Excessive exposure to blue light can accelerate the aging process, experts warn

 The blue light emitted by your smartphone screen, computer screen and TV may harm your overall health.

Data from a study reveals how blue light from screens hastens the aging process. The study was led by Dr. Jadwiga Giebultowicz from the Oregon State University (OSU) Department of Integrative Biology.

As modern technology continues to evolve, many people find themselves spending more time staring at device screens. Unfortunately, the constant exposure to blue light from smartphones and other devices is linked to rapid aging.

Adverse effects of excessive blue light exposure

According to the OSU study, excessive blue light exposure compromises cells within your whole body, from the crucial sensory neurons for information processing to fat cells, skin cells and more.

While the study focused on how blue light impacts fruit flies, the results may also translate to human beings and other animals.

The OSU study was also the first to reveal how certain metabolite levels or chemicals necessary for cellular functionality mutate after exposure to blue light from device screens 

While it is almost impossible to completely eliminate screens and avoid blue light, you should learn how to minimize exposure for your well-being,

The scientists who conducted the study reported that blue light from screens negatively affected how flies used chemicals for signaling. This is alarming because signaling chemicals in flies are similar to those in humans.

 

For example, high-energy blue light hastens fruit fly aging, particularly compared to a control group of flies that remained in darkness for two full weeks.

According to the study results, fruit fly cells failed to function optimally after exposure to blue light from screens. The researchers think that such cell malfunctions may cause premature death.

They added that glutamate decreased while succinate increased.

Succinate is a metabolite necessary for cellular function, but excessive levels of the metabolite following blue light exposure may cause problems because it prevents neuron communication.

Tips for minimizing blue light exposure

The blue light emanating from screens is ubiquitous.

If you go outside, you can still be exposed to blue light from screens like LEDs within monitors, work computers, other peoples’ phones or ambient lighting.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to limit your exposure to harmful blue light:

• Limit your use of smartphones and computers after work.
• Wear blue light-blocking glasses when using blue light-emitting devices.
• Keep night mode enabled on all of your devices the whole day, not just at night, to reduce blue light emittance. With night mode on, your phone emits a gentler yellow or orange light.
• Buy a blue light shield for your phone, computer or laptop.
• Practice the 20/20/20 strategy. This means if you are using a device that emits blue light, stop every 20 minutes to focus on objects that are at least 20 feet away. Study the object for 20 seconds before you return to your up-close viewing.
• Keep your eyes moist. Use eye drops and room humidifiers to help prevent your eyes from becoming too dry and irritated while you’re using blue-light-emitting devices.
• Wear eyeglasses with the right prescription. Squinting at screens for long periods can be bad for the overall health of your eyes. If you wear prescription eyeglasses to correct your vision, you need to use a prescription intended for the distance between your eyes and your screen, which is usually an arm’s length away. Note that most glasses are formulated for longer distances.

Promote healthy aging by having healthy habits and limiting exposure to potentially harmful blue light.