Red

light

therapy

and

gut

health

Many people today suffer from poor gut health with an imbalance between "good" and "bad" bacteria, which leads to inflammation and impaired gut function. This causes the stomach not to work as it should and can negatively affect nutrient absorption, and in addition, quality of life is reduced by constipation or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The latter is a common problem meaning that the gut is overreactive and the number of daily toilet visits becomes more than desired. Furthermore, we know that the beneficial gut bacteria produce exactly beneficial substances for us. These include folic acid, antioxidants, and short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid and propionic acid. We do not want to be without these as they improve health in a convincing way. Much suggests that red light therapy (RLT) can actually improve the gut flora, but the research is still young. How could that be possible? We know today that red light penetrates human tissue by several centimeters, but it hardly reaches the stomach/intestines. Near-infrared light can reach up to 15 cm into soft tissues like the abdomen, but only a few percent of the light reaches that far. Maybe that is enough? Maybe the pulsed light, which reaches a little deeper, could be even more effective? Possibly it is not the light itself that affects the gut flora, but all the health effects achieved in other tissues, e.g., surrounding organs and muscles. The gut communicates with the rest of the body, so we know it can be influenced in other ways, e.g., with less inflammation. In any case, it is obvious that the ecosystem called the gut flora is positively affected, and here we will explore it a little deeper.

Shall we have a talk?

As I mentioned, the gut flora communicates with the rest of the body, and to a very large extent the brain. The vagus nerve, which connects the brain with the gastrointestinal tract, is like a highway of signals that makes these two parts of the body functionally intertwined even though they are several decimeters apart. RLT has been successfully used to reduce symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and researchers believe that the improved gut flora may account for part of the effect. Similarly, a well-functioning brain will help the gastrointestinal tract, and it is no coincidence that many react to stress with their stomach. Vomiting from nervousness or needing to go to the bathroom before a performance in front of thousands of people are well-known mechanisms. Even if you do not react that strongly, we all know how "gut feeling" feels and that it can guide us correctly through difficult decisions and actions. The gut flora is thus important for the health of the entire body, and in a study on the connection to Alzheimer’s disease, a clear improvement was seen with treatment using RLT (1). After 12 weeks of treatment, the gut flora was so changed that a clear difference could be seen between the two types of bacteria called firmicutes and bacteroides. When performing a gut flora analysis with a gut flora test, a measurement of the ratio between these two groups is always included, and if it is shifted in the wrong direction, it is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, overweight, inflammatory diseases, and much more, including Alzheimer’s disease. Red light therapy thus gave a measurable positive effect on the ratio. In another study conducted on animals, strong effects were shown and the researchers concluded that "Gut flora-targeted red light treatment is a new possibility to treat Alzheimer’s in a non-invasive way, which gives new hope to those affected" (2).

What can one expect?

If you already have a perfect gut flora, not much is likely to happen since you are already enjoying its benefits. However, you will get other positive effects from RLT, so the technique is still good for you. If, like many others, you have a somewhat disturbed one, the noticeable effects are only weeks away. Changing gut flora does not happen overnight, but still surprisingly quickly since bacteria have a fairly short life cycle and can also divide relatively fast. If the good bacteria start to multiply and take up more space, it automatically leads to less room for the less beneficial ones. There is only room for so many bacteria, and gradually the shift will occur if you take your RLT seriously and do regular treatments. A study showed that three treatments of the abdomen per week for 11 weeks resulted in significant changes (3). Diversity increased, which means a greater number of bacterial strains, generally linked to better health. In individuals who eat a lot of ultra-processed food with low fiber content and without probiotic bacteria, it can be as low as around 200 different strains. Indigenous peoples and those who actively eat fiber-rich food without additives and refined ingredients like white sugar, pure starch, and seed oils can have over 2000 different strains. Additionally, the amount of especially healthy bacterial strains, which could be called "the gut flora's superheroes," increased. These include Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, and Roseburia. At the same time, it was observed that the amount of pathogenic bacteria decreased, so red light therapy should be seen as a proven effective way to improve gut flora.

Photobiomics

There are plenty of new words in health. Just as we have learned words like probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and metabolomics, "photobiomics" appears (4). I'm not quite sure which word we should use in Swedish since it is not an established term, but let's call it "photobiomics" for now. Perhaps this text is what the Language Council will refer to regarding that word if it is included in the new words list published annually? It concerns how light generally affects the gut flora, and even the beloved sun does a good job. Considering how many people get too little sunlight, RLT is a valuable tool to keep the gut flora balanced. Research also shows that the gut flora has its own built-in circadian rhythm, and the light coming from outside is very important to regulate it. Simply put, light is needed both in the eyes and on the body to really tell your body what time of day it is. A big challenge during the dark part of the year, and perhaps a reason why many feel so tired and listless in winter? When you have the chance, you should therefore drink your morning coffee in the sun with your shirt off or wearing a bikini top to really wake up your gut bacteria. Now it's time to start working! If you don't have the opportunity to do that, you should start the day with a session of RLT. It will make a difference.

1. Bicknell, Brian et al. “Microbiome Changes in Humans with Parkinson’s Disease after Photobiomodulation Therapy: A Retrospective Study.” Journal of personalized medicine vol. 12,1 49. 5 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/jpm12010049
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2. Chen, Qianqian et al. “Gut flora-targeted photobiomodulation therapy improves senile dementia in an Aß-induced Alzheimer’s disease animal model.” Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology vol. 216 (2021): 112152. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112152
3. Brian Bicknell 1, E-Liisa Laakso 2 3, Ann Liebert 4 5, Hosen Kiat 6 7. Modifying the Microbiome as a Potential Mechanism of Photobiomodulation: A Case Report. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2022 Feb;40(2):88-97. doi: 10.1089/photob.2021.0057. Epub 2021 Dec 28.
4. Ann Liebert 1 2, Brian Bicknell 3, Daniel M Johnstone 4, Luke C Gordon 4, Hosen Kiat 5 6, Michael R Hamblin 7 8 9. “Photobiomics”: Can Light, Including Photobiomodulation, Alter the Microbiome? Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Nov;37(11):681-693. doi: 10.1089/photob.2019.4628. Epub 2019 Oct 9.

Author: Fredrik Paulún

The studies and research presented here are conducted by independent researchers and institutes. Nutrilight does not fund these studies and has no connection to their execution. These studies generally concern photobiomodulation and are not specifically related to Nutrilight's products.