Light Diet - Part 1_Sunlight, Skin & Science: The Forgotten Power of Natural Light - Deep Dives with Roderick Lambert

Could your daily sunlight exposure be the missing link in your health routine?

In this illuminating episode, Ricky and Roderick dive deep into the surprising science of sunlight, exploring how natural light affects everything from melanin production and mood to immunity and mitochondrial health.

Discover the real reason vitamin D might just be a stand-in for something much bigger, and why modern artificial lighting may be sabotaging your well-being.

They also tackle hot topics like infrared therapy, the biological wisdom of skin pigmentation, and how weather patterns can subtly shift your mental and physical state.

So, whether you're basking on a terrace or buried under LEDs, this is your guide to reclaiming the light your body was built for.

 

Links to some of data & resources upon which this discussion was based:

Electromagnetic spectrum: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electromagnetism/x4352f0cb3cc997f5:the-remaining-maxwell-s-equation-and-understanding-light/x4352f0cb3cc997f5:properties-of-em-waves/a/light-and-the-electromagnetic-spectrum 

Spectrum of visible light: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/pages/what-is-blue-light/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT 

John Ott: 2 minute video on the effects of light on hyperactive children, hens and mice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RR_AYSRI5un1jqwr7y16kt5cs6w6glXD/view?usp=share_link 

Sweden study - Nonsmokers who avoided sun exposure had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12496

Sunlight: time for a rethink? https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(24)00280-X/fulltext

Light stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbio.202300521 

Sun Exposure and Its Effects on Human Health: Mechanisms through Which Sun Exposure Could Reduce the Risk of Developing Obesity and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5086738/

Photobiomodulation Improves Serum Cytokine Response in Mild to Moderate COVID-19: The First Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Pilot Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9304695/

Video: Roger Seheult, Pulmonary ICU doctor and light as therapy: https://youtu.be/2Zzo4SJopcY?si=dnSV38FB8H3DxV-e 

How UV Light Touches the Brain and Endocrine System Through Skin, and Why (how light cleaves proopiomelanocortin peptides): https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/159/5/1992/4931051

LED light for health. Video lecture, Alexander Wunsch https://vimeo.com/137681449

Opsin absorption spectra: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/%7Etareilaj/AbsorptionSpectrum.html 

Absorption and emission spectra of basic elements (video): https://youtu.be/bSI9E2Pc_jU?si=tEo8lBkP81TEGdsd&t=372 

 

If you would like a more comprehensive list of the research which has informed this discussion (because space within the episode description is limited), please sign up to Roderick’s mailing list via https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/profile

 

Roderick also has some affiliate links to help you harness the power of light and stay aligned with your Circadian Rhythms (products he uses daily):

• Morning: use this full-spectrum SAD panel for a daily circadian reset: https://solshine.org/products/sol-photovites?ref=MMH10

Use code MMH10 for a 10% discount. Free global shipping. 

• Daytime: maintain peak cognitive function by illuminating your workspace with this floor lamp: https://solshine.org/products/telescope?ref=MMH10

Use code MMH10 for a 10% discount. Free global shipping. 

• Evening: Support your melatonin rise using this flexible light bulb in your lamps and house lighting: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/products/full-spectrum-light-bulb/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT

10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.

• Choose from a wide-range of Blue Blocking glasses (including clip-ons and fit-overs for prescription specs): https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/collections/blue-light-blocker-glasses/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT

10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.

• Night : avoid disrupting your circadian rhythm before bed or during night time disruptions with these no-blue night lights: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/collections/sleep-enhancing-lighting?sort_by=manual&filter.p.m.my_fields.lighting_type=Night+Lights/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT

10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.

 

Where to find Roderick Lambert:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/

YouTube: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/ 

Links page: https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidlifeMetabolicHealth

 

More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:

Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):

• https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668

Conquering King Stomach (my book):

• Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
• Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3