Modern Life in the Dark: How Indoor Living Starves Our Cells

A Modern Problem We Don’t See

We’ve conquered the dark—but in doing so, we’ve left behind the light. For thousands of generations people have lived with full-spectrum sunlight and then suddenly in the last 100 years we have traded it for LEDs, screens and fluorescent tubes. It makes you wonder what does living under artificial light do to our bodies.

Those before use spent all day outdoors farming, walking, building, hunting, and playing exposing them to red light at sunrise and sunset, bright full spectrum in the mid-day and near-infrared light throughout the day. This light wasn’t just illumination, it was information and fuel for cellular processes.

It is now estimated that the average American spends 93% (EPA study) of life inside under artificial lights that lack near-infrared and deep red wavelengths. We are instead constantly exposed to blue light from screens, overhead LEDs and night-time lighting which disrupts our circadian rhythm, suppresses melatonin, and overstimulates the nervous system.

he Cellular Consequences: Starving the Mitochondria

Mitochondria are light sensitive, specifically to the red and near infrared wavelengths. You may recall from high school biology classes that mitochondria are the “powerhouses of the cell”. Cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme in the electron transport chain also responds to these wavelengths to increase ATP which is cellular energy. Without exposure to natural over a long period of time you will have reduced energy, impaired healing and increased oxidative stress. The symptoms can include:

Fatigue and poor energy
Brain fog and mood instability
Trouble sleeping
Chronic pain, slow recovery
Hormonal imbalances
Increased inflammation

Want the science? This study explains how red/NIR light supports mitochondrial ATP production.

What About Windows and Indoor Light?

Most windows block near near infrared and ultra violet light especially modern low-E windows that have a special coating to reflect them to improve energy efficiency and protecting interiors. Indoor lighting is too weak in total intensity and often completely lack the therapeutic wavelengths. So unfortunately our modern day life styles make it difficult to get enough light for our health.

The good news is, it is fixable. One options is to go outside, especially in the morning light when the ultra violet light is not as strong. For myself this is impractical for eight months of the year, especially in the dead of winter when the sun isn’t up before I leave for work, -30 Celsius and I’m bundled up in a parka and toque. For those like me we need to rely on technology to fix the problem technology created and get a light bulb that targets the red and near infrared light.