105: What Blue light REALLY does to you
The average American adult spends nearly 11 hours a day looking at a screen — that’s MOST of the day.
And all this screen time isn’t just hard on the eyes… the blue light in all of our devices may actually be doing serious long-term damage to the health of our entire bodies.
To help me make sense of the science of blue light, I’m joined today by Matt Maruca, the founder of Ra Optics, a blue-light blocking eyewear company.
On today’s episode, Matt and I will dive deep into the science behind the dangers of blue light, discuss why your sunglasses might actually be HURTING your health, and share our favorite “hacks” for avoiding blue light to boost your health — and your energy.
On this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why diet is NOT enough to totally optimize your health (3:30)
- How an oncoming car can cause a “snowball effect” of poor health (4:45)
- Why the SUN can give you more than just a shot of Vitamin D (14:30)
- Whether YOU are at risk for the negative effects of blue light exposure (16:30)
- What your pet can teach you about toxic exposure in your home (18:00)
- Why spending time in front of your screens is actually MORE dangerous than spending time out in the sun (19:00)
- How THIS “fashion statement” can help you sleep better every night (22:25)
- One simple Google search that can help make your phone dramatically healthier to use — especially at night (25:05)
- The most important thing you can put in your newborn’s bedroom (27:15)
- Why sunglasses can actually damage your eyes — and why you should NEVER wear them at the beach (29:15)
- A 152 year-old trick for sleeping better at night (34:10)
- Whether your DOG should wear blue blocking glasses (40:05)
- The almost imperceptible reason why LED light bulbs might actually be hurting your health (and what you should use instead) (42:20)
- Why THIS type of fasting is actually a great way to “rev up” your energy levels (44:45)
Mentioned on this episode:
Blocking nocturnal blue light for insomnia: A randomized controlled trial
Link between artificial light at night and cancer [STUDY]
How to turn your iPhone screen red
Lowbluelights.com for bulbs and accessories
The 119 year-old light bulb that’s still going strong
My interview with Dr. Joseph Mercola
Transcript:
If you like this episode, you may also enjoy:
The benefits of red light therapy with Scott Nelson
Shawn Stevenson talks the benefits of better sleep (and how to get it)
The new science of better sleep with Ben Greenfield
Biohacking with the legend Dave Asprey
Watch on YouTube:
********************************************************************
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT? PLEASE TAKE THIS ANONYMOUS, 1-MINUTE SURVEY.
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE DR. GUNDRY CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE.
SHARE, SUBSCRIBE and RATE “THE DR. GUNDRY PODCAST” HERE on ITUNES.
Dr. Steven Gundry is a renowned heart surgeon and New York Times bestselling author of “The Plant Paradox” and “The Plant Paradox Cookbook.”
Hi Dr. Gundry, what would you recommend for someone who has to wear prescription glass to adapt the blue blocker life style?
Hi Dr Gundry, thanks again for another great podcast. You expand my knowledge on so many areas of health-related topics. In this podcast, there’s a point you made that I need clarification on. You said “absolutely get UV filters in your glasses”. But didn’t Matt Maruca say ultraviolet creates the pupillary contraction response in strong sunlight, otherwise the pupils remain wide open allowing high energy blue wavelengths to pass into our eyes? Please explain should we or should we not get UV filters in our glasses. Thank you.