(NaturalHealth365)  Forget what you think you know about “red light” – in the medical world, it’s not just a cautionary signal.  Instead, it’s excitement and new possibilities, especially in diabetes treatment. A recent study in the Journal of BioPhotonics suggests that red light therapy could be a game-changer for diabetes management, where diabetes patients could control their blood sugar levels without relying on drugs or painful injections.

That’s the potential power of red light therapy, and it’s beginning to turn heads in the medical community.

How red light therapy boosts energy and regulates blood glucose

Mitochondria, often called the powerhouse of cells, play a crucial role in producing energy from glucose and oxygen.  However, this energy production can decline as we age or face health challenges.  This study, referenced above, explores how red light therapy, known as photobiomodulation (PBM), affects our body’s metabolism and glucose levels.

PBM using red light, specifically at a wavelength of 670 nanometers, has been found to boost mitochondrial function, increasing their ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells.  This therapy can also reduce oxidative stress, which is harmful to cells.

Participants underwent testing during two separate visits.  A fasting oral glucose tolerance test was conducted during the initial visit to measure blood glucose levels.  However, a week later, participants returned for another visit, where they were either exposed to red light or assigned to the placebo group.  A second oral glucose tolerance test was then administered for comparison.

The study tested whether a brief exposure to red light could impact blood sugar levels, particularly after consuming glucose.  What the authors found was that a 15-minute session of red light therapy significantly lowered the rise in blood sugar levels after a glucose challenge.  This suggests that PBM could help reduce spikes in blood glucose levels that occur after meals, potentially benefiting individuals with conditions like diabetes.

Reducing blood glucose levels by 28% with red light therapy

So how exactly does red light therapy work its magic in lowering blood sugar levels?  When you apply red light to the skin, it’s like giving your cells a burst of energy within the mitochondria.  Red light therapy also kicks mitochondrial function into high gear, resulting in a whopping 28% decrease in blood glucose levels.  And that’s not all – it also helps to curb spikes in blood sugar by about 7.5%

Previous research has shown that light within a specific wavelength range, between 650 and 900 nanometers, including near-infrared light, can stimulate mitochondria to produce more energy.  By increasing ATP production, red light therapy triggers changes in cellular signaling that can improve overall health and longevity.  This boost in ATP production occurs when red light is absorbed by a molecule called cytochrome C, leading to increased activity in the electron transport chain within mitochondria and more ATP generation.

What makes this therapy so exciting?  For so many people dealing with blood sugar issues and poor health … red light therapy can be used to avoid being harmed by frequent blood sugar spikes, until dietary modifications can be made to help avoid glucose imbalances.  This is an especially valuable therapy, initially, for those that find regular physical exercise to be difficult to maintain due to poor health and low energy levels.

Other common-sense strategies to improve blood sugar levels

Improving blood sugar levels is within your control, although there are limitations.  Adopting a healthy diet rich in organic vegetables and fruits and maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise can positively impact blood sugar levels.

Consistency is key in meal timing – avoid skipping meals and aim to eat at regular intervals to help stabilize blood sugar levels.  Additionally, incorporating fiber-rich foods into your diet can slow down the body’s digestion of carbohydrates and the absorption of sugars.

Staying well hydrated is also crucial.  Drink adequate amounts of clean water to help flush excess sugar out of the kidneys.  Research indicates that individuals who consume enough water have a lower risk of developing elevated blood sugar levels.  So, make hydration a priority in your daily routine to support optimal blood sugar management.

Sources for this article include:

Wiley.com
City.ac.uk
Studyfinds.org
NIH.gov