Dr. Glen Jeffery: Using Red Light to Improve Your Health & the Harmful Effects of LEDs

Light wavelengths fundamentally dictate mitochondrial health and systemic longevity. Long-wavelength light—specifically red and near-infrared—penetrates human tissue to improve mitochondrial efficiency by altering the viscosity of surrounding water, thereby boosting ATP production and reducing cellular apoptosis. Conversely, the modern built environment’s reliance on short-wavelength-enriched LED lighting, often exacerbated by infrared-blocking glass, creates a significant physiological imbalance. This deficiency in balanced light correlates with metabolic dysfunction, including impaired blood glucose regulation and potential long-term health risks. Dr. Glen Jeffery, a professor of neuroscience at University College London, emphasizes that mitigating these effects requires increasing natural sunlight exposure, utilizing full-spectrum incandescent or halogen lighting, and applying targeted red light therapy. These low-cost interventions support mitochondrial communities, which act as a systemic network to regulate energy, inflammation, and overall tissue health across the body.