 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
|
Posted: Mon Mar 28th, 2005 02:47 |
|
Incident Radiation
Beyond the visible spectrum of light, there's UV (ultraviolet) light at one end of the spectrum (which are the short, invisible electromagnetic wave lengths) and there's IR (infrared) light at the other end of the spectrum (which are longer, invisible electromagnetic wave lengths of light).
All of these wave lengths (incident radiation), both the visible wave lengths and the invisible UV and IR wave lengths, can provide enough solar electromagnetic energy to cause the creation of the secosteroidal hormone 1,25-D within the skin cells and also within the eyes by converting sterol precursors into 1,25-D.
Infrared
Infrared waves are light waves that are slightly longer than visible light waves. They are found to the right of visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared rays create most of the heat from sunlight and incandescent light bulbs.
Heat
Humans perceive infrared radiation as "heat radiation", which is one way of energy transport. This may be why many persons with Th1 disease feel very uncomfortable when they get overheated. With those who are most badly ill, even infra-red radiation from furnaces, etc, can cause problems.
Any radiation, even heat or diathermy, will upset the way the immune system deals with pathogens.
The amount of energy is key
The only radiation which is important when considering 1,25-D generation, is radiation which carries considerable energy with it. For a given intensity of radiation, UV is the most energetic. The energy falls off with increasing wavelength (towards visible and infra-red). There still is enough energy for folks with Th1 disease to sense, and be affected by, in hotplates and direct radiation sauna, but lower intensities of infrared energy do not cause any problems.
The important thing about infrared energy is that you cannot see it. Just because the heater coils do not put out visible light does not mean that the IR energy they put out is harmless. It is not. Just the same as when you wear thick, dark, clothing. A little energy still gets through to the skin when direct sun falls on it (even though there is no light reaching your skin).
The production of 1,25-D by the skin has very little to do with UV, and everything to do with energy of the incident radiation. The focus on UV in the medical literature is a huge error, and error that they are only just now beginning to fix.
This study, The effect of regular sunscreen use on vitamin D levels in an Australian population. Results of a randomized controlled trial. demonstrated that blocking ultraviolet-B rays did not reduce the production of 1,25-D in the skin. (The sunscreen tested did not contain the broad spectrum sun screen ingredient, zinc oxide. See Sunscreen Overview -- Updated Feb. 24, 2008 for info on sunscreens that may be more effective ).
Sources of incident radiation
The greatest source of infrared heat is sunlight/daylight.
Okay to use
There is no infrared emitted from monitors-either computer or TV or movie screens....but the light may be too bright for your eyes.
Steam saunas with the heat generator hidden from view will not generate too much radiation and are okay to use.
There is a small amount of infrared emitted by heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters. This should not be a problem.
Hot tubs are fine to use, both for relaxing muscles, relieving (a little) immunopathology, and helping the antibiotics to do their job better. There are studies that show that raising your body temperature two degrees (no more though to ensure safety) increases the tissue perfusion of antibiotics.
Do not use
Far Infrared (FIR) saunas and infrared heaters would, of course, emit more radiation and should be avoided.
Saunas with electric coils under lava rocks probably generate too much radiant energy.
This source states Bioptron light therapy is a source of infrared radiation. "The permeation effect is generated by the slightly calorific infrared portion of the Bioptron Light spectrum." It would, therefore, be contraindicated.
Laser hair removal targets hair follicles and heats them with infrared energy. It would, therefore, be contraindicated.
Blocking incident radiation
Ordinary window glass can block the UV wave lengths of invisible light, but it cannot block either the visible wave lengths of light nor can it block the infrared wave lengths of invisible light. This effect is most noticeable whenever you're driving in an automobile and you can feel the warmth of the sun's rays on your skin through the glass windows of the car, even if the windows are tinted, because some of the wave lengths can still penetrate through the car windows. Window films, even those that claim to shield from UV and infrared rays, that allow visible light to penetrate are not enough protection. You must cover your house windows with thick material to keep out all light or continue to cover your skin and protect your eyes from infrared rays while indoors.
Bright surfaces, like snow, concrete and sand, reflect UVR and can nearly double the amount that gets to the skin and eyes.
When outside or exposed to daylight, it is mandatory to shield your skin. Wearing dark clothes is preferred because dark, dense fabric blocks all types of light better than white fabric which lets some light through. Dark clothing stops all light energy from falling on the skin. That is your goal. The thin white fabrics that are supposed to stop UV are as useless as your car windows, which, after all, absorb 98% of UV light. Yet they might as well be totally trasnparent fot all the good they do for persons with inflammatory disease.
All halogen lights, computer monitors, TV and movie screens give off too much light for folks with Th1 disease. The flat panel computer monitors use flourescent tubes for back-lighting and are just as bad as the CRTs with respect to causing eye problems.
Candlelight and light from a fireplace should be okay unless you are staring at the light without the protection of sunglasses.
Eye protection is essential for everyone on the Marshall Protocol. You will realize this when you wear the 10% NoIRs for a few days indoors and then take them off. Your new decreased level of 1,25-D will cause neurological symptoms such as photosensitivity, headache, irritability and brain fog 2-3 hours later as exposure to sunlight raises the level of 1,25-D.
Lighting and eye protection will be dependent on what you can tolerate. Eventually, you will notice that the 2% are too dark outside and you be will comfortable wearing the 10% instead. You will be able to wear the 40% only indoors or just in front of the computer. When you reach remission you may only need the 40% outside or none at all. It will depend on your eye comfort level.
The company that makes NoIR (No InfraRed) sunglasses have a patent on a special coating that shields infrared rays. They offer this protection in several sunglasses options. NoIR sunglasses are specially designed to block out the longer, invisible electro-magnetic IR wave lengths which ordinary eyeglasses or ordinary sunglasses cannot block out. Remember that the eyes have an iris which opens up in low light levels and therefore it is particularly important to shield them properly.
Although infrared protection is only needed for sunlight - It's difficult to find "regular" dark sunglasses that block out enough other light. There is a lot of blue spectrum light emitted from fluorescents lights, so it is important to use dark amber colored lens for adequate protection indoors unless the lighting is incandescant and low (30 lux).
Any style of NoIR amber sunglasses that allow 10% of infrared rays to come through are most frequently used indoors. The Bolle 100 lens is a suitable NoIR 10% substitute for those who do not wear prescription glasses.
Any style of amber NoIR sunglasses that allow only 2% of infrared rays to shine through are necessary for outside use at the beginning of the MP or on very sunny days. When sun sensitivity diminishes, the NoIR 10% will suffice for outside use and the lighter 40% can be used indoors.
Related FAQs:
Protecting Your Eyes
The Effect of Sunlight/daylight and Bright Lights
Do car windows, weather or geographical location affect the amount of sun exposure?
Photosensitivity During Recovery from Th1 Inflammatory Disease
What are the new recommendations regarding sun exposure?
The effect of light on the brain (amygdalla)
How to Avoid Sunlight and Bright Lights
Does sunscreen prevent the production of Vitamin D?
Testimonials to the need to avoid light
Why does exposure to natural light increase symptoms?
Why do I feel better in the summer? And worse in the winter?
Last edited on Mon Aug 11th, 2008 03:06 by Meg Mangin R.N.
|
Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
|
Posted: Sat Apr 15th, 2006 01:10 |
|
(filelink)
How did you deduce that infrared light-- the energetically weakest form of light-- catalyzes the creation of D?
Firstly the quanta of energy do not vary that much between near-UV and visible and Far-IR. Maybe by a factor of 3, or so, but nobody has shown that the 7-dehydrocholesterol steroid ring cleavage requires that much energy. In fact, all the current pragma about UV has been based on in-vitro work, which is subject to many, many, errors. We need to study this at the molecular level to be sure.
The other issue is that we know TNF-alpha catalyzes the production of 1,25-D in keratinocytes. That speaks to a continuous process, not a quantized reaction.
Finally, the hundreds of folks on the MP are keeping away from UV like the plague, yet they continue to produce 1,25-D
..Trevor..
|
Current time is 23:05 | |
|
|
|
|
