Exposing yourself to long-wavelength light (red/infrared), via late afternoon sunlight or incandescent bulbs, is beneficial for mitochondrial function and overall health.

noli's read

Research, notably through preclinical studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on photobiomodulation, suggests that certain red and near-infrared wavelengths can promote cellular energy production by interacting with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. The idea that natural light at the end of the day is beneficial for the circadian rhythm is well established (meta-analyses on circadian health). However, the claim that domestic incandescent bulbs are sufficient to reproduce these therapeutic mitochondrial benefits is extrapolated and lacks direct clinical evidence in humans. While these bulbs do indeed emit a portion of their spectrum in the red/infrared range, the intensity is generally far too low to induce the biological effects observed in targeted therapy. Furthermore, although LED light is sometimes criticized for its blue spectrum, the idea that it specifically harms mitochondrial function at domestic exposure levels remains a research hypothesis requiring more robust evidence. The advice is therefore an interesting interpretation of real biological mechanisms, applied to a domestic context not validated by clinical trials.

the sources

1. 1Wunsch A, Matuschka K 2014