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REJUVENATION FORUM>
LIGHT COLOUR AND SAD SYNDROME
August 29, 2006
ARTICLE COURTESY OF ESSENTIA COMMUNICATION. Go to:
www.essentia.ca
The concept of light as a therapeutic agent against
depression and other psychiatric ailments dates to many
years. Environmental light was considered to be important
for one's welfare, along with proper nutrition, fresh air
and sufficient rest. The use of light baths was commonplace
in Europe early this century and books were devoted to the
subject. Since the mid-1980s, "phototherapy" -- light
therapy has regained scientific scrutiny and it involves
exposing the eyes to light containing only a little
ultraviolet light in patients suffering from specific
conditions.
Phototherapy has been reported to be effective for patients
with recurrent winter depressions, know generally as
seasonal affective disorder (SAD) syndromes. The
replication of positive results worldwide has led to a
general acceptance of light therapy as a viable treatment
for the condition. What is now undergoing scrutiny is the
development of an optimum protocol (intensity of light,
nature of light -- full spectrum or not , duration, timing
-- morning rather than evening, administration -- eyes only
or skin also). No long term adverse effects of phototherapy
have been reported, when properly administered. There are
some reports of irritability, eye strain, headaches or
insomnia, which can all be redressed with modification of
treatment.
SAD syndrome affects about 12 million people in North
America who become clinically or dangerously depressed with
the coming of winter. SAD can induce lack of focus or
goals, inability to "pick oneself together". Other SAD
syndromes include anxiety, irritability, inability to
tolerate stress, withdrawing from others. Studies show
that fewer cases of SAD occur as one approaches the
Equator: 15 - 20 % of Canada's population with only 1.5% in
Florida or Mexico. Overall, up to 75% of Canadians are
adversely affected in one way or another by the seasonal
lack of sunlight.
The core of the SAD syndrome lies in the cyclic production
of melatonin in the pineal gland. The body's timing
mechanism, or biological clock, is linked to the absorption
by this gland of light in the night/day cycle of no and
varying availability of sunlight. The light energy is
received by the gland in the form of generalized
electromagnetic energy. Research shows that the melatonin
hormone can inhibit the growth of several cancer cells and
proper secretion enhances immunity. Melatonin is produced
during darkness. Changes in its secretion -- as can occur
in variations of availability of light or the presence of
above-average electromagnetic field pollution -- affect the
production of still other hormones (many of which affect
emotional behaviour). Changes in secretion also alter the
proliferation of cancer cells.
Another aspect of sunlight is the presence of ultraviolet.
Two research teams, one at the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine, and the other at the University of
Sydney in Australia were surprised to learn that there was
a much higher correlation between the incidence of
malignant melanomas (skin cancer) in office workers than
those occupationally and regularly exposed to sunlight. In
fact, exposure to fluorescent light was associated with a
relatively high risk to melanoma. The findings were
regressively analyzed without challenging these two studies
by two others conducted by two departments of the U.S.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
The nature of body intake of sunlight is dependent upon
multi-frequency interaction. Dr. John Nash Ott, the world's
foremost photobiologist, describes this interaction as,
"absorption and reflection frequency characteristics,
including the frequency harmonics of all matter or forces
interacting between two or more substances or forces) will
influence the overall electric potential of the combined
mass." In simple terms, when the level of sunlight is
properly administered, that is, sunbathing, healthy affect
arise supporting growth and well-being. However, if one
suffers overexposure -- such as when the tissue becomes
red, or is under drug medication, or has a very unusual
diet, adverse effects can be anticipated.
This also means that "sun-blocker" chemicals, which are
unstable when exposed to sunlight actually can promote skin
cancer.
Limit exposure to sunlight not more than one hour per day
in sunbathing, with 15 minutes per side. Exposure time in
higher altitudes may be even shorter due to the intensity.
Skiing at 10,000 feet above sea level may double the rate
as compared to sunbathing on the beaches. Avoid potentially
hazardous ointments advertised to protect you. Investigate
first.
Remember, the benefic effects can be obtained even in the
shade -- provided that the full spectrum is penetrating the
eyes -- without being blocked by glasses, unless they
permit the penetration of the full spectrum of visible
light.
Light and sun radiation affect body cells the same way that
sunlight effects photovoltaic cells used to convert to
electrical energy. Dr. James Yehl, specialist in
environmental medicine, suggests that the body does not
utilize proteins, carbohydrates for their calorific value,
but instead converts the electrical, light energy from food
to electrical radiation which generates life. It appears
that life has electrical properties since every body
function can be reduced to an electrical wave signature, as
EEG, EKG, etc.. In fact, he states that electromagnetic
wave forces (mode, amplitude and frequency) affect the
electrical dimensions of all living cells in such a manner
as to either support health and life or adversely influence
pathological disorder. The life essence of the human cell
structure appears to be most affected within a band of
frequency from near infra-red through visible to the
shortest waves of UV-C -- the full spectrum of light. Each
cell can be considered as a wet-cell battery.
Dr. Ott has developed over the decades improvements in
full-spectrum products which block out by shielding the
adverse electromagnetics in lighting fixtures and vision
aids while enhancing to the technological limits the
positive, full spectra of all the colours of light. Only
some fluorescent systems can recreate the sunlight-at-noon
emissions and these have to be particularly well built and
shielded from undesirable radio frequencies. These
developments are now merchandised under the trademark,
OTT-Lite. Users report such benefits as visual acuity and
ergonomic.
Pure colours can have important corrective and stimulative
effects on both the physical and the psychological systems.
Before being ridiculed by the medical authorities, over a
quarter of American doctors worked primarily with colour
therapy and many of the most effective and respected
surgeons would forego invasive surgery protocol in favour
of specific colour exposure to major pathologies. An
amazing case involved the complete recovery of the then
America's worst burn case (almost 100%) with no other
treatment than projected colour. Colour was able to
compensate to the kidney and liver their inability to
excrete toxins via the none-existent skin. We also know
that colours play an important role in advertising -- from
the "all are welcome" yellow arches of McDonald's to the
"elitist, upper class" green in the American Express Card.
They are also used in abating violent behaviour in prison
pink rooms ..
The generalized effects of light -- and specific frequency
bands of light -- on our glands and lympathic system is so
well established that endocrinology Professor Richard
Wurtman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wrote
in Scientific American, "Light is the second most important
environmental input after food in controlling body
function."
Clearly, light -- in its full spectrum and in its specific
colour bands play a key role in our well-being and we
should, in our Northern clime, be particularly careful to
adapt our ways to its availability.
Bibliography:
Alland, Guy. Ultraviolet light needed for good health.
Sarasota Report. March, 1993. p. 1-5.
Bowden, Robert. Let there be light: scientists show how
light affects health. Tampa Tribune. July 30, 1989. p. 1-2H
Dinshah, Darius. Let there be light: practical manual for
spectro-chrome therapy. Malaga, New Jersey. Dinshah Health
Society. 1985-1993. 160 p.
Michrowski, Andrew. Bioeffects of weak electromagnetic
fields. Ottawa. Planetary Association for Clean Energy.
1994. 70 p.
Ott, John Nash. Health and light. 1973-1995. Ariel Press.
228 p.
Ott, John Nash. Light, radiation & you. 1982-1990.
Devin-Adair. 199 p.
Rosenthal, Norman E.. Light therapy. In: Treatments of
psychiatric disorders, Volume 3. Washington. American
Psychiatric Association. 1989. Chapter 174. Folio. 6 p.
Wilson, Bary W. and Larry E. Anderson. ELF electromagnetic
field effects on the pineal gland. In: Extremely low
frequency electromagnetic fields: the question of cancer.
Bary W. Wilson et al editors. Columbus. Battelle Press.
1990. p. 159-186.
Wilson, Bary W.. Chronic exposure to ELF may induce
depression. Bioelectromagnetics. Volume 9. 1988. p.
195-205.
Yehl, James E.. Ultraviolet bio-effects: question of
multi-frequency interaction. Planetary Association for
Clean Energy Newsletter. Volume 8,1. September 1994. p.
12-14.
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