Unlocking the Power of Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy

Hi, Dr. Lee here. You know me for my work in food as medicine. But today, I want to shine a light, literally, on another powerful tool that's backed by science: red and near infrared light therapy. This non-invasive, evidence-based method supports your body's natural defense systems by boosting cellular energy, reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and supporting metabolism, even enhancing skin health.

How Red Light Therapy Works

Red light therapy is based on a tiny portion of the whole spectrum of light, which are actually energy waves. Just like waves in the ocean, waves of light have a distance between two waves, known as wavelength. By isolating the waves between 630 and 940 nanometers, we harness red and near infrared light, which is the energy used for this therapy.

This energy can penetrate your tissues up to about 50 mm (approximately 2 inches) into the skin, activating your cells. The near infrared light penetrates even deeper, reaching your muscle tissues.

The Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Research shows that the energy from red and near infrared light can activate your cell's mitochondria. When the mitochondria are activated, they produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is essential for cellular energy. This means your cells will function better, recover faster, and maintain health over time.

For instance, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil found that red and near infrared light triggered the expression of key metabolic genes like DRP-1, MFN1, and OPO1, which are critical for mitochondrial health and fat burning. Additionally, studies indicate that red light therapy can reduce visceral fat and increase UCP1, the cellular switch that activates brown fat, your body's natural fat-burning engine.

Moreover, researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found that red light therapy helps restore healthy blood vessel function in diabetes by activating nitric oxide, a natural molecule that relaxes and dilates blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. Improved blood vessel dilation contributes to better blood flow, benefiting both skin health and overall vitality.

Application and Consistency

Red light therapy can be applied 6 to 12 inches from the body for 10 to 20 minutes, three to five times per week. The numerous benefits, such as improved metabolism, better skin, and reduced inflammation, can manifest as quickly as four to eight weeks with consistent use.

The device made by Bestqual Health, the Pro 100, delivers all four clinically studied wavelengths at 630, 660, 850, and 940 nanometers. This full spectrum of light supports better metabolism, circulation, and skin health. Bestqual develops and manufactures everything in-house, ensuring high quality control—a crucial factor for devices that deliver energy to your body.

Conclusion

If you're looking to support your body's natural energy, recovery, and long-term health, red light therapy is a smart and science-backed approach. Quality light is essential for our health, and red and near infrared light therapy may be just what the doctor ordered to help you thrive at the cellular level.