Use Photobiomodulation To Improve Immune System Function
In numerous studies, red/NIR light therapy has proven to benefit the immune system.
In animal studies, near-infrared and red light therapy has a boosting effect on the immune system of immune-deficient cancer-inoculated animals, resulting in an increased lifespan.
Mikhailov, V. A. e. al. (1990). Study of the effect of different laser dosages on the tumoral growth and determination of its most effective combination with different chemopreparations in experiment. News in Laser Surgery and Medicine, part 2, pp. 60-61.
In human studies, photobiomodulation also boosted the immune systems and T cells of preoperative cancer patients without increasing tumor size.
In the context of wound healing, it has also been shown to have beneficial effects, in part by modulating immune function.
Pereria, PR, et al., (2014) Effects of low intensity laser in in vitro bacterial culture and in vivo infected wounds
Another study found that red/NIR light therapy to the bone marrow could increase the platelet count and help resolve low blood platelets caused by chemotherapy or by an autoimmune disease.
Yang, J, et al. (2016) Low-level light treatment ameliorates immune thrombocytopenia
Zhang, Q, et al, (2016). Noninvasive low-level laser therapy for thrombocytopenia.
It also appears to selectively modulate cell function in some types of infected cells while not affecting healthy uninfected cells in the same way.
Lugongolo, MY, et al. (2017). The effects of low level laser therapy on both HIV‐1 infected and uninfected TZM‐bl cells
In vitro studies on human leukocytes have shown that near-infrared light can increase activity of these immune cells. Given that we know red/NIR light penetrates our blood vessels and irradiates our bloodstream, it is reasonable to think may also happen internally.
Yang, J, et al. (2016) Low-level light treatment ameliorates immune thrombocytopenia
Zhang, Q, et al, (2016). Noninvasive low-level laser therapy for thrombocytopenia.
A fascinating study in mice looked at shining red light on the thymus gland (an important gland in the immune system) and on an area of a back leg. They found that the mice who received the treatment on the thymus gland area (in the center of the chest) had more profound changes in immune cell function.
Novoselova, EG, et al. (2006). Effects of low-power laser radiation on mice immunity. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2006 Feb;22(1):33-8.
Another remarkable and more recent study from December 2017 suggests that red/NIR light may be able to slow or even reverse this “thymic involution” – thus keeping our thymus gland function and immune function in tact as we age.
Hamblin. MR, et al. (2017) Aging of lymphoid organs: Can photobiomodulation reverse age‐associated thymic involution via stimulation of extrapineal melatonin synthesis and bone marrow stem cells?
Hamblin. MR, et al. (2017) Aging of lymphoid organs: Can photobiomodulation reverse age‐associated thymic involution via stimulation of extrapineal melatonin synthesis and bone marrow stem cells?
Kut’ko II, Frolov VM, Pustovoi IuG, Pavlenko VV, and Rachkauskas GS. The effect of endovascular laser therapy and antioxidants on the immune status and energy metabolism of patients with treatment-resistant forms of schizophrenia. Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 1996. 96(2): 34-38.
As discussed in the section on thyroid health, in people with Hashimoto’s – a common autoimmune condition responsible for most hypothyroidism – red/NIR light has proven to have remarkably beneficial effects on immune function.
Another animal model of multiple sclerosis (another autoimmune condition that degenerates the fatty sheath around nerves that helps nerve conduction) showed that just two treatments done over a span of 14 days led to significant improvement with less brain cell death and slowed the progression of the disease.
Lyons, J-A, et al. (2015). Light therapy to treat autoimmune disease
Goncalves, ED, et al. (2015) Low-level laser therapy ameliorates disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis Autoimmunity, Volume 49, 2016 – Issue 2
Overall, red/NIR light seems to be an “immune nutrient” that supports optimal immune function in a wide variety of different scenarios and health conditions. It seems to be able to positively affect immune function in the right direction, potentially, regardless of whether someone has low immune function during an infection or has an overly active and imbalanced immune system due to autoimmune disease.