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How do I use red light at home to affect the cardiovascular system?
For at home use of red light therapy, the majority of products (especially the affordable ones) will use LED lights, rather than laser. While early light therapy research was done using lasers, LED lights have become much more popular over the last decade. In 2018, the world’s leading expert on light therapy concluded that LED lights using comparable parameters performed “equally well” to lasers. Also, researchers analyzing the scientific evidence on red light therapy and heart attacks in 2021 cited advantages to using LED’s, including safety and affordability. This suggests that LED powered red light therapy devices can likely be used to support cardiovascular health. Red light products on the market vary quite a bit in terms of their intensity (or power) and the specific wavelengths of light that they deliver. Studies vary in both parameters, and it appears that a range of wavelengths and intensity are beneficial. For maximum versatility, it is recommended to choose a multiwavelength device that provides both red and near infrared light, since each has some unique cellular effects. In terms of intensity, it may be ideal to mimic the intensity of the sun, which is around 24 mW/cm2 at the skin. This is described as the “sweet spot” between higher intensities, which can have harmful effects, and lower intensities, which will have no effect at all. Although not the focus of intensive research, it has been shown that at least for the heart muscle, high intensity treatments are not beneficial, which supports the use of devices that target this sun-mimicking light intensity. There is some uncertainty regarding what body parts to target to support cardiovascular health. Animal studies have used several approaches, including inserting laser lights directly into blood vessels, shining laser light on the whole body, and targeting light to specific points on the abdomen. In humans, studies have applied light to areas away from the heart including the thighs, wrist, and head. While this may seem confusing, it has become clear in recent years that it is not necessary to directly target a specific body part with red and near infrared light to see a benefit. These “indirect” benefits from applying light therapy to somewhere on the body are increasingly being recognized, including for brain and cardiovascular health. Our recommendations are to target the brain to support recovery from stroke and to broadly apply light to areas including the upper chest and thighs to deliver light to as much of the body as possible for general cardiovascular health. We have a lot of blood vessels at the surface of the skin, all of which will benefit from the application of red and near infrared light. Light can be applied using a red light panel or wrap, such as a head wrap for the brain or a long wrap to go around the body. The Fringe red light panel can be used daily to deliver red and near infrared light to several areas of the body, including the head and neck, chest, and legs. Red light panels are versatile in their light delivery but do require you to be stationary during treatment. Fringe red light wraps are cordless and powered by rechargeable batteries, so you can move around during treatment. For stroke recovery and to support the blood vessels in the head, the Fringe red light head wrap is the best choice. For application of red light to the upper chest or thighs, the long wrap is the most appropriate option. Fringe provides consumers with options when it comes to choosing the device that is right for them. For more information about Fringe light products, go to: https://fringeheals.com/shop-all-products/
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How Does Red Light Therapy Help the Cardiovascular System?
All lifestyle interventions that support cardiovascular health work act to strengthen and support the heart and blood vessels. The cardiovascular system consists of vessels and organs that rely on the efficient contraction of smooth muscle and flow of blood that carries vital nutrients. It requires a lot of energy to support the functions of the cardiovascular system, which is generated by mitochondria in cells that produce ATP. Red light supports cardiovascular health in the following ways: Increases Energy Production - Light is absorbed in cells by molecules called chromophores, many of which are found inside the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, which make the energy currency of the cell known as ATP. Through its effects on mitochondria, light therapy can increase cellular energy production. In the cardiovascular system, problems with energy metabolism manifest early in many diseases, and energy disturbances play an important role in disease pathology. Supporting energy production would yield benefits throughout the cardiovascular system. Decreases Oxidative Stress - Mitochondria are also involved in regulating the production of molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a role in normal cellular function but can be harmful in high amounts. This is known as oxidative stress. In the cardiovascular system, oxidative stress is recognized as a “major trigger” for cardiovascular disease and decreasing oxidative stress would be broadly beneficial. Reduces Inflammation - As described by Dr. Michael Hamblin, former Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, “one of the most reproducible effects of is an overall reduction of inflammation”. Studies have found that light therapy affects levels of many molecules involved in inflammation, including reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins. Like oxidative stress, inflammation is recognized as being a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and decreasing inflammation would reduce disease risk. Increases Vasodilation – Vasodilation is widening or relaxation of the blood vessels. As already described, increased vasodilation reduces blood pressure. Vasodilation also increases the flow of blood throughout the body, which delivers nutrients and oxygen to cells. When red and near infrared light are absorbed by molecules in mitochondria, the process by which ATP production increases also has the effect of increasing levels of nitric oxide. Increasing vasodilation would have a wide range of cardiovascular benefits. Increasing Angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is an important part of recovery from cardiovascular injuries that involve blockage of blood flow, such as heart attacks and stroke. Red light therapy has been found to increase angiogenesis after a heart attack in animal models, and might prove to be a useful tool to support cardiovascular tissue healing in humans. These effects may help in both the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, and although more research is needed to clarify the role of red light therapy in supporting cardiovascular health, preliminary evidence suggests that it could have many positive benefits. Because red light therapy has an amazing safety profile, and since benefits are expected to be across multiple body systems, there really is no downside to incorporating it into a regular wellness regimen. For more information about Fringe light products, go to: https://fringeheals.com/shop-all-products/
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