Infrared light therapy has many health benefits such as reducing inflammation, boosting immune activity, enhancing oxygen levels, reducing stress, producing anti-cancer hormone melatonin and more. Can it treat or even cure cancer?
What is Infrared light therapy?
Infrared therapy, the use of infrared radiation to heat the body directly, is associated with a range of potential health benefits. Some people buy Infra Red lamps for home use, while others swear by Infra Red saunas for major health benefits. Infra Red saunas still use lights, unlike conventional saunas that use steam. Infrared light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation (1).
What are the Benefits of Infrared light therapy?
The deep-penetrating heat from infrared rays can improve blood circulation by promoting the dilation of blood vessels, which enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells - this may aid in muscle recovery and tissue healing.
The improved circulation is linked to benefits for cardiovascular health, including reduced blood pressure and improved vascular function, with studies even suggesting the physiological response to an infrared sauna session is comparable to moderate exercise (2).
Long-term use may also be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events.
Infrared therapy is used for pain relief, particularly for conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, and muscle soreness, by relaxing muscles and reducing inflammation.
Infra Red therapy may also support the treatment of autoimmune diseases and improve symptoms of conditions such as Lyme disease and depression through its effects on circulation and stress reduction.
The American Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation provides fire fighters with infrared saunas to help detoxify the body, train harder, perform better, and recover faster. Because infrared heat has healing properties, it can stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms.
A surprising benefit is that with the heat you should sweat out more sodium than potassium.
Near infrared light and Melatonin
Exposure to Near Infrared (NIR) increases the availability of melatonin to accelerate wound healing. NIR is known to stimulate your mitochondria (the power stations in all your cells), to produce melatonin. Melatonin is our number one antioxidant and very very antiinflammatory (3). It cleans up our cells, regulates human oestrogen and growth hormone, and has five actions against cancer cells. In order to have the raw materials to make the melatonin, you need to consume tryptophan (tofu, nuts and seeds, chicken, turkey), and have a strong microbiome. Your gut bacteria make 90% of your serotonin (4) from these foods, and the serotonin is turned into melatonin by the action of NIR or the mitochondria.
Not surprisingly then, research indicates that infrared therapy can stimulate wound healing, reduce inflammation, and even be effective in treating depression.
Infra Red light and cancer
This cellular melatonin is thought to be consumed locally to combat reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) generated by metabolic processes or environmental stressors like ultraviolet radiation. Some people believe IR therapy can help them fight cancer.
Can it treat cancer and even cure it? I think that a number of factors, e.g. reduced inflammation, increased T-cell activity, reduced ROS and more will help you fight cancer even if the therapy, on its own, cannot be expected to really kill large volumes of cancer cells and thus cure cancer.
NIR light can be used as photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) in conjunction with an ‘antibody–photoabsorber conjugate’ that binds to proteins on cancer cells’ surfaces. When near-infrared light is applied, the cells swell and then burst, causing the cancer cell to die.
According to the National Cancer Institute in the USA, Photoimmunotherapy is in clinical trials in patients with inoperable tumors. THe NCI has a film on this (5).
Side effects of Infrared therapy
The most common of these include dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Extended exposure to the heat from the infrared sauna can cause excessive sweating, leading to a loss of water and electrolytes.
Severe dehydration can potentially lead to heat exhaustion, stroke, and burn. Therefore, it's essential to hydrate well before and after infrared sauna sessions and to limit the time spent in the sauna to avoid these risks.
Moreover, it's important to note that individuals with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, should consult their healthcare provider before using an infrared sauna. The excessive thermal stress can pose health risks, especially for those with underlying health issues.
Infrared lights for home
Infra Red lights can be bought from several companies - e.g Philips here.
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References
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WebMD, Health Benefits of Infra Red Saunas - https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-infrared-saunas
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The Wellness Institute - Infra Red Sauna Therapy
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Dual sources of melatonin and evidence for different primary functions; Russel J. Reiter et al; Front. Endocrinol., 14 May 2024 vol 15.
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Cleveland Clinic - serotonin
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National Cancer Institute - Killing Cancer Cells with the Help of Infrared Light – Photoimmunotherapy