Optical stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels

Abstract

Mitochondria regulate metabolism, but solar light influences its rate. Red light increases mitochondrial membrane potentials and ATP production and may increase glucose demand. Here we show, with a glucose tolerance test, that red light exposure in normal subjects significantly reduces blood sugar levels. A 15 min exposure to 670 nm light, reduced the degree of blood glucose elevation following glucose intake by 27.7%, over 2 h. Maximum glucose spiking was reduced by 5.1%. Decreased blood glucose correlated with increased exhaled end-tidal CO2 partial pressure at 1 h, indicating the mechanism includes an increased oxidation rate. Consequently, 670 nm light exposure can be used to reduce blood glucose spikes following meals. This may reduce damaging fluctuations of blood glucose on the body, a major risk factor for diabetic complications, offering a safe, non-invasive intervention for glucose management of diabetes at home.