Toxins, Fertility and Red Light Therapy
If you're anything like me, you’re on a mission - checking every box there is to optimize your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. You're already taking precautions to avoid harmful substances. You have switched from plastic to glass containers, purchased organic whenever possible, and replaced your cleaning supplies with natural alternatives. However, if the idea of hidden chemicals hiding in our surroundings, such as BPA (hello, plastic!) phthalates, and heavy metals, still scares you, you're not alone. These days everything seems to be a toxin!
Let’s be realistic here, no matter how cautious we are, we are always exposed to these hazardous substances. And, while this might be rather annoying, there are various ways to speed up this process in your body.
Your Natural Detox Partner - Red Light Therapy
Here's how PBM can help you detox from toxins as you prepare for pregnancy:
1. Enhancing Your Mitochondria: It boosts the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides the energy your cells require to repair, rejuvenate, and detoxify. Hamblin (2017) discovered that PBM improves mitochondrial function, which is required for detoxification and cell repair.
2. Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Flow Leads To Better Waste Removal: Another wonderful benefit of red light therapy is that it improves circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system. Why does this matter? Your lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste and poisons from your body. Consider it your body's personal waste collector. Toxins might stay in your tissues for an extended amount of time if your lymphatic system is slow. Red light therapy, particularly using lasers, has been shown to promote lymphatic drainage. Pikkula et al. (2015) found that low-level laser therapy enhanced lymphatic circulation, making it easier for the body to eliminate harmful substances like BPA.
3. Supporting Liver Health = Enhancing Detox Pathways
Your liver is the CEO of cleansing. It eliminates toxins from your blood so that they can be safely eliminated from your body. Several studies have shown that red light therapy can improve liver function, which is essential for removing toxins like BPA and phthalates. One noteworthy study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology (2018) found that PBM helped liver cells recover from toxin-induced damage. PBM enhances your liver's ability to break down and eliminate harmful compounds, potentially enhancing your overall reproductive health, especially during IVF.
4. Reducing oxidative stress causes less cellular damage. Toxins like BPA cause oxidative stress, (free radical damage), to your cells. If left untreated, oxidative stress can result in chronic inflammation, hormone imbalances, and fertility issues. Red light therapy has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in toxin-exposed cells. In a 2016 study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, researchers used lasers to lower oxidative stress indicators in cells exposed to environmental contaminants. This decrease in oxidative stress protects your cells from additional damage, which is an important stage in detoxing from BPA.
5. Hormonal Balance = Less Disruption from Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Endocrine disruptors (such as BPA) can interact with your hormones, affecting anything from metabolism to reproductive health. One of the most promising characteristics of red light therapy is its capacity to help control hormones. PBM can reduce inflammation and improve cellular function, reducing the detrimental impact of these substances on your endocrine system. While not a cure-all (we should still avoid as many toxins as possible), red light therapy may be a helpful tool for maintaining hormonal balance, especially for women dealing with fertility troubles or other hormone-related issues.A study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery (2014) found that lasers had a good effect on hormone regulation in women with monthly abnormalities, which is encouraging for women dealing with toxin-induced hormone imbalances.
Is Red Light Therapy Suitable for You?
If you're already doing everything you can to reduce your exposure to toxins but need a little extra help, red light therapy could be the answer. Whether you're attempting to conceive, have hormone imbalances, or simply want to boost your body's natural detoxification, PBM provides a non-invasive, science-backed solution to help your body manage and eliminate toxins more efficiently.
I'll leave you with this. You are already doing an amazing job. You're reading labels, making more informed decisions, and doing your best to protect your health and optimize your fertility. Red light treatment is not intended to add to your to-do list. Instead, it's here to complement the work you're currently doing, providing your body the skills it needs to survive in a world that might feel stacked against us.
If you're curious about how red light therapy can help you on your wellness path, get in touch for more information.
Tracy
