How Other Forms of Energy from Sunshine May Affect Our Health

From GrassrootsHealth

Red, Near Infrared, Far Infrared, and Blue Light from sunshine may all have unique health effects to offer

The solar spectrum consists of different forms of radiation or energy with wavelengths between 300 nm and well over 1 mm. Not all of this radiation is able to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere to reach the earth’s surface. Those that do have a wavelength between 100 nm and 1mm, and include ultraviolet radiation (100-400 nm), visible light (400-700 nm), and infrared light (700 nm to over 1 mm).

Just as some of this spectrum is able to make it through the atmosphere, different wavelengths are also able to penetrate the skin to different depths of the body’s tissues and may have certain effects on the cells within those tissues.

Those at the higher wavelengths are able to penetrate deeper. UVB (295-319 mn) is at the bottom end of the sunlight spectrum is able to reach the surface of the earth, and therefore our skin, only at specific times and locations. UVB is not able to penetrate beyond the very surface of the skin. UVA (320-399 nm) exists at a wavelength between UVB and visible light, and is able to reach the deeper levels of the skin but not much further, while visible light can go deeper. Think of how you are able to see the light from a flashlight on the back of your hand when held against the skin on the palm of the hand – you can visually see the energy traveling through the skin, muscles, blood vessels and tissues of the hand!

Beneficial Effects of Red Light and Near-Infrared Radiation

Photobiomodulation is a term used to describe the physiological effects from irradiation by red or near-infrared wavelengths. Red and near-infrared wavelengths have the ability to penetrate inside of our body’s tissues and cells, and can even penetrate through thin clothing. Studies have shown such benefits include improved tissue function, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and improved energy metabolism from red and near-infrared wavelengths. Conditions that may benefit from photobiomodulation include allergies, hypothyroidism, depression, dementia, cancer, diabetes related symptoms, exercise performance and recovery, pain, and cardiovascular diseases. One of the proposed mechanisms is with the involvement of the mitochondria, since changes in ATP levels have been an observed outcome of red and near-infrared radiation.

How Blue Light Affects Us

Blue light (460 nm) is another form of energy from sunlight that has potential health benefits. Studies have shown that blue light has the strongest effect on the suppression of melatonin secretion upon exposure to the eyes, which could contribute to the regulation of circadian rhythm. Blue light may also play a role in the improvement of mood and depression, both seasonal and non-seasonal. Other physiological actions of blue light suggested by studies include an increase in circulating beta endorphins, decreased systolic blood pressure due to nitric oxide mechanisms in the skin, and a potential biomodulating effect within the cells.

Far-infrared Radiation May Offer Benefits Beyond Thermal Effects

Far infrared radiation (FIR) is at the far end of the solar spectrum of energy that reaches the earth’s surface, opposite of UVB, with the longest wavelength. Studies suggest that the cardiovascular system especially may benefit from FIR. Reported effects of FIR include blood pressure regulation, improved depressive symptoms, endothelial function, microcirculation, the formation of new blood vessels, wound healing, and increased flow-mediated dilation of the blood vessels, although some of these effects may be attributed solely to the thermal effects of FIR.

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.