Sunlight and artificial light are often overlooked in discussions about health, yet they play a crucial role in metabolism, blood glucose regulation, and mitochondrial function. In this episode, Live Longer World explores the groundbreaking research of Glen Jeffery, who has been at the forefront of light-based health interventions.

Key Points:

This episode explores how sunlight, red light, and blue light impact mitochondrial function, metabolism, and overall health. Glen Jeffery highlights the importance of morning light exposure, reducing LED usage, and incorporating red light therapy for optimal well-being.

• Light’s Role in Health: Sunlight, infrared light, and blue light significantly impact blood glucose levels, mitochondrial function, and overall metabolism. Traditional health discussions focus on diet and exercise, but light is an equally vital factor.
• Red Light Benefits: Exposure to red and near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function, helps regulate blood glucose levels, aids in wound healing, and may benefit conditions like Parkinson’s disease and macular degeneration. It acts as a "battery charger" for cells.
• Blue Light Risks: Artificial blue light from LEDs and screens can damage mitochondria, increase disease risk, and accelerate ageing. It plays a role in making people pre-diabetic, as seen in studies on astronauts and populations with high LED exposure.
• Sunlight vs. Artificial Light: Natural sunlight provides a balanced spectrum of red and blue light, essential for health. Indoor lighting, especially LED-based, disrupts this balance. Sunlight exposure, especially in the morning, is key for metabolic and mitochondrial health.
• Practical Takeaways: For optimal health benefits, prioritize morning sunlight exposure, as it plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and enhancing mitochondrial function. If possible, replace LED bulbs with incandescent ones, as LEDs emit excessive blue light, which can be harmful to cellular health. Additionally, incorporating red light therapy in the morning can further support mitochondrial function and help regulate blood glucose levels. 
• Future of Light in Public Health: Jeffery’s work is influencing architectural design, clinical settings, and public health policies, highlighting the need to rethink how we design lighting in buildings, hospitals, and workplaces to improve well-being.