Learn

Red light therapy (RLT) has gained attention in the sports and fitness world for its potential in enhancing athletic performance and aiding in post-exercise recovery. Here's how RLT can be beneficial for athletes and sports enthusiasts:

1. Enhanced Muscle Recovery: One of the key benefits of RLT for athletes is its ability to speed up muscle recovery. By reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow, RLT can help muscles recover more quickly from the strain and micro-tears caused by intense physical activity. This faster recovery means athletes can return to training sooner and with reduced risk of injury.

2. Reduced Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue: RLT has been shown to reduce muscle fatigue during and after exercise. This means athletes can potentially perform for longer periods or engage in more intense training sessions.

3. Increased Strength and Endurance: Some studies suggest that RLT can improve muscle strength and endurance. This can translate to better performance in activities that require prolonged or intense muscle exertion.

4. Improved Joint Health: For sports that put a strain on joints, RLT can be beneficial by reducing pain and inflammation in joints, thereby enhancing mobility and reducing the risk of joint-related injuries.

5. Faster Healing of Injuries: RLT can accelerate the healing process of sports-related injuries, such as strains, sprains, and tears, by stimulating cellular repair and reducing inflammation.

6. Enhanced Energy Production: By stimulating the mitochondria within cells to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), RLT can boost overall energy levels, which is crucial for high-performance sports activities.

7. Better Sleep and Recovery: RLT may contribute to improved sleep quality, which is essential for the recovery and performance of athletes. Good sleep enhances muscle recovery, mood, and cognitive functions, all important for athletic performance.

8. Safe and Non-Invasive: As a non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive therapy, RLT is a safe option for athletes looking for performance and recovery aids without the side effects often associated with medications or more invasive treatments.

Red light therapy (RLT) is increasingly recognized for its potential in accelerating the recovery from injuries, owing to its ability to enhance cellular function and promote tissue repair. Here's how RLT can facilitate faster healing:

1. Stimulating Cellular Energy Production: RLT works by emitting specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the mitochondria in cells, boosting the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Increased ATP production enhances the energy available for cells to repair and regenerate, crucial for healing injured tissues.

2. Reducing Inflammation and Pain: Inflammation is a natural response to injury, but excessive inflammation can slow the healing process and cause pain. RLT has been shown to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, creating a more conducive environment for healing and reducing recovery time.

3. Enhancing Circulation: Improved blood flow is another benefit of RLT. Enhanced circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the injured area, which are essential for repair, and helps in removing waste products from the cells, further aiding in the healing process.

4. Promoting Collagen Production: Collagen is a key protein in the body's connective tissues, and its production is vital for the healing of injuries, particularly those involving the skin, muscles, and tendons. RLT has been found to stimulate collagen synthesis, thereby supporting the repair and strengthening of damaged tissues.

5. Accelerating Tissue Repair: RLT can accelerate the regeneration of various tissues, including skin, muscle, and bone. This hastened tissue repair is beneficial in reducing the overall recovery time from injuries.

6. Reducing Oxidative Stress: Oxidative stress can impede healing. RLT helps in reducing oxidative stress in cells, thereby supporting a healthier and quicker recovery process.

7. Non-Invasive and Safe: As a non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects, RLT is a safe option for speeding up injury recovery, suitable for regular use without the risk of complications associated with more invasive treatments.

Red light therapy (RLT) has shown potential in supporting and boosting the immune system, although the exact mechanisms and the extent of its effectiveness are still subjects of ongoing research. The therapy's ability to enhance cellular function and promote overall well-being indirectly contributes to immune system health in several ways:

1. Cellular Health and Energy Production: RLT works at the cellular level by stimulating the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Increased ATP production means cells, including those in the immune system, can function more efficiently. This enhanced cellular function is crucial for the immune system's ability to respond to pathogens.

2. Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Oxidative stress can impair immune function and lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn can weaken the body's defense mechanisms. By improving cellular health and reducing inflammation, RLT can indirectly support the immune system.

3. Stimulating White Blood Cell Production: Some studies suggest that RLT may encourage the production of white blood cells, which play a critical role in defending the body against infections and diseases.

4. Enhancing Tissue Repair and Healing: By promoting faster healing and tissue repair, RLT can help the body recover more quickly from wounds or infections, reducing the overall strain on the immune system.

5. Improving Circulation and Detoxification: Improved blood flow from RLT can aid in more efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen to the cells and removal of waste products, which is vital for maintaining a robust immune response.

6. Supporting Overall Well-being: By contributing to better sleep, reduced stress, and overall well-being, RLT can indirectly bolster the immune system, as these factors are closely linked to immune health.

Neuropathy is the term that refers to disorders resulting from damage to the peripheral nervous system, and it means the nerves don’t work properly. Causes of neuropathy are numerous including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, infections, tumors, bone marrow disorders, alcohol use disorder, certain medicines, exposure to toxins, and nutritional deficiencies, just to name a few.

People with neuropathy experience symptoms such as sharp or burning pain, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination, all of which significantly affect their quality of life. There are several treatment options and approaches to help manage neuropathy and the symptoms it causes. One of these approaches is red light therapy.

People suffering from neuropathy usually find their symptoms are better in summer months or when in warmer climates. Red light therapy mimics the beneficial wavelengths of light in the sun, allowing the same benefits to be felt all year round. 

This article aims to explore the potential efficacy of red light therapy for neuropathy and how it works. Read on to learn more.

Does Red Light Therapy Help Manage Neuropathy?

Red light therapy is effective in the management of neuropathy. A study from Laser Therapy showed that low-level laser therapy was associated with a significant reduction in pain among people with peripheral neuropathy caused by type 2 diabetes.

Most studies and reviews about the efficacy of red light therapy for neuropathy focused on patients with diabetes. One of them is a systematic review of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, which confirmed that low-level laser therapy exhibits a positive effect on the management of diabetic neuropathic pain. 

Red light therapy is also effective for patients with peripheral somatosensory neuropathy. Evidence shows the therapy can improve the sensory function of these patients. That said, more research on this subject is necessary to elucidate the full potential and effectiveness of red light therapy for the management of neuropathy.

One study evaluated the effectiveness of red light therapy in the treatment of various health problems, including neuropathy. Results showed red light therapy could be effective for neuropathic pain through analgesic effects.

How Does Red Light Therapy Help Manage Neuropathy?

The available evidence confirms that red light therapy can, indeed, help people with neuropathy. More studies on this subject are necessary, though. Red light therapy works through several mechanisms of action, such as:

• Improved blood circulation: red light therapy encourages the release of nitric oxide (NO) in the bloodstream. Nitric oxide is a molecule that acts as a vasodilator i.e. dilates or widens blood vessels. With the increased production of NO, blood flow improves. This is essential for nourishing damaged nerves and facilitating their repair. One clinical trial revealed that red light therapy improved peripheral protective sensation and foot perfusion in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes through increased nitric oxide production.
• Antioxidant effects: oxidative stress decreases blood flow and reduces neuronal function, thereby contributing to neuropathic pain. Evidence confirms oxidative stress can contribute to persistent neuropathic pain by impairing the balance of anti- and pro-inflammatory cells. Red light therapy can exhibit antioxidant effects and thereby help manage neuropathy and pain that people experience. One study found that antioxidation induced by light-emitting diodes may lead to nerve regeneration.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: different causes of neuropathic pain are connected to excessive inflammation in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This leads to both initiation and maintenance of persistent pain that strongly affects a person’s quality of life. Inflammation is a common factor in neuropathic conditions, but red light therapy has anti-inflammatory properties. This therapy can alleviate inflammation in tissues and thereby help treat neuropathy or pain you experience.
• Improved nerve function: red light therapy can stimulate nerve regeneration and repair by supporting the production of factor growths. More precisely, this kind of therapy helps restore nerve function and aids management of neuropathy.
• Increased production of Schwann cells and fibroblasts: in order to restore nerve function, it is essential to fix the gap between damaged tissue and healthy nerve cells. Red light therapy stimulates Schwann cells (peripheral nervous system cells that insulate nerve cells) and fibroblasts (important for tissue’s structural integrity). This is important because fibroblasts interact with Schwann cells to promote healing mechanisms, alleviate inflammation, and support the restoration of neuron function.
• Cellular metabolism boost: mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with neuropathy and neuropathic pain. That means cellular metabolism is impaired. Red light therapy helps improve cellular metabolism to boost energy production and improve recovery.
• Pain relief: the combined result of several mechanisms of action through which red light therapy works is the analgesic effect. Through analgesic properties, red light therapy can help alleviate pain and improve your quality of life.

Duration of Red Light Therapy Session for Neuropathy

Red light therapy is a practical option for people with neuropathy to improve their quality of life. The greatest advantage of red light therapy is that it doesn’t go by the “one size fits all” rule. The duration of one session depends on factors such as the severity of your condition and the individual response to the treatment. The standard treatment plan may involve daily sessions over several weeks. In most cases, the sessions last 10 to 20 minutes. You will achieve the best results if you don’t skip sessions. Consistency is crucial for optimal results from red light therapy.

You should do red light therapy for a minimum of one month.

Why one-month minimum? Well, red light therapy is not a quick fix. It works through multiple mechanisms of action, as mentioned above. These mechanisms of action aim to fix the factors that contribute to neuropathy and worsen your pain. Red light therapy works on a cellular level. It takes time for nerve cells to repair themselves and regenerate. However, all cells don’t repair and regenerate at the same time. For that reason, be consistent. That way, you allow cells to recover at their own pace.

How to Get Started with Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy

Red light therapy offers many benefits ranging from neuropathy management to youthful and healthy skin. You’re probably eager to try it out but aren’t sure where to start.

At LumiRed you can schedule a phone consultation with our health professional who can advise on the best device to purchase for use at home, depending on your needs and goals. This allows you to perform your treatment in the comfort of your own home on a regular basis. Best of all, its simple, comfortable and has no side effects.

What to Expect During and After Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a noninvasive approach meaning the whole process is painless. In fact it is comfortable with a mild comforting warmth being felt

Not only is a red light therapy session painless, but you may also feel calm and relaxed. Consider it a perfect opportunity to calm your mind and reduce stress too. A red light therapy session is also the perfect time to meditate. Doing so gives your body an additional wellness boost since meditation also relieves stress that worsens chronic conditions.

In addition to painless treatment and calming effects, you can expect your session to be safe. The treatment doesn’t cause side effects. There are no risks or complications that could arise during or after the treatment.

Red light therapy holds great potential in improving your quality of life, but it’s useful to have realistic expectations. As seen above, studies confirm that red light therapy can reduce neuropathic pain and help manage neuropathy in people with diabetes. However, it can’t eliminate it on its own. Red light therapy should be an adjunct therapy to this problem, not the only treatment approach. Successful management also depends on managing or treating the underlying cause of neuropathy.

Final Takeaway

Neuropathy is a painful condition that occurs due to a wide range of causes, including diabetes or carpal tunnel syndrome. People with neuropathies suffer from debilitating pain that restricts their flexibility, limits their movements, and severely impairs their quality of life. Red light therapy is an effective approach in the management of neuropathy, as confirmed by many studies. Several mechanisms of action are involved in the beneficial effect of red light therapy. The most important thing to keep in mind is that red light therapy sessions are painless, relaxing, and safe.

References

Colloca L, Ludman T, Bouhassira D, et al. Neuropathic pain. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17002. Published 2017 Feb 16. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.2

Cg SK, Maiya AG, Hande HM, Vidyasagar S, Rao K, Rajagopal KV. Efficacy of low level laser therapy on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Laser Ther. 2015;24(3):195-200. doi:10.5978/islsm.15-OR-12

M A, Ummer V S, Maiya AG, Hande M. Low level laser therapy for the patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy - A systematic review. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2019;13(4):2667-2670. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2019.07.035

Fallah A, Mirzaei A, Gutknecht N, Demneh AS. Clinical effectiveness of low-level laser treatment on peripheral somatosensory neuropathy. Lasers Med Sci. 2017;32(3):721-728. doi:10.1007/s10103-016-2137-y

Mansouri V, Arjmand B, Rezaei Tavirani M, Razzaghi M, Rostami-Nejad M, Hamdieh M. Evaluation of Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy. J Lasers Med Sci. 2020;11(4):369-380. doi:10.34172/jlms.2020.60

Arnall DA, Nelson AG, López L, et al. The restorative effects of pulsed infrared light therapy on significant loss of peripheral protective sensation in patients with long-term type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetol. 2006;43(1):26-33. doi:10.1007/s00592-006-0207-5

Xu Y, Wu S, Wang J, et al. Oxidative stress induced by NOX2 contributes to neuropathic pain via plasma membrane translocation of PKCε in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. J. Neuroinflamm. 2021;18, 106

Ishiguro M, Ikeda K, Tomita K. Effect of near-infrared light-emitting diodes on nerve regeneration. J Orthop Sci. 2010;15(2):233-239. doi:10.1007/s00776-009-1438-4

Ellis A, Bennett DL. Neuroinflammation and the generation of neuropathic pain. Br J Anaesth. 2013;111(1):26-37. doi:10.1093/bja/aet128

Yazdani SO, Golestaneh AF, Shafiee A, Hafizi M, Omrani HA, Soleimani M. Effects of low level laser therapy on proliferation and neurotrophic factor gene expression of human schwann cells in vitro. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2012;107:9-13. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.11.001

English K, Barton MC. HDAC6: A Key Link Between Mitochondria and Development of Peripheral Neuropathy. Front Mol Neurosci. 2021;14:684714. Published 2021 Aug 31. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2021.684714

 

 

 

 

If you are an active person who loves to work out, you already know the importance of muscle repair. Proper muscle recovery is essential for continuous improvements in athletic performance, results you want to achieve, and overall well-being. Nowadays, there are numerous approaches and products for muscle repair, and red light therapy is one of them. In this post, we’re going to explore red light therapy for muscle repair, whether it works, how it functions, and more.

Is red light therapy effective for muscle repair?

The effectiveness of red light therapy for muscle repair was confirmed by several studies. A good example is research from the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which found that light-emitting diode therapy can reduce muscle damage, pain, and atrophy while supporting muscle recovery, mass, and athletic performance.

Additionally, a paper from the Journal of Athletic Training found that near-infrared light therapy effectively attenuated strength loss when applied to skeletal muscle prior to resistance exercise. The study confirmed light therapy is an effective and noninvasive approach to improving muscle function.

Speaking of the efficacy of red light therapy for muscle repair, it’s also useful to mention a randomized-controlled trial from Lasers in Medical Science, which found that light-emitting diode therapy can attenuate the muscle soreness and loss of muscle strength as well as impairments in range of motion. In this study, even a single session led to improvements in muscle recovery.

One study found that phototherapy administered before resistance exercise provided ergogenic and prophylactic benefits. In this study, light therapy delayed the onset of fatigue, lowered fatigue response, protected cells from exercise-induced damage, and improved post-exercise recovery.

More research is necessary to elucidate the true potential of red light therapy for muscle repair. Current evidence confirms it can help accelerate muscle recovery.

How does red light therapy work for muscle repair?

Red light therapy gained popularity as a non-invasive and drug-free approach to support recovery and repair of muscles. Studies confirm the effectiveness of red light therapy, but it’s important to emphasize that more research is necessary to explore and elucidate everything this therapy has to offer.

Red light therapy supports muscle repair through several mechanisms of action. Let’s take a look at them below.

Antioxidant properties

Antioxidants are molecules that fight and neutralize free radicals in the body to treat or prevent oxidative stress and the damage it would cause. Oxidative stress may result from many factors, including muscle-damaging exercise. Vigorous exercise can increase levels of free radicals through elevated activation of aerobic bioenergetic pathways and exercise-induced hyperthermia.

Short-term oxidative stress isn’t such a serious problem, but chronic oxidative stress is a major issue. Evidence shows chronic oxidative stress is linked to increased protein loss and muscle atrophy. The deleterious effects, such as muscle atrophy and reduction of force generation, result mainly from non-regular strenuous exercise.

Oxidative stress is bad news for your muscles, but this is where red light therapy steps in. Red light therapy can protect against free radicals and oxidative stress, evidence shows. A study from the journal PLoS Onefound that the administration of red and infrared laser therapy positively modulates antioxidant enzymes and lowers stress markers during the process of muscle repair.

The same paper reported that red light therapy exhibits protective effects on muscle tissue as it modulates mitochondrial activity. Red light therapy can modulate oxidative stress and thereby help muscles recover. It’s useful to mention that antioxidant levels determine the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells. Red light therapy works to improve the regenerative capacity and reduce muscle damage.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Intense long exercise can contribute to higher levels of inflammatory mediators. This can lead to chronic inflammation and a higher risk of injury. Studies show exercise can increase pro-inflammatory cytokines, but it’s useful to keep in mind that the duration of exercise determines the magnitude or intensity of the inflammatory state.

Inflammation can lead to muscle depletion and contributes to muscle damage. For that reason, inflammatory response worsens muscle injury.

A proper muscle repair approach should exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in order to tackle this problem and avoid further damage and injury risk. That happens to be one of several mechanisms of action of red light therapy. The anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation (or red light therapy) are scientifically confirmed. For instance, a paper from AIMS Biophysics explained that red light therapy can reduce inflammatory markers such as interleukin 1β (key mediator of inflammatory response) and muscle atrophy.

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects, red light therapy can minimize soreness and swelling. As a result, it helps with muscle repair.

Improved blood circulation

Proper function and well-being of your muscles depend on blood flow just like the rest of your body. Healthy blood flow supplies the muscles with fresh blood and oxygen while delivering much-needed nutrients. At the same time, blood circulation carries away the muscles’ wastes back to your kidneys. This is important because optimal waste management supports muscle recovery and repair, reduces soreness after a workout, and improves overall tissue health.

Since blood circulation is vital for muscle health, impaired blood flow can worsen muscle damage and complicate repair or recovery. Low blood volume causes inefficient functioning of muscles. The muscles don’t get oxygen-rich blood and nutrients properly. When that happens, it becomes difficult for muscles to recover and repair. The risk of injuries is also higher in such a scenario.

One of the most significant benefits of red light therapy is that it improves blood flow to the muscles. Increased circulation speeds up the healing process. Studies show that increasing blood flow in tissue exposed to red light therapy would increase the delivery of oxygen and other substrates to exercising muscles. This increases the ability of that specific muscle to perform work.

Red light therapy stimulates the release of nitric oxide. This molecule is a vasodilator meaning it spreads your blood vessels. As a result, blood circulation improves so that your muscles can repair and function properly.

Increased production of collagen

Collagen is a protein that is responsible for healthy joints and skin. This protein is vital for strong and healthy muscles. Collagen forms a sheath around muscle fibers, thus giving them both support and protection. It’s important to mention that collagen is a crucial component of a system that connects muscular cells and groups them. Impaired collagen and low levels of this protein can thereby worsen muscle damage and make it difficult for your muscles to repair and recover properly.

Red light therapy supports muscle repair by stimulating the production of collagen. Increased production of collagen strengthens muscle fibers and makes them more resilient.

How to use red light therapy for muscle repair

Red light therapy for muscle repair works through several mechanisms of action. Using red light therapy to repair and recover your muscles is a simple and straightforward process.

A full body panel from the LumiRed or LumiPro series allows the full body to be treated, front and back in as little as 20 minutes, This is easy to administer after workouts or later in the day to boost the bodies recovery process and get you ready for your next workout.

You can use red light therapy for muscle repair in different situations. Good examples are:

• Alleviating post-workout soreness
• Promoting the healing process after injury
• Workout preparation for better athletic performance and lower injury risk
• Management of chronic pain
• Rest and relaxation

Red light therapy has a wide range of benefits, but the most significant advantage is its safety. The whole process is painless and doesn’t cause side effects or complications. Most clients find red light therapy sessions relaxing and consider them the perfect me-time opportunity.

Conclusion

The importance of proper muscle repair is often overlooked. Muscle repair is vital for the proper functioning of these tissues, their strength, athletic performance, and range of motion. Inadequate repair of muscles doesn’t allow you to get the most from your exercise or any other activity. One of the most effective approaches to achieving muscle repair or recovery is red light therapy. A growing body of evidence confirms the effectiveness of red light therapy on muscle repair. Red light therapy works through several mechanisms of action to deliver its effects. The whole process is safe, relaxing, and adapted to the specific needs of each person.

References

Ferraresi C, Bertucci D, Schiavinato J, et al. Effects of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy on Muscle Hypertrophy, Gene Expression, Performance, Damage, and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: Case-control Study with a Pair of Identical Twins. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2016;95(10):746-757. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000490

Larkin-Kaiser KA, Christou E, Tillman M, George S, Borsa PA. Near-infrared light therapy to attenuate strength loss after strenuous resistance exercise. J Athl Train. 2015;50(1):45-50. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.82

Borges LS, Cerqueira MS, dos Santos Rocha JA, et al. Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise. Lasers Med Sci. 2014;29(3):1139-1144. doi:10.1007/s10103-013-1486-z

Borsa PA, Larkin KA, True JM. Does phototherapy enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and postexercise recovery? A systematic review. J Athl Train. 2013;48(1):57-67. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-48.1.12

Chen TC, Huang YC, Chou TY, Hsu ST, Chen MY, Nosaka K. Effects of far-infrared radiation lamp therapy on recovery from muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise. Eur J Sport Sci. 2023;23(8):1638-1646. doi:10.1080/17461391.2023.2185163

Jamurtas AZ. Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel). 2018;7(4):50. Published 2018 Mar 28. doi:10.3390/antiox7040050

Steinbacher P, Eckl P. Impact of oxidative stress on exercising skeletal muscle. Biomolecules. 2015;5(2):356-377. Published 2015 Apr 10. doi:10.3390/biom5020356

Walski T, Drohomirecka A, Bujok J, et al. Low-Level Light Therapy Protects Red Blood Cells Against Oxidative Stress and Hemolysis During Extracorporeal Circulation. Front Physiol. 2018;9:647. Published 2018 May 31. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00647

Ribeiro BG, Alves AN, Dos Santos LA, et al. Red and Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy Prior to Injury with or without Administration after Injury Modulate Oxidative Stress during the Muscle Repair Process. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0153618. Published 2016 Apr 15. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153618

Cerqueira É, Marinho DA, Neiva HP, Lourenço O. Inflammatory Effects of High and Moderate Intensity Exercise-A Systematic Review. Front Physiol. 2020;10:1550. Published 2020 Jan 9. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01550

Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337

Keszler A, Lindemer B, Weihrauch D, Jones D, Hogg N, Lohr NL. Red/near infrared light stimulates release of an endothelium dependent vasodilator and rescues vascular dysfunction in a diabetes model [published correction appears in Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Feb 1;131:443]. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017;113:157-164. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.012

Li WH, Seo I, Kim B, Fassih A, Southall MD, Parsa R. Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021;43(3):311-320. doi:10.1111/ics.12698

 

 

Wouldn’t it be great if you could easily shed a couple of inches off your waist without the need to exercise or diet? The ability to lose weight safely and effectively has been a long pursuit for many people. For years now, millions of people in the United States have tried injections, pills, natural herbs, and even berries that are supposedly meant to help you shed some pounds. But unfortunately, most of these are not able to help you achieve the desired goals. If you also had to face disappointing results from appetite suppressants, strict diet plans, or other weight loss schemes, it’s about time you considered red light therapy for weight loss. This article will help you understand how red-light therapy can finally help you achieve your long-awaited goal of weight loss.

How Does Red Light Therapy Help You Lose Weight?

Also commonly known as low-level laser therapy, red light therapy is able to support weight loss in multiple ways. It exposes your body to red light and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths that offer therapeutic effects on the human body at the cellular level.

Enhanced Muscle Mass

Red light therapy has been associated with an increase in body muscle mass. Your muscles require more energy even when you are not exercising; this means that your body will burn calories even when you do not actively exercise. A study demonstrated that the use of red light therapy help athletes experience faster muscle recovery and enhanced muscle mass.

Increased Cellular Metabolism

Red light is known to stimulate cellular energy. When absorbed by chromophores in the mitochondria, photons from red light and NIR help stimulate the synthesis of energy in the cells. Enhanced energy levels lead to healthier cells and improved overall cellular performance. This plays a significant role in reducing inflammation and regulating cellular reproduction. What does this do? Your body is able to sustain increased metabolism and improved functioning of the body’s organs, helping in burning excess fat.

Fat Cell Reduction

Red light therapy is able to stimulate the production of minute pores in the fat cells of your body, which releases fatty acids, also known as lipids. Research has found that exposure to 635nm red light for just four minutes can cause 80% of lipids to be released from fat cells. And by a six-minute exposure to red light, almost all of the fat content is released. The scientific theory suggests that red light therapy can induce temporary pores in fat cells that facilitate the leakage of lipids. The red light was also found to stimulate the natural cell death (apoptosis) of adipocytes.

Suppress Appetite

Red light exposure can play a key role in controlling appetite-regulating hormones, commonly known as ghrelin and leptin. A study that was focused on the effects of red light on these hunger hormones in individuals suffering from sleep deprivation found a 19 percent reduction in the hormone levels. This control over hormonal regulation of appetite gives the right light therapy a unique edge over other weight loss methods. References:

1. Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?. J Biophotonics. 2016;9(11-12):1273-1299. doi:10.1002/jbio.201600176
2. Avci P, Nyame TT, Gupta GK, Sadasivam M, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser therapy for fat layer reduction: a comprehensive review. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45(6):349-357. doi:10.1002/lsm.22153
3. Mariana G. Figueiro, Barbara Plitnick, Mark S. Rea, “Light Modulates Leptin and Ghrelin in Sleep-Restricted Adults”, International Journal of Endocrinology, vol. 2012, Article ID 530726, 6 pages, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/530726

If you often find yourself staying up late at night, you are probably one of 70 million Americans who suffers from a sleeping disorder. You might have started to feel frustrated over the adverse effects of sleeping pills and are in search of an alternate solution. You may have come across red light therapy for sleep during your late-night internet research, and are wondering, “Does it actually work?” Before we jump straight into how red-light therapy helps improve your sleep quality, we first need to understand the sleep disorders and their relationship to light. Quality sleep is a crucial component for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. You not only need to get enough sleep but getting deep, restful sleep that perfectly aligns with your natural circadian rhythm is also essential.

Most Common Sleep Disorders

The term sleep disorder is typically used for all conditions that prevent adequate, restful sleep. Some of the most common sleep disorders are listed below:

• Insomnia: It is a very prevalent sleeping disorder that is reported the most. It refers to a condition that makes it extremely difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Around 10 percent of Americans are thought to be affected by this condition.
• Idiopathic Hypersomnia & Narcolepsy: These conditions are characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness that isn’t due to sleep-disordered breathing, circadian sleep disorder, sleep deprivation, or any other known medical reason.
• Sleep Apnea: It is distinguished by irregular and interrupted breathing during sleep. It leads to the development of hypertension, hormonal imbalance, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

The various types of sleep disorders somehow differ in the way they manifest, but the symptoms are typically shared across all of these conditions:

• Restless legs syndrome
• Difficulty falling or stay asleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Clinically significant emotional stress
• Occupational/social impairment
• High incidence of nightmares

Red Light and Sleep

At this point, we all know that blue light can interfere with sleeping patterns and degrade sleep quality. Unlike blue light, red light does not exhibit stimulating properties. Its characteristic low color temperature has a soothing effect on the body. The use of red light in the evening can help you transition into the sleep cycle effortlessly. Researchers have found solid evidence that backs the benefits of red-light therapy for improving sleeping habits. A recent study showed how red light therapy could affect sleep quality and endurance performance of elite female athlete basketball players. Twenty athletes were divided into a red-light sleep or control group. The participants received red light exposure for 30 minutes daily, for two weeks straight. On the other hand, the control group received no red-light treatment at all. At the end of two weeks, the red-light group showed significant improvement in serum melatonin levels as well as sleep quality. Red light therapy uses wavelengths from the visible spectrum ranging between 620nm and 700nm. Because of this shorter wavelength, red light is able to penetrate your skin deeply and is able to produce its effects at the cellular level. It has been shown to slow down inflammation, mitigate pain, and promote the natural healing process in damaged tissues and cells. This helps promote good sleep on both physical and emotional levels. When your body doesn’t hurt, you are able to sleep a lot easier! References:

1. Common Sleep Disorders, (Oct 20, 2013). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11429-common-sleep-disorders
2. Zhao J, Tian Y, Nie J, Xu J, Liu D. Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. J Athl Train. 2012;47(6):673-678. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.08

According to The American Academy of Dermatology, around 80 million women and men in the U.S. are suffering from hair loss. If you are one of them, you can relate to the struggle of slowing down balding or thinning. Hair loss can take a tremendous toll on your mental health. A normal person may lose up to 100 hairs from their scalp daily, but these grow back naturally. For some people, a number of factors play a key role in halting natural hair growth and, in some cases, accelerating hair loss. This can happen due to:

• Increasing age
• Hormonal imbalance
• Poor nutrition
• Stress & anxiety
• Health conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
• Side effects of medical treatment, i.e., chemotherapy

If this is something that relates to you, red light therapy is worth a look.

How Does Red Light Restore Hair?

Red light therapy is found to be effective in treating hair loss without any side effects caused by other hair loss treatments. The red light works by enhancing the blood circulation to your scalp, which in turn stimulates the metabolic activity in the hair follicles, causing hair growth. When suffering from hair loss, you lose only hair, not the follicles that anchor the hair stands to the skin. A hair bulb, present at the base of the follicle, together with papilla and matrix are responsible for initiating hair growth. If the cells of hair follicles, papilla, and matrix are not functioning normally, they would not be able to support normal hair growth. It may slow down or cease altogether. The red light, being able to penetrate the skin, stimulates the cells in papilla and matrix to generate more energy. This results in a more successful replication of these cells, which then leads to new hair growth from follicles which were previously dormant.

Other Important Roles of Red-Light Therapy

• Creation of New Capillaries: Increased synthesis of new blood vessels helps to significantly improves blood circulation to the scalp. This enables to enhance the nutrition as well as oxygen supply to hair follicles. Moreover, the waste can be removed more efficiently that may have previously led to hair follicle damage. A study linked improved blood circulation to healthier and thicker hair growth.
• Improves Collagen Synthesis: Your hair is mainly composed of a protein, known as keratin. Collagen, a different type of protein plays the role of an antioxidant to fight damage caused by free radicals. These compounds are known to damage hair follicles, which leads stunt to grow hair. Enhanced collagen production indirectly means less oxidative damage caused by free radicals; hence, leading to increased hair growth.
• Stimulates Adenosine Triphosphate Synthesis: ATP is a coenzyme used for fueling cellular structures. Enhanced ATP production by red light causes individual cells in the hair follicles to increase their metabolism and replication. This restoration of energy within cellular structures of the hair follicles means more keratin is produced by papilla – translating to enhanced hair growth.

Bottomline

Hair loss is a serious problem faced by millions of people around the world. Red light therapy offers a very efficient solution with no side effects. At most, you experience redness due to overuse of red-light therapy and will fade away quickly. On the other hand, hair restoration medication may cause severe side effects such as unwanted hair growth, acne, burning of the scalp, changes in blood pressure, headache, etc. But that’s not the case with red light therapy because it works by naturally stimulating the growth process, and the hair only grows back where it normally would have under ideal circumstances. References:

1. Massachusetts General Hospital. (2001, February 19). Blood Vessels Hold Key To Thicker Hair Growth. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 29, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/02/010215074636.htm
2. Chi, C. F., Cao, Z. H., Wang, B., Hu, F. Y., Li, Z. R., & Zhang, B. (2014). Antioxidant and functional properties of collagen hydrolysates from Spanish mackerel skin as influenced by average molecular weight. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 19(8), 11211–11230. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules190811211
3. Glynis A. (2012). A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 5(11), 28–34.