Is it Worth the Hype? Red Light Therapy and Gallbladder Health
You might have heard the hype about red light therapy recently- but do you know what it is and that it can benefit both your liver AND gallbladder!?
There are many amazing benefits, which is why I have started incorporating it into my daily routine to improve my gallbladder and liver health.
Let’s discuss what red light therapy is, the benefits of red light therapy, and how I would incorporate it into my daily routine to improve gallbladder health or life without a gallbladder.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy involves using low-level red or near-infrared light to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. This therapy typically employs light wavelengths between 600 and 1,000 nanometers, which penetrate the skin at varying depths depending on the wavelength.
How Red Light Works
- Cellular Energy Production: Red light therapy stimulates the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy carrier in cells, so increased production can enhance cellular function and repair.
- Increased Circulation: The light increases blood flow, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing metabolic waste products. This improved circulation supports faster healing and reduces inflammation.
- Collagen Production: Red light stimulates fibroblasts in the skin to produce more collagen, a crucial protein for skin elasticity and firmness. This can lead to improved skin texture and reduced signs of aging.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
This safe at-home device has many benefits other than just skin health including:
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing pain
- Improving immunity
- Improving sleep
- Supporting mood
- Can improve thyroid health
- Supporting oral health
- And much more!
In addition to the amazing benefits above, many people aren’t aware of the benefits of red light therapy for liver and gallbladder health and, truthfully, I didn’t know either!
Red Light Therapy For Liver Health
There has been some fascinating research about red light’s many benefits including a study by NCBI which showed a reduction in liver enzymes and liver fat among individuals after 12 weeks using red light therapy and a Mediterranean diet. (1) This is amazing considering that red light therapy comes from a device you can use for a few minutes at home without any side effects.
Red light has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. A study involving 1,300 participants found that those who were exposed to more bright sunlight in the week leading up to their blood test exhibited increased insulin sensitivity. This suggests that sunlight may have enhanced their bodies’ ability to use insulin effectively. This is important because insulin resistance is a main driver of fatty liver and gallbladder disease today. (3)
Red Light Therapy For Gallbladder Health
Additionally, red light has been shown to help with improving gallbladder health and function.
A study showed how red light therapy on specific acupuncture points helped with the correction of motor function of the gallbladder and bile physical characteristics. (2) Additionally, it may be helpful for gallbladder inflammation, poor function, gallbladder polyps, upper right quadrant pain, and reducing scar tissue after gallbladder surgery.
(This is not medical advice so please discuss it with a doctor prior to using.)
How To Use Red Light Therapy For Liver and Gallbladder Health
If you are just starting out with redlight therapy I would recommend using it in small amounts to start in the morning and work your way up to increasing time. Make it easier for yourself by setting it on the counter while getting ready or even while doing a seated meditation. This is going to ensure that you are actually using it everyday. You can also set it up for specific spots on your body such as your upper right abdomen.
What to Look For in Red Lights
When you are looking to buy a red light device please be aware that not all products are created equal. Red light devices can have high amounts of EMF and it is best to select products with low EMF ratings to ensure safety. That is exactly why I personally love to use Lumebox. Their red lights are both safe yet effective and have low rated EMF.
I also have a great discount with them if you are in the market for a great red light!
Learn More About Gallbladder Health
Red light is only one of the amazing tools we can use to optimize your gallbladder health. I have helped many gallbladder warriors just like you, whether they had their gallbladder removed, or are working towards saving it. Through diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes we can start reversing your gallbladder symptoms!
Resources
- Nagy, Ebtesam Nabil, et al. “The Effect of Laser Therapy along with Mediterranean Diet versus Mediterranean Diet Only on Older Adults with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, vol. 12, no. 1, 24 July 2021, pp. e39–e39, https://doi.org/10.34172/jlms.2021.39. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022 .
- Nikolay Mikhaylovich Bupduli, et al. “[Effects of Laser Reflex Therapy on a Motor Function of the Gall Bladder and Physical Properties of Bile in Patients with Chronic Acalculous Cholecystitis].” DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), vol. 81, no. 2, 1 Jan. 2009, pp. 57–61. Accessed 2 Sept. 2024.
- Noordam, Raymond, et al. “Associations of Outdoor Temperature, Bright Sunlight, and Cardiometabolic Traits in Two European Population-Based Cohorts.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 104, no. 7, 12 Feb. 2019, pp. 2903–2910, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-02532. Accessed 6 Nov. 2023.