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Aside from nutrition and water, we need vitamin D to survive. In fact, almost every living creature on earth needs vitamin D to survive—it’s a crucial vitamin for all species. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are responsible for the health of our muscles, bones, and teeth.
In addition, Vitamin D fights disease, reduces depression, and aids in weight loss. When we lack vitamin D in our bodies, it can lead to a loss of bone density, which plays a significant role in osteoporosis and fractures.
Naturally, a lot of our nutrients come from food; however, vitamin D is also produced in our skin’s response to sunlight. It wasn’t given the nickname the “sunshine vitamin” for nothing. Sitting outside (with sunscreen on, of course) can boost vitamin D levels in the body. By doing so, it can regulate moods and reduce depression.
In one study, scientists found that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements improved their depression symptoms. While vitamin D supplements are an option, it can take between three to four months until you start to notice improvements. That’s a long time to wait, especially if you’re struggling with depression. However, there is a way to increase vitamin D production without having to wait months to improve.
As we’ve discussed above, you don’t need sunlight for vitamin D production. You can either take vitamin D3 as a supplement, taking months to work, or through red light therapy, receiving quick results. So, how can you increase vitamin D through red light therapy?
Before we get into it, it’s important to know that contrary to popular belief, not all forms of light can increase vitamin D in the body. The type of light used in light therapy devices is crucial. Natural sunlight contains both “red” and “infrared” light. These are the two forms of light that are needed in light therapy devices to increase vitamin D production in the body.
Without red and infrared light, nothing is going to happen. These two forms of light have their own unique benefits to the human body.
In one study published in Scientific Reports, it found that LED lights are more efficient than sunlight at producing vitamin D3 in skin samples. Tyler Kalajian and his team found that skin samples exposed to LED for 0.52 minutes produced more than twice as much vitamin D3 than samples exposed to 32.5 minutes of sunlight.
Another study focused on cystic fibrosis and short bowel syndrome patients who are unable to absorb vitamin D3 through food. The study used UV light to test whether it would affect vitamin D3 production in the patients’ bodies. It was found that the UV lamp emitted UV radiation similar to sunlight, producing Vitamin D3 in the skin.
What’s amazing about these studies is that aside from showing light therapy’s effectiveness in producing vitamin D, they also prove light therapy is an excellent source of vitamin D during the winter season.
During the winter, many people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and are unable to find a vitamin D source. But, through red light therapy, users are able to increase vitamin D production regardless of whether there’s sun outside or not. Instead of using antidepressants or slow-moving vitamin D supplements, red light therapy is a fast-acting alternative.
With Kayian Medical’s MDA-certified and FDA-approved red light therapy devices, users can get their lives back and be in control of their health with effective and quick light therapy treatment.
