How Does Red Light Help to Lose Weight?
There are Remarkable Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss and Cellulite Reduction.
Red Light Therapy has shown positive results for fat loss and body contouring across several different clinical studies.
It was discovered in 1998 when a liposuction surgeon performed Red Light Therapy before the procedure. The surgeon did this, knowing that red light reduced pain, inflammation, swelling and sped recovery time in other fields of medicine. He discovered that Red Light Therapy actually caused fat cells to disperse their contents. After 8 minutes of exposure to red light, almost 100% of the fat cells were empty. The research has shown that light therapy affects adipocytes, which are the cells that store fat, causing the lipids to disperse.
How does Red Light Therapy work for weight loss?
Photonic Red light therapy works on a simple mechanism. When our bodies absorb light, specifically in the red and infrared light range (600-1000nm), our cells respond by performing their natural functions at an improved level. This includes the body’s ability to process fat.
There are two main reasons why Light therapy works to reduce cellulite and help with weight loss. Red light wavelengths affect the mitochondria in our cells, and improve blood flow.
When the mitochondria in the fat cells are stimulated, it causes an increase in glucose oxidation. This happens because the red light wavelengths (660nm) stimulate a copper enzyme in our cells, leading to more cellular energy(ATP) being produced, and glucose being burnt more efficiently. The increase in metabolic rate, means we burn more calories during the day, leading to more fat loss.
In addition, Photobiomodulation improves circulation and blood flow to the area penetrated. From this, the cells produce a large amount of energy. Improved blood flow also leads to providing essential nutrients to the body more efficiently.
So how is it performed?
In a salon, the patient lays down under the LLLT machine, the lasers are positioned accordingly, and go to work penetrating the fat cells. Red light therapy uses near infrared light in some devices. One popular device on the market is the infrared body wrap, consisting of large silicone pads that emit infrared light around the legs, arms and torso.
There are also home devices available on the market, which work just as well and use the same technique. These are usually lamps, hanging panels, or hand held devices.
When looking for a home device, be careful to choose the right wavelength of light with the right amount of power. Wavelength and energy are vitally important when choosing, and using a light therapy device.
Benefits of Light Therapy for Weight loss
Reduced Appetite
Reduced Appetite from the use of light therapy is supported and well documented. The 2012 study performed by the International Journal of Endocrinology showed that light therapy effects hunger related hormones.
Improved Body Contouring
Besides Weight loss, which is the obvious benefit, Photobiomodulation removes inches from your target area. It also tightens and tones loose skin, whilst it is being used, there are also numerous clinical studies backing these claims. This is where the term “Body Contouring” comes from.
Improved energy levels
Increased energy levels from an increased metabolism and blood flow is a major benefit of LLLT, more energy equals better health.
Non-Invasive
A benefit of this style of therapy is that it is natural and safe. It is pain-free and there is no “recovery time”.
Can be applied at home
Being able to perform Red light therapy in your own home is important as consistency is crucial when it comes to getting the optimum from your light therapy experience.
Studies on Red Light Therapy for Weight Loss:
In a 2012 study in the International Journal of Endocrinology showed that light energy affects hunger, which could help prevent the build up of extra fat before it begins. This study concluded that red light helped control levels of the hunger-related hormones leptin and ghrelin in sleep deprived participants.
In 2011, a study in the Journal of Obesity Surgery researched Red Light Therapy for body contouring.This 2011 double blind, randomized study performed light therapy at 635-680nm on participants for 4 weeks and recorded effects on the waistline. On completion of the study, participants achieved a statistically significant reduction in waistline girth.
A 2013 study of the same journal, Journal of Obesity Surgery found benefits from Red Light Therapy at 635nm for contouring the hips, thighs, and waist. On completion of this trial, researchers found a mean loss of 2.99 inches overall body size compared to the starting point. In this study, the hips, thighs and waist areas all showed a reduction.
In 2018, a study in NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine (found on Clinicaltrials.gov), researched the “Effects of Red Light LED Therapy on Body Contouring”. This study hypothesized that red LED light therapy using 650nm red light laser technology has shown to cause lipolysis (the breakdown of lipids), in subcutaneous fat as a non-surgical method to promote weight loss and body contouring.
On Conclusion
By stimulate cellular functions, LLLT naturally supports weight loss and leaves your skin looking rejuvenated, with less appearance of cellulite.
With so many clinical studies and research available, Red Light therapy has shown to break down cellulite, enhance fat reduction and support weight loss.
