Our brains naturally seek simplicity and black and white explanations.

"Is this good or bad?"

"Good!"

"Bad!"

Check the box and move on.

It is a vulnerability in human logic that we naturally jump to conclusions and don’t take the time to re-evaluate long held beliefs. Therefore, the more accurate our mental model around a specific intervention, the more likely we will apply it correctly and avoid using it incorrectly.

Infrared is abundant in nature and near absent indoors

Dr. Robert Seheult, MD of MedCram YouTube channel has been sharing images taken with a special filter that allows cameras to capture infrared.

You can see that natural light from the sun is rich in red and infrared light and radiates off trees and plants.

There are two issues we need to explore:

1. The lack of exposure to natural infrared light in our indoor environments

2. The overabundance of artificial light from LED and fluorescent bulbs, LED screens (like our phones, tablets, and TVs) that had had the infrared removed

First, the infrared spectrum is now lacking in our lives because we spend anywhere from 50-90% of our time indoors.

Second, as we are more concerned with energy efficiency and transitioning to LED everything for our artificial light, we are removing a key light nutrient (red and infrared).

The red portion of the solar spectrum is visible while the infrared spectrum is invisible to the human eye but can be sensed as heat.

These two factors have created the perfect conditions for overwhelming amounts of metabolic disease, chronic disease, even in pregnant mothers, babies, and children.

Why Red and Infrared Light Are Crucial For Health

40% of sunlight is made up of infrared light.

This infrared light has a growing body of evidence showing that infrared is not wasted energy, but fuel and an important light signal for our mitochondria.

For example:

• Infrared (along with ultraviolet light) is an important signal for regulating our circadian rhythms (that affect our sleep, mood, energy, and hormones)

• Infrared reduces cancer risk: “A peer-reviewed study showed that 734 nm near-infrared (NIR) light pushed breast & lung cancer cells into permanent hibernation (senescence), while sparing healthy cells.”

• Infrared light therapy was shown to help modulate hyper-inflammation caused by COVID-19. 

• Infrared passes through clothing and the human body and has systemic impacts that improve vision.

• A randomized controlled trial showed that 940nm infrared light for just 15 minutes per day reduced COVID hospitalization time by 4 days.

• Infrared helps to propel blood flow (it may not be just the heart "pumping")\

This is just a quick survey of evidence I’ve been gathering.

What Is The Best Way To Get Infrared Exposure?

Get outside more!

It does not even have to be even in direct sunlight. Infrared in particular will reach you in the shade and even through clothing. Trees and greenery also radiate infrared, so it’s even better if you can spend time in green spaces.

Instead of walking on a treadmill, walk outside.

Enjoy your coffee and a book outside.

Even scroll on your phone, outside.

Have a nice romantic dinner with your wine, outside.

Do yoga, outside.

Sometimes, I just stand outside on my lawn and wave to the neighbors.

NOTE: Infrared will NOT however reach your body through most modern day glass. So sitting in an office even with big windows will not do you much good. If anything, windows selectively filter out the useful spectrum of light and turn it into something that is alien to our bodies.

Creating a healthier indoor light environment

What if you cannot get outside as much as you want?

The goal to keep in mind is simple: expose your eyes and skin to brighter days and darker nights.

It’s important to evaluate where you spend most of your waking hours and evenings.

Whether it is due to your job or where you live, you could be creating an uphill battle living in these conditions. If you don’t want to rely on medications or supplements, this is the biggest return on your investment to begin making small but significant changes to where you spend the most time.

Take a moment to consider where you spend most of your day:

• Do you work in an office?

• Are you in a car for hours at a time?

• Do you have a home office or work from home?

• Where do you spend the most time while the sun is out?

• What does your indoor lighting look like where you spend the most time?

Next, ask yourself, "how can I get more full-spectrum sunlight?"

In any of these spaces, I would aim to have access to a window that opens if possible.

Imagine you have a cup that starts empty in the morning and you are trying to fill it completely from sunrise to sunset with the full rainbow of sunlight.

Each part of the day will have a different composition of light, which is why sunsets and sunrises look different than midday sun.

• Can you set up an outdoor working area in a sun room?

• Open a sliding door or window near your workspace

• Crack open the window while you are driving

• Take some of your calls or lunches outside under the shade of a nice tree

Finally, ask yourself, "how can I shape my indoor light environment with something closer to full-spectrum light?"

An important thing to realize is that man-made things cannot replace God-made things.

Remember, the sun is the only reason why there is life on Earth. Any attempts to recreate the sun with artificial light is man’s attempt to recreate the sun.

Engineers are working on lighting that is closer to the sun, but I don’t believe that we will ever recreate a perfect replica.

So here are better alternatives.

Incandescent Light Bulbs:

• A wide range of full spectrum bulbs for different applications: https://healthlighting.com/
  

• While this site offers all type of bulbs, they also have an assortment of incandescent bulbs for a great price https://www.1000bulbs.com/category/incandescent-light-bulbs
  

• Strainless offers vintage Edison type bulbs with simple lamp styles: https://strainlesslighting.com/

Where to use them:

• At home for general lighting—start with the spaces where you spend the most time and use light in the evenings (e.g. bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, office)

• Use them as supplemental lighting to add more infrared into your space if you cannot change your other lights (e.g. at work)

Red Light Therapy: This can range from more costly infrared LED panels or a simple infrared bulb.

• Red Light Therapy Lamps - https://healthlighting.com/collections/red-light-therapy-lamps

• I have a panel from Platinum Therapy Lights, but would also consider EMR-TEK, MitoRedLight, or Bon Charge

When to use them:

• Red light can be used in 15-20 minute doses during the gloomy seasons, for aches and pains, improving mood, and for skin health

• While I have an LED panel, I believe the infrared bulbs are likely just as effective and more affordable.

Far Infrared Sauna

• Relax Infrared Sauna - https://relaxsaunas.com/products/silver-relax-far-infrared-sauna (I personally own and use this. Reach out to me if you want to buy through me at a discount.)

When to use it:

• I use an infrared sauna to aid detoxification, relaxation, and general metabolic health. 15-20 minutes a day 4-5 times a week.

At the end of the day, we evolved with the sun, and the sun provides much of the light we need to thrive.

All the tools I mentioned above should always be used in conjunction with as much full-spectrum light as possible.

Get out there an absorb more of nature’s healing light!

Send me an email. I’d love to hear from you think.

P.S. Do you want my help to become Un-prescribable? I work with my clients to reclaim their nervous systems and get off their medications and minimize how many supplements they need.

Schedule a consult here https://l.bttr.to/uYxzi or reach out via email.