Chromophores - The Great Connector Between Our Body and Light

There is no life on earth without light. Plants turn the suns energy into chemical energy they need to grow, and we could not exist without those plants as a fuel source to sustain us. But there is more to this story...We too can directly harness light energy!
In Gabriel Cousins’ book Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet, he talks about the striking similarity between hemoglobin and chlorophyll. While chlorophyll (based on magnesium) absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis, hemoglobin (iron) transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Citing his research, Cousins hypothesized that perhaps like plants, we too can photosynthesize and create energy directly from sunlight [1].
Though we can’t fully derive energy from the sun like plants and solar panels, we humans are like the energy equivalent of a hybrid car, running partly on food and partly on sunlight (especially red and near infrared). Though it is less optimal we can function on “food only”, but without sunlight we’re more vulnerable to contracting all kinds of chronic mental and physical diseases.
In Gabriel Cousins’ book Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet, he talks about the striking similarity between hemoglobin and chlorophyll. While chlorophyll (based on magnesium) absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis, hemoglobin (iron) transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Citing his research, Cousins hypothesized that perhaps like plants, we too can photosynthesize and create energy directly from sunlight [1].
Though we can’t fully derive energy from the sun like plants and solar panels, we humans are like the energy equivalent of a hybrid car, running partly on food and partly on sunlight (especially red and near infrared). Though it is less optimal we can function on “food only”, but without sunlight we’re more vulnerable to contracting all kinds of chronic mental and physical diseases.

Building upon our earlier discussion of the biofield, it’s crucial to start thinking of our bodies more from an energy and photonic perspective (more quantum), than assuming we are purely physical and biological beings. Next time we say we’ve seen the light, let’s remember it’s not just an exciting thought in our minds – it’s who we are! We’re literally “beings of light,” naturally and phenomenally blessed with the innate ability to receive light and partially create energy from that light. Which leads me to discuss the groundbreaking research of Dr. Arturo Solís Herrera, one of the pioneers in the field of human photosynthesis.
The Human Photosynthesis Study Center led by Dr. Herrera claims that one-third of the energy available to a human being is produced by chromophores in the body absorbing electromagnetic radiation and creating energy directly [2]! If this claim turns out to be valid – and subsequent research is leaning that way - it could have tremendous implications in our understanding of life processes, cellular processes, disease and overall human health! One of the reasons plants are so much more efficient than humans is that they have a much larger surface area compared to volume (with their leaves) to photosynthesize. While chlorophyll in plants is more efficient than our chromophores, exciting research shows that we can at least partially biohack nature's wisdom and give our bodies an incredible gift - concentrated doses of the most deeply absorbed and therapeutic frequencies. Because these happen to be in the red and near infrared spectrum (roughly 600-1100 nm), red light therapy beds literally function like a full body solar-powered battery recharger!
The Human Photosynthesis Study Center led by Dr. Herrera claims that one-third of the energy available to a human being is produced by chromophores in the body absorbing electromagnetic radiation and creating energy directly [2]! If this claim turns out to be valid – and subsequent research is leaning that way - it could have tremendous implications in our understanding of life processes, cellular processes, disease and overall human health! One of the reasons plants are so much more efficient than humans is that they have a much larger surface area compared to volume (with their leaves) to photosynthesize. While chlorophyll in plants is more efficient than our chromophores, exciting research shows that we can at least partially biohack nature's wisdom and give our bodies an incredible gift - concentrated doses of the most deeply absorbed and therapeutic frequencies. Because these happen to be in the red and near infrared spectrum (roughly 600-1100 nm), red light therapy beds literally function like a full body solar-powered battery recharger!
NOTE: As inspiring as Dr. Herrera’s full body of research is, unfortunately much of it has not been established or accepted by the scientific community - and much more testing and experimenting needs to be done before they place his theories on solid footing. However, another recent important study - in Ari Whitten's book The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy, which is not as radical as Dr Herrera’s works – tells us that mammals very similar to humans (like mice and pigs) seem to be able to use chlorophyll metabolites found in plant foods like steamed green veggies, salads, green juices and green smoothies. Mammals like us can uptake these chlorophyll metabolites into their mitochondria, which in turn can use those chlorophyll containing molecules to capture sunlight energy and boost cellular ATP and energy production! This amazing discovery was published in 2014 in the Journal of Cell Science in a study titled “Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP” [3].
Here is a bit of the research from Ari Whitten's book and directly from the paper that summarizes this extraordinary process: “Sunlight is the most abundant energy source on this planet. However, the ability to convert sunlight into biological energy in the form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is thought to be limited to chlorophyll-containing chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. Here we show that mammalian mitochondria can also capture light and synthesize ATP when mixed with a light-capturing metabolite of chlorophyll” [4].
Here is a bit of the research from Ari Whitten's book and directly from the paper that summarizes this extraordinary process: “Sunlight is the most abundant energy source on this planet. However, the ability to convert sunlight into biological energy in the form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is thought to be limited to chlorophyll-containing chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. Here we show that mammalian mitochondria can also capture light and synthesize ATP when mixed with a light-capturing metabolite of chlorophyll” [4].
Like Herrara's research, this is still far from being accepted by the mainstream, but it’s still highly plausible, not to mention compelling. Over the next few chapters, We will focus on the more WELL ESTABLISHED research that points directly to similar, though maybe not so radical types of conclusions. Personally, we feel both are very plausible, representing studies at the cutting edge of research.

Chromophores - The Great Connectors between light and biology!
In the chapter illuminating the body-mind-sun connection, we showed a powerful link between light from the sun and our physical and mental health to further emphasize the overwhelming reality that light is absolutely essential for optimal health. We focused on the first part of this connection (the "mind"), which is learning how light interacts with our minds, circadian rhythms and moods. Before we discuss the second part of this connection with the "body" (mainly through the mitochondria), we must fully grasp the "connection" aspect of the body-mind-sun connection.
Let's explore how chromophores work in more detail. They are literally the key to understanding how red and near infrared therapy devices work! Without chromophores, light would either reflect or scatter off us, or pass right through with no effect. We’ve seen that rhodopsin and melanopsin are important chromophores in the eye that capture and transduce light in both visual and non-visual (light sensing) pathways. These work double duty, allowing us to see the world around us while synchronizing our circadian rhythms and mood. The next thing to know as we piece together this literally enlightening puzzle is that cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is the main chromophore affecting our bodies at the cellular level in the mitochondria. It creates the energy that literally drives all our life processes. Research is now showing that mitochondrial health is perhaps the most important indicator of our overall physical and mental health!
In the chapter illuminating the body-mind-sun connection, we showed a powerful link between light from the sun and our physical and mental health to further emphasize the overwhelming reality that light is absolutely essential for optimal health. We focused on the first part of this connection (the "mind"), which is learning how light interacts with our minds, circadian rhythms and moods. Before we discuss the second part of this connection with the "body" (mainly through the mitochondria), we must fully grasp the "connection" aspect of the body-mind-sun connection.
Let's explore how chromophores work in more detail. They are literally the key to understanding how red and near infrared therapy devices work! Without chromophores, light would either reflect or scatter off us, or pass right through with no effect. We’ve seen that rhodopsin and melanopsin are important chromophores in the eye that capture and transduce light in both visual and non-visual (light sensing) pathways. These work double duty, allowing us to see the world around us while synchronizing our circadian rhythms and mood. The next thing to know as we piece together this literally enlightening puzzle is that cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is the main chromophore affecting our bodies at the cellular level in the mitochondria. It creates the energy that literally drives all our life processes. Research is now showing that mitochondrial health is perhaps the most important indicator of our overall physical and mental health!
One of the major principles of all of red light therapy - and photobiology in general - is that for any light to have an effect on a living biological system, its photons must be absorbed or received by an element in that organism called a chromophore (from chromo- color and -phore carrier). Its dictionary definition is “a chemical group or molecule that absorbs light at a specific wavelength and imparts color to that molecule.”
Check out this example: It is well known by just about anyone who’s taken a basic biology class that plants have a light photon absorber, or receiver, called chlorophyll. It’s a “chromophore,” or "photoreceptor," that plays a critical role in turning photons into energy that a plant can utilize for its multitude of functions. It’s also what gives plants their distinctive green color. What is not as well known is that we also have these light absorbing chromophores in our cells and blood —including rhodopsin and melanopsin, cytochrome c oxidase (the main chromophore for red light therapy), hemoglobin (which gives blood its red color) and the melanin in our skin.
Check out this example: It is well known by just about anyone who’s taken a basic biology class that plants have a light photon absorber, or receiver, called chlorophyll. It’s a “chromophore,” or "photoreceptor," that plays a critical role in turning photons into energy that a plant can utilize for its multitude of functions. It’s also what gives plants their distinctive green color. What is not as well known is that we also have these light absorbing chromophores in our cells and blood —including rhodopsin and melanopsin, cytochrome c oxidase (the main chromophore for red light therapy), hemoglobin (which gives blood its red color) and the melanin in our skin.

A chromophore is a molecule that absorbs light, so its absorption spectrum (range of wavelengths it resonates and absorbs) is the basis of the color it reflects. Because a plant’s chlorophyll mainly absorbs, or "steals," orange, yellow, blue and violet, it mostly reflects green! Hemoglobin is a red pigment in the blood, so obviously it likewise “steals” other colors besides red. Melanin in the skin can create a range of colors from white to very dark. Fair-skinned people have little melanin, so they reflect a fuller spectrum and appear lighter. Darker-complected people have more melanin; they are darker because their skin absorbs more light [5].
For our discussion on red light therapy, it is important to note that when we isolate mitochondria, they appear as a dark brown pellet under the microscope, while most of the rest of the cell is colorless. Mitochondria in the cell absorbs the majority of the light. This gives us direct visual evidence that the mitochondria are absorbing, catching or receiving light directly from the sun and our surroundings [6]. Let’s ponder that for a moment! If the rest of the cell is mostly transparent, we see light mostly passing through everything EXCEPT the mitochondria - the photocells of the cell, the tiny solar panels creating the energy of all life! Because they also need food to survive, they are comparable to little "hybrid engines” while plants can operate purely on solar power.
There are literally dozens of other common chromophores in the human body most of us aren’t aware of including myoglobin, flavins, flavoproteins, porphyrins, opsins (like melanopsin) and various ion channels and even water next to a hydrophilic (water loving) surface is a chromophore. Because cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is the main researched chromophore in red light therapy. and water is easily the second most researched, we will focus this book on those two.
For our discussion on red light therapy, it is important to note that when we isolate mitochondria, they appear as a dark brown pellet under the microscope, while most of the rest of the cell is colorless. Mitochondria in the cell absorbs the majority of the light. This gives us direct visual evidence that the mitochondria are absorbing, catching or receiving light directly from the sun and our surroundings [6]. Let’s ponder that for a moment! If the rest of the cell is mostly transparent, we see light mostly passing through everything EXCEPT the mitochondria - the photocells of the cell, the tiny solar panels creating the energy of all life! Because they also need food to survive, they are comparable to little "hybrid engines” while plants can operate purely on solar power.
There are literally dozens of other common chromophores in the human body most of us aren’t aware of including myoglobin, flavins, flavoproteins, porphyrins, opsins (like melanopsin) and various ion channels and even water next to a hydrophilic (water loving) surface is a chromophore. Because cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is the main researched chromophore in red light therapy. and water is easily the second most researched, we will focus this book on those two.
How Chromophores "Catch" Light
This is very important in understanding the mechanisms behind how red light therapy transfers energy to chromophores in the mitochondria to enhance ATP production. For a red light therapy device to have an effect on a biological system, photons must be “sponged up” by electronic absorption bands belonging to chromophores (recall photochemistry from chapter 2). An electron in an atom or molecule (like a chromophore) can absorb energy from light (photons) only if there is a transition between levels that match the energy carried by the photon. This means that any given transition will only absorb a single wavelength of light. Photons with the correct wavelength can cause an electron to jump from the lower to the higher energy level.
As an analogy, chromophores are like baseball gloves that catch and absorb these photons of light, but only if they have the perfect amount of energy to excite an electron from a ground state to an excited state. Light photons are like baseballs being thrown with different amounts of energy. Let us emphasize that different chromophores (the "gloves") have distinct chemical and electronic makeups, so they absorb different wavelengths (the "baseballs"). This creates excited, or energetic, electrons that can do many different things in our bodies, such as assisting in ATP energy production. Simply put, chromophores are molecules able to catch light that our bodies can use as energy in various ways.
This is very important in understanding the mechanisms behind how red light therapy transfers energy to chromophores in the mitochondria to enhance ATP production. For a red light therapy device to have an effect on a biological system, photons must be “sponged up” by electronic absorption bands belonging to chromophores (recall photochemistry from chapter 2). An electron in an atom or molecule (like a chromophore) can absorb energy from light (photons) only if there is a transition between levels that match the energy carried by the photon. This means that any given transition will only absorb a single wavelength of light. Photons with the correct wavelength can cause an electron to jump from the lower to the higher energy level.
As an analogy, chromophores are like baseball gloves that catch and absorb these photons of light, but only if they have the perfect amount of energy to excite an electron from a ground state to an excited state. Light photons are like baseballs being thrown with different amounts of energy. Let us emphasize that different chromophores (the "gloves") have distinct chemical and electronic makeups, so they absorb different wavelengths (the "baseballs"). This creates excited, or energetic, electrons that can do many different things in our bodies, such as assisting in ATP energy production. Simply put, chromophores are molecules able to catch light that our bodies can use as energy in various ways.
Our focus is on how red and near infrared light interacts with cytochrome c oxidase, which is like a "glove" able to "catch" multiple wavelength ranges of red and near infrared photons. Once this red and near infrared light is caught or absorbed, it stimulates the flow of electrons in the electron transport chain to produce ATP the same way a photocell in a solar panel generates electricity. There are other benefits as well, such as improved nitric oxide release, anti-inflammatory effects, increased antioxidants and stimulating healing and regeneration. We'll get into more detail about these dynamic mechanisms later.

Cytochrome C Oxidase - The Main Chromophore in Red Light Therapy
Rigorous peer reviewed studies by Tina Karu and others show us that cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is THE main chromophore, or photo-acceptor, involved in the multitude of amazing benefits offered by red and near infrared light therapy. No doubt there are other complexes in the electron transport chain that are chromophores besides CCO, but as Karu and other researchers kindly inform us, CCO is the only one that absorbs red and near infrared light to any sizeable degree [6,7]. It is sad is that this life-nurturing photosensitivity of respiratory chain enzymes (especially CCO) is NOT taught in biology and medical textbooks. Biology textbooks only mention functional photoacceptors related to vision, such as rhodopsin. The fact this is excluded is a travesty indeed, because it points to our ability to harness light - at least in part - into energy.
Rigorous peer reviewed studies by Tina Karu and others show us that cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is THE main chromophore, or photo-acceptor, involved in the multitude of amazing benefits offered by red and near infrared light therapy. No doubt there are other complexes in the electron transport chain that are chromophores besides CCO, but as Karu and other researchers kindly inform us, CCO is the only one that absorbs red and near infrared light to any sizeable degree [6,7]. It is sad is that this life-nurturing photosensitivity of respiratory chain enzymes (especially CCO) is NOT taught in biology and medical textbooks. Biology textbooks only mention functional photoacceptors related to vision, such as rhodopsin. The fact this is excluded is a travesty indeed, because it points to our ability to harness light - at least in part - into energy.

The Amazing Cytochrome C Oxidase
After world war II, Dr. Otto Warburg - using techniques that he developed - proved that respiration inside a cell took place in structures that he called "grana", which we now know as the mitochondria. He experimented with the effects of alcohols, cynanide and other chemicals on respiration and figured out that the enzymes in these grana contained a metal which he suspected was iron and later proved to be true. With his landmark investigation, he proved that a portion of the enzyme that reacts with oxygen in the grana or mitochondria is identical with the portion of hemoglobin that reacts with oxygen in the blood. This chemical called heme is what is called a porphyrin bonded to iron (more on this in a bit), and the enzyme containing the heme, which exists in every cell and makes breathing possible, is known as cytochrome c oxidase. Cytochrome c oxidase is perhaps the most vital of enzymes in our cells, in that transports electrons from the electron transport chain to oxygen so the cells of living organisms can produce ATP, the very energy of life of life on earth! For this outstanding and profound discovery Warburg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and medicine in 1931.
After world war II, Dr. Otto Warburg - using techniques that he developed - proved that respiration inside a cell took place in structures that he called "grana", which we now know as the mitochondria. He experimented with the effects of alcohols, cynanide and other chemicals on respiration and figured out that the enzymes in these grana contained a metal which he suspected was iron and later proved to be true. With his landmark investigation, he proved that a portion of the enzyme that reacts with oxygen in the grana or mitochondria is identical with the portion of hemoglobin that reacts with oxygen in the blood. This chemical called heme is what is called a porphyrin bonded to iron (more on this in a bit), and the enzyme containing the heme, which exists in every cell and makes breathing possible, is known as cytochrome c oxidase. Cytochrome c oxidase is perhaps the most vital of enzymes in our cells, in that transports electrons from the electron transport chain to oxygen so the cells of living organisms can produce ATP, the very energy of life of life on earth! For this outstanding and profound discovery Warburg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and medicine in 1931.
Cytochrome is a complex protein composed of 13 different polypeptide subunits, also containing heme centers and two copper centers. All of these can be either oxidized or reduced, resulting in 16 different oxidation states. Each has a slightly different light absorption spectrum, but CCO is unique among biological molecules in having significant absorption in the red and near-infrared spectrum. Because these wavelengths penetrate the deepest and mitochondria are in every cell of our bodies, we pay cheerful homage to evolution for having the wisdom to create a chromophore that could tune into, resonate and receive these deep and sharply penetrating wavelengths of light from the sun. As there are 16 oxidation states or configurations, no single wavelength is optimal for red light therapy. All 16 electronic configurations of CCO can resonate to absorb different wavelengths – and this is why I recommend a red light therapy device with as many between this therapeutic range of roughly between 600-700nm and 800-1100nm. Later in this book, we will discuss which wavelengths to look for in a full body red light bed.
Let's now look at how chromophores work similarly to antennas and the photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels. In fact, this isn’t metaphorical at all. We should visualize chromophores as tiny molecular antennas or solar cells that harness and transduce energy into the body. And it turns out the main chromophores like chlorophyll, hemoglobin and cytochrome c oxidase look functionally similar to solar cells because they are made of the same remarkable molecule - which is arguably the most important molecules governing life on earth - Porphyrins!
Let's now look at how chromophores work similarly to antennas and the photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels. In fact, this isn’t metaphorical at all. We should visualize chromophores as tiny molecular antennas or solar cells that harness and transduce energy into the body. And it turns out the main chromophores like chlorophyll, hemoglobin and cytochrome c oxidase look functionally similar to solar cells because they are made of the same remarkable molecule - which is arguably the most important molecules governing life on earth - Porphyrins!

Porphyrins - One Ring that Rules Life
One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.
—J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
And what is fascinating is cytochrome c oxidase shares a LOT in common with chlorophyll and hemoglobin (and many other critical molecules in biology) in that they are all made of porphyrins. In fact the most important chromophores and critical enzymes in nature use porphyrins as building blocks. They are not vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, sugars or hormones, but without them you could not breathe and plants could not grow, which means there would be no oxygen in the atmosphere and no complex life on earth. It is strange "porphyrin" is not a household word considering it is literally the central "ring" of life on earth for BOTH animals and plants, which makes the Lord of the Rings quote very apropos.
Porphyrins - the basis of life
Porphyrins are ring-like proteins that are light sensitive with central metal atoms that act as little molecular solar cells that with the aid of oxygen, have a tremendous ability to convert light into energy. In fact wherever energy is transformed and whenever electrons flow, look for porphyrins. In plants a porphyrin bound to magnesium is the pigment called chlorophyll, that makes plants green and governs photosynthesis. In animals as we saw, an almost identical molecule is bound to iron which is called heme, which is an essential part of hemoglobin that makes blood red and enables us to absorb and use oxygen. It is also a central component to myoglobin that makes our muscles red and allows the muscles to accept oxygen from our blood. Also, the porphyrin heme is a part of cytochrome P-450 which is a liver enzyme that binds oxygen to oxidize and detoxify environmental toxins.
Finally and most important for our discussion in this book is that the porphyrin heme is the central component of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). CCO as we mentioned is perhaps the most vital of enzymes in that transports electrons from the electron transport chain to oxygen so the cells can produce energy. The very fact chlorophyll and cytochrome c oxidase are all made of the same building blocks is proof that we can use light as energy. It is of note that porphyrins are the pigments in the chromophores that give life its color. So taken together these porphyrin-derived pigments can be called the “colors of life,” in the sense that these rings are necessary to sustain key activities in nearly all organisms on planet earth.
Understanding that porphyrins can harness energy from light with the help of oxygen is getting to the foundations of how red and near infrared light therapy works so well in its interaction with cytochrome c oxidase in producing ATP energy. In the next several chapters we'll explore all the amazing benefits that come about from this.
One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.
—J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
And what is fascinating is cytochrome c oxidase shares a LOT in common with chlorophyll and hemoglobin (and many other critical molecules in biology) in that they are all made of porphyrins. In fact the most important chromophores and critical enzymes in nature use porphyrins as building blocks. They are not vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, sugars or hormones, but without them you could not breathe and plants could not grow, which means there would be no oxygen in the atmosphere and no complex life on earth. It is strange "porphyrin" is not a household word considering it is literally the central "ring" of life on earth for BOTH animals and plants, which makes the Lord of the Rings quote very apropos.
Porphyrins - the basis of life
Porphyrins are ring-like proteins that are light sensitive with central metal atoms that act as little molecular solar cells that with the aid of oxygen, have a tremendous ability to convert light into energy. In fact wherever energy is transformed and whenever electrons flow, look for porphyrins. In plants a porphyrin bound to magnesium is the pigment called chlorophyll, that makes plants green and governs photosynthesis. In animals as we saw, an almost identical molecule is bound to iron which is called heme, which is an essential part of hemoglobin that makes blood red and enables us to absorb and use oxygen. It is also a central component to myoglobin that makes our muscles red and allows the muscles to accept oxygen from our blood. Also, the porphyrin heme is a part of cytochrome P-450 which is a liver enzyme that binds oxygen to oxidize and detoxify environmental toxins.
Finally and most important for our discussion in this book is that the porphyrin heme is the central component of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). CCO as we mentioned is perhaps the most vital of enzymes in that transports electrons from the electron transport chain to oxygen so the cells can produce energy. The very fact chlorophyll and cytochrome c oxidase are all made of the same building blocks is proof that we can use light as energy. It is of note that porphyrins are the pigments in the chromophores that give life its color. So taken together these porphyrin-derived pigments can be called the “colors of life,” in the sense that these rings are necessary to sustain key activities in nearly all organisms on planet earth.
Understanding that porphyrins can harness energy from light with the help of oxygen is getting to the foundations of how red and near infrared light therapy works so well in its interaction with cytochrome c oxidase in producing ATP energy. In the next several chapters we'll explore all the amazing benefits that come about from this.
Chromophores like Chlorophyll and Cytochrome C Oxidase (made from Porphyrins) are Molecular Antenna
Light from the sun that plants and humans receive is an electromagnetic wave that works similarly to radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet and even X-rays. The only difference is its wavelength, which corresponds to the energy. Many might not be aware, but solar panels are actually antennas that tune into specific frequencies of light from the sun. Because the size of the antenna is related to the wavelength, these solar panel "antennas" - the photocells - are much smaller and different in their composition than the traditional antennas we see transmitting from radio stations. Yet they essentially function the same way. In fact, a solar panel can be easily converted to a broadcasting antenna. In both plants and human beings, chromophores made of porphyrins are molecular antenna where the band gaps between electron orbitals in different configurations play the role of the size and geometry of a radio antenna. We "receive" light in the same way an antenna receives radio waves and a solar panel receives electromagnetic waves from the sun. We can learn a lot about how the mitochondria (and chloroplasts) extract energy from light by taking a brief look at the conceptual basics of solar panels which are essentially semiconductor or solid state physics based "light antennas".
Light from the sun that plants and humans receive is an electromagnetic wave that works similarly to radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet and even X-rays. The only difference is its wavelength, which corresponds to the energy. Many might not be aware, but solar panels are actually antennas that tune into specific frequencies of light from the sun. Because the size of the antenna is related to the wavelength, these solar panel "antennas" - the photocells - are much smaller and different in their composition than the traditional antennas we see transmitting from radio stations. Yet they essentially function the same way. In fact, a solar panel can be easily converted to a broadcasting antenna. In both plants and human beings, chromophores made of porphyrins are molecular antenna where the band gaps between electron orbitals in different configurations play the role of the size and geometry of a radio antenna. We "receive" light in the same way an antenna receives radio waves and a solar panel receives electromagnetic waves from the sun. We can learn a lot about how the mitochondria (and chloroplasts) extract energy from light by taking a brief look at the conceptual basics of solar panels which are essentially semiconductor or solid state physics based "light antennas".
Semiconductors, Solar Panels and the Solid State Cell [*Optional Section*]
The elements carbon, silicon and germanium are called semiconductors. Each of these atoms has four electrons in their outer shell. This allows them to attach to four other atoms in a nice crystalline structure called a lattice. These elements in their crystal state are insulators, because they do not have any free electrons (all are bonded to each other), so they insulate rather than conduct electricity. However, one can turn these insulators into what are called "semiconductors" by adding additional elements or impurities to the crystal by a process called doping. We'll mainly focus on what is called an n-type semiconductor (n for negative) because this equates to doping with an atom or molecule that gives an extra electron.
What is unique about semiconductors are they create a quantum mechanical effect such that the entire crystal lattice "shares" these extra electrons when they are bumped to a higher energy state. This creates a holistic solid state quantum system that is entangled and interconnected. Furthermore, the electrons can be routed precisely with intelligent architecture. Hopefully this will be made clear with the basics of how a solar panel works. The reason this is important to our discussion is that porphyrins and the chromophores they make up work essentially the same way as solar panels.
The elements carbon, silicon and germanium are called semiconductors. Each of these atoms has four electrons in their outer shell. This allows them to attach to four other atoms in a nice crystalline structure called a lattice. These elements in their crystal state are insulators, because they do not have any free electrons (all are bonded to each other), so they insulate rather than conduct electricity. However, one can turn these insulators into what are called "semiconductors" by adding additional elements or impurities to the crystal by a process called doping. We'll mainly focus on what is called an n-type semiconductor (n for negative) because this equates to doping with an atom or molecule that gives an extra electron.
What is unique about semiconductors are they create a quantum mechanical effect such that the entire crystal lattice "shares" these extra electrons when they are bumped to a higher energy state. This creates a holistic solid state quantum system that is entangled and interconnected. Furthermore, the electrons can be routed precisely with intelligent architecture. Hopefully this will be made clear with the basics of how a solar panel works. The reason this is important to our discussion is that porphyrins and the chromophores they make up work essentially the same way as solar panels.
Solar Panels and Solar Cells
A photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Solar panels are also designed to absorb sunlight in a specific range of wavelengths. This range is known as the solar panel's "band-gap." And the more photons that hit the solar panel at right angles, the more electricity it produces.
When photons of light of the right range of wavelengths (the band gap) hit a solar panel, they knock electrons loose from the atoms in the semiconductor silicon cells. These electrons subsequently flow through the material to create an electrical current that can power up something as massive as your house or car. Similarly, nature designs its own little solar cells called chromophores to take in specific ranges of wavelengths of light (or band gaps).
A photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Solar panels are also designed to absorb sunlight in a specific range of wavelengths. This range is known as the solar panel's "band-gap." And the more photons that hit the solar panel at right angles, the more electricity it produces.
When photons of light of the right range of wavelengths (the band gap) hit a solar panel, they knock electrons loose from the atoms in the semiconductor silicon cells. These electrons subsequently flow through the material to create an electrical current that can power up something as massive as your house or car. Similarly, nature designs its own little solar cells called chromophores to take in specific ranges of wavelengths of light (or band gaps).
Chromophores are equivalent to the photocells in solar panels in many ways. Similar to solar panels when photons hit chlorophyll or cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), they dislodge the electrons within a known range of wavelengths (band gap) that drive the current in the electron transport chains. The essence of this intricate process is that light is converted into biochemical electricity in both plants and animals because chromophores act like photocells and receive light! The main difference is animal cells still need food (like a hybrid engine), while plants cells can get 100% energy from photosynthesis (plus CO2 and water).
The most common wavelength for solar panels is 850nm, which is near infrared! This particular wavelength is also one of the best, most common and extensively researched wavelengths used in red light therapy! The "band gap" analogue in porphyrin based CCO molecule, is mainly between 600-900nm. Based on what we learned in the last chapter, it should become clear to us why nature created a chromophore (CCO) that resonates like an antenna to red and near infrared. Firstly this is large percentage of the peak solar output (60%) AND secondly these are THE deepest penetrating wavelengths of light that are small enough for chromophores to "tune into" at the tiny cellular level via photochemistry. Long wave radio waves will pass through us too but the antenna to receive such long wavelengths needs to be humongous!
It is worth mentioning here why using whole body red and near infrared light therapy is ideal. It is like using many solar panels versus 1 or 2. By covering your whole body, more red and near infrared photons hit more mitochondrial based cytochrome c oxidase, which means more energy is will be produced in the body as a whole. This is why we ONLY recommend a full body red light therapy panel or bed using the most proven wavelengths that we'll explore in detail in chapter 10.
And finally, there is solid proof in engineering that this is NOT just a metaphor, porphyrins are literally little solar cells. For example, adding thin films of porphyrins to commercially available photovoltaic (solar) cells increases the voltage, current and total power output [8]. Even more inspiring is that prototype solar cells based entirely on porphyrins have be produced (see the studies referenced here) [9-11].
The most common wavelength for solar panels is 850nm, which is near infrared! This particular wavelength is also one of the best, most common and extensively researched wavelengths used in red light therapy! The "band gap" analogue in porphyrin based CCO molecule, is mainly between 600-900nm. Based on what we learned in the last chapter, it should become clear to us why nature created a chromophore (CCO) that resonates like an antenna to red and near infrared. Firstly this is large percentage of the peak solar output (60%) AND secondly these are THE deepest penetrating wavelengths of light that are small enough for chromophores to "tune into" at the tiny cellular level via photochemistry. Long wave radio waves will pass through us too but the antenna to receive such long wavelengths needs to be humongous!
It is worth mentioning here why using whole body red and near infrared light therapy is ideal. It is like using many solar panels versus 1 or 2. By covering your whole body, more red and near infrared photons hit more mitochondrial based cytochrome c oxidase, which means more energy is will be produced in the body as a whole. This is why we ONLY recommend a full body red light therapy panel or bed using the most proven wavelengths that we'll explore in detail in chapter 10.
And finally, there is solid proof in engineering that this is NOT just a metaphor, porphyrins are literally little solar cells. For example, adding thin films of porphyrins to commercially available photovoltaic (solar) cells increases the voltage, current and total power output [8]. Even more inspiring is that prototype solar cells based entirely on porphyrins have be produced (see the studies referenced here) [9-11].
Water, the second most important chromophore in Red Light Therapy
It turns out there is not just one predominate chromophore at play in red light therapy. There are TWO main chromophores. More and more research is showing that water is secondarily a very significant chromophore for wavelengths above 900nm. First, it is known cytochrome c oxidase does not absorb these wavelengths above 900nm, so there must be another chromophore as 900nm wavelengths now have dozens of peer reviewed studies to validate the mechanisms and efficacy of these longer wavelengths. Secondly, water absorbs light very strongly above 900nm as evidenced by its molecular absorption coefficients (there is a peak absorption at 980nm).
It turns out there is not just one predominate chromophore at play in red light therapy. There are TWO main chromophores. More and more research is showing that water is secondarily a very significant chromophore for wavelengths above 900nm. First, it is known cytochrome c oxidase does not absorb these wavelengths above 900nm, so there must be another chromophore as 900nm wavelengths now have dozens of peer reviewed studies to validate the mechanisms and efficacy of these longer wavelengths. Secondly, water absorbs light very strongly above 900nm as evidenced by its molecular absorption coefficients (there is a peak absorption at 980nm).

EZ Water (EZ = Exclusion Zone)
The most important evidence that water is a key chromophore in red light therapy comes from breakthrough research by Dr Gerald Pollack and others who have shown that there is actually another form of water that is different from the common bulk water we are used to, which has been called “the fourth phase of water” by Gerald Pollack. The idea is that water molecules located next to a submerged hydrophilic surface self-organize into a different form that has variously been called an “exclusion zone water,” “structured water” or “liquid crystalline water” [12-14].
This exclusion zone (EZ) water can absorb light especially above 900nm and this absorption leads to many changes in its physical properties, including pH, polarity, viscosity and even water's ability to store energy as voltage (like a battery). Dr Pollack has shown with much good research that near infrared light can change the properties of water, most notably in red light therapy research is are the change of viscosity and the increase in energy or voltage . That is, when water is illuminated by near infrared light, it literally changes in “thickness” and “wetness” and it also stores energy by separating charges.
In the next chapter we will take a closer look at how this change in viscosity and increase in voltage of water due to near infrared light and how this increases ATP and energy production in the mitochondria and also increases cellular voltage. While it is still a matter of debate, it could eventually be discovered that water is the main chromophore in red light therapy. But because there is still far more research on cytochrome c oxidase, that will be the primary focus of this book.
Note: While a detailed discussion of EZ water (and why it is called exclusion zone water) is beyond the scope of this book, the information is so fascinating, I have added books, references and links at the end of this chapter for further reading.
The most important evidence that water is a key chromophore in red light therapy comes from breakthrough research by Dr Gerald Pollack and others who have shown that there is actually another form of water that is different from the common bulk water we are used to, which has been called “the fourth phase of water” by Gerald Pollack. The idea is that water molecules located next to a submerged hydrophilic surface self-organize into a different form that has variously been called an “exclusion zone water,” “structured water” or “liquid crystalline water” [12-14].
This exclusion zone (EZ) water can absorb light especially above 900nm and this absorption leads to many changes in its physical properties, including pH, polarity, viscosity and even water's ability to store energy as voltage (like a battery). Dr Pollack has shown with much good research that near infrared light can change the properties of water, most notably in red light therapy research is are the change of viscosity and the increase in energy or voltage . That is, when water is illuminated by near infrared light, it literally changes in “thickness” and “wetness” and it also stores energy by separating charges.
In the next chapter we will take a closer look at how this change in viscosity and increase in voltage of water due to near infrared light and how this increases ATP and energy production in the mitochondria and also increases cellular voltage. While it is still a matter of debate, it could eventually be discovered that water is the main chromophore in red light therapy. But because there is still far more research on cytochrome c oxidase, that will be the primary focus of this book.
Note: While a detailed discussion of EZ water (and why it is called exclusion zone water) is beyond the scope of this book, the information is so fascinating, I have added books, references and links at the end of this chapter for further reading.

A Third Chromophore? TRPV ion channels (TRPV = transient receptor potential vanilloid)
Some researchers consider TRPV ion channels to be another chromophore because of its activation by light, especially near infrared light like 980nm (which is the wavelength used in the studies). TRPV ion channels are activated by both visible and infrared light and are important in calcium signaling which is a very important pathway in multiple cell types.
Some researchers consider TRPV ion channels to be another chromophore because of its activation by light, especially near infrared light like 980nm (which is the wavelength used in the studies). TRPV ion channels are activated by both visible and infrared light and are important in calcium signaling which is a very important pathway in multiple cell types.
Chromophores and the Great Circle of Life!
"The trees are our lungs, the rivers our circulation, the air our breath, and the earth our body."
- Deepak Chopra
It is important to emphasize that life is not any single organ but an intricately interconnected, ever-flowing process. Our bodies are continually being broken down and rebuilt to maintain the overall pattern of the whole, in the fascinating manner of our water fountain analogy. Life and health must therefore reside in the interwoven patterns of dynamic flows of matter and energy between our bodies, the earth, the sun and our immediate surroundings. This web of life keeps us alive while enabling us to grow, develop and evolve.
We must emphasize again that the whole is not our isolated body. The body and biofield system are open and connected in countless ways to our environment. Chromophores are the great connectors linking light to these our bodies and ensuring good health. Similarly, hemoglobin powerfully links oxygen to our biology, and magnetite in our brain and body wondrously links the earth's magnetic field to our biology [15]. There is literally no separation in that we are part of a much greater system, our Mother Earth, which we can envision as a superorganism like James Lovelock [16] did in his Gaia Theory. In his 1979 book Gaia: a New Look at Life on Earth, the author suggested that living organisms interact with their surrounding inorganic environment to form a synergetic and self-regulating system that created, and now maintains, the climate and biochemical conditions that make life on Earth possible.
Stated another way, the Earth has global homeostatic and feedback mechanisms that account for its overall balance and stability in the same way living organisms do! Keep these holistic ideas in mind as we discuss the specific details of the "seemingly" separate processes and pathways of how red light therapy functions at the cellular level.
"The trees are our lungs, the rivers our circulation, the air our breath, and the earth our body."
- Deepak Chopra
It is important to emphasize that life is not any single organ but an intricately interconnected, ever-flowing process. Our bodies are continually being broken down and rebuilt to maintain the overall pattern of the whole, in the fascinating manner of our water fountain analogy. Life and health must therefore reside in the interwoven patterns of dynamic flows of matter and energy between our bodies, the earth, the sun and our immediate surroundings. This web of life keeps us alive while enabling us to grow, develop and evolve.
We must emphasize again that the whole is not our isolated body. The body and biofield system are open and connected in countless ways to our environment. Chromophores are the great connectors linking light to these our bodies and ensuring good health. Similarly, hemoglobin powerfully links oxygen to our biology, and magnetite in our brain and body wondrously links the earth's magnetic field to our biology [15]. There is literally no separation in that we are part of a much greater system, our Mother Earth, which we can envision as a superorganism like James Lovelock [16] did in his Gaia Theory. In his 1979 book Gaia: a New Look at Life on Earth, the author suggested that living organisms interact with their surrounding inorganic environment to form a synergetic and self-regulating system that created, and now maintains, the climate and biochemical conditions that make life on Earth possible.
Stated another way, the Earth has global homeostatic and feedback mechanisms that account for its overall balance and stability in the same way living organisms do! Keep these holistic ideas in mind as we discuss the specific details of the "seemingly" separate processes and pathways of how red light therapy functions at the cellular level.

If we look at the tree upside down, we see that the lungs share the same branching pattern – and it is for a good reason! Both trees and our lungs have evolved to serve a similar function - respiration. Trees take in carbon dioxide from the air and capture sunlight energy with chlorophyll to turn that CO2 into sugars – which the tree then uses as food. In photosynthesis, trees also generate oxygen, which obviously WE NEED in our lungs to create energy – yet, like them, we must have the sugars as well. Interesting, I’ve never read a biology book that tells us a related truth: that we ALSO need light for optimal energy production in the mitochondria, specifically red and near infrared light.
To perpetuate the circle of life, the trees need our waste, CO2, while we in turn need the trees’ waste, O2. We BOTH need light from the sun to make the cycle happen. Maybe we take it for granted each day, too caught up in our personal and professional “to-do” lists, but in every intricate detail, we are incredibly, inexorably interconnected to Nature! Perhaps a better term for these natural phenomena is the Body-Mind-Sun-Nature connection.
The graphic below displays the overall reaction in which one molecule of glucose combines with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide, water and energy. This simple equation summarizes a very complex process in the Krebs cycle – which aerobic respiration - and electron transport chain, which is a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons. In plants, however, it is the exact reverse in the presence of sunlight. Notice that I added sunlight in the cellular respiration process! It’s doubtful we’ll ever see it in biology books, but there is overwhelming evidence of this in peer reviewed papers on photobiomodulation. When we add sunlight, the two equations are perfectly symmetrical, together creating a giant circle of life on our beautiful sunlit earth - with chromophores serving our requirements as the Great Connectors!
To perpetuate the circle of life, the trees need our waste, CO2, while we in turn need the trees’ waste, O2. We BOTH need light from the sun to make the cycle happen. Maybe we take it for granted each day, too caught up in our personal and professional “to-do” lists, but in every intricate detail, we are incredibly, inexorably interconnected to Nature! Perhaps a better term for these natural phenomena is the Body-Mind-Sun-Nature connection.
The graphic below displays the overall reaction in which one molecule of glucose combines with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide, water and energy. This simple equation summarizes a very complex process in the Krebs cycle – which aerobic respiration - and electron transport chain, which is a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons. In plants, however, it is the exact reverse in the presence of sunlight. Notice that I added sunlight in the cellular respiration process! It’s doubtful we’ll ever see it in biology books, but there is overwhelming evidence of this in peer reviewed papers on photobiomodulation. When we add sunlight, the two equations are perfectly symmetrical, together creating a giant circle of life on our beautiful sunlit earth - with chromophores serving our requirements as the Great Connectors!
References
[1] G. Cousins, Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet, Cassandra Press (1986) p220
[2] Herrera, A.S., Esparza, M., Ashraf, G, Zamyatnin, A., and Aliev, G., Beyond mitochondria, What Would be the Energy Source of the Cell? CNS Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 15:32-41, 2015.
[3] Xu C, Zhang J, Mihai DM, Washington I. Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP. J Cell Sci. 2014 Jan 15;127(Pt 2):388-99.
[4] Ari Whitten, "The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy" Archangel Ink, 2018: pp 41-43
[5]Sutherland JC. 2002. Biological effects of polychromatic light. Photochem Photobiol 76:164–70.
[6] Karu T. 1999. Primary and secondary mechanisms of action of visible to near-IR radiation on cells. J Photochem Photobiol B 49:1–17.
[7] Karu, T., 2010. Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR-A radiation. IUBMB Life 62, 607610.
[8] Adler, A.D., Váradi, V. and Wilson‡, N. (1975), PORPHYRINS, POWER, AND POLLUTION. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 244: 685-694
[9] Hooi-Sung Kim, Chun-Ho Kim, Chang-Sik Ha, Jin-Kook Lee, Organic solar cell devices based on PVK/porphyrin system, Synthetic Metals, Volume 117, Issues 1–3, 2001, Pages 289-291.
[10] Hagemann, Ole, and Frederik Krebs. "Syntheses of asymmetric porphyrins for photovoltaics." Organic Photovoltaics VI. Vol. 5938. SPIE, 2005.
[11] Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoscale Porphyrin Based Liquid Crystals for Organic Photovoltaic Applications. MS Thesis, Kent State, 2009
[12] Pollack, G.H., 2003. The role of aqueous interfaces in the cell. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 103 (2), 173196
[13] Pollack, G.H., Reitz, F.B., 2001. Phase transitions and molecular motion in the cell. Cell Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand). 47 (5), 885900.
[14] Trevors, J.T., Pollack, G.H., 2012. Origin of microbial life hypothesis: a gel cytoplasm lacking a bilayer membrane, with infrared radiation producing exclusion zone (EZ) water, hydrogen as an energy source and thermosynthesis for bioenergetics. Biochimie 94 (1), 258262.
[15] Meyers, B. PEMF - The 5th Element of Health, Balboa Press, 2013
[16] Lovelock, J.E. Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1979.
[1] G. Cousins, Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet, Cassandra Press (1986) p220
[2] Herrera, A.S., Esparza, M., Ashraf, G, Zamyatnin, A., and Aliev, G., Beyond mitochondria, What Would be the Energy Source of the Cell? CNS Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 15:32-41, 2015.
[3] Xu C, Zhang J, Mihai DM, Washington I. Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP. J Cell Sci. 2014 Jan 15;127(Pt 2):388-99.
[4] Ari Whitten, "The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy" Archangel Ink, 2018: pp 41-43
[5]Sutherland JC. 2002. Biological effects of polychromatic light. Photochem Photobiol 76:164–70.
[6] Karu T. 1999. Primary and secondary mechanisms of action of visible to near-IR radiation on cells. J Photochem Photobiol B 49:1–17.
[7] Karu, T., 2010. Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR-A radiation. IUBMB Life 62, 607610.
[8] Adler, A.D., Váradi, V. and Wilson‡, N. (1975), PORPHYRINS, POWER, AND POLLUTION. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 244: 685-694
[9] Hooi-Sung Kim, Chun-Ho Kim, Chang-Sik Ha, Jin-Kook Lee, Organic solar cell devices based on PVK/porphyrin system, Synthetic Metals, Volume 117, Issues 1–3, 2001, Pages 289-291.
[10] Hagemann, Ole, and Frederik Krebs. "Syntheses of asymmetric porphyrins for photovoltaics." Organic Photovoltaics VI. Vol. 5938. SPIE, 2005.
[11] Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoscale Porphyrin Based Liquid Crystals for Organic Photovoltaic Applications. MS Thesis, Kent State, 2009
[12] Pollack, G.H., 2003. The role of aqueous interfaces in the cell. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 103 (2), 173196
[13] Pollack, G.H., Reitz, F.B., 2001. Phase transitions and molecular motion in the cell. Cell Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand). 47 (5), 885900.
[14] Trevors, J.T., Pollack, G.H., 2012. Origin of microbial life hypothesis: a gel cytoplasm lacking a bilayer membrane, with infrared radiation producing exclusion zone (EZ) water, hydrogen as an energy source and thermosynthesis for bioenergetics. Biochimie 94 (1), 258262.
[15] Meyers, B. PEMF - The 5th Element of Health, Balboa Press, 2013
[16] Lovelock, J.E. Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1979.
References / further reading on EZ Water and Water as a Chromophore:
Cells, gels, and the engines of life — Gerald Pollack
The fourth phase of water — Gerald Pollack
Water and the cell — Gerald Pollack
https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/article/S1360-8592(13)00068-5/fulltext
A revolution in the physiology of the living cell — Glibert Ling
https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/build-the-4th-phase-of-water-in-the-body/#gsc.tab=0
Cancer and the new biology of water — Thomas Cowan
Human heart, cosmic heart — Thomas Cowan
Midwest Doctor Series **Excellent**
Part 1: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-is-the-forgotten-side-of-water
Part 2: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-actually-happens-with-water
Part 3: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-causes-water-to-move-inside
Part 4: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-is-the-relationship-between
Part 5: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-to-improve-zeta-potential-and
Another Good article to read: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4782038/#B25
Cells, gels, and the engines of life — Gerald Pollack
The fourth phase of water — Gerald Pollack
Water and the cell — Gerald Pollack
https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/article/S1360-8592(13)00068-5/fulltext
A revolution in the physiology of the living cell — Glibert Ling
https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/build-the-4th-phase-of-water-in-the-body/#gsc.tab=0
Cancer and the new biology of water — Thomas Cowan
Human heart, cosmic heart — Thomas Cowan
Midwest Doctor Series **Excellent**
Part 1: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-is-the-forgotten-side-of-water
Part 2: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-actually-happens-with-water
Part 3: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-causes-water-to-move-inside
Part 4: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/what-is-the-relationship-between
Part 5: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-to-improve-zeta-potential-and
Another Good article to read: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4782038/#B25
******END OF CHAPTER*****
NO MORE EDITING OR ILLUSTRATIONS PAST THIS POINT
NO MORE EDITING OR ILLUSTRATIONS PAST THIS POINT
Green Light Chromophores

Chromophores are Antennas that capture and transduce energy.
As we have explained, porphyrin based chromophores are like little molecular antennas or photocells that capture or receive the light of the sun. This light captured by the chromophores is then transduced into energy of various forms, such as an electrical impulse in the electron transport chain that stimulates ATP production in the mitochondria.
Transduction is a fancy word that simply means transforming one form of energy to another. In our modern world, that generally means converting various forms of fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, hydroelectric energy, etc. into electricity. In our bodies, that electricity is produced in the mitochondria, which we can proudly call the power plants in our cells. In the next few chapters, we will discuss the mechanism for transduction and the many benefits that follow from a red light therapy session. The gist, however, is this: Light from the sun or an RLT device is absorbed, captured or received by either CCO (or H2O as we'll see). This light energy is transduced into bioelectricity in the electron transport chain, which is subsequently transduced to chemical energy in the ATP high energy phosphate bonds. This ATP energy is used to power, and shall we emphatically say, light up our entire bodies, much like electricity from our local power companies - or solar panels - lights up our homes!
Let’s take a moment to ponder all the different bodily functions shown in this chart. At least biochemically, they are driven by an amazing little molecular "rechargeable battery" called ATP. Just like a Tesla has over 7000 batteries of essentially the same type to power up all its functions, your body has trillions of tiny ATP molecules that power up our entire bodies! Upcoming, we'll take a deep dive into the world of the mitochondria in our cells and discuss how they are literally the engines of life producing ATP. What's more, we'll see that stimulating ATP production in multiple ways is the most fundamental mechanism that shows why red light therapy ultimately facilitates self-healing the body of just about every injury and illness imaginable.
As we have explained, porphyrin based chromophores are like little molecular antennas or photocells that capture or receive the light of the sun. This light captured by the chromophores is then transduced into energy of various forms, such as an electrical impulse in the electron transport chain that stimulates ATP production in the mitochondria.
Transduction is a fancy word that simply means transforming one form of energy to another. In our modern world, that generally means converting various forms of fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, hydroelectric energy, etc. into electricity. In our bodies, that electricity is produced in the mitochondria, which we can proudly call the power plants in our cells. In the next few chapters, we will discuss the mechanism for transduction and the many benefits that follow from a red light therapy session. The gist, however, is this: Light from the sun or an RLT device is absorbed, captured or received by either CCO (or H2O as we'll see). This light energy is transduced into bioelectricity in the electron transport chain, which is subsequently transduced to chemical energy in the ATP high energy phosphate bonds. This ATP energy is used to power, and shall we emphatically say, light up our entire bodies, much like electricity from our local power companies - or solar panels - lights up our homes!
Let’s take a moment to ponder all the different bodily functions shown in this chart. At least biochemically, they are driven by an amazing little molecular "rechargeable battery" called ATP. Just like a Tesla has over 7000 batteries of essentially the same type to power up all its functions, your body has trillions of tiny ATP molecules that power up our entire bodies! Upcoming, we'll take a deep dive into the world of the mitochondria in our cells and discuss how they are literally the engines of life producing ATP. What's more, we'll see that stimulating ATP production in multiple ways is the most fundamental mechanism that shows why red light therapy ultimately facilitates self-healing the body of just about every injury and illness imaginable.

5.6.2 Melanin
The scalp, which includes skin, can affect transcranial light transmission. Within the skin, there are multiple layers that result in interfaces that can scatter light. Each layer of the skin, such as the epidermis and dermis, has different optical properties. The epidermis contains melanin, whereas the variably thick dermis is filled with hemoglobin-rich blood vessels and has high scattering by collagen fibers (Anderson and Parrish, 1981) (see Fig. 5.2). In addition to these intrinsic absorption by the skin layers, the scalp in particular has other issues that can cause heavy, light attenuation. Hair can also provide light absorption and cause difficulty in attaching the light source to the scalp. Hair follicles also strongly absorb NIR light.
Melanin is a small pigment granules found in skin, hair, and iris. Melanin has high light absorbance in the UV range with a gradual decrease in absorption with increasing wavelength in the visible region ranging from 400 to 600 nm (Sandell and Zhu, 2011). Melanin appears black because it quantitatively absorbs blue and UV light more strongly than red light. The majority of NIR light energy was found to be absorbed in the initial 1 mm of skin (Esnouf et al., 2007).
5.6.3 Water
Water is the most abundant chromophore in soft tissues, comprising 65%, 73%, and 99% of volume in skin, adult brain tissue, and CSF, respectively (Forbes et al., 1953). Water’s absorption is nonsignificant with wavelengths below 600 nm; it increases gradually with longer wavelengths between 600 and 900 nm, and increases rapidly with wave- lengths beyond 900 nm (Pope and Fry, 1997). Water is an important strong infrared light absorber and has multiple absorption peaks in the mid-infrared wavelength region (1.27 μm) (Welch et al., 1995). For wavelengths above 1.4 μm, absorption by water dominates over light scattering in tissues and the absorption coefficient can be estimated by the water’s percent concentration (Welch et al., 1995).
Since water is an important common chromophore, alterations in tissue water content or temperature can affect tis- sue optical properties. Variations of water concentration as seen in dehydration or edema can affect tissue optical prop- erties (Barton, 2010). Ex vivo tissue samples with evaporative water loss showed decreased thickness, increased light transmission, increase in absorption, and constant scattering (Barton, 2010). Temperature changes can shift absorption peaks to a lower wavelength as water temperature increases (Barton, 2010). Therefore, the absorption of water has a strong influence on light penetration.
The scalp, which includes skin, can affect transcranial light transmission. Within the skin, there are multiple layers that result in interfaces that can scatter light. Each layer of the skin, such as the epidermis and dermis, has different optical properties. The epidermis contains melanin, whereas the variably thick dermis is filled with hemoglobin-rich blood vessels and has high scattering by collagen fibers (Anderson and Parrish, 1981) (see Fig. 5.2). In addition to these intrinsic absorption by the skin layers, the scalp in particular has other issues that can cause heavy, light attenuation. Hair can also provide light absorption and cause difficulty in attaching the light source to the scalp. Hair follicles also strongly absorb NIR light.
Melanin is a small pigment granules found in skin, hair, and iris. Melanin has high light absorbance in the UV range with a gradual decrease in absorption with increasing wavelength in the visible region ranging from 400 to 600 nm (Sandell and Zhu, 2011). Melanin appears black because it quantitatively absorbs blue and UV light more strongly than red light. The majority of NIR light energy was found to be absorbed in the initial 1 mm of skin (Esnouf et al., 2007).
5.6.3 Water
Water is the most abundant chromophore in soft tissues, comprising 65%, 73%, and 99% of volume in skin, adult brain tissue, and CSF, respectively (Forbes et al., 1953). Water’s absorption is nonsignificant with wavelengths below 600 nm; it increases gradually with longer wavelengths between 600 and 900 nm, and increases rapidly with wave- lengths beyond 900 nm (Pope and Fry, 1997). Water is an important strong infrared light absorber and has multiple absorption peaks in the mid-infrared wavelength region (1.27 μm) (Welch et al., 1995). For wavelengths above 1.4 μm, absorption by water dominates over light scattering in tissues and the absorption coefficient can be estimated by the water’s percent concentration (Welch et al., 1995).
Since water is an important common chromophore, alterations in tissue water content or temperature can affect tis- sue optical properties. Variations of water concentration as seen in dehydration or edema can affect tissue optical prop- erties (Barton, 2010). Ex vivo tissue samples with evaporative water loss showed decreased thickness, increased light transmission, increase in absorption, and constant scattering (Barton, 2010). Temperature changes can shift absorption peaks to a lower wavelength as water temperature increases (Barton, 2010). Therefore, the absorption of water has a strong influence on light penetration.

The Human Biofield and "Great Connectors" - A Second Look
The most scientific description I have seen of the Qi Field or Biofield was presented by researcher Andrej Detela. He describes the Qi Field in his work as a three-dimensional web woven of vibrating electric and magnetic fields. Lines of these fields are like tiny threads in a three-dimensional textile. These electromagnetic fields display very complex internal organization. He found a peculiar kind of chiral solutions to Maxwell equations (the master equations for Electrodynamics), which do not dissipate energy and lead to stable field structures. This is the so-called informational basis of the biofield.
The simplest structures of this kind are toroidal knots. When an electric charge with very light mass enters the informational biofield, non-linear phenomena takes place. These nonlinear phenomena are based upon bifurcations in internal electric currents and upon resonance effects between currents and fields. We find an evolution of the field structure. This evolution is a syntropic process (reverses entropy), oriented in time. There are several obvious conditions for syntropic behavior and one of them is quantum coherence in the states of electric charge. Biofield always comprises both: the informational basis and the evolutionary component. Both are necessary.
The first obeys the linear Maxwell equations and preserves the structural form of the biofield. Linearity leads to superposition of many different non-local states, therefore to a great capacity of information storage. The second is responsible for the evolution of the biofield from primitive toroidal knots to very complex forms (with many knots) which show all the features of life. The structure of the biofield is in close correspondence with the molecular structure of living organisms. The discrete knots in the biofield web are in interaction with discrete atoms and molecules in living cells, therefore biofield can regulate many processes in living cells. The most probable candidates for this interaction are chiral molecular structures of proteins and nucleotides, for example microtubules and DNA helices.
It has been researched by Roger Penrose and others that the microtubule structure of brains and other cells may be the key to phenomena such as consciousness. As we have seen, several experiments show connections between the brain states and resonant electromagnetic Schumann waves, raising the possibility that the Human Brain has evolved to be “in tune” with Planet Earth. Human brains and even cell membranes contain BioMagnetite that could give them an electromagnetic sense that could provide a link between Brains and many types of electromagnetic phenomena, including but not limited to Schumann Resonance Phenomena.
What this means is that our biofield is an open, highly nonlinear and quantumly entangled system, and any means of separating it from the earth (including the human race) is artificial. And besides, the electromagnetic force is infinite in range as we mentioned, and though our biofield has been detected up to 15 feet into space, the range is really infinite. At the energetic level you and your biofield have NO BOUNDARIES!
And of course as we are seeing in this book, Chromophores are the great connectors between light from the sun and our surroundings, and our biology.
The most scientific description I have seen of the Qi Field or Biofield was presented by researcher Andrej Detela. He describes the Qi Field in his work as a three-dimensional web woven of vibrating electric and magnetic fields. Lines of these fields are like tiny threads in a three-dimensional textile. These electromagnetic fields display very complex internal organization. He found a peculiar kind of chiral solutions to Maxwell equations (the master equations for Electrodynamics), which do not dissipate energy and lead to stable field structures. This is the so-called informational basis of the biofield.
The simplest structures of this kind are toroidal knots. When an electric charge with very light mass enters the informational biofield, non-linear phenomena takes place. These nonlinear phenomena are based upon bifurcations in internal electric currents and upon resonance effects between currents and fields. We find an evolution of the field structure. This evolution is a syntropic process (reverses entropy), oriented in time. There are several obvious conditions for syntropic behavior and one of them is quantum coherence in the states of electric charge. Biofield always comprises both: the informational basis and the evolutionary component. Both are necessary.
The first obeys the linear Maxwell equations and preserves the structural form of the biofield. Linearity leads to superposition of many different non-local states, therefore to a great capacity of information storage. The second is responsible for the evolution of the biofield from primitive toroidal knots to very complex forms (with many knots) which show all the features of life. The structure of the biofield is in close correspondence with the molecular structure of living organisms. The discrete knots in the biofield web are in interaction with discrete atoms and molecules in living cells, therefore biofield can regulate many processes in living cells. The most probable candidates for this interaction are chiral molecular structures of proteins and nucleotides, for example microtubules and DNA helices.
It has been researched by Roger Penrose and others that the microtubule structure of brains and other cells may be the key to phenomena such as consciousness. As we have seen, several experiments show connections between the brain states and resonant electromagnetic Schumann waves, raising the possibility that the Human Brain has evolved to be “in tune” with Planet Earth. Human brains and even cell membranes contain BioMagnetite that could give them an electromagnetic sense that could provide a link between Brains and many types of electromagnetic phenomena, including but not limited to Schumann Resonance Phenomena.
What this means is that our biofield is an open, highly nonlinear and quantumly entangled system, and any means of separating it from the earth (including the human race) is artificial. And besides, the electromagnetic force is infinite in range as we mentioned, and though our biofield has been detected up to 15 feet into space, the range is really infinite. At the energetic level you and your biofield have NO BOUNDARIES!
And of course as we are seeing in this book, Chromophores are the great connectors between light from the sun and our surroundings, and our biology.

An important consideration in LLLT involves the optical properties of tissue. Both the absorption and scattering of light in tissue are wavelength dependent (both much higher in the blue region of the spectrum than the red), and the principle tis- sue chromophores (hemoglobin and melanin) have high absorp- tion bands at wavelengths shorter than 600 nm. Water begins to absorb significantly at wavelengths greater than 1150 nm. For these reasons, there is a so-called “optical window” in tissue covering the red and NIR wavelengths in which the effective tis- sue penetration of light is maximized (Figure 5.2) (Barolet 2008; Chung et al. 2012).
Barolet, D. 2008. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in dermatology. Semin Cutan Med Surg 27:227–238.
Chung, H., T. Dai, S. K. Sharma et al. 2012. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 40:516–533.
Barolet, D. 2008. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in dermatology. Semin Cutan Med Surg 27:227–238.
Chung, H., T. Dai, S. K. Sharma et al. 2012. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 40:516–533.
We’ll see in the next chapter how especially the chromophore Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) is a central chromophore in harnessing energy from light in the red and near infrared range (600-900 nm) to power up many cellular functions mainly by increasing ATP production (the main currency of energy in the body). We'll also see how water itself is another key chromophore for wavelengths in the range of 900-1100 or deep near infrared. This has a not only pleasurable warmth and heating effect due to water being the chromophore in this range but also there are several mechanisms as to how these wavelengths produce healing effects in the body.
The mitochondrial chromophores have an absorption spectra in the range of red and near infrared, and if you have a spectrophotometer, you could record the absorption spectrum so you can see the peaks. For example, research has shown that the mitochondria absorbs and transduces wavelengths in the 630-680 and 800-880 range most intensely and Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) is the main chromophore that absorbs and transduces light into ATP energy (we'll look at the mechanisms in more detail in the next chapter).
The mitochondrial chromophores have an absorption spectra in the range of red and near infrared, and if you have a spectrophotometer, you could record the absorption spectrum so you can see the peaks. For example, research has shown that the mitochondria absorbs and transduces wavelengths in the 630-680 and 800-880 range most intensely and Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) is the main chromophore that absorbs and transduces light into ATP energy (we'll look at the mechanisms in more detail in the next chapter).
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