NIR and Fertility: The Missing Link You Didn’t Know You Needed
Why NIR is Your Fertility Superpower (And You’re Probably Deficient)
If you’ve been stressed about getting pregnant and wondering what else you can do to optimize your chances, there’s one thing nobody is talking about: Near-Infrared Radiation (NIR). And trust me, it’s a huge missing piece. Most women are completely NIR deficient, and here’s the kicker—no one is telling you about it.
What is NIR, and Why Does It Matter for Fertility?
NIR is a part of natural sunlight that penetrates deeper into your body than visible light. It powers up your mitochondria—your body’s little energy factories that are essential for fertility. Healthy mitochondria directly impact egg quality, hormone balance, and your body's ability to support a healthy pregnancy.
But here’s the problem: most of us don’t get enough NIR, especially during winter or if we spend most of our time indoors. And this is a big deal. We’re red light starved, and it’s silently impacting your fertility. We evolved over millions of years to be exposed to this light. When you DO get pregnant your baby is ‘expecting’ to be exposed to NIR in pregnancy as it helps retinal development (but most women are told to avoid sunlight).
The Indoor Lighting Trap: No NIR, Only Blue Light
You might be thinking, "I’m indoors with plenty of lights on; that must be enough, right?" Unfortunately, no. Indoor lighting is almost completely lacking in NIR. It’s heavy on blue light, which not only fails to support fertility but actively disrupts your sleep and hormones by suppressing melatonin production.
Melatonin isn’t just for sleep—it plays a vital role in reproductive health. Without enough NIR, you’re missing out on the natural energy and hormonal balance your body needs to thrive.
NIR Deficiency—The Fertility Problem No One Talks About
Let’s be real for a moment. Our modern lifestyle has us indoors more than ever, surrounded by artificial light all day and well into the night. This blue light overload, paired with a lack of NIR exposure, is messing with our bodies in ways most women don’t realize.
While everyone focuses on diet and supplements, few talk about the critical need for NIR to fuel healthy cells and support fertility. The truth is, NIR helps regulate your body’s biological clock, keeps your mitochondria functioning at their best, and reduces oxidative stress—all crucial for optimal fertility.
The Best Time to Get Your Daily Dose of NIR? Sunrise and Sunset!
If you want to start getting more NIR naturally, it’s all about timing. The best time to get your daily dose of NIR is during sunrise and sunset, when NIR is abundant in the light spectrum. Just 15 minutes of sunlight at these times can make a huge difference for your mitochondrial health, egg quality, and hormonal balance. (I have a lovely park near me where I’ll kick off my shoes and walk barefoot for a few minutes to ground). The earth is full of electrons that may act as antioxidants when absorbed through your skin, neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress (and it feels really good to get your feet in the grass and connect with nature)!
This grounding effect is believed to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular function, all of which are important for long-term health, including fertility. Although the UV rays necessary for vitamin D production are stronger later in the day, morning sunlight exposure prepares your skin for sun later by preconditioning your cells,(also known as a solar callus) making it more resistant to sunburn. Adequate levels of vitamin D are vital for immune function, bone health, and hormonal balance, especially when trying to conceive.
The simple act of stepping outside to watch the sunrise or sunset could be one of the most impactful things you do for your fertility. Plus, it’s a great way to set your circadian rhythm, ensuring better sleep and more balanced hormones. But if that’s no possible here’s a really important nugget of info: You don’t need direct sunlight in your eyes and skin - being outdoors under trees in nature gives you an extra boost, as the NIR is reflected off the leaves and grass - even with light clothing on
Winter: The Perfect Storm for NIR Deficiency
If you live in higher latitudes, winter is especially tricky for getting enough NIR from sunlight and Vitamin D. The shorter days and low sun angles make it difficult to get outside during critical times. And when you’re trying to conceive, this NIR deficiency can become a significant problem.
That’s where red light therapy comes in as a powerful solution. Red light therapy devices mimic NIR wavelengths, giving your body the boost it needs to power up your cells, reduce inflammation, and restore hormone balance. Think of it as a targeted way to replace the natural NIR you're missing in winter months. (We don’t have evidence that using a red light device is safe in that 2WW but full spectrum daylight absolutely is (especially if you’re not frying yourself). We evolved to be outdoors!
We’re Red Light Starved and Blue Light Saturated
We live in a world where we’re constantly exposed to blue light and not enough NIR. This imbalance is affecting fertility in ways you might not realize. Too much blue light throws off your body’s natural rhythms and hormone production, while a lack of NIR starves your cells of the energy they need to support reproductive health.
By incorporating natural sunlight exposure during sunrise and sunset and adding red light therapy to your routine, you can restore the balance your body needs to prepare for pregnancy. It’s like refueling your cells and optimizing your fertility from the inside out.
Don’t Be Left in the Dark
If you’re planning a pregnancy - NIR needs to be on your radar. It’s not just about the supplements and the diets—it's about giving your body the natural energy it needs to function at its best. Start by getting outside during sunrise and sunset, and if winter weather or schedules make that tough, red light therapy is your backup plan (just not during the 2WW).
Tracy
