How LED Light Triggers Healing
Light stimulates healing reactions in the body—reactions that continue even after the light is removed. Tiina Karu’s research, exploring the specific ways monochromatic or single colors of LED light trigger healing, proved LED light improves metabolism. Metabolism is an all-encompassing term used to describe the chemical and biological processes that sustain life. A high level of metabolism means:
Nourishment in
Nutrients used wisely
Waste products moved out efficiently
Metabolism is a process crucial to health. The fact that LED therapy improves metabolism helps account for the widespread healing effects. An amazing circle of events starts by simply showering cells with LED light. At least three healing processes are triggered within cells to improve metabolism:
Enzymes
Enzymes are catalysts needed for every chemical reaction. We function at a high level when enzymes are plentiful. Research is proving LED light restores or promotes enzymes to speed the healing process.
Dr. Sherry Rogers sums up the research by explaining the reaction within our cells:
… the LED reversed the damage to the enzyme cytochrome oxidase. This enzyme is actually stimulated by light in the far red visible to near-infrared spectra as it strongly absorbs this stimulating energy. This energy transfusion in turn increases electron transfer in the mitochondria, leading to increased energy synthesis for healing. … Cytochrome oxidase is just one of several enzymes that can be turned on by light.16
Mitochondria are an area within cells that use raw materials and convert them to energy. Mitochondria are the powerhouse for each cell.
ATP
The boost in enzymes creates more ATP or Adenosine triphosphate. More ATP means more energy. More energy means easier and faster healing … and being better able to handle life’s challenges and enjoy the process.
Dr. Whelan sums up the NASA sponsored research with regards to energy:
So far, what we’ve seen in patients and what we’ve seen in laboratory cell cultures, all point to one conclusion, … The near-infrared light emitted by these LEDs seems to be perfect for increasing energy inside cells. … the LEDs boost energy to the cells and accelerate healing.5
Dr. Tiina Karu emphasizes the importance of ATP saying “… ATP is not only an energy currency inside cells, but it is also a critical signaling molecule that allows cells and tissues throughout the body to communicate with one another.”22
DNA
How do cells know what to do? It starts with DNA. Each cell contains DNA—a spiral shaped storehouse for light and sound frequencies—and the blueprint for a cell to replenish or replace itself. DNA is our blueprint for health.
Dr. Whelan explains how light applied in both the red and near infrared ranges worked: “Furthermore, DNA syntheses in fibroblasts and muscle cells has been quintupled using NASA LED light alone …”23
This means the forming power of our cells has been increased by five times in muscle cells with the application of three colors of LED light in the red to NIR range.Back to Top >
Summing Up
LED light stimulates a powerful team to harness our cells for health and energy—enzymes, ATP and DNA. It is also important to note that Dr. Karu emphasizes that LED light acts as a trigger to start the healing process. In other words, healing effects continue after the light source has been removed.
LEDs have given us a convenient and easy way to use light therapy for health. LED technology has made it easy to add special healthy frequencies to light therapy. The Nogier frequencies, in particular, are known to boost the healing power of the LED light therapy.
There are more than 3,000 published NIH articles on the benefits of red light therapy.
Peer Reviewed Clinical Trials and Studies
Thousands of peer-reviewed clinical trials and studies on red light therapy have been conducted over the last 3 decades and published in major scientific journals. The evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of its effectiveness & safety.
Hamblin M. “Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation”
Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2018, 94:199-212. 2017 October 31. doi: 10.1111/php.12864
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523874/
Here’s an overview of some of the major, clinically-proven health benefits of red light therapy:
This link will take you to a large data base of 1450 published medical studies.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZKl5Me4XwPj4YgJCBes3VSCJjiVO4XI0tIR0rbMBj08/htmlview
INFLAMMATION AND JOINT PAIN:
Medical References:
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.
AIMS Biophys. 2017; 4(3): 337–361. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337 Hamblin M.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523874/
Short term efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
Fukuda VO1, Fukuda TY2, Guimarães M3, Shiwa S3, de Lima Bdel C3, Martins RÁ4, Casarotto RA5, Alfredo PP6, Bjordal JM7, Fucs PM8.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27027049
Low-level laser therapy induces dose-dependent reduction of TNFalpha levels in acute inflammation.
Aimbire F1, Albertini R, Pacheco MT, Castro-Faria-Neto HC, Leonardo PS, Iversen VV, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16503786
A systematic review of low level laser therapy with location-specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders. The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 2003; 49(2): 107-16. Bjordal JM, Couppe C, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12775206
Low-level laser therapy in meniscal pathology: a double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Lasers in Medical Science. 2013 Jul;28(4):1183-8. Malliaropoulos N, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23093133
Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.
The Journal of Rheumatology. Aug 2000; 27(8): 1961-9. Brosseau L, Welch V, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10955339
Incorporation of photobiomodulation therapy into a therapeutic exercise program for knee osteoarthritis:
A placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial. 2018 Oct;50(8):819-828. de Paula Gomes CAF, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29733117
TRAINING AND MUSCLE RECOVERY:
Studies show that red and infrared light therapy can powerfully repair muscle tissue and help recover better post activity.
• Red and infrared light increases mitochondrial functioning during exercise.
• Red and infrared light stimulates the production of antioxidants by your cells, which prevent oxidative stress and damage to muscle tissue.
• Red and infrared light help reduce inflammation that leads to cellular damage and fatigue.
• Red and infrared light promote the development of stem cells and myosatellite cells.
• Red and infrared light increase the production of specific types of heat shock proteins that protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Pre-conditioning – using red light before exercise creates a “pre-conditioning” effect where the muscle cells suffer less damage from exercise. Treated muscles also display higher strength/stamina in subsequent exercise.
Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Lasers in Medical Science
February 2015, Volume 30, Issue 2, pp 925–939 Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-JuniorAdriane Aver Vanin Eduardo Foschini Miranda Paulo de Tarso Camillo de Carvalho
Simone Dal Corso Jan Magnus Bjordal
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10103-013-1465-4
Red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) low-level laser therapy in skeletal muscle fatigue in humans: what is better? De Almeida, et al
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21814736
Protection of skeletal muscles from ischemic injury: low-level laser therapy increases antioxidant activity. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005;23:273–277. Avni D, Levkovitz S, Maltz L, Oron U.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15954814/
Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2006 Jun;24(3):377-82.
Douris P, Southard V, et al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16875447
Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes. Lasers in Medical Science.
2014 Nov;29(6):1967-76. Antonialli FC, De Marchi T, Tomazoni SS, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24942380
Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise.
Lasers in Medical Science. 2014 May;29(3):1139-44. Borges LS, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24258312
Low level laser therapy before eccentric exercise reduces muscle damage markers in humans.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 Nov;110(4):789-96. Baroni BM, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20602109
ANTI-AGING EFFECTS ON SKIN:
Red light therapy stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is an integral part of the connective tissue matrix throughout the body. This means it helps skin improve its elasticity, wounds to heal faster, and hair to grow stronger.
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring.
Avci P, Gupta A, et al. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar;32(1):41-52.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049929
Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheek.
Hee-Kyoung Kim, PhD, PT1 and Jung-Hyun Choi, PhD, PT2,* Pesqui Odontol Bras. 2003 Oct-Dec;17(4):307-13. Epub 2004 Apr 19.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332991/
The influence of low-level laser therapy on biomodulation of collagen and elastic fibers.
Pugliese LS1, Medrado AP, Reis SR, Andrade Zde A.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15107911
SLEEP / HEADACHES / COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Studies have shown that red and infrared light helps increase melatonin levels. Melatonin has been shown to increase the level of good quality, restorative sleep. Red light is ideal for evenings due to its calming effect. Red and near infrared light does helps protect and improve an individual’s circadian rhythm.
Medical research is showing not just improved sleep from red and infrared light therapy but a significant improvement in cognitive functioning. There is now a number of studies being undertaken researching the effect of red and infrared light therapy for the treatment of Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease.
Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury: two case reports.
Photomed Laser Surg. 2011 May;29(5):351-8. doi: 10.1089/pho.2010.2814. Epub 2010 Dec 23 Naeser MA1, Saltmarche A, Krengel MH, Hamblin MR, Knight JA.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21182447
Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players.
J Athl Train. 2012 Nov-Dec;47(6):673-8. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.08. Zhao J1, Tian Y, Nie J, Xu J, Liu D.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23182016
Traumatic Brain Injury: A Major Medical Problem That Could Be Treated Using Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared LED Photobiomodulation
Margaret A. Naeser, PhD, LAc1,,2 and Michael R. Hamblin, PhD3,,4,,5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4560854/#B48
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans.
Neuroscience. 2013 Jan 29;230:13-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.016. Epub 2012 Nov 27.
Barrett DW1, Gonzalez-Lima F.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200785/
Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic migraine treatment: a comparison.
Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria. 2018 Oct;76(10):663-667. Loeb LM, Amorim RP, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30427505
Turning on Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Daniel M Johnstone, Cecile Moro, Jonathan Stone, Alim-Louis Benabid and John Mitrofanis
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2015.00500/full
