“Health is about light – not food.”

Dr Jack Kruse

Over thousands of years, human bodies have become tuned to the balanced wavelength and frequencies of natural light. As a result, we have receptors throughout our bodies for this spectrum, that require stimulation for our survival.

Most of what we have been taught about health is intrinsically flawed. A little-known fact about our body is that only a third of the energy we use comes from food, the majority of what we need to maintain equilibrium, comes from environmental infrared light. Like plants, our bodies change sunlight into energy, working like a DC battery, creating a low powered electrical voltage to instigate the healing response. The different wavelengths of light found in nature, stimulate our cells to build this low voltage.

During the 1800’s, heliotherapy (natural sun therapy) and phototherapy (treating patients with artificial light using lamps) was used extensively. More recently, a Georgetown University study (Phan, T, Jaruga, B, Pingle, C, Bandyopadhyay, B & Ahern, G, 2016, ‘Intrinsic Photosensitivity Enhances Mobility of T Lymphocytes’, Scientific Reports 6, 39479, published 20 December 2014) found that sunlight energizes the T cells that are critical for enhancing immune system regulation.

Light in the body:

Light is absorbed through both the eyes and skin
Specific light wavelengths are required to activate ingested foods and vitamins
Full spectrum light exposure is needed for full absorption of nutrients
Fat cells deep in the skin can detect different wavelengths of light
Too little natural light affects how fat cells behave – which can lead to ‘metabolic syndromes’ such as heart disease, cholesterol synthesis issues and diabetes
Light modulates blood – harmonizes circadian rhythms
‘Photo biomodulation’ – the use of the healing frequency of light in the red and near infrared spectrum can assist the body in the following areas – improve sleep, heal skin injuries, reduce fine lines, fight depression/anxiety, help with neurological disease, increase fat loss, speed recovery from exercise, increase speed and endurance, fight autoimmune conditions, combat hair loss

How Blue Light Impacts the Body

Most humans now spend at least two thirds of their lives living under artificial light, which is generally made up of the blue and green spectrums, as found in fluorescent lights and computer screens. Blue light penetrates both into the eyes and skin.

Melanopsin receptors in the eyes receive the blue light and transmit a signal through the optic nerve to the central brain which governs the circadian clock (day/night cycle). Melatonin is released during the night cycle (during the absence of blue light). This hormone is a natural, powerful antioxidant in the body, which repairs and restores, helps with sleep and has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits. Too much blue light going into the eye suppresses melatonin, contributing to eye strain, headaches/migraines, lack of sleep, macular degeneration, as well as mood and brain health. Blue light also destroys dopamine in the brain, which is essential to prevent Parkinsons and increase motivation.

Our skin also responds to our body’s circadian rhythm, performing different functions during the day and night. In 2017, scientists learnt that the melanopsin receptors are also present in the skin and fat cells, which means that even if we block blue light from entering our eyes it can still affect our health dramatically, causing disruption to DNA repair, collagen production, skin moisture and blood flow.

But Is Blue Light Bad?

No, all wavelengths of light are essential to optimal health, but they must be in balance! Some blue light is essential during the day, as our brain creates tryptophan from the blue light during the day, which is converted to serotonin (the mood regulator). Serotonin converts to melatonin during the night cycle. Serotonin deficiency leads to melatonin deficiency.

The issue with modern life is that humans are now getting too much blue light through laptops, computer screens, digital handheld devices and artificial lighting, especially at night. The natural day and night cycle of the body is being disrupted; however, we can assist our body to maintain some balance by optimizing the light that we are exposed to throughout the 24-hour cycle. This can be done through taking breaks from artificial light, getting as much unfiltered natural light through the day (especially during sunrise and sunset), using blue light filtering software on your computer, wearing blue blocking glasses, and swapping to full spectrum light bulbs and lamps.

What About Flicker?

Another issue with artificial lighting is that the light emanating from screens, LED bulbs and other artificial lighting tends to flicker, or modulate in intensity, similar to a strobe light, but less noticeable to the eye. The on/off flickering is caused by the AC current that is its power source. Usually, you cannot see the flickering with your naked eye but your brain can, and it needs to work harder to ‘stitch together’ the image to produce one continuous image for it to respond to. Regular exposure to flickering from artificial lighting and screens can cause strain on the eyes and brain, reduce performance and productivity, create distraction and loss of concentration, confusion, headaches, affect mood and irritability and seizures. Long-term exposure can lead to neurological damage and systemic issues.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO BLUE LIGHT

EMF Busters have teamed up with our partners, who are at the forefront of developing products to mitigate the damage caused by artificial lighting and digital screens, while optimizing light to ensure good health for the brain and body.

Screen Protection

Iris Tech Software provides the world’s best blue light filter and eye protection software directly for your computer. This software is downloaded to your computer and will adjust the lighting on the screen by optimizing flicker, matching your screen brightness to the light around you. This will reduce eye strain and pain, while improving sleep. This program is cheap and effective.

There are free programs like f.lux which only reduce the blue light – try this software instead and see the difference.

Click here for a free trial or 10% off your purchase

home and office lighting

Block Blue Light provide a range of lights, lamps and accessories that have been specifically designed and scientifically proven to be free of blue light, produce no flicker and are low in EMF. We have provided information below on some of their products. Visit their website for the full range.

Use the code HEWLight for 10% off your order.

Biolight – Full Spectrum Light Bulb and Downlight

The Dawn to Dusk feature of this light means that it has three modes, full spectrum day mode (replicates natural sunlight, designed to provide the full spectrum of light that is needed throughout the day), mixed mode (warm low blue light) and night mode (zero blue light and provides a candlelight feel). Each setting is adjusted easily through the on/off light switch. With this light you are basically getting three lights in one.

Sweet Dreams – Amber Range

This bulb is a great night light for improving sleep and overall wellbeing and has zero blue light, is flicker free and has low EMF. It is available in the regular bulb fittings (either bayonet or Edison screw in), small lamp screw fitting E14, spot light fitting GU10, and a downlight. The same bulb technology has also been included in a motion sensor night light, a book lamp and a bedside lamp.

Twilight – Red Range

This bulb is designed to be used during the evening hours and while winding down before bed as it cuts out both green and blue light, so it is the optimal light for assisting with melatonin production. It has zero flicker and is low EMF. Available in regular bulb sizes (either Edison screw fitting or bayonet regular bulb fitting) and E14 small screw fitting for lamps. The same bulb technology has also been included in a plug-in night light, a motion sensor night light, a book lamp, a bedside lamp and a torch.

Amber – Sleep Lamp

This lamp is perfect for your bedside table, desk or in the living room during those winding down hours before bed, as it is 100% blue light free. This portable lamp provides the optimal lighting to prepare your body for sleep, and has three touch settings for different levels of light. It is flicker free, USB rechargeable and has up to 18 hours of charge.

Twilight – Sleep Lamp

This is a bedside, desk or table lamp, designed to provide the perfect lighting for before you go to sleep, providing optimal lighting for a great night’s sleep as it is 100% blue and green light free. It is both portable and USB rechargeable with three touch settings for various levels of brightness, is low EMF, flicker free and has up to 18 hours of charge.

Blue Light Screen Protector for iphones

This screen protector is designed specifically for iphones, with anti-blue technology built in to Gorilla glass, one of the world’s toughest screen protectors on the market. This screen protector provides 50% reduction in the blue light coming from your phone so it protects both your eyes, and your phone.

Other Block Blue Light Products

Visit the Block Blue Light website to see all their products including a range of blue blocking glasses, red light therapy devices and sleep masks.

Use the code HEWLight for 10% off your order.

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