The Healing Powers of the Sun and Light Therapy

Sunlight has long been considered nature’s most abundant healing resource. Its heat and light-producing rays are what allow life to flourish on our planet. Every day we are exposed to the sun’s electromagnetic waves. Harmful Gamma and X-rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere but the spectrum in  between - infrared, visible light rays and ultraviolet light - are the rays which sustain life.  They are the rays that have inspired many healing products from far infrared, LED light therapy, sunlamps and full spectrum lights.  Below we will tell you more about each part of the healing light spectrum and how they may benefit you.
 

Far Infrared

 
Far infrared is essential to life.  It is the part of the invisible light spectrum that safely penetrates human tissue without heating the surrounding air.  The human body also produces infrared heat for warmth and repair, so adding an outside source can help boost the immune system and speed healing.  Far infrared is so safe it is used to warm newborn babies in many hospitals.
 
One of the best aspects of far infrared healing is the wide variety of ways it can be used.  Far infrared heaters are usually very energy efficient and warm spaces using beneficial heat.  Bedding and clothing provide subtle infrared energy that has been shown to help promote local circulation and relaxation.  Chairs and footrests that use far infrared work in much the same way.  Heating pads provide more far infrared heat and allow you to target it deep into your muscles at the sight of pain. 

TDP Lamps are designed to target far infrared and specific mineral combinations to relax muscles, promote circulation and speed healing.  Saunas are often considered the ultimate because they allow far infrared to penetrate deeply into your body, helping you sweat out toxins.  They are credited by many users with benefits like lower blood pressure, pain and stress relief, better circulation and increased energy.
 

LED Lights

The electromagnetic spectrum of visible light consists of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.  Each color blends into the next creating the light spectrum models you may be familiar with.  These wavelengths are used in Light Emitting Diodes (LED) which are used to direct the application of the beneficial rays to achieve therapeutic benefits.
 
LED light therapy was originally used by NASA over 40 years ago to stimulate plant growth in space without creating additional heat.  Ultimately it proved to be effective in healing injuries and avoiding muscle and bone atrophy in astronauts.  Since then it has been incorporated in a variety of ways to help relieve pain, repair tissue, reduce inflammation, relax muscles, treat acne and rejuvenate skin.  Our skin has a high water and blood content which readily absorbs light energy.   Clinical studies have proven that skin cells can grow 150 to 200 percent faster when treated with LEDS, especially red LEDs and infrared.
 
Red is the most popular LED color and is often combined with infrared for wound healing, pain reduction and skin rejuvenation.  The Deep Penetrating Light Therapy System and the handheld Nuve both use this combination for pain relief and faster healing.
 
Blue LEDs penetrate deeper layers of skin and can help treat acne with no pain or side effects.  Blue also has a calming and healing effect that soothes skin, stimulates new healthy tissue growth, and increases ATP cellular activity and collagen production.  A study by the British Journal of Dermatology found an average of 76% improvement of inflammatory acne lesions in just 12 weeks.  Blue LEDs provide a safe, all natural treatment for acne without harmful UV rays.  The Blue Nuve and others use this technology.
 
Other LED products use all five visible light wavelengths for reductions in pain, inflammation, muscle tension and treatment times and for increased blood circulation and faster healing.    Because cellular energy metabolism is greatly increased with LED therapy, it has been used to treat chronic sores and ulcerations from chemotherapy and radiation.  No matter what the health concern, LED light technology is safe, effective, drug free and non-invasive.  It doesn't interfere with your body's natural ability to heal - it enhances it.
 

A quick note about Vitamin D

Below we will tell you about full spectrum lights and sunlamps but first, a note about Vitamin D, which can be produced by both.  The Vitamin D Council, a nonprofit educational corporation, has presented 20 detailed summaries with evidence about Vitamin D and its role in preventing cancer.  They found a 77% reduction in all cancer incidences when the study group supplemented with 1100 IUs a day of Vitamin D and 1450 mg a day of calcium.  Dr. Grant, a researcher, stated that "It appears that global cancer burden can be reduced by 15-25% if everyone had Vitamin D blood levels above 40 ng/ml."
 
Besides these cancer studies, we know that lack of Vitamin D can cause depression and a variety of other health problems.  Only about 23% of Americans have Vitamin D levels within the normal range for optimal health.  Many supplements are not easily absorbable or some people cannot tolerate them.  The sun's healing rays are one of the best ways to promote production of this important vitamin.
 

Full Spectrum Light

Full spectrum light is vital to our health and mental well being.  Lack of sunlight can cause a drop in Vitamin D and an increase in depression.  Seasonal Affective Disorder, the depression that attacks half a million people every winter, and the "Winter Blues," a milder form of SAD, can be attributed to lack of sunlight.  As a result, many turn to full spectrum lights to increase Vitamin D and reduce depression.
 
A lamp like the 10,000 Lux Flamingo Full Spectrum Lamp is designed for Seasonal Affective Disorder and is meant to be used just 20-30 minutes per day.  A lot of people report more energy, happiness and an overall good feeling.  There are a lot of different full spectrum lamps so it's not hard to find one that matches your needs.
 

Sunlamps

Sunlamps are not just used for tanning.  They are also great ways to battle Seasonal Affective Disorder and promote Vitamin D creation.  Sunlamps create the same waves as the sun but in a healthier way without harmful ultraviolet rays.  When looking at sunlamps, consider the amounts of UV-A rays, which cause tanning, and UV-B rays that stimulate Vitamin D production.  It's important to find one that best suits your situation.
 
If Vitamin D is your biggest worry, the KBD Vitamin D Fluorescent Lamp can help anyone who either don't absorb enough sunlight or can't tolerate supplements.  The fluorescent technology was specifically formulated to produce energy in the Vitamin D range and eliminate harmful UVC waves.  A sunlamp like the Fiji can help produce Vitamin D and keep you tanned.

Psoriasis, eczema and other skin problems are also helped by the sun, so a high UV-B producing lamp like a Psoriasis Lamp has been beneficial for a lot of people.  Ultraviolet phototherapy is considered a very safe, effective and drug free option.
 
If you have any questions about the sun's ability to heal, full spectrum lights, sunlamps, far infrared or LED light therapy, feel free to let us know.  We can help you determine if any of these light sources can help your body do what it is meant to do.
 

Sources:
American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), www.aacc.org
Vitamin D Council, www.vitamindcouncil.org
British Journal of Dermatology, www.brjdermatol.org

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