Device Blue Light & Aging

Blue light is artificial light, with a high content of blue wavelengths, that emanates from phones, computers, televisions, and other LED lighting.

Researchers kept groups of fruit flies in either total darkness or continuous blue light for a period of 14 days.  The blue light flies suffered from elevated levels of succinate and reduced levels of pyruvate and citrate.  These metabolite changes suggest impairment in energy production because they are responsible for the function and growth of cells.  The flies also suffered from significant brain neurodegeneration, consistent with accelerated aging, so researchers investigated neurotransmitter levels.  The blue light flies showed significant reductions in the excitatory glutamate and inhibitory Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmitters, indicating that brain homeostasis is disrupted by blue light.

People are subjected to blue light for much of the day, and the signaling chemicals in the cells of flies and humans are the same.  This study suggests that prolonged blue light may do similar damage to human cells and transmitters in the brain, contributing to accelerated aging.

Takeaway:  Limiting blue light exposure may be a wise anti-aging strategy.

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix

Source

Jun Yang, et al., Chronic Blue Light Leads to Accelerated Aging in Drosophila by Impairing Energy Metabolism and Neurotransmitter Levels, Frontiers in Aging, Aug. 31, 2022, Frontiers | Chronic blue light leads to accelerated aging in Drosophila by impairing energy metabolism and neurotransmitter levels (frontiersin.org).