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Hi! I'm Susan Taylor, RDN LD

Nutrition With Susan Newsletter: March 11, 2024

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Happy Monday!

In this week's newsletter, we're taking a closer look at red light therapy. It's getting a lot of attention for its potential benefits like better skin, helping muscles heal faster, and even making you feel happier. We'll break down what red light therapy is, how it works, possible benefits and side effects. So, let's dive in!


What Is Red Light Therapy?

At its core, Red Light Therapy (RLT) might sound like something straight out of a science lab, but really, it’s simpler and cooler than you’d think. Imagine a technology that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to talk to your body in its own language, saying, “Hey, it’s time to heal and get stronger.” That, in a nutshell, is RLT.

But how does it actually work? Without diving too deep into the science mumbo-jumbo, think of RLT as a vitamin D session for your cells. Just like your skin loves soaking up sunlight (safely, of course), your cells thrive under the glow of red light.

This process doesn’t heat your skin up like a toaster oven. Instead, it’s all about energizing those cells to kickstart the body’s natural healing processes.



Benefits Of Red Light Therapy

So what can Red Light Therapy (RLT) actually do for you? Here’s a quick breakdown of RLT’s top benefits:

1. Skin that Glows Like You’re Still in Your Thirties: RLT is like a secret elixir for your skin. It’s known to help reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone, and even diminish those pesky age spots that like to remind us of our sun-worshipping days.

2. Pain Relief Without the Pill Bottle: For anyone who’s ever groaned a little too loudly while getting off the couch, RLT offers a sigh of relief. It’s been shown to reduce inflammation and ease pain, making it a go-to for arthritis sufferers, athletes with sore muscles, and anyone who mistook their ability to play a “friendly” game of basketball without repercussions.

3. Faster Muscle Recovery for Those Surprise Workouts: Speaking of sports, RLT can help your muscles recover faster after exercise. Whether you’re an avid exerciser or someone who occasionally overestimates their fitness level, RLT can help reduce soreness and get you back in the game quicker.

4. Improved Joint Health: Joints feeling a bit creaky? RLT to the rescue! It’s known to help with joint health, making those stairs look a little less daunting and maybe even putting the spring back in your step. It’s like grease for your body’s hinges, but way healthier than actual grease.

5. A Boost for Mental Well-being: Let’s not forget about the upstairs department—your brain. RLT isn’t just good for the physical stuff; it can also have a positive impact on your mental well-being. Some users report feeling more energetic and noticing a mood lift.

6. Better Sleep (Because Counting Sheep is So Last Century): And finally, for the night owls turned reluctant early birds, RLT might help improve your sleep quality. By regulating your circadian rhythm, RLT can help you catch more Z’s, making mornings feel a little less like you’re rising from the dead.


Side Effects Of Red Light Therapy

Before you start turning every light in your house red in hopes of eternal youth and vigor, let’s chat about the flip side of the coin—side effects.

1. Skin Irritation: In some rare cases, people might experience skin irritation after RLT sessions. This could be a bit of redness or itchiness is usually temporary and fades away quickly.

2. Eye Strain or Discomfort: Because RLT involves, well, light, there’s a chance it could cause eye strain or discomfort if you’re not using proper eye protection. Protective goggles are your friends here.

3. Potential for Photosensitivity Reactions: For those with photosensitivity or certain medical conditions that make you more sensitive to light, RLT might trigger reactions. It’s like being the person who gets a sunburn in the shade—you just need to be a bit more cautious and possibly consult with a healthcare provider first.


Wellness Roundup:


I hope you enjoyed this week's newsletter. Have a fantastic week! Take care.

Susan


P.S. When you're ready, here are some ways I can help you:

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  • Need a hand with that health journey? My upcoming monthly membership, Thrive Beyond Inflammation is like the secret sauce you've been craving! Hop on the waitlist to be the VIP in-the-know when it opens up. Find out more here and get ready to level up your wellness game




Hi! I'm Susan Taylor, RDN LD

Hey there, I'm Susan Taylor your friendly neighborhood registered dietitian and nutritionist hailing from the lovely city of Charleston, SC. I specialize in helping superwomen over 40 with autoimmune issues by serving up some serious personalized nutrition counseling. My goal is to help these incredible ladies get to the root cause of their inflammation so they can ditch the discomfort and get back to feeling their best. But let's be real, life isn't all work and no play. When I'm not digging into the latest in nutrition research, you can find me soaking up some serious beach time or jetting off to some far-flung destination with my hubs. And of course, I'm always up for some quality time with my friends and fam. So if you're ready to start feeling like the best version of yourself, let's connect! Sign up for my weekly newsletter where I'll share loads of exclusive nutrition tips and tricks to help you on your way to better health.

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