Philips Health GoLite M2 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
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Product Reviews of Philips Health GoLite M2 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
Product Review: Two recent clinical studies confirm: blue light can damage eye cell DNA!
Summary: 1 Stars
We've all heard that ultraviolet light can damage our eyes and skin. But, as this ScienCentral News video reports,there's more evidence that blue light (400 - 500nm) can damage our eyes.
"Blue light is the most energetic portion of the visible light spectrum," says ophthalmologist Bernard Godley, of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest in Dallas.
"It's less energetic than UV radiation but it also has the ability to penetrate into tissue and cause cellular damage."
Godley, working with an international team of researchers, has shown that chronic exposure to blue light damages retina cells in the lab -- the same cells involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness untreatable vision loss and legal blindness in the U.S. for people over the age of 60.
"The type of damage that we're seeing in the Petri dish... could very well be occurring in macular degeneration," says Godley.
Godley and his colleagues reported in The Journal of Biological Chemistry that blue light alone can damage the power houses of the retina cells, called mitochondria, and in particular the DNA of these energy-producing structures, suggesting that any cells exposed to visible light -- including skin cells -- may sustain damage.
The researchers exposed cultured retina cells to blue light for up to six hours in the lab. Compared to cells that had been kept in the dark, they saw a loss of mitochondrial activity in the illuminated cells after only 6 hours and this loss became greater with increasing time.
Using a genetic technique called polymerase chain reaction they found that light exposure significantly damaged the DNA of the mitochondria after three hours, but by six hours the body's natural DNA repair process had kicked in, reducing the amount of damage.
"We confirmed that these changes, this damage, was caused by free radicals, which were generated by the mitochondria themselves. Evidence suggests that these changes may play a role in cellular aging, and in age-related diseases such as macular degeneration," says Godley, suggesting that, "blue light may contribute to the aging process."
AMD, which has robbed more than 10 million Americans of some or all of their vision, causes the deterioration of the cells in the center of the paper-thin, light-sensitive retina at back of the eye -- the macula -- that focuses the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain. This results in the progressive loss of central vision, affecting a person's ability to read, drive, recognize faces or colors, and generally see objects in fine detail.
In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision, and currently available treatments can delay, and sometimes prevent, the progression of the disease, leaving the person with some vision, but there is no cure
Product Review: Works Like A Charm
Summary: 5 Stars
I got one of these last year to help me better get through what for me is "insane" season between the beginning of December and mid-January. During this period there is just not enough natural sunlight (in California, that is), which for me yields mild depression, utter lack of enthusiasm, heightened anxiety, and an overall feeling that everything is "off kilter". It worked great for me last year. This year I decided to hold off on starting it until the usual symptoms kick in, which they did, with a vengeance. 3 days after using it for fifteen minutes each day upon waking, I'm feeling groovy again. Actually enjoying the 6 darkest weeks of the year is a great blessing. This thing really works, is convenient for travel, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!Product Review: Yup. It works and its awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
Coming from sunny SoCal, I thought I would never have to deal with the symptoms of SAD, til I moved to NYC. Light deprivation became a huge issue in relation to my mood changes and brought on some serious depression. So last month, I took a pre-emptive strike and decided on this unit, because of its size and travelability. It works great. Half hour in the morning and I feel back to normal. I use it 5 times, and only need to charge it once a week. I would seriously recommend this to anyone who has to deal with the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder.Product Review: buyer beware! Do your homework before buying this product
Summary: 2 Stars
My previous review was rejected, to many URL references I expect, however I will try again. My star rating is inaccurate as well. My actual rating would be NO STARS!
I purchased one of these little devices based on online reviews of the older version, the P1, and info on the Apollo website. Luckily, on Amazon's recommendation I also purchased the book, Winter Blues, at the same time, and luckily as well, I decided to read the book before using the device.
Acording to Dr. Rosenthal, who is the author of Winter Blues, these blue light devices have not as yet been as thoroughly tested as the white light and there is some concern about their affect on ones eyes, a possible connection with Macular Degeration. (please click on the comment button to see more valuable information on this subject.)
So, my advice is order Dr. Rosenthal's book and read it first. Then make your decision as to whether to go with the thoroughly researched white light devices or go with this cute little device. My decision was to return the M2 and get one of the white lite products. I give the book a 5 star rating.
Product Review: excellent product
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very impressed with the quality of this item. I've used it fairly regularly, and I think it has been effective. I did a lot of research, and this one gets high ratings. I'm glad I didn't cheap out and buy a lower quality one.