Red Light Therapy - Fat Loss Helper

Believe it or not, Red Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation strongly influences how your body stores and burns fat. In the past (without alarm clocks or cell phones) the SUNSHINE played bigger role.

The Sun naturally woke us up and "encouraged" us out of bed, cortisol increased naturally and appropriately, and the sun activated fuel-burning as we moved throughout the day. Sundown was time for quiet, calm, rest, repair and rebuild no matter if it was 5pm or 7pm. In current times, evening blue light from our technology and screens tell us it’s still daytime and delays melatonin production. This raises nighttime blood sugar, and favors fat storage. Yikes! 

So, how does Red Light Therapy impact fat loss: 

• It regulates our Circadian Rhythm regulation getting our bodies back into fat burning and rest states. 

• Near infrared light penetrates the skin increasing healthy gut bacteria decreasing food & drink cravings.

• It decreases inflammation in our cells, decreasing pain and allowing us to move more.

• AND - It helps mitochondria produce ATP energy more efficiently allowing the body's fat cells to open in ways that allow fatty acids to exit into the blood stream which then exit our bodies. 

SIMPLE HACKS to get the MOST out of using the red light sessions to enhance fat burning:

1. Make sure the red light you choose is in the wavelength of 635-650 and medical-grade power density. The research demonstrating real fat loss results use this specific range. At Stronger we use the Joovv brand that fits this requirement.

2. Before your session - HYDRATE. Drink at lease 3-4 cups of water in the 60 - 90 minutes leading up to using the red light. Cellular activity is enhanced and also supports the flushing of fat once released from your cells.

3. Expose your skin area to the light for 10 minutes - Joov recommending 8-12 inches away. If you are seated father away increase your time.

4. After a session - choose one of these 3 options:

   • Move your body moderately for 10-20 minutes - a brisk walk, treadmill walk, dancing, biking, or lighter weights.

   • Vibration plate for 10 minutes to stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow.

   • 10-20 minutes Infrared sauna supporting detox and calorie burning.

5. HYDRATE again with after your session to help flush fat through your lymphatic system and liver, supporting detox and preventing reabsorption. Ideally another 3-4 cups over the next 90 minutes.

6. Frequency - 10 minutes - 2-3x/week ideally.

7. The basics of good health remain the same. Eat your fruits and veggies, lean proteins, limit processed foods, get a good night sleep, exercise daily, and connect with others. Simple additions such as; 10 minutes outside within an hour of waking, dim lights after sunset, limit screens before bed, time meals to daylight, and add red light therapy to your week will help restore that rhythm supporting metabolic balance and weight loss.

Click me to schedule your Red Light Session

READ BELOW - STUDIES WITH RED LIGHT THERAPY AS A SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS HELPER:

Resources: 

2009 Clinical Trial – Waist & Hip Reduction

 In a double-blind, sham-controlled trial, participants used red light at 635 nm to their waist, hips, and thighs over two weeks. The results were striking: women lost an average of 3.5 inches, and men lost about 2.4 inches, while the control group saw almost no change.

Lasers Surg Med. 2009;41(10):799–809

2011 Study – Exercise + Red Light Synergy.

Researchers compared people who exercised alone with those who combined exercise and red light therapy. After two weeks, the combination group saw a significantly greater reduction in body circumference than exercise alone, showing that light amplifies the effects of physical activity.

J Obes. 2011;2011: 1–7

2015 Brazilian Trial 

In a trial of 64 overweight women, all followed a structured exercise program, but half also received red light therapy. After 20 weeks, the women who used light therapy lost fat at nearly double the rate of the exercise-only group and showed healthier changes in fat metabolism markers.

Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33(6):1245–1254

2018 Clinical Trial – Body Fat % and Waist Size

Overweight women who combined red light therapy with workouts over 12 weeks achieved significant reductions in body fat percentage and waist circumference compared to exercise alone.

Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33(6):1245–1254

Laboratory Study – Fat Cell Release Even in controlled lab experiments, the effects were visible. Human fat cells exposed to six minutes of red light released up to 99% of their stored

contents, proving a direct lipolytic effect at the cellular level.

Click me to schedule your Red Light Session

The basics of good health remain the same. Eat your fruits and veggies, lean proteins, limit processed foods, get a good night sleep, exercise daily, and connect with others. Simple additions such as; 10 minutes outside within an hour of waking, dim lights after sunset, limit screens before bed, time meals to daylight, and add red light therapy to your week will help restore that rhythm supporting metabolic balance and weight loss.