We know that red light therapy offers a wide variety of different health benefits, from reducing inflammation and the effects of oxidative stress, to boosting the body’s natural healing ability. But what does red light therapy do to fat cells to promote fat reduction?

In addition to boosting your cells with increased ATP production, red light therapy also affects adipocytes, or the cells that store fat. Studies, such as the 2011 study published in Obesity Surgery, show that exposure to red light therapy causes the adipocytes to release triglycerides, resulting in reduced volume and a measurable loss of fat. Participants in this 4-week study experienced a 2.15 cm loss in waist girth.

But the loss of triglycerides is not the only benefit red light therapy provides to patients trying to lose weight and improve body contour.

Studies Show Additional Weight Loss Benefits with Red Light Therapy
Not only can red light therapy help reduce the size of fat cells, thus helping to shape the body contour, but it also provides additional benefits for patients working to lose weight.

A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology looked at the effects of light on leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone responsible for controlling appetite, helping to maintain body weight, and regulating how much energy the body burns. In contrast, ghrelin increases appetite and stimulates the release of growth hormone. In this study, researches looked at participants with poor sleep habits. Reduced sleep levels often increase the production on ghrelin while reducing the levels of leptin, often resulting in weight gain. Their research showed that exposure to red light significantly increased leptin levels while decreasing ghrelin. This reduction in hunger levels can have a great impact on those trying to follow a low-calorie diet for weight loss, helping to reduce hunger and the desire for snacking.

Another study looked at how red light therapy can provide additional benefits during regular exercise routines. The study, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, looked at the effects of light therapy on metabolic inflexibility when used with physical training. During the study, 64 obese women were divided into two groups. The control group participated in exercise training while receiving a placebo light treatment. The second group participated in exercise training and received red light therapy immediately after exercise. Both groups participated in three weekly sessions for 20 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers observed a greater reduction in fat mass and an increase in total skeletal muscles mass and adiponectin concentration compared to the control group.

While clinical research has shown how valuable red light therapy is for a variety of medical conditions, it is also highly beneficial for patients looking to lose weight, reduce fat, and contour their body. Red light therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment option that provides effective results, helping patients achieve their weight loss goals.