FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, May 15, 2025

Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.

May is Sunshine Month, a time to celebrate the healing power of light-both from nature and advanced medical science. From the life-giving rays of morning sunlight to precision-engineered red and near-infrared devices, light therapy is transforming medicine without drugs or surgery.

Welcome to the science of Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Near-Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy. PBMT is a safe, non-invasive treatment using red or NIR light (600-1100 nm) to activate mitochondria, reduce oxidative stress, and stimulate cellular repair.

🌞 And yes-natural sunlight delivers many of the same mitochondrial benefits. During Sunshine Month, we highlight how both nature and science offer light as medicine.

⏳ 1. Anti-Aging and Longevity
Light slows biological aging and extends lifespan in animals by targeting three key drivers-mitochondrial decline, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation [1-4].
✅ Boosts ATP production
✅ Activates stem cells and DNA repair
✅ Enhances circadian rhythm and sleep

🧠 2. Brain Health, Cognition, and Mood
Light enhances brain energy, blood flow, and emotional resilience [1,5-9].
✅ Increases cerebral ATP and oxygenation
✅ Reduces neuroinflammation
✅ Supports memory and mood

❤️ 3. Cardiovascular Support
Heart function improves with light-stimulated nitric oxide and better energy metabolism [1,10-13].
✅ Promotes circulation and vasodilation
✅ Reduces fibrosis and inflammation
✅ Supports heart repair post-injury

🔻 4. Metabolic Health & Type 2 Diabetes
PBMT improves glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and mitochondrial health [14-17].
✅ Lowers HbA1c and fasting glucose
✅ Enhances beta-cell function
✅ Supports fat metabolism

🧫 5. Cancer: Supportive Therapy
Used with guidance, light improves quality of life during cancer treatment [18-22].
✅ Reduces chemo/radiation side effects
✅ Enhances energy and wound healing
⚠️ Avoid direct application over tumors without expert supervision

🛡️ 6. Immune Function and Inflammation
PBMT recalibrates immune responses and promotes recovery [23-26].
✅ Reduces pro-inflammatory markers
✅ Enhances tissue repair
✅ Supports autoimmune balance

🔥 7. Libido & Hormonal Health
Red/NIR light to the testes or pelvic region boosts testosterone and circulation [27,28].
✅ Increases libido and energy
✅ Enhances reproductive function

✨ 8. Skin and Beauty Rejuvenation
Light restores youthful skin tone, elasticity, and clarity [29-32].
✅ Stimulates collagen and elastin
✅ Reduces wrinkles, acne, and scars
✅ Boosts glow and moisture

🦵 9. Muscle, Joint, and Injury Repair
From sports injuries to arthritis, PBMT accelerates recovery [24,33-35].
✅ Reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness
✅ Speeds tissue repair and mobility

👁 10. Vision and Eye Health
PBMT has shown promise in improving various aspects of visual function and protecting eye health [36,37].
✅ Enhances retinal mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress
✅ Supports blood flow to ocular tissues
✅ May benefit conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy

⚠️ Avoid long eye exposure to bright sunlight, for example when driving a vehicle or at the beach, as exposure to blue and/or ultraviolet light can damage the eye. Wear dark glasses to prevent this type of damage. [38-41]

🌞 Sunshine as Nature's Light Therapy
While PBMT devices offer precision, sunlight-especially morning and sunset rays-provides free red and NIR light.
✅ Resets melatonin and improves sleep
✅ Boosts vitamin D and immunity
✅ Gently supports skin and vascular health

Smart Sunshine Tips for May:

• Get 10-30 minutes of early morning sun (face and arms) for circadian rhythm
• Get 5-30 minutes of solar noon sun (time without sunscreen depends on skin type) for vitamin D
• Enjoy late afternoon sunlight for red/NIR benefits
• Avoid sunscreen during red/NIR periods, but apply protection during peak UV times as needed based on skin type
• Spend time outdoors daily for light exposure and movement

Key Point: Melanin (the pigment in the skin) acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting the skin from sunburns. The darker the skin, the more melanin, and the longer a person needs UVB exposure (without sunscreen) to generate the same amount of vitamin D as a lighter skinned individual. Safe sun exposure depends heavily on skin type - know what type you are and the amount of time you can safely spend in midday sun before applying sunscreen. It is always important to not burn.

📌 Conclusion: Light as Medicine-Celebrating Sunshine Month
May, the Sunshine Month, is a reminder that health can be illuminated-literally. Whether through the sun's rays or medical-grade red/NIR light, Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is a powerful tool in the Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine (IOM) toolkit, supporting healing, energy, mood, immunity, and longevity-without drugs.

Let this month be your invitation to step into the light-naturally and purposefully.

About the Author
Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. - Editor-in-Chief, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
Dr. Cheng is a practicing physician based in the USA and China, specializing in integrative and orthomolecular approaches to health. His clinical interests include nutrition-based therapy, functional medicine, low-carb medicine, and anti-aging medicine. He also works internationally as a health consultant and educator.

References:

1. Ahmet I, Begum Syed S, Chakir K, et al. (2024) The Therapeutic Effects of Long-term Photobiomodulation on Aging in Mice. BioRxiv, preprint at https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.05.552116

2. Tafur J, Mills PJ (2008) Low-intensity light therapy: exploring the role of redox mechanisms. Photomed Laser Surg. 26:323-328. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18665762

3. Begum R, Calaza K, Hoh Kam J, et al. (2015) Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster. Biol Lett. 11:20150073. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25788488

4. da Rocha EA, Alvarez MMP, Pelosine AM, et al. (2022) Laser Photobiomodulation 808 nm: Effects on Gene Expression in Inflammatory and Osteogenic Biomarkers in Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells. Front Pharmacol. 12:782095. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35111053

5. Baik JS, Lee TY, Kim NG, et al. (2021) Effects of Photobiomodulation on Changes in Cognitive Function and Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Uncontrolled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 83:1513-1519. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34420956

6. Hipskind SG, Grover FL Jr, Fort TR, et al. (2019) Pulsed Transcranial Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy Using Light-Emitting Diodes Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 37:77-84. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31050928

7. Salehpour F, Gholipour-Khalili S, Farajdokht F, et al. (2020) Therapeutic potential of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: a narrative review. Rev Neurosci 31:269-286. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31812948

8. Hamblin MR (2023) Transcranial photobiomodulation for the brain: a wide range of clinical applications. Neural Regen Res. 19:483-484. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721264

9. Martin PI, Chao L, Krengel MH, et al. (2021) Transcranial Photobiomodulation to Improve Cognition in Gulf War Illness. Front Neurol. 11:574386. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33551948

10. Kashiwagi, S. Morita A, Yokomizo S, et al. (2023) Photobiomodulation and nitric oxide signaling. Nitric Oxide, 130:58-68. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36462596

11. Gao X, Zhang W, Yang F, et al. (2021) Photobiomodulation Regulation as One Promising Therapeutic Approach for Myocardial Infarction. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021:9962922. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34336126

12. Quirk BJ, Whelan HT (2020) What Lies at the Heart of Photobiomodulation: Light, Cytochrome C Oxidase, and Nitric Oxide-Review of the Evidence. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 38:527-530. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32716711

13. Ganipineni VDP, Gutlapalli SD, Ajay Sai Krishna Kumar I, et al. (2023) Exploring the Potential of Energy-Based Therapeutics (Photobiomodulation/Low-Level Laser Light Therapy) in Cardiovascular Disorders: A Review and Perspective. Cureus, 15:e37880. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37214067

14. Gong L, Zou Z, Liu L, et al. (2021) Photobiomodulation therapy ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by activating cytochrome c oxidase-mediated protein kinase B in muscle. Aging (Albany NY) 13:10015-10033. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33795530

15. Mohamed Abdelgawad L, Abd El-Hamed MM, Sabry D, Abdelgwad M (2021) Efficacy of Photobiomodulation and Metformin on Diabetic Cell Line of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells through Keap1/Nrf2/Ho-1 Pathway. Rep Biochem Mol Biol. 10:30-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34277866

16. Costa JSR, Silva G, Guimarães IC, et al. (2024) Photobiomodulation Enhances the Effect of Strength Training on Insulin Resistance Regardless of Exercise Volume in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. J Biophotonics, 17:e202400274. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39419755

17. Perrier Q, Moro C, Lablanche S (2024) Diabetes in spotlight: current knowledge and perspectives of photobiomodulation utilization. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 15:1303638. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38567306

18. Wu H-S, Davis JE, Chen L (2021) Bright light shows promise in improving sleep, depression, and quality of life in women with breast cancer during chemotherapy: findings of a pilot study. Chronobiol Int. 38:694-704. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33478260

19. Wu H-S, Gao F, Davis JE, Given CW (2023) Effects of Chronotype-tailored Bright Light Intervention on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors. Res Sq. rs.3.rs-3286350 (2023) https://doi.org10.21203/rs.3.rs-3286350/v1

20. Dallaspezia S, Cantamessa S, Benedetti F (2018) Light therapy and mood in breast cancer. Int J Cancer, 142:1723-1724. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29197084

21. Nair R, Bensadoun R-J (2016) Mitigation of Cancer Therapy Side-Effects with Light. (Morgan & Claypool Publishers). Online ISBN: 978-1681740751; Print ISBN: 978-1681740119. https://iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/978-1-6817-4075-1/chapter/bk978-1-6817-4075-1ch1

22. Deng F, Yang R, Yang Y, et al. (2024) Visible light accelerates skin wound healing and alleviates scar formation in mice by adjusting STAT3 signaling. Commun Biol. 7:1266. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39367154

23. de Matos BTL, Buchaim DV, Pomini KT, et al. (2021) Photobiomodulation Therapy as a Possible New Approach in COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 11:580. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34207199

24. Rosso MPO, Buchaim DV, Kawano N, et al. (2018) Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Systematic Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 5:44. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29890728

25. Moon S, Hong J, Go S, Kim B-S (2023) Immunomodulation for Tissue Repair and Regeneration. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 20:389-409. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36920675

26. do Valle IB, Prazeres PHDM, Mesquita RA, et al. (2020) Photobiomodulation drives pericyte mobilization towards skin regeneration. Sci Rep. 10:19257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33159113

27. Anita L, Choi MJ, Yin GN, et al. (2024) Photobiomodulation as a Potential Therapy for Erectile Function: A Preclinical Study in a Cavernous Nerve Injury Model. World J Mens Health, 42:842-854. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38772533

28. Cassano, P. Dording C, Thomas G, et al. (2019) Effects of transcranial photobiomodulation with near-infrared light on sexual dysfunction. Lasers Surg Med. 51:127-135. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30221776

29. Wunsch A, Matuschka K (2014) A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 32:93-100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286

30. Couturaud V, Le Fur M, Pelletier M, Granotier F (2023) Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Res Technol. 29:e13391. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522497

31. Mahmoud BH, Hexsel CL, Hamzavi LH, Lim HW (2008) Effects of Visible Light on the Skin. Photochemistry and Photobiology. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00286.x

32. Knight JM, Kautz G (2019) Sequential facial skin rejuvenation with intense pulsed light and non-ablative fractionated laser resurfacing in fitzpatrick skin type II-IV patients: A prospective multicenter analysis. Lasers Surg Med. 51:141-149. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30091207

33. De Marchi T, Ferlito JV, Ferlito MV, et al. (2022) Can Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) Minimize Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Antioxidants (Basel) 11:1671. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36139746

34. Tomazoni SS, Machado CDSM, De Marchi T, et al. (2019) Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation Therapy) before Intense Progressive Running Test of High-Level Soccer Players: Effects on Functional, Muscle Damage, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress Markers-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019:6239058. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31827687

35. Fisher S, Rigby J, Mettler J, McCurdy K (2019) The Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Therapy Versus Cryotherapy for Skeletal Muscle Recovery: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil. 28:526-531. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29952693

36. Zhu Q, Xiao S, Hua Z, et al. (2021) Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy of Eye Diseases: A Review. Int J Med Sci. 18:109-119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33390779

37. Rodriguez DA, Song A, Bhatnagar A, Weng CY (2025) Photobiomodulation Therapy for Non-exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 65:47-52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39710905

38. Wang L, Yu X, Zhang D, et al. (2023) Long-term blue light exposure impairs mitochondrial dynamics in the retina in light-induced retinaldegeneration in vivo and in vitro. J Photochem Photobiol B. 240:112654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2023.112654

39. Ouyang X, Yang J, Hong Z, Wu Y, et al. (2020) Mechanisms of blue light-induced eye hazard and protective measures: a review. Biomed Pharmacother. 130:110577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110577

40. Tosini G, Ferguson I, Tsubota K (2016) Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology. Mol Vis. 22:61-72. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900325

41. Youssef PN, Sheibani N, Albert DM (2011) Retinal light toxicity. Eye (Lond). 25:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2010.149

Orthomolecular Medicine

Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org

Find a Doctor

To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n09.shtml

The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

Editorial Review Board:

Jennifer L. Aliano, M.S., L.Ac., C.C.N. (USA)
Albert G. B. Amoa, MB.Ch.B, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Seth Ayettey, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. (Ghana)
Ilyès Baghli, M.D. (Algeria)
Greg Beattie, Author (Australia)
Barry Breger, M.D. (Canada)
Ian Brighthope, MBBS, FACNEM (Australia)
Gilbert Henri Crussol, D.M.D. (Spain)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Ian Dettman, Ph.D. (Australia)
Susan R. Downs, M.D., M.P.H. (USA)
Ron Ehrlich, B.D.S. (Australia)
Hugo Galindo, M.D. (Colombia)
Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. (USA)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Claus Hancke, MD, FACAM (Denmark)
Patrick Holford, BSc (United Kingdom)
Ron Hunninghake, M.D. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Dwight Kalita, Ph.D. (USA)
Felix I. D. Konotey-Ahulu, M.D., FRCP (Ghana)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Fabrice Leu, N.D., (Switzerland)
Alan Lien, Ph.D. (Taiwan)
Homer Lim, M.D. (Philippines)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Pedro Gonzalez Lombana, M.D., Ph.D. (Colombia)
Victor A. Marcial-Vega, M.D. (Puerto Rico)
Juan Manuel Martinez, M.D. (Colombia)
Mignonne Mary, M.D. (USA)
Dr.Aarti Midha M.D., ABAARM (India)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Sarah Myhill, MB, BS (United Kingdom)
Tahar Naili, M.D. (Algeria)
Zhiyong Peng, M.D. (China)
Pawel Pludowski, M.D. (Poland)
Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Selvam Rengasamy, MBBS, FRCOG (Malaysia)
Jeffrey A. Ruterbusch, D.O. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Thomas N. Seyfried, Ph.D. (USA)
Han Ping Shi, M.D., Ph.D. (China)
T.E. Gabriel Stewart, M.B.B.CH. (Ireland)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa, M.D., Ph.D. (Sri Lanka)

Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Founding Editor
Richard Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (USA), Editor-In-Chief
Associate Editor: Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Editor, Japanese Edition: Atsuo Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Editor, Chinese Edition: Richard Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (USA)
Editor, Norwegian Edition: Dag Viljen Poleszynski, Ph.D. (Norway)
Editor, Arabic Edition: Moustafa Kamel, R.Ph, P.G.C.M (Egypt)
Editor, Korean Edition: Hyoungjoo Shin, M.D. (South Korea)
Editor, Spanish Edition: Sonia Rita Rial, PhD (Argentina)
Editor, German Edition: Bernhard Welker, M.D. (Germany)
Associate Editor, Arabic Edition: Ayman Kamel, DVM, MBA (Egypt)
Associate Editor, German Edition: Gerhard Dachtler, M.Eng. (Germany)
Assistant Editor: Michael Passwater (USA)
Contributing Editor: Thomas E. Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Contributing Editor: Damien Downing, M.B.B.S., M.R.S.B. (United Kingdom)
Contributing Editor: W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Contributing Editor: Ken Walker, M.D. (Canada)
Contributing Editor: Michael J. Gonzalez, N.M.D., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
Technology Editor: Michael S. Stewart, B.Sc.C.S. (USA)
Associate Technology Editor: Robert C. Kennedy, M.S. (USA)
Legal Consultant: Jason M. Saul, JD (USA)

Comments and media contact: editor@orthomolecular.org OMNS welcomes but is unable to respond to individual reader emails. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication.

To Subscribe at no charge: http://www.orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html

To Unsubscribe from this list: http://www.orthomolecular.org/unsubscribe.html