University Heights, OH (PRWEB) February 25, 2014
A new book, “Another Weight Loss Gimmick? Maybe Not”, describes how brown or beige fat has become the focus of intense efforts by scientists to learn how it can be employed in fighting the worldwide epidemic of obesity. Way back in 1974 German scientists discovered that the sleep hormone, melatonin promotes the formation of brown (beige) fat. It wasn’t until 2001 that it was discovered that special sensors in the eye (different from the rods and cones) control the internal clock and the body’s production of melatonin. They respond most strongly to the blue rays in ordinary white light. Evening exposure to ordinary light (including from TV and computer screens) prevents the production of melatonin and robs the body of the 11 or 12 hours of flow that can occur, if in darkness.
In 2005 scientists at John Carroll University developed light bulbs that don’t make blue light and eyeglasses that eliminate blue light. A spin-off company operates the website http://www.lowbluelights.com where these products are sold with a guarantee of money back if they don’t improve sleep. Thousands of people are sleeping better by using these products Now there is another reason to maximize melatonin, it helps to control weight by stimulating brown (beige) fat that has been shown to burn ordinary white fat, especially when the body is exposed to cold. There is evidence that dropping the room temperature a few degrees will help. The brown (beige) fat will convert the extra white fat to heat to provide an internal furnace.
Richard L. Hansler PhD, author of the book “Another Weight Loss Gimmick? Maybe Not!” did research for GE Lighting for 42 years never realizing that the bright lights he helped to develop were damaging peoples’ sleep and contributing to the epidemic of obesity and other serious health problems including diabetes (type 2) , heart problems, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Avoiding these problems only requires a change to light bulbs that don’t produce the blue rays or wearing special eyeglasses for a few hours before bedtime. Because only the blue light is eliminated, the usual evening activities go on without any problem.
Call or email Dr. Hansler at 216 397 1657 rhansler(at)jcu(dot)edu