The Light Spectrum: How Sunlight and Artificial Light Affect Us

In His wisdom, Hashem gave us the sun, which emits every color of the rainbow, visible when sunlight passes through raindrops (this is known as the "visible light spectrum"). The red light spectrum and infrared rays from the sun are incredibly beneficial to all living things. Morning sunlight exposure for about 20 minutes contributes vastly to our health beyond just vitamin D production. It facilitates the production of GABA (a calming agent) and melatonin, a hormone that aids falling asleep at night, which many people lack. Melatonin, known to combat cancer by neutralizing free radicals in our body, also reduces stress hormones. For melatonin to be released by evening to help with easy sleep, one should darken rooms before bedtime and sleep in complete darkness. Melatonin is produced in the retina in the morning, preparing the body for sleep through morning sun exposure – marvels of creation by Hashem. Also, wearing dark sunglasses outdoors hinders melatonin production in the retina.

Infrared light penetrates our bodies 10-40 mm deep, warming us from the inside and aiding internal healing. Nowadays, infrared saunas are beneficial for treating inflammations, detoxing through sweating, lymphatic cleansing, recovery, wound healing, dental health, reducing hair loss, and more.

Nowadays, our eyes have weakened, unaccustomed to sunlight as most people spend their days indoors under artificial lighting, primarily emitting harmful blue light frequencies, unlike the healthy red frequencies we've discussed. Old incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps, and candles emit beneficial red frequencies. In contrast, LEDs and fluorescent lights primarily emit damaging blue frequencies. Sadly, many stores and streets use this unhealthy lighting, leading to severe health consequences (according to the late Prof. Avraham Haim).

Candles also emit red frequencies, maintaining high melatonin production. Traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs reduce melatonin production by 40%, as they emit some blue but a lot of red light. In comparison, modern LED and fluorescent lighting, which predominantly emit blue light, as well as blue light from computers and mobile phones, significantly lower melatonin levels, leading to long-term health issues.

Even the National Worker Health Council of the Ministry of Health recognizes this: "...extensive use of close-range devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones increases exposure to short-wave blue light. Prolonged exposure leads to retinal degeneration, resulting in age-related vision loss."

Studies indicate 90% of people working over three hours a day at computers suffer from eye strain. In the U.S. and UK eye clinics, one in ten patients seek help due to computer-induced issues. Symptoms include Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) - multiple eye problems from prolonged screen exposure - nearsightedness, eye fatigue (from screen focus), and muscle strain. People also experience inflammation, vision deterioration, corneal thinning, retinal issues leading to vision loss, conjunctival inflammation (white part), irritation, redness, eyelid gland issues, reducing eye moisture (due to less blinking), fatigue, and skin aging. Over time, problems like cataracts, various cancers, hormonal imbalances, fertility issues, depression, sleeplessness, attention and focus difficulties may arise.

Late Prof. Avraham Haim’s research also revealed artificial lighting (LED blue light), especially post-dark, can induce stress, poor sleep quality, and lead to cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, obesity, depression, infections, and more.

Practical Recommendations and Solutions

* For home lighting, if only LED bulbs are available (though regular or halogen bulbs can be found with effort), it's recommended to buy yellow LEDs screwed into lamps not exceeding 3000 Kelvin K (as labeled), avoiding white LED bulbs. Large LED fixtures attached to white or yellow ceilings are undesired for additional reasons.

* Fluorescent lights emit harmful blue frequencies and flicker, negatively impacting health, especially in epilepsy patients. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) - known as "eco-friendly" bulbs - emit magnetic and electric fields at low frequencies near bulbs and also emit ultraviolet radiation.

* It’s advisable to shutter blinds at night for complete darkness. LED exposure, especially post-sunset, inhibits up to 80% of melatonin production. Sleep issues shouldn’t be a surprise.

* Screens and LEDs at night = blue light exposure to eyes = cell dehydration, sleep disorders, fatigue, and all previously mentioned effects. Avoid screens and blue-emitting lights during evenings. Conversely, red light exposure = alertness, vitality, health.

* End hot showers with gradual cold showers, one minute daily. Bask in morning sun for 20 minutes, reduce screen use for more energy and health.

* During the day, let sunlight illuminate homes with minimal artificial lighting.

* Software like F.LUX can be downloaded to reduce blue light emission from screens, and blue light screen protectors are available online.

Be wise, enjoy sunlight responsibly, use lighting and devices smartly, and educate yourself on this subject.

To book home sessions with naturopath Ruth Liat Felz (free of charge), call 073-2221290