Latest news with #NextHealth
Business Insider
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
6 supplements a longevity doctor who lost 50 pounds takes every day
A doctor who owns a longevity clinic and does experimental treatments to try to live longer shared six of the supplements he takes every day. In 2016, Dr. Darshan Shah, 52, founded Next Health, which now has locations in the US and Dubai. Shah told Business Insider he improved his own lifestyle 10 years ago when he had his first child and feared he wouldn't live to see him grow up. As well as focusing on eating healthily, exercising, and sleeping more, he takes multiple daily supplements. "I'm a believer in supplementation, but you have to be very careful," Shah said. "There are so many supplements out there that people take that don't have a lot of good research behind them." Dietitians recommend getting nutrients from food rather than supplements. But supplements can be useful for those with specific deficiencies or health goals — including those who use them as an experimental longevity treatment. Shah gets a blood test every four months to check his vitamin levels and whether he needs to take the same supplements, because "deficiencies come and go," he said. He recommends others get tested before taking supplements, too. "And make sure that you are buying good quality supplements and that you're working with a practitioner who is very familiar with supplements — they can help you sort through what's going to work for you," he said. Here are six of the daily supplements Shah takes and why. Vitamin D3 vitamin D3. D3 is a form of vitamin D that is easy for the body to absorb. It supports the immune system and helps the body absorb calcium, which is important for bone health among other things. Many doctors, longevity investors, and biohackers take vitamin D because research suggests it can help reduce inflammation and the risk of broken bones and cancer, BI's health correspondent, Hilary Brueck, previously reported. Vitamin D is also widely recommended for those who live in the Northern hemisphere, who won't always get enough from the sun. Methylated B vitamins Shah has a gene called MTHFR, which means his body doesn't easily process B vitamins. So, he takes methylated B vitamins, which are more easily absorbed by the body than other forms. There are eight B vitamins, most of which help the body turn food into energy. Vitamin B12, for example, helps form red blood cells and supports healthy hair, skin, and nails. Research has also linked it to better mood and the prevention of dementia, although this isn't confirmed. Nicotinamide riboside Nicotinamide riboside is a type of vitamin B3. It helps the body produce an enzyme called NAD, which is necessary for cells to generate energy. It also helps repair DNA, maintain tissue health, and improve immune function. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at producing NAD. Supplementing with nicotinamide riboside to aid this process has become a buzzy longevity treatment, Brueck previously reported. It's important to note that the research is still in its early stages and has mostly been done on rodents rather than humans. But it's generally regarded as safe, and one 2022 review of research, published in the journal Nutrients, suggested it had promise for extending health and life span. Omega-3 supplements Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, have been linked to better heart and joint health, lower inflammation, and lower blood pressure. Omega-3 supplements are usually made from fish or algae oil — but it's unclear whether they carry the same benefits as eating foods that are naturally high in the acids. A study on 777 participants, published in the journal Nature Aging earlier this year, found that adults with an average age of 75 who consumed a gram of omega-3s every day had lower "biological ages" than those who didn't. Biological age refers to the health of cells, organs, and tissues as opposed to chronological age. Participants were on average three to four months younger than their actual age by the end of the three-year study. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is a herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine. It's an adaptogen, which is a plant substance believed to help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Multiple studies evaluated by the US Office of Dietary Supplements suggest that ashwagandha could help reduce stress and anxiety levels, sleeplessness, and fatigue. However, the effects of different types and doses of ashwagandha supplements are unclear. Existing studies have used different parts of the plant (for example, extracts from roots vs leaves), and most looked at its effects when used in traditional medicine, not as a dietary supplement. Mushroom blend Every morning, Shah drinks coffee that is blended with "functional" mushroom extracts, specifically lion's mane and chaga mushrooms. Lion's mane and chaga are adaptogens, like ashwagandha. A 2024 review of research, published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, suggested that lion's mane could help reduce anxiety and sleep disturbance. It's important to note that most of these findings come from studies on older people who took the mushroom for a long time at high doses, the researchers wrote, so the results might not apply to the wider population. Meanwhile, a 2023 review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of chaga mushrooms could protect against cell damage. But the researchers said more research is needed to confirm the potential effects of chaga and its usefulness as a dietary supplement.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Red light beds, compression suits and NAD+ drips: I tried 5 celebrity-approved longevity treatments to see if they're worth the hype (and cost)
Kim Kardashian relaxes in a red light therapy bed. Chris Hemsworth can't stop cold plunging. And Gwyneth Paltrow loves sweating it out in an infrared sauna. While these activities may not be prescribed by a doctor, they're all part of the growing wave of longevity treatments — aka wellness rituals aimed at boosting energy, reducing inflammation and optimizing long-term health. And as biohackers like Bryan Johnson and longevity experts like Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Mark Hyman share the science behind them with the masses, these treatments are slowly becoming less fringe and more mainstream. The catch? Wellness comes with a price. And with more than half of Americans saying they struggle to pay for health care, a trip to the cryotherapy chamber or sauna is an inaccessible luxury for most. Celebrities may have sparked interest in these treatments, but for a lot of us, they're another example of how the other half lives. But as a writer who lives in Los Angeles — a hub for experimental wellness rituals — I wanted to see what it was like to do health the celebrity way. Would I emerge from a red light therapy bed with skin that glowed like a Kardashian? Pop out of a cryotherapy chamber with Thor-like strength abilities? Spoiler: None of that happened. But I did feel relaxed and restored. Here's how it went down. Where: NextHealth and Remedy Place The cost: $50 at each wellness club What it's supposed to do: Reduce inflammation, improve energy, speed up recovery, sharpen cognition What it's like: I am a girl who loathes being cold, so trying a cryotherapy chamber (twice!) was as much a mental challenge as it was a physical one. At both NextHealth and Remedy Place, I found myself standing inside what felt like a high-tech walk-in freezer set to a bone-chilling -150 degrees Fahrenheit. For three-and-a-half minutes, I wore only gloves, socks with sandals, a hat and a sports bra with bike shorts. I tried my best to remember that it would all end … eventually. I shivered uncontrollably and thought a lot about the ending of Titanic. Not only did I survive to tell the tale (thanks to tracks by Charli XCX, which I asked the operators of the chamber to play to hype me up), but I also left the chamber both times feeling oddly rejuvenated. I don't know if I came away with decreased inflammation, but I certainly had more pep in my step the rest of the day. What an expert says: Internal medicine physician Matthew Badgett of Cleveland Clinic says there is evidence that 'cryotherapy helps with mood,' and cited studies that show it may alleviate depression symptoms. He adds that while cryotherapy can ease pain and inflammation, he hasn't seen enough evidence to show that it improves muscle performance or endurance long term. Plus, he notes that after he works out, he 'wants' some inflammation, as that's what leads to enhanced muscle strength. If you're doing a cryotherapy session immediately upon working out, you could be doing your gains a disservice. 'You need inflammation to help muscle repair and regrow — that's part of the process,' Badgett says. 'And I question whether, if we make things too cold and cut down on blood flow, we might actually prevent the body from healing optimally in the long run.' Where: Remedy Place The cost: $150 for 60 minutes What it's supposed to do: Flush toxins, reduce inflammation, remove stagnant lymph fluid out of the body, reduce bloating What it's like: Call me Katy Perry, because I felt just like an astronaut stepping into Remedy Place's lymphatic compression suit, which is snug up to your neck. I then lay down in a very tranquil private room as the suit got to work, squeezing me from feet to shoulders in a continuous loop. While many people use their 60 minutes in the suit to meditate or even nap, I hopped on Slack to update my co-workers about my boa constrictor experience. After about 30 minutes, I chilled out and closed my eyes. I eventually began to appreciate the squeeze, rather than be slightly unsettled by how vulnerable my body was within the suit. When I finally stepped out of it, I felt relaxed, which could be due to a midday nap. Had I de-puffed? I didn't notice, but I did feel like I had just gotten a nice massage. What an expert says: Badgett has referred patients for lymphatic drainage treatments, but only when they experience lymphedema, a buildup of lymphatic fluid that sometimes occurs after cancer treatments or lymph node removal. 'I definitely think there's room for doing these drainage suits, but I'm hard-pressed to believe that someone without significant lymphedema is going to benefit much from it,' he says. 'The argument is that by pumping the lymph [nodes] and squeezing it back, it's supposed to help with inflammation — but I couldn't find any research to support that, and I'm not really sure why it would help.' Where: NextHealth The cost: $150 for 30 minutes What it's supposed to do: Stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, improve wound healing, aid in hair growth, help release endorphins What it's like: NextHealth set me up with a 30-minute session in one of their private red light therapy beds, which look a bit like a tanning bed, but with 13,000 high-intensity red, blue and infrared LEDs. But unlike a tanning bed, red light therapy uses low levels of heat, so you won't get burned (and, frankly, as someone who is always chilly, I wished it were warmer). I closed my eyes behind the provided goggles and took a brief nap, grateful that I'm not claustrophobic. Overall, I didn't expect to come away feeling much different from this red light therapy bed; this is the kind of treatment that you need to do consistently to see results. But that nap was nice! What an expert says: Dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman tells Yahoo Life that there are some benefits to red light therapy for the skin, which is used to treat acne, reduce inflammation and support wound healing. That said, she notes that the degree of effectiveness depends heavily on the wavelength, power density and duration of treatment. 'Most at-home or spa-grade beds don't reach the levels of energy delivery used in clinical settings, so results may be modest or take longer to appear,' she explains. And she adds that red light therapy can't really replace tools like retinoids or procedures like lasers when it comes to 'meaningful anti-aging results.' Where: Remedy Place The cost: $90 for 60 minutes for one session; $135 for two What it's supposed to do: Detox the body, soothe sore muscles, accelerate metabolism What it's like: Bury me in an infrared sauna. Remedy Place's sauna set-up is ideal for maximum relaxation. Instead of walking right into the sauna, you get your own private changing area with a shower and amenities so you can pop in and out of the sauna at your leisure, sans clothes. It's the perfect experience for someone who loves the heat. While infrared saunas reach roughly around 120 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature — far lower than a Finnish sauna's 176 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit — it took me only a few minutes to start sweating profusely. Should I have brought my phone into the sauna? Probably not — it wasn't good for my phone, and scrolling on TikTok is likely not the meditative experience Remedy Place has in mind. But honestly? I was having the best day ever, and I left the sauna feeling totally chilled out. What an expert says: Badgett is a fan of infrared saunas, thanks to evidence that they can improve muscle strength, mood and even cardiovascular health. However, he still prefers the hotter Finnish saunas, thanks to the stress they put on the body. He notes that some infrared saunas don't necessarily get hot enough to push the body to the optimal benefits. When exposed to the heat in a Finnish sauna, he says, 'your body will learn to resist dehydration better, sweat more efficiently and strengthen blood vessels. It may also produce more heat shock proteins to help it handle heat better — essentially, all the things you're trying to push your body to do.' While an infrared sauna might feel relaxing to sit in, 'if you're not getting hot enough, all these benefits may not happen,' he says. 'Our bodies are inherently efficient, so if we're not stressing them enough, they won't get stronger,' Badgett says. Where: NextHealth The cost: $625 for 300 mg and $1,250 for 750 mg; $125 if you add on to another IV treatment What it's supposed to do: Boost cellular energy production, reduce age-related symptoms What it's like: I'm not squeamish about needles, so when I was offered a chance to try an IV drip with NAD+ — aka nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that aids in cellular function — I decided to add it to my list of treatments. A nurse set me up with the IV, and I pulled out my laptop and did some work as the vitamins fueled my veins. I felt slightly lightheaded and a little bit nauseated, which the nurse explained was normal. If the side effects became uncomfortable (which they didn't), I could adjust the speed at which the medication entered my body in order to lessen side effects — the slower the pace, the less dramatic the effects. All in all, it took me about 45 minutes to finish the bag. One weird sensation I experienced? The moment the NAD+ entered my body, I got the strangest taste in my mouth, like I had just licked a multivitamin. NAD+ is made from niacin, a form of vitamin B3, but I wasn't able to figure out why this taste popped into my mouth so strongly and immediately. When I was done with the IV drip, I expected to feel far more energized. But overall, I didn't feel much different from when I sat down. Apparently, one IV drip isn't enough to reap all the benefits from NAD+. Consistency is key here, but regularly going in for a drip isn't exactly in my budget. What an expert says: Badgett says that while some short-term studies into NAD+ show that taking this supplement could improve some biomarkers, there aren't many long-term studies to determine whether that also improves one's overall health. Plus, he says, there's also no evidence to suggest an IV drip of NAD+ is any better than popping the supplement orally. Badgett adds that any improvements found in these studies could suggest that the population is vitamin B3-deficient, which is why people may feel better after NAD+ drips. If you want to boost your B3 without an IV drip or even supplement, it's found in common foods like eggs, saltwater fish, avocado and whole grains. Note: NextHealth and Remedy Place provided these wellness treatments at no cost.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A longevity doctor lost 50 pounds because he worried he wouldn't see his son grow up. He made 4 simple lifestyle changes.
When Dr. Darshan Shah was expecting his first child, he was stressed and overweight. He feared he wouldn't see his son grow up if he didn't make lifestyle changes. He lost 50 pounds and came off medications after making lifestyle changes including improving his diet. At 42, Dr. Darshan Shah was used to being stressed. As a successful surgeon based in Los Angeles, he had spent 20 years regularly working 12-hour days, starting at 6 a.m. But when his wife got pregnant with their first child in 2016, he realized he needed to make a change to be healthier. "I found myself in a state of poor health. I had developed an autoimmune disease, I was 50 pounds overweight, I had high blood pressure that could not be controlled with medication, I had high cholesterol, and lots of risk factors for an early death," Shah, 52, told Business Insider. "But my son had a long life ahead of him, and I wanted to be around for it." Shah took a year off from being a surgeon and began researching the science behind long-term health. "I was able to completely turn my health around and completely come off 10 different prescription medications within a year. I lost 50 pounds, and my autoimmune disease completely disappeared," he said. His focus improved at work, too, and he found that he was no longer tired. Instead, he "wanted to wake up every morning and jump out of bed to attack the day." Shah's transformation made him realize this was the type of medicine he wanted to practice — helping people get and stay healthy rather than just addressing medical issues as they arise. In 2016, he founded Next Health, a health optimization and longevity clinic with locations across the US and in Dubai. Now, Shah does experimental longevity treatments at his clinics, but he still thinks that getting the basics right, as he did, is key for a long, healthy life. He told BI the lifestyle changes he made. "My nutrition was horrible. I was eating a lot of ultra-processed food, especially highly processed carbohydrates," Shah said, so he eliminated them from his diet. Evidence suggests that UPFs are associated with a range of health problems. In a 2024 metareview of 45 studies involving over 9.8 million people published in the journal The BMJ, UPFs were linked to cardiovascular disease, depression, and type 2 diabetes. Researchers don't agree on whether all UPFs are equally harmful, so nutritionists advise eating fewer without stressing about quitting them. Before his son was born, Shah said he "barely slept four hours a night." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 get seven or more hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep can be harmful. A 2022 study conducted on over 10,000 British civil service workers found that participants who reported getting less than five hours of sleep a night at the age of 50 had a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and dying from long-term health conditions. Getting enough sleep is also associated with eating fewer calories. Now, Shah sleeps for seven hours a night and says he feels amazing. Shah sees exercise as an essential part of a "good health routine," and doing a mixture of strength training and cardio has been linked to living longer. He goes to the gym every other day to do a routine that is 70% strength training using free weights, and 30% cardio, for which he runs on a treadmill — plus some stretching to warm up. Shah also tries to get up and move every 45 minutes when he's at work to break up periods of sitting. "They say that sitting is the new smoking, and I think that's true," Shah said. "As a surgeon, you spend a lot of time either standing or sitting in one position, and that sedentary non-movement leads to a high risk of disease." While research shows that sitting for longer than 10 hours a day is associated with a higher risk of dying early, a 2023 study of about 12,000 people over the age of 50, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggests a solution. It found that 22 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day — such as doing housework, brisk walking, or cycling — appeared to offset the negative effects of being sedentary all day. "I had no idea that my hormones were in the toilet. But when I measured my testosterone level, it was very low for a 42-year-old male," Shah said. Low testosterone can cause symptoms such as a reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, low moods, and increased body fat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Shah used hormone replacement therapy and increased his testosterone levels to a range considered normal. The lifestyle changes he made may also have helped. According to Cleveland Clinic, eating a healthy diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive alcohol and drug use can help to keep testosterone levels normal. As BI previously reported, once considered taboo, growing numbers of men are doing testosterone replacement therapy without an official diagnosis of "low testosterone," to help them build muscle, get erections, and have more energy. However, it's unclear whether it is beneficial for young, healthy men, and side effects can include acne, hair loss, and infertility. Read the original article on Business Insider
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Noom appoints Dr. Jeffrey Egler as Chief Medical Officer to Lead Innovation in Healthy Aging and Longevity
Dr. Egler brings extensive experience in functional medicine leadership to Noom as it expands its services to meet consumer health demands across a wider range of medical issues NEW YORK, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noom, the leading digital healthcare company committed to chronic disease prevention and empowering people to live better longer, announced today that Dr. Jeffrey Egler will be joining as the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Egler's functional and longevity medicine background positions him to help build upon the success of Noom's GLP-1(RX) product line, which reached an impressive $100 million run-rate within months of launch. As Noom diversifies its growth engine and continues to evolve its offerings, Dr. Egler will help shape the next phase of innovation while leveraging his family medicine background to support Noom's current suite of services. 'We at Noom took to heart former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's challenge to the tech sector,' said Geoff Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Noom. ''to intentionally design technology to foster human flourishing and longevity.' That's what we do every day. Dr. Egler and I share a vision for Noom: adding hundreds of millions of years of healthspan–quality years full of possibility–for people all around the globe. To get there, we need astute clinical leadership from someone passionate for longevity medicine, for functional health, and for psychology–who understands in their bones the importance of healthy habits to human flourishing. Dr. Egler is that innovative leader.' 'Noom makes it easy, fun, and rewarding to make health a habit,' continued Cook. 'People trust Noom to hold them accountable and to motivate and inspire them each day. I know Dr. Egler understands the importance of that trust. With his leadership, we will motivate our members to be their best self today and every day, which when applied consistently over the course of a lifetime, adds up to extra years of life full of energy and vitality.' Dr. Egler, is a double board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, with expertise in holistic, longevity-focused care. He has additionally completed certification training in Functional Medicine and a master's degree in Spiritual Psychology. Most recently, he served as the Medical Director at Next Health, a company leading in the emerging longevity space, where he helped drive innovative approaches to preventative medicine, bio-optimization, and personal wellness. Dr. Egler has held leadership positions at Adventist Health and Parsley Health, where he was integral in building clinical protocols and expanding multidisciplinary teams centered on whole-person, longevity-driven care. Earlier in his career, Dr. Egler completed an academic medicine fellowship in Faculty Development at UCLA, practiced the full spectrum of family medicine, including adult and pediatric care, surgery, emergency and hospital medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology continuing on to serve as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Southern California. 'As both a physician and a health technology leader, I have witnessed Noom deftly fill critical gaps in consumer healthcare where our existing systems fail patients and those who wish to improve the length and quality of their lives,' said Dr. Jeffrey Egler, Chief Medical Officer of Noom. 'I have been impressed by both the speed and the precision with which Noom operates to meet consumer demand for better choices and services, and I'm eager to help lead the company's efforts in transforming healthcare by advancing its success in longevity medicine. I have been particularly drawn to Noom's innovative spirit and am very excited about our expanding product pipeline. There is so much potential to do more for people as they age, in addition to weight management, and I look forward to being a part of this exciting journey. Our ambition is to make Noom the front door for all to health optimization, healthy aging and longevity.' Dr. Egler holds a master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and has completed certification training with both the Institute of Functional Medicine and the America College of Lifestyle Medicine, emphasizing his approach to treating the whole person through mind-body practices and evidence-based medical care. Noom is poised to redefine the landscape of healthy aging, offering individuals comprehensive solutions that support overall well-being throughout their lifespan. The company's growing product portfolio, along with Dr. Egler's leadership, places Noom at the forefront of the longevity and healthy aging movement. About Noom: Noom is a digital healthcare company empowering everyone, everywhere to live better longer, through an unwavering commitment to innovation and whole-person health. Noom connects people to content, coaching, community, and clinicians to promote positive behavior and healthy habits, in an effort to promote healthspan and better living. Noom also works with leading health plans and employers offering Noom Med Center Of Excellence, Noom GLP-1 Companion, Noom Healthy Weight, and Noom Diabetes Prevention to millions of covered lives. The company has been awarded multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and was the first mobile application to be recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a certified diabetes prevention program. With offices in New York City and Princeton, NJ, Noom has been named one of Inc.'s Best Places to Work, Quartz's Best Workplaces for Remote Workers, and Fortune's Best Workplaces in Technology. For more information, please visit subscribe to our blog, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Brandyn Bissinger
Los Angeles Times
02-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Is Red Light Therapy the Secret to Faster Recovery? Here's What Experts Say
In the ever-evolving landscape of wellness, where ancient rituals meet cutting-edge technology, red light therapy (RLT) has quietly (yet powerfully) earned its place among the elite tools for recovery and performance. Once a niche modality reserved for professional athletes and medical clinics, it's now a go-to for high-achieving individuals who take their self-care as seriously as their work ethic. Whether you're training for a marathon or navigating the physical demands of modern life (tight shoulders, endless Zoom fatigue, the occasional HIIT class), RLT offers a non-invasive, scientifically backed method to recover smarter, not harder. At its core, red light therapy involves exposing the body to specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light — typically between 630 and 850 nanometers. Unlike the damaging ultraviolet rays you're shielding your skin from, these frequencies, according to Next Health, a cutting-edge longevity clinic in Los Angeles, are gentle, penetrating just deep enough to stimulate cellular energy production without causing harm. 'Red light therapy works by targeting the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell) to enhance energy production and reduce oxidative stress,' Next Health explains. 'This cellular boost supports healing, circulation, and tissue repair, which is why it's become so popular in recovery routines.' Think of it as biohacking for your body's inner workings, without needles, downtime, or discomfort. The beauty of RLT lies in its versatility. When used before a workout, it can help warm the muscles, increase circulation, and prepare the body for exertion. Post-workout, it becomes a restorative ritual — reducing inflammation, accelerating muscle repair, and easing soreness. 'The timing depends on your goals,' Next Health explains. 'But for most people looking to optimize recovery, using red light therapy after physical activity yields the most benefit.' It's become especially popular among those who value performance longevity — whether that means running a personal best or simply staying pain-free after a long day on your feet (or at your desk). Like any meaningful wellness protocol (skincare, body care, meditation), the magic of red light therapy lies in regular use. A single session may leave you feeling refreshed, but consistent use is where the long-term benefits begin to shine. 'For muscle recovery, we typically recommend at least two 30-minute sessions per week using a high-quality panel or full-body bed,' Next Health advises. 'It's cumulative. Over time, you're supporting mitochondrial function, reducing chronic inflammation, and enhancing resilience.' Translation: It's not just about bouncing back from your workouts. It's about optimizing how your body handles stress over the long term. The short answer: yes, with the right tools. As demand has grown, the at-home RLT market has exploded, offering everything from compact facial masks to full-body panels. But all that choice comes with a caveat. 'Look for devices backed by clinical data,' Next Health advises. And one more tip: always protect your eyes. Even though RLT is non-UV, it's best to close your eyes during treatment or use protective eyewear, especially with high-powered devices. If you're someone who's already booked solid with cryo sessions, IV drips, sauna time, or the occasional hyperbaric dive, you're definitely not new to the recovery game. But while these treatments can all help you bounce back, they each take a different route to get you there. Cryotherapy is the go-to for inflammation and soreness. You step into that subzero chamber, grit your teeth for two minutes, and come out buzzing—literally. It wakes up your circulation, floods your system with endorphins, and helps muscles chill out (pun intended). IV therapy skips digestion entirely, delivering nutrients straight into your bloodstream. Whether you're low on hydration, vitamins, or sleep, the right infusion can help restore balance fast. Think of it as an internal reset button—especially handy after a tough workout or long-haul flight. Saunas, whether traditional or infrared, are more of a slow burn. They warm you from the inside out, encouraging sweat, improving circulation, and supporting detoxification. Infrared saunas, in particular, offer a deeper, more targeted heat that supports muscle recovery and cellular energy. Then there's hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which might sound intense but is surprisingly relaxing. You sit (or lie down) in a pressurized chamber and breathe pure oxygen for about an hour. It's like supercharging your cells — oxygen gets delivered more efficiently to tissues, which has been said to speed up healing, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery after physical stress or injury. 'In many ways, red light therapy is complementary to other modalities,' Next Health notes. 'But its unique advantage is that it enhances how your body functions under pressure. That's what makes it so valuable for both recovery and performance.' Behind the scientific explanations are real people experiencing tangible change. Next Health says they've seen patients that report reduced joint pain, less muscle fatigue, improved sleep, and even better mood. The improvements may feel subtle at first. A little less soreness, a little more over time, they build. Think of it as a subtle optimization that makes everything you already do (training, sleeping, showing up) that much better. While RLT is generally considered very safe, there are some exceptions. If you're photosensitive, taking light-reactive medications, or undergoing treatment for skin cancer, speak with your physician before starting any new therapy. Most importantly, follow the usage guidelines of your chosen device. More isn't always better — overuse can lead to diminishing returns or mild irritation, especially with lower-quality tools notes Next Health. If your wellness philosophy leans toward long-term performance, holistic health, and evidence-backed modalities, red light therapy is more than just a trend; it's a smart investment in your body's resilience. Whether you experience it in a luxury recovery suite post-pilates or in the comfort of your home, RLT is a gentle but powerful way to support your body's natural ability to heal and thrive.
