Light therapy and eating disorders

In autumn and in winter, the shorter daylight exposure time means that the brain tends to function more in the «night» mode. This results in a chemical disturbance.

The melatonin count (the night hormone produced by the pineal gland or epiphysis) increases, and has a tiring and depressive effect. At the same time serotonin (neurotransmitter produced by serotonin cells) decreases. «This explains the urge to eat sugar».

Light therapy stimulates the serotonin count. The serotonin could be combined with a hyper protein diet, which would produce the tryptophan needed for the production of serotonin.

10% of all female teenagers suffer from eating disorders. A Japanese study has shown that 40% of young women are subject to seasonal depression. The authors of this study do not explain why bulimia sufferers are so receptive to this type of depression. However, scientists do suggest that light therapy based treatment could be prescribed for all young women suffering from eating disorders. Bulimia is an eating dysfunction. The patient consumes large quantities of food (often in secret).

Dr Ray LAM of British Columbia University (Vancouver, Canada) showed that daily light therapy treatment over two weeks (30 minutes at 10 000 lux) brought about a significant reduction in bulimia. Seasonal depression also showed improvement. After four weeks the bulimia was reduced by 50%.

A study carried out by researchers at Boston University shows that light therapy can be used for bulimia or anorexia sufferers whose condition worsens in winter. These hypotheses were later confirmed.