What is Infrared light?
Infrared sunlight is a crucial component of the solar spectrum that offers various health benefits, including improved cellular function and enhanced well-being. Here are some interesting facts about infrared light from the sun.
- Infrared is that portion of the solar spectrum with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves.
- 54% of sunlight is infrared light, 7% is ultraviolet light and 39% is visible light.
- 90-95% of all melatonin is produced at the subcellular level from the interaction of infrared light and your skin.
- Infrared light can penetrate deep into the human body including the muscle, brain, and even the bones.
Infrared light and intracellular Melatonin production
There are four different sources of melatonin production. (1) visible light regulated melatonin of pineal gland origin, (2) cellular infrared regulated melatonin, (3) melatonin originating from infrared/mitochondria interaction, as well as (4) dietary melatonin. See NIH National Library of Medicine: Melatonin: Both a Messenger of Darkness and a Participant in the Cellular Actions of Non-Visible Solar Radiation of Near Infrared Light
Infrared light is used by mitochondria to produce subcellular melatonin in every cell of our body where the most of our melatonin is produced.
Dietary melatonin can account for some melatonin production. Food sources of melatonin include walnuts, pistachios, pineapple, tart cherries, salmon, milk and eggs.
Dr Eric Berg is an advocate of exposure to natural sunlight. His below 4-minute video is an excellent source of knowledge on Vitamin D and melatonin production, and the importance of infrared light from the sun.
Infrared light helps protect Mitochondria
Intracellular melatonin produced from the interaction with infrared light. Melatonin enhances the production of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the primary energy currency in all living cells and plays an important role in many metabolic processes.
Vitamin D and melatonin are two important sources of protection of our mitochondria to protect and extend a healthy body.
The morning is the best time to get infrared light from the sun, but infrared can be obtained from the sun during the day and before sunset.
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