How the power of red light therapy is impacting our skin and gut health and changing the way we care for our general wellbeing.
While much has been shared about the skin/gut connection and the importance of a balanced microbiome, there’s now even more research to suggest photobiomodulation therapy (PMBT) can influence the human intestinal microbiome. This is particularly important given our need to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria within the gut to ensure overall health. To delve deeper into the role light therapy can play in our wellbeing, we’ve taken a closer look at the latest research and clinical trials in this space, and what it all means for our whole body health.
A recent study shared in the American National Library of Medicine has revealed the way light can positively influence the human intestinal microbiome. The research shows that photobiomodulation (PMB), which is defined as the use of red (630-700 nm) and near-infrared light (700 and 1200 nm) can affect the circadian rhythm of the gut microbiome, thereby encouraging healing, relieving pain, reducing inflammation and even playing a beneficial role in the treatment of a number of diseases.
What’s more, PBMT was also shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and increase our levels of Vitamin D. This occurs due to the ability of PBMT to reduce the oxidative stress and increase antioxidant capacity, which can have a positive effect on the composition of our gut microbiota.
Back into balance
Imbalances within the gut microbiota have been associated with a range of chronic health conditions. These include everything from inflammatory bowel disease to colorectal cancer, liver disease, asthma and more. While there are various treatments to help restore the balance of bacteria in the gut such as changes to diet, the use of probiotics and prebiotics, and even faecal microbiota transplant – the study reported that low-level laser therapy or light therapy can also affect the gut microbiome in a beneficial way by increasing an abundance of health bacteria.
Due to these positive outcomes and the anti-inflammatory properties of PBMT, this process has been introduced as an alternative therapeutic option for a number of conditions. Already, there have been reports of positive outcomes for patients suffering from several disorders such as arthritis, wound healing, inflammatory pain, lung inflammation, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. This news and ongoing research is particularly promising for those.
Endless possibilities await
While PBMT isn’t necessarily a cure for many skin or health conditions – it can be an effective, additional treatment option used to help improve diseases associated with an imbalance in gut bacteria. Given it can impact the composition of our gut microbiota and has shown beneficial effects in treating diseases that are related to the gut, photobiomodulation therapy provides supportive therapy we can engage with at home, without the need for invasive treatments.
As the research continues, it’s simply our job to ensure we’re comfortable with any potential side effects, and consider which dose, frequency and duration may be most effective for our skin and our own bodies.
