Wavelengths of Energy from Sunshine: UVB, UVA, Red, Near Infrared, Far Infrared, and Blue Light from sunshine all have unique health consequences
Key Points
- There are several wavelengths of energy from sunshine that trigger specific actions within the body to influence our health; different wavelengths are able to penetrate the skin to different depths and have certain effects on the cells and tissues they reach
- UVB radiation stimulates the production of vitamin D, as well as serotonin and beta-endorphins, UVA promotes the release of nitric oxide into the blood, and both have a positive effect on the diversity of the microbiome on the skin and in the gut
- Blue light has a strong regulatory effect on the circadian rhythm and the release of melatonin from the pineal gland, while red light, near-infrared radiation, and far-infrared radiation have anti-inflammatory and tissue healing effects; infrared radiation also stimulates the production of melatonin inside the mitochondria for a strong antioxidant effect
The energy given off from the sunshine (aka the solar spectrum) consists of different wavelengths between 300 nm and well over 1 mm.
