Blue Light (device) exposure and mitochondrial function

Chronic blue light exposure has significant impacts on mitochondria, particularly affecting their function and contributing to cellular stress. First let's understand more about mitochondria, and next we'll look some of the things chronic blue light exposure (ie from all types of device screens, such as phone, laptop, computer, and light emitted from fridge, car, shops, offices, schools, stadiums, street lights etc).

Take a second and think about the sources of light you encounter from morning to night...

Consider the accumulative effect of all the human made light you come into contact with over the course of your day and you can easily realise, perhaps, how much blue light is in your life, in your eyes, on your skin... all of which is impacting your energy and mitochondrial capacity. 

Mitochondrial capacity determines YOUR capacity for life, living, loving & connecting!

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles with diverse functions and morphologies that adapt to meet the energy demands of cells, tissue and organ systems in our body The only cells without them are our red blood cells (because their job is to carry oxygen, and if mitochondria were inside them they would utilise the oxygen!!).

Here’s a brief overview

Mitochondrial Functions

1.  Energy Production: 
   • Mitochondria are best known for their role in producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation, which is essential for powering cellular processes. The energy production is also related to the WATER and INFRA RED light produced during oxidative phosphorylation, which contributes to energy flow (and is now being hypothesised as teh MAIN contributor to our energy!) 
   • At the micron scale, mitochondria form networks that vary in connectivity and distribution within cells WHEN THEY ARE HEALTHY! This network organisation is vital for efficient energy distribution and cellular signaling. 
    
2.  Regulation of Metabolism: 
   • They regulate metabolic pathways by providing intermediates for biosynthetic processes and modulating the balance between catabolic and anabolic reactions.
    
3.  Calcium Homeostasis: 
   • Mitochondria help regulate intracellular calcium levels, which are crucial for various cellular functions, including muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release.
    
4.  Apoptosis and Cell Death: 
   • They play a pivotal role in programmed cell death by releasing cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors that activate caspases.
    
5.  Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Management: 
   • Mitochondria produce ROS as byproducts of metabolism, which can act as signaling molecules but also cause oxidative damage if not properly managed or produced excessively.
    
6.  Heat Production: 
   • In brown adipose tissue, mitochondria are involved in thermogenesis, converting energy into heat to maintain body temperature and metabolism.

Mitochondria are FAR MORE than 'powerhouses of the cell' but also central hubs for regulating cell survival, metabolism, water and heat formation, light signalling, and adaptation to environmental changes. Their dynamic nature allows them to respond to cellular demands and stressors, underscoring their importance in maintaining health across different tissues and organ systems. They are a fully integrated and interconnected network ... the more dis-ease in a body, the more dysfunctional or distorted the mitochondrial function will be.


Here are the key findings from recent studies related to BLUE LIGHT Exposure: 

1.  Mitochondrial Dysfunction: 
   • Blue light exposure can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing oxidative stress
      
   • This oxidative stress can damage mitochondrial DNA and disrupt normal mitochondrial respiration, leading to impaired energy production, structured water formation, protein folding and much more.
      
2.  Mitochondrial Dynamics: 
   • Exposure to blue light influences mitochondrial dynamics by upregulating mitochondrial fission proteins (e.g., Drp1) and downregulating fusion proteins (e.g., Mfn2), which can lead to increased mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction
    
3.  Impact on Electron Transport Chain: 
   • Blue light exposure reduces the activity of Complex II in the electron transport chain, affecting energy metabolism by decreasing the biochemical activity of succinate dehydrogenase
   • Activities of Complex I and Complex IV are also reduced with age, and blue light exacerbates these age-related impairments
   • The oxidative stress will change the spacing between each protein complex of the ETC, which creates significant changes i all aspects of mitochondrial function, shape and communication.
    
4.  Flavins as Chromophores: 
   • Flavins such as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are chromophores that absorb blue light, leading to excessive ROS generation in mitochondria
   • This absorption contributes to photochemical effects that further stress mitochondrial function.
    
5.  Age-Dependent Effects: 
   • The damaging effects of blue light on mitochondria are more pronounced with aging, as older organisms show a greater susceptibility to blue light-induced stress
    
6.  General Cellular Impact: 
   • Blue light REALLY affects not only retinal cells but also any exposed skin cells cells by impairing energy-producing pathways, indicating its broad impact on cellular health
      

In summary, chronic blue light exposure negatively impacts mitochondrial function by inducing oxidative stress, disrupting electron transport chain activity, and altering mitochondrial dynamics. These effects are mediated through the absorption of blue light by chromophores like water and FAD within mitochondria, leading to increased ROS production. The impact is particularly severe in young and ageing organisms, suggesting that blue light exposure may contribute to accelerated cellular ageing and related health issues.

I share about many helpful strategies to support mitochondrial function in THIS MAGNIFICENT COURSE