Joe Rogan claims he’s reversed his farsightedness with ‘red light’ and vitamins called ‘macular therapy’
Joe Rogan has claimed using red light therapy and vitamin supplements has improved his vision so much that he no longer needs glasses.
In the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan told fellow podcaster Theo Von that his vision is ‘okay’ and ‘not as good as when I was young.’
However, the 58-year-old claimed his vision ‘is a lot better than it used to be’ after his youth because he recently started using red light therapy, which uses low levels of LED red light wavelengths in masks, lamps, beds or saunas.
It’s generally used to treat skin conditions such as wrinkles, stretch marks, psoriasis or inflammation, though emerging evidence suggests it may also relieve pain, boost hair growth and potentially kill cancer cells.
A growing body of evidence also shows regular red light exposure may lead to vision improvements by helping eye cells produce additional energy needed to convert light into signals the brain interprets as vision.
Red light may also help patients better differentiate between colors, though research is limited.
Rogan said: ‘I started using red light, a red light bed. It makes a giant difference. Huge difference.
‘I don’t need reading glasses anymore. I needed reading glasses for a while, like looking at my phone. I don’t need [them] anymore.’
In the latest episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan claimed his vision has improved with red light therapy and lutein supplements
Rogan also said he started taking supplements containing lutein, an antioxidant found in dark, leafy green vegetables, eggs and yellow and orange produce like carrots.
Lutein is crucial for vision as it helps filter out harmful blue light from digital screens and neutralizes molecules called free radicals that damage cells and induce inflammation.
However, the human body can’t produce lutein on its own, and nearly eight in 10 Americans don’t get enough of it from diet, a recent survey found. The pills can be pricy, however, ranging from $6 to $50 per bottle depending on the brand and size.
Rogan claimed he takes Macular Support supplements from Pure Encapsulations, which cost $58 for 60 capsules and $103 for 120.
‘Those two things for sure have had a big impact,’ he said.
According to a survey by The Vision Council, three in four Americans need some form of vision correction such as glasses, contacts or Lasik surgery.
And about 34million, or 13 percent of the population, wear over-the-counter reading glasses to read up close.
It’s unclear if Rogan has a diagnosed vision condition like hyperopia, or farsightedness, where close objects and words appear blurry.
A recent study from University College London in the UK examined the effect of red light on the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of eye that detects light and converts it into electrical signals. Those signals travel to the brain via the optic nerve, translating into vision.
After age 40, the mitochondria in retina cells begins producing less adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy needed to convert light into electrical signals.
Red light therapy is still relatively new, but recent research suggests it may slow vision decline (stock image)
Lutein is found in red and orange produce, as well as dark leafy greens and nuts. However, many Americans don’t get enough (stock image)
The UCL researchers, however, found just three minutes of red light exposure each day helped increase ATP production, improving vision for up to one week. Participants also had 17 percent improved color contrast vision, or the ability to distinguish between similar colors.
While red light therapy is generally low-risk, it may increase the risk of eye damage if protective eyewear is not worn, as well as skin irritation. The technology is still too new to show clear, long-term risks.
Red light therapy sessions can also be expensive, ranging from $25 to $200. Devices used at home like masks can also cost up to $500.
Lutein, meanwhile, is well established as a vision-boosting supplement. Lutein is part of the carotenoid family of antioxidants, which are found in leafy greens like kale, spinach and basil, as well as eggs, red and yellow bell peppers and carrots.
The nutrient increases pigment density in the macula, the small, yellow spot in the center of the retina that makes objects sharper and more detailed. It also has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect eye tissue from sun damage.
It’s estimated that the average American consumes one to two milligrams of lutein each day, but the recent Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 found that 10 milligrams was enough to reduce the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
