Using Red Light to Improve Metabolism & the Harmful Effects of LEDs | Dr. Glen Jeffery

Dr. Glen Jeffery, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and a leading expert on how different colors (wavelengths) of light impact cellular, organ and overall health. He explains that long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared and infrared) can enter the body and brain to enhance mitochondrial function and thereby improve metabolism, eyesight, blood glucose regulation, mood, hormones and more. We also discuss how short-wavelength light from LED bulbs can impair mitochondrial health and why balanced, full-spectrum light is essential for health. Dr. Jeffery shares simple yet powerful ways to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your metabolic function, eyesight and longevity.

Articles

• Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for all-cause mortality: results from the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort (Journal of Internal Medicine)
• Higher ultraviolet light exposure is associated with lower mortality: An analysis of data from the UK biobank cohort study (Health & Place)
• The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes (Environmental Research)
• Weeklong improved colour contrasts sensitivity after single 670 nm exposures associated with enhanced mitochondrial function (Scientific Reports)
• Optically Improved Mitochondrial Function Redeems Aged Human Visual Decline (The Journals of Gerontology: Series A)
• Age-related retinal inflammation is reduced by 670 nm light via increased mitochondrial membrane potential (Neurobiology of Aging)
• Treatment with 670 nm light up regulates cytochrome C oxidase expression and reduces inflammation in an age-related macular degeneration model (PLOS ONE)
• Light stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels (Journal of Biophotonics)
• Improving mitochondrial function significantly reduces the rate of age related photoreceptor loss (Experimental Eye Research)
• Exposure to long wavelength light that improves aged mitochondrial function shifts acute cytokine expression in serum and the retina (PLOS ONE)
• Longer wavelengths in sunlight pass through the human body and have a systemic impact which improves vision (Scientific Reports)
• Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
• A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effects of 670 nm Photobiomodulation in Healthy Ageing and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Journal of Clinical Medicine)
• LIGHTSITE II Randomized Multicenter Trial: Evaluation of Multiwavelength Photobiomodulation in Non-exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Ophthalmology and Therapy)

Other Resources

• Dark Side of the Moon – album cover
• Moorfields Eye Hospital

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned

• Dr. Teo Soleymani: How to Improve & Protect Your Skin Health & Appearance

People Mentioned

• Richard Weller: Chair of Medical Dermatology, University of Edinburgh
• Tiina T.I. Karu: Principal Investigator, Laser Technology Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences
• Robert Fosbury: Emeritus Astronomer, European Southern Observatory
• Michael Powner: Professor of Optometry and Visual Science, City St George’s University of London