Blue Light and Sunshine May be the Next Gen Weapons Against Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
March 14, 2013
resistance to abx increasing, most infx are skin and soft tissue
growing public health threat
new proof-of-principle study: lab animals txd with blue light all survived, 82% of controls died
blue light can selectively eliminate infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
some bacteria can make a dangerous new enzyme, NDM-1, makes some bacteria resistant to almost all antibiotics
BLUE LIGHT
non-toxic, non-antibiotic approach so superficial infections
works against: P. aeruginosa, MRSA and other resistant bugs
MRSA study, 2009, 90% of community acquired and hospital acquired MRSA eradicated within minutes
blue light causes photo-destruction at low dosages
irradiation with 470nm LED light energy may be a practical, inexpensive alternative to ABX
blue light spectrum is 450-495 nanometers
Natural sunlight
full spectrum from 415-660nm light
all colors: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
LIGHT SPECTRUM REVIEW
I thought UVC was the best
10-400 nm = UV spectrum
100-280 = UVC
280-315 = UVB (295-297 = peak Vit D production)
315-400 = UVA
405nm blue light effective for MRSA (2008 study)
470 nm blue light effective against Pseudomons aeruginosa (2012 study)
Mercola: UV Light Not Necessary to Kill Pathogens
BLUE LIGHT THERAPY
approved by FDA over a decade ago for tx of severe acne
acne tx wavelengths as much the same as for killing abx resistant bugs
technology is commercially available
Combo: 405nm and 880nm (infrared) used on Staph aureus and P. aeurginosa-->94% reduction of P. Aeurinsoa colon and 72% recuding in S. aureus (best at 20 Jcm2)
OTHER WAYS TO BE INFECTION RESISTANT
low vitamin D level increases risk of being nasal carrier of MRSA
relationship holds without regard to socioceonomic status, age, race, abx usage, hospitalization or poverty.
VITAMIN D
helps regulate your immune system
potent protection against infections
activates genes-->produce over 200 anti-microbial peptides
Vit D can counter the effects of Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease) by acting directly on two genes – the beta defensin 2 gene, which encodes an antimicrobial peptide, and the NOD2 gene that alerts cells to the presence of invading microbes.
SUNLIGHT FOR CHRONIC ONYCHOMYCOSIS
Mercola had it and it went away after 20 years when he got sunshine daily on his toes
UVB = potent germicidal, treatment of choicer for psoriasis
might work with UVB lamp or tanning bed
sunlight on armpits eliminates armpit odor
READ
Article written by Richard J. Wurtman
over 40 years old
download this classic, superbly written 11-page PDF from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SUNLIGHT (ASIDE FROM VITAMIN D)
Enhancing mood and energy through the release of endorphins
Protecting against and suppressing symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Treating skin diseases, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and scleroderma.
Enhances skin barrier functions
Induces nitric oxide (NO)->protect your skin against UV damage and offers cardiovascular protection, promotes wound healing through its antimicrobial effect, and has some anti-cancer activity
Melatonin regulation through the “third eye” of the pineal gland photoreceptors
Relieving fibromyalgia pain
Standard treatment for tuberculosis 100 years ago, long before the advent of antibiotics
Treating neonatal jaundice
Can be used to 'sterilize' your armpits and eliminate the cause of most body odor.
Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Synchronizing important biorhythms through sunlight entering your eye and striking your retina
Regulating body temperature
Protecting against melanoma and decreasing mortality from it
Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been used since ancient times to treat various diseases.
a large number of molecules (chromophores) in different layers of the skin interact with and absorbs UV
TX FOR psoriatic and nonpsoriatic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, sclerosing skin conditions such as morphea, scleroderma, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides.
Phototherapy: use the sun, fluorescent lamps, short arc lamps with UV filters and lasers.”
TUBERCULOSIS
UV Exposure prevents tuberculosis
Nearly one third of the word’s population carries the tuberculosis bacteria
about 0.2 percent of those infected with tuberculosis (TB) actually develop a clinically significant infection
100% resolution of TB with 10,000 units vit D qd, better than antibiotics (one study)
mercola: "supplementing with oral vitamin D is a poor substitute for proper UVB exposure on your skin"
skin makes active vitamin D – vitamin D3
nearly all the prescription-based supplements are synthetic vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), LESS effective