The Science of Red Light: How Long Wavelength Light Improves Cellular Health and Counteracts LED Damage with Dr. Glen Jeffery

This episode features Dr. Glen Jeffery, a professor of neuroscience at University College London, who discusses the profound impact of light, particularly red, near-infrared, and infrared wavelengths, on human health. He highlights that excessive exposure to short-wavelength light, common in LEDs and screens, can damage mitochondria, describing it as a significant public health issue comparable to asbestos. Dr. Jeffery's research demonstrates that long-wavelength light can improve mitochondrial function, enhance ATP production, and even stimulate the synthesis of more mitochondrial proteins, thereby boosting overall cellular health, vision, skin, metabolism, and blood sugar regulation.

A key distinction made is that mitochondria do not directly absorb long-wavelength light; rather, it is the water surrounding them that absorbs these wavelengths. This absorption is thought to change the viscosity of 'nano water' within mitochondria, increasing the spin rate of the ATP-producing motor and leading to improved energy generation. The discussion also delves into the physics of light, differentiating between short (high-energy, potentially damaging UV) and long (lower-energy, beneficial infrared) wavelengths, and explaining how long-wavelength light can penetrate deeply into the body, scattering to affect internal organs, and even passing through clothing.

The podcast also addresses the nuanced relationship between sunlight and health. While caution against sunburn from excessive UV exposure is maintained, Dr. Jeffery introduces the work of Dr. Richard Weller, who argues that all-cause mortality is lower in people with significant sunlight exposure, suggesting that the focus should be on avoiding sunburn rather than sunlight itself. Practical advice includes using red light therapy devices (like Juv) for specific durations and frequencies, understanding that UV light is necessary for vitamin D production, and being aware of the pervasive impact of indoor lighting environments on cellular health.

Ultimately, the episode provides a comprehensive understanding of how light acts as a fundamental biological regulator. It offers actionable insights for leveraging specific light wavelengths to enhance health and longevity, while also raising awareness about the potential harms of modern lighting environments. The conversation underscores the importance of re-evaluating long-held assumptions about light exposure and embracing a more informed approach to optimize well-being at a cellular level.

This is an issue on the same level as asbestos. This is a public health issue and it's big.

When we use LEDs, the light found in LEDs, when we use them, certainly when we use them on the retiny looking at mice, we can watch the mitochondria gently go downhill.

Dr. Dr. Jeffrey's lab has discovered that certain wavelengths or colors of light can be used to improve your skin, your eyesight, even your blood sugar regulation and metabolism.

He also explains how longwavelength light, things like red light, can be protective against mitochondrial damage caused by excessive exposure to things like LED bulbs and screens, which of course we are all exposed to pretty much all day long nowadays.

Believe it or not, certain wavelengths of light can actually pass through your skull into your brain and help promote brain health.

So the important point to think of is when you go out in sunlight, you see all these colors, blues, greens, reds, but there's so much out there that you don't see.

Mitochondria themselves are not absorbing long wavelength light. It's the water that they're surrounded by.

My analogy is that giving red light gets the train to run down the track faster. That's true, but then something detects the speed of that train and says, "Lay down more tracks. We need more tracks."

The vast majority of longwavelength light is being absorbed in the body. So what we assume is that it has a very very high scattering ratio.

And the amazing thing is long wavelength light goes through clothing. It goes through clothing. It goes through any clothing. Well, if you want to wear rubber, I think not. But if you want to wear um your standard t-shirt, I think I think he used six layers t-shirt.