Red Light Therapy for Detox: Benefits and Symptoms

Medically Reviewed by | Heidi Wright, BSN, RN, PCCN

We hear a lot about detoxification these days. From uncovering product ingredients that could be labeled “toxins” to learning new methods of ridding the body of these unwanted substances, the marketing surrounding detoxing is a little fuzzy at best. The team at Mito Red Light understands that the primary goal of most people is to live the healthiest life possible. 

We’ll help you unpack what toxins are, what detoxing is, and whether or not red light therapy can help you with your detoxification goals. We’ll also talk about other benefits of red light therapy to help you decide how you can use it to promote your own wellness.

What Are Toxins?

Toxins are substances that are poisonous to humans. These substances can be synthetic, plant, or animal-based. Toxins come packed in two particular ways: 

• Endotoxins: These are toxins that are produced by your body as byproducts of your existence. They include lactic acid, feces, and urea. 

• Exotoxins: These are toxins that exist outside of the body, like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. 

Some toxins affect the way a particular bodily system functions. For example, an allergen is a type of toxin that can affect the respiratory system. 

Not all toxins have severe consequences, so if something is “toxic,” it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have health consequences from coming in contact with it. The body is equipped to handle contact with toxins because we are exposed to them every single day — from the protective covering of our skin to our immune systems, our bodies are designed to identify, attack, and eradicate toxins in our system. We also have an entire organ dedicated to toxin removal: the liver. 

Some Toxins Are Useful

Even though toxins get a bad rap, we use some of them medicinally. Botulism, for instance, is a widely popular neurotoxin that, when used correctly in the upper layers of the skin, can address the signs of aging and even help with certain types of headaches.

Venom from snakes and spiders can be used to create medications that offer life-saving properties. Even though some toxins are useful, the average person without a medical degree just wants to stay healthy and avoid as many toxins as possible.

What Is Detoxing?

As a society, you could say we’re a little obsessed with identifying and removing toxins from our lives. This isn’t necessarily a bad preoccupation, but it’s important to remember that our bodies are pretty effective at removing toxins from our system all by themselves. 

How Does the Body Detox?

The liver is designed to detox your entire body. When a toxin is discovered, the immune system is sent to destroy it. The liver has over 500 identifiable jobs, but for the sake of attention span, we’ll focus on the most important as they pertain to detoxing harmful compounds from our body.

All the blood in the body is processed and filtered by the liver. When blood passes through the liver, harmful substances are removed and sent out of the body via urine or feces. 

In addition to filtering the blood, the liver:

• Creates immune compounds that are essential for safeguarding our immunity and bolstering the immune system. 
• Processes drugs and poisonous substances and removes them from your body.
• Converts ammonia to urea.
• Removes bilirubin from the blood.

All of these functions help your body stay well and free of toxins. As such, one of the best ways to support your body’s ability to detoxify is to support the health of your liver. If your liver is functioning properly, your body’s detox system will function properly. 

Do You Need To Perform a “Detox?”

This topic gets a little heated in some circles. In fact, you’ve probably got a few friends who swear by their detox strategies, whether it’s a fast, a juice cleanse, or sitting in a sauna. These things can be beneficial to the body, but they won’t necessarily detox the body of harmful substances; that’s the liver’s job. 

What Are the Benefits of Detoxing?

There are several different ways people approach detoxes. They may include practices like:

• Eating certain foods
• Fasting
• Drinking juice or detoxing teas
• Removing certain environmental exposures 
• Colon cleanses
• Saunas

In the wellness community, these cleanses and detoxes are thought to help the body eliminate unwanted toxins, especially the build-up of toxins that may be present in the body. However, the research behind these detoxes is lacking. We simply don’t have enough data to prove that these are beneficial in the ways in which the manufacturers of detox products often claim they are.

Are Detoxes Safe?

There’s also a concern as to the safety of detoxes. Some detoxes involve the use of laxative ingredients or diuretics. Typically, these are not considered safe for long-term use. It’s also important to remember that must supplements and herbs are not regulated by the FDA, so it can be difficult to know for certain if the ingredients listed on the box are actually present in the product. “Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes for long-term health, such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep,” notes Heidi Wright, Registered Nurse.

What Are Some Alternatives to Detoxes?

If your goal is to support your body by eliminating toxins, supporting your liver health is a worthy goal. You can support your liver health by avoiding excessive alcohol use, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding unnecessary medications. 

Red Light Therapy

One way to support total body wellness is through the use of red light therapy. Red light has a wavelength that measures between 620-700 nm. This wavelength can penetrate deeper layers of skin. Near-infrared light has a wavelength that measures 800 - 900 nm, and can penetrate through the skin to reach soft and hard tissue.

Red light works by interacting with the cells in the body. As we get older, our cells begin to lose their function. This is the underlying reason why we age. As cells wear out, their mitochondria begin to slow down. Mitochondria support the cell by producing ATP, which the cell uses as energy to carry out cellular functions. 

When less ATP is created, less cellular energy is available, and the cell naturally begins to decline. Red light reaches the cell and stimulates the mitochondria, helping them create more ATP. More ATP means more cellular energy, which means healthier functioning cells and a healthier, effectively-functioning body. 

Does Red Light Therapy Detox the Body?

Red light therapy is incredibly beneficial. It has the ability to address and help with:

• Skin concerns
• Muscle and joint pain
• Hair growth
• Muscle recovery
• Athletic performance
• Emotional health and cognitive function

There are numerous reasons why someone might want to use red light therapy to support their health and wellness goals. Because red light therapy targets cells, it can be utilized to support a healthy immune system. It can also help promote lymphatic drainage, which can help “speed up” the process by which toxins are collected from the lymphatic system. 

If you’ve ever heard someone say they’re using red light therapy for detox, they could be talking about infrared light therapy. Infrared light produces thermal heat, which can be used in infrared spas or saunas. This is a completely different type of treatment than red light therapy, and although it will help the body sweat and has some identifiable benefits, it’s important to remember that toxins don’t leave the body through our sweat. 

How To Use Red Light Therapy

You can use red light therapy for 20 minutes per day. You can’t “overdo” red light therapy, but there’s no evidence that using it for longer periods of time will benefit you more. Instead, focus on targeting the body with red light therapy devices for 20 minutes per day, and make sure you’re using a high-quality device.

Why Choose Mito Red Light?

When shopping for red light therapy devices, Mito Red Light gives you the confidence you want with a 60-day risk-free trial. We offer devices that have more diodes per square inch than our competitors, so you don’t have to worry about dead space or a polka-dot effect. 

Our lights feature Enhanced Spectral Energy Output™, a technology that delivers energy across all spectrums of red and near-infrared light. Our MitoPRO series offers multi-wavelengths that give you access to even more spectrums of red and near-infrared light and contains an even split of the four peak action spectra LEDs for even coverage. 

You get the benefits you want, the cellular support you need, and the ability to help your body thrive, no juicing or fasting required.

You’re Already Detoxing

Your body is already detoxing. Your liver is doing it constantly. Although some cleanses and detoxes may have health benefits, there’s not enough research to support the idea that they do a better job of taking care of toxins in your body than your liver. Instead, turn to a scientifically backed way to support your body from the cells up. Mito Red Light delivers red light therapy that is research-backed and proven to elevate your wellness. 

DISCLAIMER: Mito Red Light devices are not clinically proven to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical conditions. Mito Red Light devices are Class II general wellness devices aimed at affecting the body through topical heating and supporting cellular function. The scientific studies referenced in this article are for informational purposes only. To see a list of precautionary warnings and contraindications, click here. 

Sources:

Toxins | MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Exhibitions: The Power of Poison | American Natural History.org

Understanding Your Liver: Location, Function, and Complexity | Liver Foundation.org

Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence | PubMed

Transcranial near-infrared light in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases | Frontiersin.org