Scientists from the University of Buffalo and the US National Institutes of Health have found that exposure to infrared light (PBM therapy) can delay the development of age-related heart disease. Research published in the journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Experiments were carried out on 14-month-old mice, which corresponds to the average age in humans. Infrared light therapy using a top LED light source for two minutes five days a week improved heart function and reduced the thickness of the heart wall.
“As the muscles thicken, they stiffen and the pumping action of the heart becomes less efficient,” the scientists explained.
The study looked at a group of genetically modified mice with severe heart disease that often resulted in death. PBM treatment stopped disease progression and increased survival to 100% compared to the usual survival of 43%.
The scientists found that the therapy increased the production of TGF-β1, a substance that regulates stem cell activity, inflammation and immune system function, which may partly explain how light therapy works.