Professor Glen Jeffery | Red Light Revolution: Charge Your Cells, Reduce Ageing & Decrease Inflammation
Sep 10, 2024
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Join Glen Jeffery, a Professor of Neuroscience at UCL, as he sheds light on the fascinating connection between light and cellular health. Discover how red and near-infrared wavelengths can rejuvenate mitochondria, potentially reducing aging and inflammation. Glen discusses the surprising applications of light therapy in hospitals, aiding recovery, and even influencing insulin regulation. He emphasizes the urgency of sharing this crucial information for public awareness, blending science and practical health into an illuminating conversation.
Red light therapy significantly enhances mitochondrial function, which plays a crucial role in metabolism, aging, and inflammation reduction.
Modern lifestyles contribute to 'red light starvation,' depriving individuals of essential wavelengths vital for cellular health and well-being.
Shifting from blue-heavy lighting to designs with more red and infrared light could improve health outcomes and reduce chronic disease costs.
Deep dives
The Journey into Red Light Research
The interest in red light therapy began from an initial experience of confusion while reviewing scientific papers on the subject. This led to a personal investigation, where simple experiments confirmed that red light had a significant impact on biological processes, particularly within mitochondria. Over a span of 12 years, this curiosity transformed into substantial research efforts and clinical trials, highlighting red light's potential in various medical applications. The journey underscores the importance of red light in the field of health, especially considering its implications for mitochondrial function and overall well-being.
Mitochondria as Powerhouses
Mitochondria are described as highly light-sensitive organelles that significantly influence metabolism and aging. The analogy of viewing mitochondria as batteries effectively illustrates their role in energy regulation, particularly how different wavelengths of light can either recharge or discharge these batteries. Long wavelengths, such as red light, help rejuvenate mitochondrial function and combat metabolic disorders, while shorter wavelengths, like blue light, can hinder mitochondrial performance and promote inflammation. Understanding this relationship opens doors to potential therapeutic avenues for age-related diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
The Crisis of Light Exposure
Modern lifestyles contribute to a phenomenon referred to as 'red light starvation,' due to excessive indoor living and the prevalent use of LED lighting that lacks beneficial wavelengths. Historically, human evolution has occurred under natural sunlight, which encompasses a wide spectrum of light essential for health. However, contemporary settings often obstruct vital infrared light, leading to potential metabolic and health consequences. Recognizing this 'light crisis' is critical, as many individuals remain indoors for prolonged periods, missing out on the therapeutic benefits of natural sunlight exposure.
Exploring Red Light Effects on Insulin and Healing
Research demonstrates that red light exposure can enhance mitochondrial activity, which subsequently influences glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Experiments on bees, paralleling human studies, showed that red light increased glucose uptake while blue light had the opposite effect. Clinical trials involving humans supported these findings, indicating that red light can lower blood sugar levels and potentially aid in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes. Beyond glucose metabolism, there is evidence suggesting that red light can accelerate wound healing, further emphasizing its therapeutic value.
Implications for Public Health and Policy
The need for change in health policy regarding light exposure and lighting practices is becoming increasingly evident. Shifting from blue-heavy LED lighting to designs incorporating more red and infrared light could improve overall health outcomes, particularly in older populations. Potential benefits include enhanced healing and metabolic regulation while reducing healthcare costs related to aging and chronic diseases. Engaging architects and health policymakers to acknowledge the roles of light in health is essential for advancing these ideas and improving public health strategies.
If you use a red or near-infra red light and you don’t really know why or what wave length you’re working with - this is for you. If you don’t even know why you would use a red light or want/need exposure to it, this is also for you.
Glen Jeffery Professor of Neuroscience at UCL, explains the profound impact of light on our cellular health, particularly through the lens of mitochondria—the energy powerhouses of our cells. He explains how different wavelengths, especially red and near-infrared light, can recharge these cellular batteries, improving metabolism and reducing the effects of aging and inflammation.
💡Relationship between light and high energy demanding systems of the human body
🔋Mitochondria as a light-sensitive battery
🚨Red light penetration just how far does it go through the body?
🏥Application outside the lab - could changing the light bulbs in hospital reduce bed occupancy?
❤️🩹Wound healing with red light
〰️Red light vs near infra red light - it’s all about the wave lengths.
Glen - “I’ve told everyone in the lab we’ve got to stop doing science and we need to start talking” - people need this information.
