| In a light therapy device, whether it's handheld or built into a car, a bus, a train, anything that uses LEDs for light therapy through the eyes is under our patent.
Mike: Wow. That's a fairly broad patent.
Pederson: Yes it is. It's in the U.S., Canada and now in Europe as well, and we have others pending.
Mike: What about the battery life of this unit?
Pederson: We use a lithium ion rechargeable battery similar to that used in a video camera. It gives you 90 minutes of light, fully charged. It charges at night like your cell phone. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| Get into the Sunshine
If you tend to get down in the dumps every winter and feel better in the spring, you may have SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and you may want to try light therapy. Relaxing in a room lit at 80 times the brightness of indoor lighting for two hours a day can help to make your hormonal rhythms more pronounced, decreasing your daytime melatonin secretion. You can gain very quick relief with light therapy if you have SAD. If you think this might be for you, check your local health food store for a source of full-spectrum lighting. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 I'm a big proponent of a theoretical body of knowledge called vibrational nutrition, which includes homeopathy, sunlight, the memory of water, sound therapy, light therapy, photo therapy and other similar vibrational modalities. In time, I believe these will all be recognized as necessary nutritional components for human health in the same way that chemical compounds are recognized today. Yet, in modern times, conventional medicine is slow to adopt any new paradigms. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 So, if you're in an environment where you're not getting enough sunlight because you're living in the northern part of the United States, Northern Europe or Canada -- where we are -- or if you're a teenager and you're not getting up in the morning, or you're going to sleep at night and you're a senior or a shift worker -- there's many different applications. light therapy is a natural solution for people that are looking for a way to improve their wellness and to feel better. It's not something that you swallow and there's no side effects and so forth. |
| Mike: How does light therapy actually work at a physiological level? You talked about receptors in the eye.
Pederson: Well, this is something -- this is pretty new science and new knowledge and basically, researchers discovered about four or five years ago that there's this little receptor, a photoreceptor, on the retina right now, and for years they've known that there were rods and cones, which together give us light. They take the signal in and they tell us what's light or dark. It gives us vision. They discovered this other photoreceptor called melanopsin. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Phototherapy, or light therapy, can have a dramatic impact on depression. Consumption of superfoods, such as what's found in Berry Green, is also outstanding for treating depression. Depression is not a "brain chemistry imbalance." It is a fundamental result of poor habits that can be addressed by changing your lifestyle, changing your food choice, getting exposure to natural sunlight, and avoiding the toxins that harm with your nervous system, such as avoiding statin drugs, MSG, artificial colors, and artificial chemical sweeteners as well. There are a lot of ways to address depression. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 About 66% of SAD patients tespond to light therapy. Significant improvement is usually noticed within 4-5 days following the start of treatment. light therapy appears to be an effective treatment for SAD sufferers of all ages, including pediatric SAD patients (Swedo et al. 1997). Some side effects, such as headache ot vision problems, sometimes appear in early therapy, but are usually temporary.
Effect of Melatonin
Although it cannot be established that SAD is caused by abnormal melatonin metabolism, in some people melatonin makes the symptoms of SAD worse (Tar-quini et al. 1998). |
| Patients can take advantage of light therapy upon waking in the morning or during evening hours; however, research has shown early morning therapy to be more effective for most patients (Eastman et al. 1998; Lewy et al. 1998; Partonen et al. 1998). Dawn simulation, in which patients set a timet that turns on the lamp up to 2 hours before they wake up, simulating a natural suntise, is also recommended. About 66% of SAD patients tespond to light therapy. Significant improvement is usually noticed within 4-5 days following the start of treatment. |
| A standard morning light therapy regimen often consists of exposure to a 10,000-lux, cool-white fluorescent light for 30 minutes-2 hours a day (Terman et al. 1998). This thetapy requires special lamps that provide from 5-20 times the normal brightness of home or office lighting.
Patients can take advantage of light therapy upon waking in the morning or during evening hours; however, research has shown early morning therapy to be more effective for most patients (Eastman et al. 1998; Lewy et al. 1998; Partonen et al. 1998). |
Michael Friedman, ND
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 Since full spectrum light reduces the rate of melatonin secretion, light therapy can be very effective in treating patients with SAD.48-49
BODY TEMPERATURE REGULATION
In humans, melatonin is closely connected with changes in body temperature. The most striking example is the reciprocal relationship found in circadian profiles, where the lowest body temperature correlates closely with the peak level of melatonin. The ovulatory rise in temperature during the menstrual cycle is also associated with a decline in melatonin secretion levels. |
Dr. Timothy Scott
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 However, light therapy is also used for major depression at any time of the year.
Beginning the day sitting in front of a fluorescent light box that typically emits about 10,000 lux units of light has helped many people who might otherwise struggle with depression throughout the day begin and end it with a smile. Does it actually work for major depression? It does, according to numerous research investigations.55 But there is a problem with these research studies. It is not possible to keep someone from knowing whether they are being exposed to very bright light or the placebo (dim light). |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Ultraviolet light therapy. Ultraviolet light therapies are used to treat illnesses such as asthma and cancer, as well as conditions like high cholesterol and premenstrual syndrome.
The sun's ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays, which have longer wavelengths than ultraviolet-B (UVB) and ultraviolet-C (UVC) rays, are considered the least harmful. There are a variety of ultraviolet light therapies.
• UVA-1 therapy isolates a portion of the UVA wavelength. It is used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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 People who have used isotretinoin within the last year may not be able to undergo Blue light therapy. Stay out of the sun and avoid fluorescent light exposure for a couple of days after treatment.
Cost: Varies according to the practitioner. Some plastic surgeons charge $500 to $1,000 for a series of treatments.
ž ? ? Dusa Blue Light
Conclusions
Blemishes are a common part of adolescence, but they also trouble many people well into adulthood. Changes in hormone levels seem to aggravate acne. |
| There is growing evidence that light therapy can be beneficial against depression. One eminent psychiatrist reviewed the literature, expecting to find that the research was awful and the therapy didn't work. Instead, after reviewing the data objectively, he came to the conclusion that phototherapy was "comparable to what has been described in the clinical literature for conventional medications to treat depression. The findings are as strong or as striking. |
| Bright light therapy is helpful not only for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which frequently occurs during the winter, but also for depression that occurs at any time of the year. There is evidence that light can enhance the effects of exercise as well as the antidepressant action of medications like citalopram (Celexa).197,198
Fish Oil
Grandma might have been right that cod liver oil is good for your mind as well as your body.
She may not have had the benefit of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, but we do. Most of them show that fish oil can be helpful against depression. |
| In some cases, combining several approaches such as vigorous exercise, fish oil, and light therapy may be as effective as prescription medicine.
• Depression can take the wind out of your sails. Do not expect that you will be able to pull yourself together on your own. Seek help from friends, family, and qualified professionals.
•Antidepressants can be very helpful for some people. There is no clear evidence that one is superior to another. Trial and error may be the only way to tell which one will produce the best results for you. |
| Alternative therapies such as exercise, light therapy, fish oil, and St. John's wort may be helpful.
• Emsam (selegiline) is a new antidepressant skin patch that may offer an alternative to the usual SSRI-type medications.
DIABETES
• Control weight
• Eat a low-carbohydrate diet
• Enjoy a little dark chocolate
• Drink coffee
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• Exercise regularly
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• Sweeten foods with stevia
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• Add cinnamon to meals
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• Monitor blood sugar regularly
• Get adequate vitamin D
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• Control stress
• Ask your doctor about metformin (Glucophage)
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| Ultraviolet light therapy. This probably explains why sunshine is beneficial. Exposure to ultraviolet A in the dermatologist's office can help alleviate eczema symptoms. Stubborn cases may improve with the addition of a psoralen gel or bath before the light exposure. This is similar to a standard treatment for psoriasis. The dermatologist will probably recommend it if she thinks it will be helpful. Although it is usually administered in the office or hospital, a portable unit used at home can be equally effective.301
3. Balneotherapy. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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| Patients with vitiligo and psoriasis can benefit from the treatment of PUVA light therapy (psoralen UV-A). First, patients are injected with psoralen, a light-sensitive drug; then they are exposed to UV light.
MAGNET THERAPY
See under pain control. MASSAGE
See under pain control. MEDITATION
See under pain control.
MUSIC AND SOUND THERAPY
Music therapy is the controlled use of music in the treatment of physical, mental, or emotional disorders. |
| The use of natural sunlight and various forms of light therapy has been effective in reestablishing the body's natural rhythm.
Natural sunlight contains the full wavelength spectrum needed for maintaining health. It triggers the impulses that regulate most bodily functions. Artificial lighting— incandescent and fluorescent—lacks the complete balanced spectrum found in sunlight. Without certain wavelengths, the body cannot absorb some nutrients. |
Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
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 He and others have done exciting research to show that light therapy is a specific treatment of choice for Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD).4 People with SAD become depressed as the days get shorter. They become irritable, sleepy, anxious, socially withdrawn, and disinterested in work and play. Exposing them to ultrabright lights three hours each morning and evening, or five hours in the evening, alleviated their symptoms in two to four days. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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| There may be some benefit in combining laser and infrared light therapy, but more research is needed to prove this conclusively.
Vitamin C
plus bioflavonoids
3,000 mg 3 times daily. 100 mg twice daily.
Powerful antioxidants that help to kill bacteria. Intravenous treatment (under a doctor's supervision) may be beneficial.
Very Important
Coenzyme Q10 plus
Coenzyme A from
Coenzyme-A
Technologies
60 mg daily.
As directed on label.
Increases and regulates immunity. Carries oxygen to the cells. Supports and boosts the body's immune system. Works well with coenzyme Qkj. |
Michael Friedman, ND
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| Naturopathic treatment of diabetic retinopathy involves the administration of high doses of antioxidants, including super oxide dismutase and glutathione IV, as well as herbs that decrease diabetic complications, such as jambul and milk thistle. Blue light therapy has shown to be helpful in eliminating edema.
Aldose reductase inhibitors, such as quercetin and milk thistle, are valuable tools in preventing sorbitol production. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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| Seasonal affective disorder can be treated using light therapy, which involves exposing yourself to light of a certain frequency from a special light box for fifteen minutes to two hours per day. The reason this therapy works is that more melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, is produced in the dark, or on dark days, than in the light or on longer, brighter summer days. At certain levels, melatonin appears to trigger the onset of depression in some people. Most insurance companies now honor claims for these special light boxes. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 This is an excellent method for maximum impact," she says, "because the body receives the same effect as natural sunlight in the morning. You wake up quicker and with less morning shock."
Additionally, you may consider using a light box; these specially designed devices use full-spectrum fluorescent lights to simulate early-morning sunlight. Light boxes typically cost $100 to $450 and are widely available in various sizes and styles, from wall units to desk lamps to visors. They usually come in values of 5,000 to 10,000 lux. |
Jean Carper
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 The usual treatment is light therapy. But St. John's wort also fights the depression, according to Dr. Siegfried Kasper, of the University of Vienna, Austria, and Begona Martinez of the Psychiatric University Clinic in Bonn, Germany. They gave SAD patients 900 milligrams of St. John's wort (called extract LI 160) daily and judged it so effective that they considered it an alternative to light therapy. However, the herbal medicine was even more potent taken along with light therapy.
Summing up the evidence for St. |
Mike Adams
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 LiteBook light therapy Device www.LiteBook.com online and health stores
877-723-5483
Liver Balance Plus www.PBIV.com online or by phone
800-952-7873
Lluvia (Skin care products) www.AmazonDreams. Amazonherb.net online or by phone
561-575-7663
Lotus Water Sanitizing System www.Tersano.com
Sharper Image
800-808-1724
Lotus Water Treatment System www.Tersano.com
Sharper Image
800-808-1724
LycoPom www.NewChapter.info online and health stores
800-681-7099
Madhava Agave Nectar www.MadHavaHoney.com online and health stores
303-823-5166
Max Green Alchemy (personal care) www. |
| LiteBook light therapy device (www.LiteBook.com)
Varicose Veins
What's really the underlying cause of varicose veins? It's usually the lack of fitness and elasticity in your skin. Varicose veins are cosmetically ugly to look at when they appear to be popping out of your legs. They should, of course, be well contained underneath your skin. This, as with almost every other problem mentioned here, is almost always the result of chronic nutritional deficiencies. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Saint-John's-wort (Hypericumperforatum) has been shown to be helpful for SAD, when combined with light therapy.
Super Prescription #2 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
For two weeks, take 200 mg twice daily of an enteric-coated form on an empty stomach. If you notice improvement, stay on this dosage. If there is little improvement, increase to 400 mg two to three times daily. SAMe increases the concentration of brain neurotransmitters that are responsible for your mood. Take a 50 mg B-complex, because B6, folic acid and B12 are involved with proper SAMe metabolism. |
| Other Recommendations
The very best way to reduce the effects of SAD is to work with a doctor who can help with the proper use of light therapy. This can be done by getting outdoors between 5 and 7 a.m. and being exposed to light or using a bright light box (especially in northern climates, where the sun doesn't rise until later in the morning during short winter days, and frequent overcast skies dim the sunlight). Several different companies make bright light boxes. The most important thing to look for is a brightness rating of at least 10,000 lux. |
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