Beyond the Basics: Adjunct Red-Light Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
We've talked a lot about diet, monitoring, and even cold exposure, but there's a whole world of "adjunct therapies" that can complement your Type 2 Diabetes management. These aren't supplements or medications, but for me, they've been nothing short of a miracle in my weight loss and overall health improvement journey.
There's a growing body of exciting research suggesting that at its core, Type 2 Diabetes might actually be a disease of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Mitochondria: Your Body's Tiny Powerhouses
You might remember mitochondria from science class. These incredible organelles are found in huge numbers in most of our cells, and their main job is to handle the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production. Think of them as the tiny "power plants" within each of your cells.
In simple terms, if we can boost the function of our body's mitochondria, more energy becomes available for all sorts of bodily "work." This, in turn, helps your body consume glucose more efficiently. And that's fantastic news for managing blood sugar!
(If you're interested in diving deeper into the science, check out this study: Kwak SH, Park KS, Lee KU, Lee HK. Mitochondrial metabolism and diabetes. J Diabetes Investig. 2010 Oct 19;1(5):161-9. doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00047.x. PMID: 24843427; PMCID: PMC4020716.)
Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy): Shining a Light on Cellular Energy
One of the most promising adjunct therapies I've explored is Photobiomodulation, more commonly known as Red Light Therapy.
Red light therapy is directly pro-metabolic, meaning it actively encourages your metabolism. How? It works by increasing ATP (energy) production directly within your mitochondria. Our mitochondria actually require light to function optimally! Red light therapy supplements the environmental light we get with concentrated doses of specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. This particular spectrum is exactly what your mitochondria use to produce that vital ATP.
I personally use a Hooga Health Pro1500 Panel. This device delivers light at 850NM and 660 NM wavelengths with a powerful output of 86mW/CM². Because it's quite powerful, my treatment sessions are typically around 10 minutes, and I always wear protective glasses during use.
(For more scientific information on photobiomodulation, you can explore research like this:
Red light therapy, alongside other holistic approaches, offers an exciting path to support your body's natural energy production and glucose management. Have you ever considered how different types of light might influence your health?
