Light Therapy for Longevity

How We Use Light Therapy in My Practice

I am launching a monthly presentation on Light Therapy for Longevity, followed by a Q&A. If you want to ask me your most burning questions about light therapy (pun intended), sign up for the next presentation. I'll be sharing case studies, speaking in-depth about the science of light, and showing you exactly how I use light therapy in my practice. You won't want to miss it. I trust I'll see you there - register today.

We use light therapy every day in my practice. We use a wide range of devices and products. The reason we use light therapy every day and recommend it in every case is that light therapy has powerful anti-aging and longevity effects. In this post, I will discuss what these effects are, why they are so important, and then what products and devices we use in my practice, as well as why we use them.

Understanding the Aging Process

I look at aging as a combination of three processes that are all inter-related:

1. Declining cellular energy generation and function (mitochondrial decline)

2. Declining hormone, peptides, and neurotransmitter levels

3. Deteriorating connective tissue (hair, skin, nails, joints, blood vessels, and vital organs)

To a certain extent, aging is inevitable. There is only so much we can do to slow, let alone reverse, aging.

Many things accelerate aging, like toxins and stress, which I wrote about in detail in my book, "Dying to Be Free." Order a copy here.

We can "reverse" and slow aging by:

1. Improving cellular energy production (mitochondrial function)

2. Improving hormone and neurotransmitter levels and balance

3. Improving our connective tissue strength

Light therapy is my favorite way to do this because:

1. Light increases cellular energy production

2. Light controls hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters

3. Light can strengthen our connective tissue

What Kind of Light Therapy?

Primarily, we are talking about red and infrared light therapy. Ultraviolet light has a place, as I wrote about here:

Are You Getting Enough UV Light?

Red and infrared light, in and of themselves, are powerful tools for slowing and (dare I say it?) reversing aging. I am not really sure we can actually reverse aging, but patients have told me, verbatim, that light therapy has turned back the clock for them by as much as five years. Meredith Oke specifically mentioned this in her second podcast with me. Listen to it here:

Stories of Hope & Healing: Meredith Oke Part II

How Red and Infrared Light Promote Longevity

1. Red and infrared light improve mitochondrial function, increasing cellular energy generation

2. Light triggers the production of hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters

3. Red and infrared light trigger the production of connective tissue and can also reduce pain

Real-World Results We See

• Increased energy and better sleep as a result of improved mitochondrial function

• Women report that their hormones feel more "balanced"

• Women have told me they were planning on starting bioidentical hormones, but that they were able to delay thanks to light therapy

• Women have told me their skin has tightened up and that they appear years younger

  • Friends might ask, "have you started botox?"

• Better and more stable mood

• A sense of calm and peace

• Increased resiliency and stamina

• Fewer joint problems (some people have reported avoiding joint replacements)

• Improved skin, particularly visible veins and blood vessels

• Moles and age spots disappearing

• Tighter, more youthful looking hair, skin, and nails

This might seem like a lot. It might seem like a tall tale or too good to be true. The literature, however, is clear that these are all effects we should expect to see with light therapy.

Individual results vary a great deal. I spend plenty of time counseling patients and practitioners on how get the most out of their light therapy. It is not as simple as flipping a switch and seeing results. More on the secrets of getting the most out of light therapy later...

How We Use Light Therapy in Clinical Practice

This depends upon:

• How much time the patient has

• What they are open to investing

• What our top priority is

• What their lifestyle is like

Why are these the primary factors? They might surprise you. The reason comes down to one principle I've learned in practice that you won't find in a textbook:

The best light therapy for the patient is the one they will actually use on a daily or at least weekly basis. Making recommendations for therapies that are impractical is a recipe for disappointment. Our patients want real results, so we give them therapies that fit into real life.

Our Favorite Light Therapy Modalities

1. Sunlight

The top of my list is sunlight. Sunlight is a powerful healer. I wrote about that in my last book, "Dying to Be Free." Purchase a copy here.

This is why I included three ten-minute walks in my 14-Day Reset. Patients are often surprised by just how significant of an impact these walks have on their health.

2. X39 Patch from LifeWave

When it comes to devices and products, the X39 patch from LifeWave is at the top of my list.

Why?

• It is convenient

• It is affordable

• GHK-Cu, which is what the patch upregulates, causes your cells to behave as though they are younger (isn't that the definition of longevity?)

• This means that it:

  • Improves mitochondrial function

  • Improves hormone, peptide, and neurotransmitter production

  • Triggers collagen synthesis (connective tissue generation)

Could it get any better?

I included it in my 14-Day Reset because of this.

Dr. Stillman’s 14-Day Reset

The X39 patch works based on the three principles I mentioned above. It increases levels of GHK-Cu, a peptide that then increases collagen production (strengthening connective tissue), improves mitochondrial function, and makes cells behave as though they are younger. It is as close to a fountain of youth as we are likely to find. Loren Pickart's book on this is a great read if you are interested in learning more - pick up a copy here.

I read it from cover to cover to learn why the X39 patch was having such profound effects on my patients.

We are using LifeWave patches to help our son recover from his birth injury, as I wrote about here.

3. Sauna

I strongly recommend saunas from SaunaSpace. These saunas combine the best of sauna therapy and red and infrared light therapy. The red and infrared light has all the benefits I listed above. When you add heat, you increase detoxification of the body via sweating. This is why sauna repeatedly ranks as one of the most important things we can do for our health. I strongly recommend that patients sauna for 20-30 minutes per day, so long as they can tolerate it. Consult your physician or healthcare practitioner before starting sauna therapy.

More on sauna therapy here:

The Quick and Simple Guide to Sauna Therapy

The challenge with sauna is time. I like to sauna for 30-45 minutes each day. With a four month old and a wife, this became impractical. I have patients who are busy with family, hobbies, jobs, and life in general. For many if not most of them, sauna is a nice idea, but not a practical one.

4. Red and Infrared Light Therapy Devices

Last, but certainly not least, are red and infrared light therapy panels and hand-held devices. These are more specialized tools that I use in specific circumstances. For example, if we are treating a brain or spinal cord injury, being able to deliver a targeted dose of red or infrared light to the area can be much more effective than anything else. This may require more clinical oversight for success. I have written more about these products in this post:

The Quick and Simple Guide to Infrared and Red Light Therapy

We are using the EMR-Tek Firestorm and the Sunlighten to help our son recover from his birth injury. Read more about the light therapy we are using to help him heal here.

Resources and Opportunities

I am such a raving fan of the X39 patch that I am building a team to distribute it. You can purchase the X39 patch from myself or a member of my team here.

As a benefit for purchasing from myself or a member of my team, Team Quantum Wellness, you will get access to exclusive masterclasses from myself and my top team members.

If you are enjoying this post, you will love my masterclasses. They contain my best information on specific topics like weight loss, autoimmunity, thyroid health, hormone balancing, and more. They are my gift to members of my LifeWave team.

Register for my Light Therapy for Longevity Masterclass if you want to learn more about the X39 or my team at LifeWave, Team Quantum Wellness.

Learn more about sauna and which sauna I use in this post:

The Quick and Simple Guide to Sauna Therapy

Learn more about red and infrared light therapy and what products I use in this post:

The Quick and Simple Guide to Infrared and Red Light Therapy

These are affiliate codes. I earn commissions on these products. Your support means the world to me and helps fund my writing habit. My goal is to make the best information in integrative medicine available to everyone.

Until next time, be well,

Dr. Stillman