Step into a world of wellness with red-light therapy

Red light therapy (RLT) is generally referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBMT) therapy. A process in which red and near infrared light naturally stimulates your body’s own production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), a key element in cellular regeneration. As an entirely safe, painless, and natural treatment, red light therapy has been identified as a great way to stimulate wound healing, immune boosting, skin rejuvenation, mood enhancement, muscle recovery and more. 

NASA originally began experimenting with red light therapy on plant growth in space and then to help heal wounds in astronauts. Like many developments, other potential uses began to be investigated. In fact, red light therapy is already widely medically accepted in its use in photodynamic therapy. In this therapy, low-power red laser light is used to activate a photosensitizer drug. The interaction creates a chemical reaction that destroys cells and is used to treat some skin conditions.  

Red light therapy is thought to work by acting on the “power house” in your body’s cells called mitochondria. With more energy, other cells can do their work more efficiently, such as repairing skin, boosting new cell growth, and enhancing skin rejuvenation. More specifically, certain cells absorb light wavelengths and are stimulated to work.

Not only can red light therapy help reduce the size of fat cells, thus helping to shape the body contour, but it also provides additional benefits for patients working to lose weight.

A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology looked at the effects of light on leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone responsible for controlling appetite, helping to maintain body weight, and regulating how much energy the body burns. In contrast, ghrelin increases appetite and stimulates the release of growth hormone. In this study, researchers looked at participants with poor sleep habits. Reduced sleep levels often increase the production on ghrelin while reducing the levels of leptin, often resulting in weight gain. Their research showed that exposure to red light significantly increased leptin levels while decreasing ghrelin. This reduction in hunger levels can have a great impact on those trying to follow a low-calorie diet for weight loss, helping to reduce hunger and the desire for snacking.

Another study looked at how red-light therapy can provide additional benefits during regular exercise routines. The study, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, looked at the effects of light therapy on metabolic inflexibility when used with physical training. During the study, 64 obese women were divided into two groups. The control group participated in exercise training while receiving a placebo light treatment. The second group participated in exercise training and received red light therapy immediately after exercise. Both groups participated in three weekly sessions for 20 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers observed a greater reduction in fat mass and an increase in total skeletal muscles mass and adiponectin concentration compared to the control group.

While clinical research has shown how valuable red-light therapy is for a variety of medical conditions, it is also highly beneficial for people looking to lose weight, reduce fat, and improve body contour. Red light therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment option that provides effective results, helping people achieve their weight loss goals.