Facts of Light
By Sally Eauclaire Osborne



“Light is like food. The wrong kind can make us ill and the right kind can keep us healthy.” In our Spring issue we reviewed some of the research behind this simple, common-sense prescription from pioneer photobiologist John Nash Ott.In this issue, we’ll sift through the often conflicting information on the many full-spectrum lights available, all of whose manufacturers promise us health and happiness with a mere flick of the light switch.

Full-Spectrum Fluorescent TubesThose who go to their local store in search of full-spectrum fluorescent lights usually come home with the Vita-Lite™ brand. Though Dr. Ott invented it years ago, he no longer endorses it. Instead, he has been associated with two companies that produce higher quality, more expensive brands: OTTbioLIGHTSYSTEMS of Santa Barbara, California that sells bioLIGHTs™, and Environmental Lighting Concepts of Tampa, Florida that sells Ott-Lites™. Though the two Ott-named companies are now rivals, their products are similar and differ from Vita-Lites™ in two key ways: in the number and quality of their phosphors and in the use of lead shielding on the ends of the tubes.

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FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT:
Energy and Health Builder
by Joseph G. Hattersley

America has a phobia about ultraviolet (UV) light. In the name of science, unwise practices are being urged on us. The resulting sickness and misbehavior will mystify yet enrich physicians, psychiatrists, dentists and criminal specialists, as well as pharmaceutical drug companies.

UV intensity will soon be forecast in population centers daily. And the EPA suggests when outdoors, we "protect ourselves against ultraviolet light whenever we can see our shadow". So we peer through sunglasses, hide behind stylish dark car windows, slather our skin with sunscreen for even brief exposure.

The phobia arose after investigators anesthetized animals, propped their eyes open and shined intense UV light into them. There was retinal damage. And excessive exposure to one kind of ultraviolet (shorter-wave, germicidal UV-C) can damage tissue. It is present increasingly in sunlight with the thinning of the protective ozone layer in tanning salons and halogen lamps. [1]

Yet the trace amounts of UV radiation in natural daylight are required for both physical and mental health, muscle strength, civilized behavior, energy and learning. Starting from a high school hobby of time-lapse photography, John N. Ott, Sc.D.Hon., became one of the world's leading photobiologists. Now in his mid-80's, he is still active. Among many publications, Dr. Ott's latest book is Light, Radiation and You: How to Stay Healthy. (Greenwich, CT: Devin-Adair Publishers, 1990.)






http://www.ppnf.org/catalog/ppnf/Art...llSpectrum.htm

I have such mixed emotions about this...how much is too much? Living in Northern Indiana in the winter with the number of grey days we can hardly wait to go south for a warm up. Of course I'll slather on the sun block after getting a whole new and improved nose several years ago due to the big C.

Mr.Alffe always wears his sun glasses as he's holding cateracs at bay. I read that flouresent lighting affects epilepsy sufferers and migrane headaches...I have friends that swear by those special lights...spending time under them keeps the beast away.

I know that seeing the sun brightens my spirits. Taking Vit.D in a pill isn't nearly as much fun as sailing. *grin

Tina, thanks for posting this info.

I have been using a Lite Book in the morning for the past 3 winters, in addition to antidepressants and I do feel it helps.

I didn't know about Dr. Ott ..... but a few months ago I bought a portable OttLite to use for better lighting when I'm knitting or reading. I really like it and I didn't even know about its special properties! Thanks!

I use these lights for my box turtles, they need it to stay healthy in the winter months when they can't be outside to get natual sunlight. I can't be outside in the winter due to my TN (the cold and wind is a horrible trigger)

My doctor told me yesterday I have to get at least a half hour of sunlight... funny how I knew my turtles needed it, but didn't think about me. I will be looking into getting me one too.