Saed News: Researchers say that standard LED lamp light, which lacks red and infrared wavelengths, can damage cell mitochondria, reduce the body’s metabolism, and have wide-ranging consequences for public health.
According to SAEDNEWS, natural sunlight consists of different wavelengths: short (blue), medium (green and yellow), and long (red and infrared). However, standard LED lamps mainly emit blue light and lack red and infrared spectra; this is considered the main problem.
Dr. Glen Jeffery and Dr. Edward Barrett from University College London have studied the effects of these lamps on human health and found that they are not compatible with cell mitochondria.
Mitochondria are tiny organelles inside body cells that produce energy for the cell and regulate metabolism; in simple terms, they are the cell’s power plants.
These organelles are sensitive to long-wavelength light (red and infrared) and show the strongest response to such light in the morning and before sunrise.
Dr. Jeffery says these lights weaken mitochondria and slow down the body’s metabolism. In the long term, LED light can damage vision, disrupt metabolism, increase blood sugar, and reduce oxygen consumption.
He warns that the scale of this issue could be compared to asbestos, a carcinogenic material that was used for years before its risks were understood.
To prevent mitochondrial damage, Dr. Jeffery recommends using incandescent bulbs—old-style warm yellow light bulbs that emit a full light spectrum including red and infrared—and spending as much time as possible in natural sunlight, as long-wavelength sunlight helps the mitochondria function properly.
Red and infrared light help improve mitochondrial function. These wavelengths penetrate deeper into body tissues. Dr. Jeffery notes that infrared light is abundant in nature; even reflected infrared light from a leaf (or natural infrared exposure in general) is enough to support mitochondrial health and counteract LED-related damage.
Researchers warn that the widespread use of LED lights in homes, offices, schools, and hospitals could have collective public health consequences. They suggest manufacturers should develop bulbs that also include longer wavelengths such as red and infrared.
