From the desk of Wally Taylor, M.D.
What are the benefits of exposure of our bodies to red and near infrared light?
The answer to this question involves an understanding of inflammation and the role of our billions of mitochondria.
When our tissues and cells are injured by trauma, infection, or toxic chemical assault, our body’s immune system is programmed to recognize the injury-causing threat and to respond in what is called the immune response. The immune system responds with a complex response that is also termed inflammation.
The hallmarks of this inflammation response are calor (local warmth), rubor (local redness, tumor (local swelling), turgor (local induration), and dolor (local pain or tenderness). The purpose of this response is to contain and eliminate the threat and ultimately to lead to tissue regeneration and repair. It is not infrequent that this response becomes exaggerated and prolonged. This is where red and infrared photons come in.
Scientific research has clearly demonstrated that these two wavelengths (colors) of light (photons) interact directly with our body’s cells and mitochondria in a way that leads to increased cellular energy as ATP (the body’s prime energy molecule) which are like the “Bitcoins” of the body. This results in a much more rapid resolution of the inflammatory response by making it more efficient in accomplishing its purpose and more quickly eliminates it leading to dramatically more rapid and complete regeneration and repair. These wavelengths have even been shown to increase local growth factors and stem cells!
Even exercise (especially very vigorous exercise) results in microscopic cellular and tissue injury that results in inflammation. This is why these wavelengths are being used commonly on a routine basis to significantly improve post-exertional recovery in high-performance athletes.
The use of a system of total body exposure (such as with the NovoThor pod) is a very effective way to safely dose these photons to our bodies in order to achieve these beneficial effects.
Wally Taylor, MD, Austin, TX