Light therapy uses light therapeutically to the patient to treat an array of illnesses. We all feel a little gloomy in the winter months and this is a good example how lack of light can affect our moods. It doesn’t stop there a reduction in light can affect our body weight, skin tone and the intricate biochemical processes within the body.
An example of this is how minimizing light can disrupt the manufacture of vitamin D as well as affecting hormone levels within the body.
Light therapy utilizes the wide spectrum of light. This aims to mimic both visible light and ultraviolet light which is produced by the sun. These different spectrums of light can be used then to treat conditions such as bilirubin in babies, depression and psoriasis.
The benefits of natural sunlight should not be underestimated. Your body uses sunrays in a number of ways. For example sunlight helps your body to deal with colds, depression and tiredness. A reduction in sunlight decreases the production of serotonin (a happy hormone) and increases the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes us sleepy).
Sunlight also assists the body to absorb a range of vitamins and minerals. For example calcium is essential for bone and teeth growth and development but without vitamin D your body can’t absorb it. This essential vitamin is produced only by exposing your skin to the sun – ten minutes is all you need!