EP. 112: Red Light Therapy + Methylene Blue | Dr. Mike Belkowski

Summary

Dr. Tina interviews her friend Dr. Mike Bilowski, CEO of BioLite, to discuss red light therapy and their new methylene blue product Bio. They explain the synergistic benefits of combining red light and methylene blue, both of which help boost mitochondrial health and energy production. Dr. Mike details how methylene blue selectively helps dysfunctional cells and accumulates in the brain to provide cognitive benefits. They also touch on the downsides of excess nitric oxide, the antimicrobial properties of methylene blue, using red light on reproductive organs to potentially increase testosterone, and more.

Takeaways

• 😀 Methylene blue is a powerful antiviral and can help treat conditions like West Nile virus, Ebola, Zika, herpes and hepatitis A.
• 💊 Methylene blue selectively targets metabolically inefficient cells that need the most help.
• 🧠 Methylene blue accumulates in the brain providing benefits for cognition, mood, depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
• ⚡️ Methylene blue and red light therapy work synergistically to boost mitochondrial health, energy, circulation and decrease inflammation.
• 🔬 Excess nitric oxide inhibits oxygen from entering the electron transport chain needed to produce ATP energy.
• 😷 Methylene blue can help treat urinary tract infections and vaginal atrophy issues in women.
• 🩺 Methylene blue was the first pharmaceutical drug ever, used historically as an antimalarial.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Nitric oxide supplements may acutely boost energy and pumps but chronically high levels can decrease testosterone.
• 🤯 Methylene blue is an antidote for pesticide poisoning and helps detox chemical pollutants.
• 💡 Take methylene blue earlier in the day if it affects your sleep. The half life is around 12 hours.

Q & A

What are some of the key benefits of methylene blue?

Some key benefits of methylene blue include improving mitochondrial health and energy production, boosting brain function and cognition, providing antiviral and antimicrobial properties, and helping to treat conditions like depression and dementia.

How does methylene blue interact with nitric oxide in the body?

Methylene blue inhibits nitric oxide production. While nitric oxide can provide some acute benefits like vasodilation, chronic high levels can become neurotoxic. By inhibiting nitric oxide, methylene blue allows more oxygen to enter the mitochondria and improve energy production.

What makes methylene blue synergistic with red light therapy?

Both methylene blue and red light therapy work to improve mitochondrial health and function. They do this through different mechanisms, but combining them has a synergistic effect, like "pouring gasoline onto the fire" of their mitochondrial-boosting properties.

How safe is pharmaceutical grade methylene blue at recommended doses?

Pharmaceutical grade methylene blue is considered very safe at doses from 8 to 30 mg per day. Much higher doses up to 400 mg per day are still considered safe for short term use. It has been used as a pharmaceutical drug for over 100 years.

Can red light therapy help increase testosterone levels in men?

There is limited research but significant anecdotal evidence that shining red light on the testicles can help boost testosterone production in men. Some people have shown lab test results confirming major testosterone increases after starting red light treatments.

Why should you not combine red light therapy with infrared sauna?

The heat from an infrared sauna can inhibit the benefits of red light therapy. While using them on the same day is fine, you should not use red light while inside the infrared sauna itself.

How might methylene blue and red light therapy help treat illnesses?

Combined they can be extremely powerful antivirals, with some dramatic case reports of illnesses resolved in just 48 hours. The combination boosts immune function and metabolic health to help the body fight infections.

What causes vaginal atrophy and urinary tract issues in aging women?

Declining estrogen levels leading to vaginal tissue thinning and dryness is a major cause. This also increases vulnerability to UTIs. Maintaining vaginal health and using antimicrobials like methylene blue may help prevent UTIs.

Can methylene blue help remove toxins and pollutants from the body?

Yes, methylene blue is known as an antidote for removing many chemical toxins and environmental pollutants. It seems to bind to toxins and facilitate their safe removal from the body.

Why avoid taking methylene blue too close to bedtime?

For some people, taking methylene blue later in the day can overstimulate the body and make it harder to fall asleep normally. It's best to take it early/mid-day unless you know late doses don't affect your sleep.