Light Therapy – Weight Control and Longevity
Light Therapy and Weight Loss
We understand that there is no secret, nor a shortcut to not only losing weight but also maintaining weight loss and Weight Control. There are many easy things we can do from lifestyle changes (e.g. trying to eat a more balanced nutrient based diet), however, some things may be difficult or even unhealthy (e.g. caloric restriction). Yet, even though many of us may have an exercise routine and diet that is optimized and focused, it may not be enough for long-term health. That is, not only do we want to feel good about ourselves and boost our self-esteem but we also want to focus on health over the long term, longevity, and decrease any mortality risk factors (e.g. obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.). Exposing ourselves to certain, and very specific wavelengths of light can help speed up and maintain our weight loss and health. This is called Light Therapy.
Evidence-Based Light Therapy Benefits
- Decreases Number of Fat Cells15
- Target Hard to Lose Areas3
- Non-Invasive Body Contouring (Shaping)9,11
- Naturally Decrease Cellulite13
- Decrease Insulin Resistance16
- Weight Control 12,4
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors5
- Decrease Overactive Hunger Hormones7
- Increased Energy and Power10
- Decreased Recovery from Exercise and Stressful events2
What is the Science of Light Therapy?
Briefly, light in the mid 600 nm and mid 800 nm ranges induce a decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress at the mitochondrial level8. This increases energy output and resiliency of our bodies at the cellular level8. This process is called Photobiomodulation (PBM) or the more common and less tongue-twisting term – Light Therapy. It has no reported side effects with over 50 years of science and 4000+ research articles and 400 clinical trials.
For a detailed explanation please see our detailed article about Light Therapy.
How Does Light Therapy Reduce Fat?
Light Therapy has been proven to reduce circumference in the waist, hips, and thighs1. The proposed mechanism is that the light, especially in the 630nm – 640 nm range, can create pores in adipocytes (fat cells) allowing them to leak out and get metabolized6,14. This mechanism, however, is debated as some researchers have not been successful at replicating these results. While researchers debate how the cells exactly respond to Light Therapy, all agree that Light Therapy works in conjunction with other treatments, like exercise. This doesn’t mean that you have to become an Olympic athlete, but an exercise and Light Therapy Routine will have an exponentially greater effect than exercise alone.
Where Can I Experience Light Therapy?
Light Lounge™ is based in Evergreen, CO. We specifically use high-end medical devices that are FDA approved. Book your therapy session here and visit us at our retail location in Evergreen! To be on track with the latest updates and news from PBMT world, connect with us on facebook and twitter.
- A. Savoia, S. Landi, F. Vannini, and A. Baldi, “Low-level laser therapy and vibration therapy for the treatment of localized adiposity and fibrous cellulite,” Dermatol. Ther. (Heidelb). 3(1), 41–52 (2013).
- Borges, L. S., Cerqueira, M. S., dos Santos Rocha, J. A., Conrado, L. A. L., Machado, M., Pereira, R., & Neto, O. P. (2014). Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise. Lasers in medical science, 29(3), 1139-1144.
- Caruso-Davis MK, Guillot TS, Podichetty VK, Mashtalir N, Dhurandhar NV, Dubuisson O, Yu Y. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for body contouring and spot fat reduction. Obes Surg. 2011. Jun;21(6):722-9.
- da Silveira Campos RM, Dâmaso AR, et al. The effects of exercise training associated with low-level laser therapy on biomarkers of adipose tissue transdifferentiation in obese women. Lasers in Medical Science. 2018 Aug;33(6):1245-1254.
- Duarte FO, et al. Can low-level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with an aerobic plus resistance training change the cardiometabolic risk in obese women? A placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2015 Dec;153:103-10.
- See More Sources
- F. Al-Watban and X. Y. Zang, “Comparison of the effects of laser therapy on wound healing using different laser wavelengths,” Laser Ther. 1996(8), 127–135 (1996).
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, and Rea MS. Light Modulates Leptin and Ghrelin in Sleep-Restricted Adults. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2012.
- Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Mechanisms and mitochondrial redox signaling in photobiomodulation. Photochemistry and photobiology, 94(2), 199-212.
- Jackson RF, Dedo DD, Roche GC, et al. Low-level laser therapy as a non-invasive approach for body contouring: a randomized, controlled study. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Dec 2009;41(10):99-809.
- Lanferdini, F. J., Krüger, R. L., Baroni, B. M., Lazzari, C., Figueiredo, P., Reischak-Oliveira, A., & Vaz, M. A. (2018). Low-level laser therapy improves the VO 2 kinetics in competitive cyclists. Lasers in medical science, 33(3), 453-460.
- McRae E and Boris J. Independent evaluation of low-level laser therapy at 635 nm for non-invasive body contouring of the waist, hips, and thighs. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Jan 2013;45(1):1-7.
- Miranda EF, Tomazoni SS, et al. When is the best moment to apply photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) when associated to a treadmill endurance-training program? A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lasers in Med Science. 2018 May;33(4):719-727.
- Paolillo FR, Borghi-Silva A, et al. New treatment of cellulite with infrared-LED illumination applied during high-intensity treadmill training. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2011 Aug;13(4):166-71.
- R. Neira, J. Arroyave, H. Ramirez, C. L. Ortiz, E. Solarte, F. Sequeda, and M. I. Gutierrez, “Fat liquefaction: effect of low-level laser energy on adipose tissue,” Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 110(3), 912–922; Discussion 923–915 (2002).
- Peterson P.S., Lei X, Wolf RM. CTRP7 deletion attenuates obesity-linked glucose intolerance, adipose tissue inflammation, and hepatic stress. American Journal of Physiology. Feb 2017;10:1152.
- Sene-Fiorese M, Duarte FO, et al. The potential of phototherapy to reduce body fat, insulin resistance and "metabolic inflexibility" related to obesity in women undergoing weight loss treatment. Lasers Surg Med. 2015 Oct;47(8):634-42.
