There is a great deal of evidence that Light Therapy can help strengthen the immune system and boost the immune response17. Light Therapy has been tested as a means to strengthen components of the immune system both among humans and animals.
The immune system is a set of biological structures (such as cells, glands, and organs)) and chemical responses (e.g., inflammation) within the human body with a primary function to prevent the body from developing an infection (e.g., bacterial or viral)14,1,19. The immune system includes cells like white blood cells (leukocytes), that circulate throughout and recognize problems in the body14,19. The immune system also includes organs like the thymus gland, which produces cytotoxic T cells that kill cells infected by microbes such as bacteria and viruses (foreign invaders to the body)14,1.
Viruses take over the cells of their hosts (humans or animals), and replicate themselves, spreading infection and causing health issues in the host. Cytotoxic T cells help the human body fight viruses. Cytotoxic T cells rely on TCRs (T cell receptors, proteins that help the T cell detect virus material) to recognize virus-infected cells and trigger a chemical reaction to kill any such harmful cells8,19. However, the immune system is multidimensional and complicated and does not always work at its best to fulfill its intended function to protect our bodies from infection.
Your immune system may do a remarkable job throughout your lifetime to prevent infections from developing in your body. As we grow into adults, our immune system gradually improves. Specifically, it acquires antibodies (proteins that neutralize pathogenic factors) to the viruses and bacteria we have defeated in the past. That would explain why as adults we tend to contract fewer colds than as children1. Age is both a blessing and a curse, however.
The more we age, the more our immune system slows down its operations. Age reduces the strength of the immune system2, so, for instance, we have a reduced function of T cells and our thymus gland shrinks13. That may explain why after we reach a certain age we become more ill or why cancers (uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that the immune system should otherwise catch) are more common among elderly folks1.
Decreased T cell function may also explain why vaccines do not work as well for older individuals. The body produces fewer T cells with advanced age, and most vaccines rely on high T cells production to work15.
Last but not least, decreased immune system function increases the chances to develop inflammation, which can lead to a host of other health problems.
Human trials that have sought answers on the effects of Light Therapy and immune system function have revealed the following findings:
In animal studies, Light Therapy has also shown to have a boosting effect on the immune system:
Light Therapy supports the optimal functioning of the immune system in a wide variety of different scenarios and health conditions.
Both human and animal trials suggest that Light Therapy can help boost the body's immune system. Light Therapy may potentially help overcome weakening immune effects of aging, can improve brain and heart health and help prevent life-threatening medical conditions such as heart attacks and infections. When paired with other treatments, Light Therapy can also help the body clear out junk and harmful chemicals from inflammation and can help boost vaccine effectiveness.
Regardless of whether someone has experienced decreased immune function during an infection, or during a serious condition such as cancer, or an overactive immune system due to autoimmune disease, research and clinical evidence show that Light Therapy may help balance the working of the body's immune system.