79. Best Indoor Lighting For Optimal Health & Circadian Rhythms
Sep 13, 2024
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Andrew LaTour, owner and chief engineer of GembaRed, dives into how lighting impacts our health and circadian rhythms. He explains the importance of color temperature, flicker, and EMF in lighting choices. LaTour discusses the challenges of mimicking natural sunlight indoors, highlighting the benefits of near-infrared light. He also shares practical DIY tips for improving indoor lighting and how small changes can significantly enhance well-being. Discover how to select lighting for better sleep and mental clarity!
Artificial blue light disrupts circadian rhythms and sleep quality, highlighting the need for mindful ambient lighting choices in indoor environments.
Understanding key lighting metrics such as brightness and color temperature can empower consumers to make healthier choices for their homes.
Flicker from light sources can cause discomfort and health issues, emphasizing the importance of low flicker ratings in lighting selection.
Deep dives
Understanding the Importance of Sourcing Meat
Purchasing meat from supermarkets often raises concerns regarding animal treatment and the quality of feed used. Many consumers are unaware of the ethical implications and potential exposure to harmful substances, such as industrial herbicides. Buying directly from farmers, like those at Walkie Farms, ensures higher standards of animal welfare and food quality. This practice fosters transparency and allows customers to make informed choices about their food sources.
The Role of Lighting in Health
Indoor lighting significantly impacts health, particularly with regards to circadian rhythms and mental well-being. The episode discusses the effects of artificial blue light, which can disrupt sleep and overall health, leading to increased focus on ambient lighting choices. Light color temperature and intensity are crucial factors in creating an optimal indoor environment. Emphasizing the importance of exposure to natural sunlight while minimizing artificial blue light can enhance health outcomes.
Choosing the Right Light Bulbs
When selecting light bulbs, several metrics should be considered to ensure optimal health benefits. Key factors include brightness measured in lumens, color rendering index (CRI), and color temperature in Kelvin. A lower color temperature, around 2700K, is preferable for evening use to support melatonin production. Understanding these metrics allows consumers to make educated decisions about the lighting in their homes, ultimately promoting better sleep and well-being.
Addressing Flicker in Lighting
Flicker from light sources can cause various health issues, including eye strain and anxiety, which necessitates careful consideration when choosing lighting options. The discussion delves into the importance of flicker frequency and percentage, highlighting how modern LEDs have improved in this regard. Consumers are encouraged to look for low flicker ratings when selecting light bulbs to minimize discomfort. Awareness of flicker and its effects can lead to better choices that enhance overall well-being.
Connecting Brightness, Light Quality, and Health
The episode emphasizes the relationship between brightness, light quality, and overall health outcomes. Proper lighting in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythms and supports hormonal balance, particularly concerning melatonin. Exposure to bright light during the day, and minimizing blue light exposure at night, can significantly enhance sleep quality. Overall, understanding the nuances of light exposure and optimizing indoor lighting setups can lead to significant improvements in health and quality of life.
Andrew LaTour is an expert lighting engineer and founder of Gemba Red, a manufacturer of high quality red light therapy devices. We discuss how to choose best lighting for health and circadian rhythms including role of flicker, luminosity, colour temperature, spectral emission and EMF on health.
We also discuss the engineering challenges of putting near infrared (NIR) light back into indoor environments, in order to more closely emulate our solar light needs.
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REFERENCES
White Light Bulb Review Blog: https://gembared.com/blogs/musings/the-best-daytime-white-light-bulbs-for-health-enthusiasts
Red Light Bulb Review Blog: https://gembared.com/blogs/musings/the-best-red-light-bulbs-for-sleep-and-avoiding-blue-light-at-night
Study on Low-Intensity NIR for Ambient Light and Health Benefits: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9855677/
GembaRed light bulbs and night lights: https://gembared.com/collections/red-lights-for-night-time
GembaRed Learning Center for more Blogs: https://gembared.com/pages/learning-center
Follow ANDREW GembaRed YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gembaredllc9115 Website: https://gembared.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gembared/
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DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast is purely for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or YouTube channel. Do not make medication changes without first consulting your treating clinician.