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More often than not, conversations about kidney health with your doctor can occur later in life, understandably so since ageing and kidney disease are closely related. However, that doesn’t mean it should remain as an afterthought, especially for those at high risk of these diseases. Even at a young age, factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and disease can affect your kidney condition.
To maintain good kidney health, diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress are the most common recommendations. For those looking for more alternatives, red light therapy at home has the potential to be a viable option. In recent studies, it has shown great potential in supporting kidney health. In this article, our team at ROJO Light Therapy will delve into the mechanisms that may make this possible.
Located under the lower ribs, the kidneys are a sophisticated filtration system. Each one contains millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons and each minute, almost a litre of blood passes through these units. They filter the blood, drain extra water, and detoxify the waste and toxins in urine.
More than that, the kidneys also produce hormones responsible for regulating blood pressure and balancing electrolytes.
If you start having less energy than usual, a harder time falling asleep, frequent urination, or frothy urine, there might be something amiss with your kidney. When you start experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional.
Red light therapy is now increasingly being studied for a wide range of potential benefits, one of which is supporting kidney health. Here are a few ways it can assist:
Inflammation, especially that linked to diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune disorders, can lead to scarring or fibrosis in the kidney tissues. This diminishes their ability to filter blood effectively. Various studies have demonstrated that red light therapy can help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
While research directly relating this anti-inflammatory effect on kidney inflammation is still limited, smaller scale studies with promise do exist. For example, a 2020 animal study showed that red light therapy greatly reduced pro-inflammatory molecules in a chronic kidney disease model. By reducing these markers, red light therapy has the potential to slow down the fibrosis progression and preserve kidney function for longer.
When there is an imbalance between the body’s antioxidants and free radicals, the kidneys are particularly affected, as they are constantly exposed to potentially toxic substances during filtration. The good news is that this can be mitigated by red light therapy which helps optimise the defence function of cells by stimulating increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
In one 2020 large-scale review, researchers concluded that low-power laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, helped reduce inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. By reducing its occurrence, RLT can potentially slow the progression of kidney diseases that involve high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Damage to the nephrons, whether through acute kidney injury or chronic conditions, can severely impair kidney function. Red light therapy can help enhance the repair of these structures by enhancing the production of ATP. This process boosts mitochondrial function, which supplements the energy-demanding process of cell repair.
One critical aspect of kidney health is maintaining optimal blood flow to support the filtration process. By increasing the production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator that helps widen blood vessels, red light therapy helps maintain this function.
Improved circulation means the kidney’s cells are receiving the oxygen and essential nutrients they need to maintain proper function. More oxygen and nutrients also increases the kidney’s ability to produce hormones.
Research findings indicate that red light therapy has a high potential to be an innovative, non-pharmacological, and non-invasive treatment to support kidney health. Albeit, additional research and human trials are still needed to solidify its efficiency.
For the best course of action, consult with your healthcare professional if you’re at risk or already have kidney damage and want to try red light therapy as a complementary treatment at home. It’s also best if you use high-quality red light therapy panels such as the ones we have at ROJO Light Therapy.
Shop our red light therapy panels today and enjoy the benefits of this worthy investment from the comfort of your home.
