The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy: How to Use Red and Near-Infrared Light Therapy for Anti-Aging, Fat Loss, Muscle Gain, Performance Enhancement, and Brain Optimization

by Ari Whitten

How does red and near-infrared light affect muscles—what is it actually doing to cause these benefits? It works through several important mechanisms in the body: Red and near-infrared light help promote the production of internal antioxidants by your cells, which prevents oxidative stress and damage to the muscle tissue (when light is applied before exercise).334,335 Red and near-infrared light help reduce inflammation that will lead to cellular damage (and fatigue) in the muscle tissue as well. 336,337 Protect damaged muscles from secondary damage from further exercise. Pre-conditioning: By using the light prior to exercise, it creates a “pre-conditioning” effect where the muscle cells suffer less damage from the exercise, as well as display higher strength/stamina in subsequent exercise following the initial bout of exercise. Red and near-infrared light decrease lactic acid production by muscles. Red and near-infrared light improve mitochondrial function during exercise. Increases acetylcholine receptors on muscles (this is the neurotransmitter released from nerve cells that stimulates muscle contraction). Red and near-infrared light increase the production of specific types of heat shock proteins that protect cells from oxidative damage, stress, and apoptosis (early cell death).338 Red and near-infrared light also enhance muscle growth, as well as increasing strength significantly.339 Red and near-infrared light therapy promotes the development of muscle stem cells, myo...