ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (Online): A new study shows red light therapy lowers blood sugar levels, which could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition.
\nType 2 diabetes is manageable and potentially reversible through medications and lifestyle changes.
\nA new study has found red light therapy reduced blood sugar levels in healthy participants.<\/p>\n
The study authors suggest red light therapy could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition.
\nAs of 2021, about 537 million people around the world have diabetes, with this number expected to increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.The majority of diabetes diagnoses \u2014 between 90Trusted Source% to Trusted Source95%Trusted Source \u2014 are type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease, type 2 diabetes is manageable and potentially reversible through medications and lifestyle changes that help a person manage their blood sugar levels.A new study recently published in the Journal of BiophotonicsTrusted Source suggests that red light therapy could help people manage their blood sugar.
\nWhile the study was conducted on people without diabetes, the study\u2019s researchers from City University London believe this therapy could be helpful for those with the condition.<\/p>\n
Red light therapy improves glucose metabolism
\nRed light therapy uses low-wavelength red light or near-infrared light that is targeted to a specific area of the body using a laser or other device.The red light can penetrate through the skin and positively impact the mitochondriaTrusted Source within the body\u2019s cells, helping to create more energy and allowing the cells to function better and repair themselves.<\/p>\n
Co-lead study author Dr. Michael Powner, senior lecturer in neurobiology in the School of Health & Psychological Sciences at City University London said they decided to look at red light therapy as a way to help control blood sugar levels after reading a study from 2019Trusted Source highlighting that sunlight exposure could correlate with improved glucose metabolism.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe explored this in bumblebeesTrusted Source and found that red light reduced systemic glucose after feeding,\u201d Dr. Powner told Medical News Today. \u201cThis latest study clearly shows a translation of this to humans.\u201d
\n\u201cRed light is absorbed by mitochondria and helps them produce more energy,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt lubricates the energy-making machine. But in producing more energy this way they need more raw material and this is largely glucose. They take this out of the blood.\u201dGet Our Twice-Weekly Diabetes Newsletter
\nJoin over 400K subscribers in receiving nutrition advice, tips on weight management, and the latest on condition breakthroughs.<\/p>\n
How does red light therapy help with diabetes?
\nFor this study, researchers recruited 30 healthy participants with no known metabolic conditions and who at the time were not taking any medications.<\/p>\n
Half of the group received a 15-minute 670 nm red light treatment 45 minutes before drinking 75 grams of sugar diluted in 150 mL of water. The other half of the group also imbibed the sugar drink but received no red light therapy.<\/p>\n
All study participants were also asked to take oral glucose tolerance testsTrusted Source and record their blood sugar levels every 15 minutes over the next two hours.<\/p>\n
Upon analysis, scientists found that participants receiving the red light therapy reduced their peak blood sugar level and also reduced their total blood sugar levels during the two hours, compared to those not receiving the light therapy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is clear that light affects the way mitochondria function and this impacts our bodies at a cellular and physiological level,\u201d Dr. Powner said. \u201cOur study has shown that we can use a single, 15-minute exposure to red light to reduce blood sugar levels after eating.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this has only been done in healthy individuals in this paper, it has the potential to impact diabetes control going forward, as it could help to reduce potentially damaging glucose spikes in the body after meals,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Other health benefits of red light therapy
\nRed light therapy is most notably used as a skin treatment for reducing wrinklesTrusted Source, age spotsTrusted Source, scarsTrusted Source, and stretch marksTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
It is also used as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasisTrusted Source, rosacea, acneTrusted Source, and eczema.<\/p>\n
How much red light exposure do you need?
\nThe study\u2019s researchers also stated that although sunlight has a mix of red and blue light, people mainly have exposure to almost all blue light emitted from LEDs, including computer and smartphone screens.<\/p>\n
Previous research shows that long-term exposure to blue light can be unhealthy for the body\u2019s natural circadian rhythmTrusted Source, causing sleep issuesTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
Other studies link too much blue light exposure to an increased risk of conditions such as:<\/p>\n
age-related macular degenerationTrusted Source
\ntype 2 diabetesTrusted Source
\ncertain cancersTrusted Source (i.e., skin cancerTrusted Source and breast cancerTrusted Source)
\n\u201cGoing outside in sunlight helps, but ultimately we need to reduce dependence on current LEDs,\u201d Dr. Powner said. \u201cThe old incandescent lights had a lot of red in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another reason for going outdoors
\nMNT also spoke with Dr. Jennifer Cheng, section chief of endocrinology at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study.<\/p>\n
Dr. Cheng said she found the study interesting, but noted it was a small study with few participants.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditional research should be done to see if patients with abnormal glucose metabolism are affected by these ranges of light and to see if these research studies can be reproduced on a larger scale. There are many variables in the study\u2019s participants that are not accounted for, such as body mass index and degree of adiposity,\u201d Dr. Cheng said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be interesting to see if this is replicated and if a certain amount of sunlight is needed to help maintain glycemic control. We always encourage our patients to go outside and exercise. This is another reason to encourage outdoor activities, but it remains to be seen if the studies can be verified,\u201d Dr. Cheng added.<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Cheng, it\u2019s important for researchers to continue looking for new ways to maintain glycemic control and assist those with diabetes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are millions of diabetic patients in the U.S., many who are undiagnosed, and there is a significant economic burden \u2014 more than $400 billion of healthcare costs attributed to those with diagnosed diabetes,\u201d she explained. \u201cMedical professionals are always looking for ways to help treat those with diabetes and costless methods to mitigate effects of glycemic control.\u201d<\/p>\n
To help people keep blood sugar \u2014 blood glucose \u2014 within a healthy range, the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source recommends:<\/p>\n
engaging in weight management
\neating a nutritious diet
\ngetting regular exercise
\nstopping smoking
\nreducing stress
\nIf making dietary and lifestyle changes do not help maintain a healthy blood sugar level, doctors may adviseTrusted Source a person to take medications. However, if someone receives a diabetes diagnosis as an older adult and their blood sugar is only mildly elevated, medications may not be necessary.<\/p>\n
In this article, we examine how to control type 2 diabetes without medication. We also look at the causes of type 2 diabetes and when people may need medication to manage their condition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (Online): A new study shows red light therapy lowers blood sugar levels, which could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition. Type 2 diabetes is manageable and potentially reversible through medications and lifestyle changes. A new study has found red […]<\/p>\n
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