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Excerpt from "Light Medicine of Future" by Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D. These findings seem to indicate that full-spectrum lighting may act to boost immune system in same way as natural sunlight.

As researchers isolate specific part of sun's spectrum that is related to health and well-being, we could eventually create perfect indoor environment with artificial lighting, until then it's Vita-Lite. Based on research of Hollwich and others, cool-white fluorescent bulb is legally banned in German hospitals and medical facilities. Most offices, stores, hospitals, and schools currently use cool-white fluorescent!

Full Vs. Incomplete Spectrum Lighting

"In 1980, Dr. Fritz Hollwich conducted a study comparing effects of sitting under strong artificial cool-white (non-full spectrum) illumination versus effects of sitting under strong artificial illumination that simulates sunlight (full-spectrum). Using changes in endocrine system to evaluate these effects, he found stress like levels of ACTH an cortisol (the stress hormones) in individuals in sitting under cool-white tubes. These changes were totally absent in individuals sitting under sunlight-simulating tubes.

The significance of Hollowich's findings becomes clear when functions of ACTH and cortisol are examined. Both of these metabolic hormones play major roles in functioning of entire body and are very much related to stress response. Since their activity increases inhibitors, this may account for observation that persistent stress stunts bodily growth in children. Hollowich's findings clarify and substantiate observations of Ott and others regarding agitated physical behavior, fatigue, and reduced mental capabilities of children. He concluded that degree of biological disturbance and resulting behavioral mal adaptations were directly related to difference between spectral composition of artificial source and that of natural light.

Since cool-white fluorescent lamps are especially deficient in red and blue-violet ends of spectrum, this may explain why color therapists have historically used a combination of colors red and blue-violet as an emotional stabilizer. Hollwich's work not only confirms biological importance of full-spectrum lighting, but it also reconfirms importance of specific colors by evaluating effects of their omission from our daily lives. Based on research of Hollwich and others, cool-white fluorescent bulb is legally banned in German hospitals and medical facilities. It has been found that full-spectrum lighting in work place creates significantly lower stress on nervous system than standard cool-white fluorescent lighting and reduces number of absences due to illness. These findings seem to indicate that full-spectrum lighting may act to boost immune system in same way as natural sunlight. Excerpt from "Light Medicine of Future," by Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D.

Shedding Light on Those Winter Blues

Does your spirit wanes with shortening of days? You may be suffering from sunlight withdrawal. The syndrome appears with inevitable regularity. As summer pales into autumn, victim feels an ominous sense of anxiety and foreboding at mere thought of approaching winter. As days shorten from November into December, there's a gradual slowing down, a low of energy, a need for more and more sleep, a longing to lie undisturbed in bed.

It becomes harder to get to work, to accomplish anything when there. Depression and withdrawal follow. As a Brooklyn, New York, woman described it, "Everything seems gloomier and more difficult. There is sadness looming over everything. I can't concentrate at work and feel like going home afterward to hibernate like a bear."

Just as routinely, as spring approaches and days stretch out, sufferer flips into high gear."Once warm weather arrives, I feel a burden lifted," says Brooklynite. "I feel freer and happier."

This is more than a dislike of icy slush and raw winds. Psychiatric researchers at National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have identified these complaints as a previously unrecognized clinical syndrome. They call its victims "winter depressives." "It is much more common than we thought," says Dr. Norman Rosenthal of NIMH. "We expected to get a few replies from our description of this pattern. Instead, we received more than three thousand responses from all over country. The symptoms described were one after other very much same.

"Some of these winter depressives are being successfully treated, not with drugs or psychotherapy but with an element common to all our lives: artificial light. What scientists are learning from use of light as it affects health and mood has implications for us all. It forces us to rethink way we light up our lives, especially urban dwellers and workers who spend so much time indoors. Apparently artificial light does much more than enable us to read and work without benefit of sunlight. It affects our bodies.

"It is important to recognize that this is a distinct syndrome with a well-defined cluster of symptoms," says Dr. Thomas Wehr, an NIMH researcher. "We have measured some very interesting physiological changes specific to this kind of depression." While typically depressed people have impaired sleep patterns and usually wake up early, winter depressives might sleep nine or 10 hours a night, wake up tired, and take naps. There is a 50% reduction in delta sleep, deepest, most restful phase of sleep cycle. Winter depressives gain weight, crave carbohydrates, and their libido pales. Their energy levels drop; monitors on their wrists show that they are less active than in summer.

Dietary Fiber - Fiber is extremely important to your health in a number of different ways.

According to National Institutes of Health one of common causes of constipation is not enough fiber in diet.

Fiber promotes cardiovascular health plus in studies has been indicated to help lower harmful cholesterol levels when combined with a healthy diet. But what most people don't know about fiber is all various varieties there are of dietary fiber.

The point is with all healthy benefits of dietary fiber most people don't get enough everyday - it is recommend that people get 25-30 grams of fiber per day. So if they're not getting it through their diet it pays to take a supplement. No wonder so many people are constipated.

Let's talk next about enzymes - did you know that enzymes control virtually all chemical processes and reactions in your body - everything from digestion to breaking down old cells to generating new cells.

There is no doubt that enzymes are probably most under-rated nutritional substance. Essentially because nobody talks about them. Most manufactures are not putting them in their foods or supplements. Most manufactures proudly state that their cereal is Vitamin Enriched. However, when was last time you read a label that said our product is Enzyme Enriched!

However, with importance of enzymes question begs to be asked, Where do I get adequate enzymes from? It certainly isn't from our foods. Processed and cooked foods destroy all enzymes. Sure our body has ability to manufacture certain enzymes, but just like anything else it could sure use a supplement boost. The best foods for getting enzymes are fresh raw fruits and vegetables, but problem is less than 20 percent of all people eat even minimum recommended amount.

Perhaps an enzyme supplement would be advisable.

And why would someone only want minimum amount of health? That is like living off minimum wage - not a pleasant thought.