Sleep Disrupting High-Energy Blue Light: Digital Screens and Other Light Sources

Cycles of darkness and light governed life on earth for billions of years. The darkening evening sky signaled that it was time to sleep while the rising sun nudged us awake. Regular phases of light and dark drive the circadian rhythm—a biological clock regulating the sleep/wake cycle over a 24-hour period – and the eyes play a critical role in this process. In fact, the eyes have two separate light-sensing systems: one that allows us to see and a second tells the body when it is day or night: time to sleep or wake. It is this system in the eyes that may be getting mixed signals from digital devices and affecting sleep quality. Exposure to light triggers the release of specific hormones, like cortisol, that promote alertness. Conversely, decreased exposure to light triggers the release of other hormones, most notably melatonin, which signals the body to sleep. Research suggests that exposure to digital screens and artificial light sources such as LED and CFL may be disrupting sleep patterns and affecting health.

Sleep Quality is Important for a Healthy Body

With technology taking over, more and more people are exposed to high-energy blue light emitted from digital screens such as computers, e-book readers, televisions, cell phones, and tablets. As much as 10 hours or more are spent every day using digital devices, often right before bedtime. In fact, 95 percent of people in the United States engage with digital devices just before going to sleep. Furthermore, with indoor lighting sources such as LED and CFL becoming more popular, these blue-light-emitting bulbs can trick the circadian clock into thinking it is daytime by triggering the release of cortisol to promote alertness and inhibit melatonin production. The result is a delay in the time it takes to fall asleep and the quality of sleep itself.  Poor sleep contributes to increased stress levels that impact mental and physical health, productivity, emotional balance, brain and heart health, immune system, creativity, vitality and even weight.

Digital Screens, Eye Health and Sleep: What is the common denominator?

Lutein and zeaxanthin isomers—known as the macular carotenoids—are traditionally associated with eye health. However, groundbreaking B.L.U.E (Blue Light User Exposure) study is the first of its kind to show how supplementation with the macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin isomers as found in Lutemax 2020 can reduce the effects of prolonged exposure to high-energy blue light emitted from digital screens. The study shows that supplementing with Lutemax 2020 significantly improves sleep quality. The results of this study address the growing concern of prolonged “screen time” and offers a simple solution to protect the eyes – and sleep quality – in the digital age.

About Lutemax 2020

Award-winning, globally-recognized Lutemax 2020 is a naturally-derived marigold extract providing all three macular carotenoids (lutein and enhanced levels of both zeaxanthin isomers—RR-and RS [meso]-zeaxanthin) at the same 5:1 ratio as found in nature. FDA-GRAS notified Lutemax 2020 is manufactured under a fully vertically integrated source.