PMR #301: Learning about light and eye health with Andy Mant

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Paleo Magazine Radio

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Light and eye health are an often-neglected part of our overall wellness. While many of us focus on proper nutrition, exercise, and mental health, we rarely turn attention to the impact that light has on our well-being. This, despite the role that light plays in eye strain, seasonal depression, sleep disorders, sleep function, and sleep hygiene, among many conditions. Our guest today, Andy Mant, is here to shepherd us out of the darkness and into the (safe) light. His company, BLUblox, produces a range of light-blocking glasses. Their evidence-based, research-backed products and information focus truly sets them apart. In today’s episode, we learn more about light blocking. We discover that blocking light is far more nuanced than we are led to believe. Light exposure is context-specific and solutions must deal with people’s specific circumstances. Andy also walks us through some ways to counteract overexposure to artificial light sources. We learn more about why sunglasses and sun cream are not all that they are cracked up to be and how they are potentially doing more harm than good. While this might seem counterintuitive, Andy’s got the research to back up the claims! This is a super interesting discussion on an aspect of our health that gets far too little credit. Tune in today. DOWNLOAD THE FULL TRANSCRIPT   Key Points From This Episode: Andy’s take on daylight savings, the pros of not implementing it, and how it relates to SAD. Learn about Andy’s background and what led him to work in light-blocking eyewear. What happened when Andy tested so-called light-blocking glasses he’d bought online. Find out the difference between balanced natural and imbalanced artificial light. The function of blue light, the effects of overexposure, and antidotes. Sunglasses are more harmful than we think: why covering your eyes isn’t so great! Why it’s not possible to have sunglasses that protect from the glare and let ‘good stuff’ in. Wearing sunglasses and sun cream is context-specific, according to Andy. Insights into melanin and how to build up a higher level in your skin. Two critical studies that Andy has recently read on sunglasses and skin circadian rhythm. An overview of the effects of the different colors in the light spectrum. Why it is so important to get individualized plans from general health information. Blue light has been unfairly demonized rather than understanding it in a nuanced way. Ask for the spectral analysis report before buying blue-light glasses and what to look for in it. A look at BLUblox’s different products and some exciting upcoming products. BLUblox’s charitable involvement and how to contact the company.     Tweetables: “We wanted to become different from our competitors in that we are evidence-based. We use the academic literature to design our glasses.” — @andymant12 [0:14:34.1] “Natural is the sun and artificial is anything that is in essence, emitting light during the day.” — @andymant12 [0:15:31.1] “We've started to play around with those light signals by blocking them when we shouldn't be, by partially filtering them when we shouldn't be.” — @andymant12 [0:29:59.1] “For us to have the perfect circadian health, we need to be outside exposing our eyes to the sun, regardless of whether it's raining, cloudy, sunny.” — @andymant12 [0:40:07.1]   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Andy Mant on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mant-a5b0bb31 Andy Mant on Twitter — https://twitter.com/andymant12 BLUblox — https://www.blublox.com/ BLUblox on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/blubloxofficial/ BLUblox on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/BLUblox/ Light and Health Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/groups/135133877132861/ PMR #294 — https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-celiac-maniac-show/paleo-magazine-radio/e/65901880 Super Human Radio — https://superhumanradio.net/ Ben Pakulski — https://www.benpakulski.com/ Kris Gethin — https://krisgethin.com/ Bill Lagakos — https://caloriesproper.com/ Jack Krus — https://jackkruse.com/ Siim Land on Twitter — https://twitter.com/iamsiimland PubMed — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ Laird Hamilton — https://www.lairdhamilton.com/ Restoring Vision — https://restoringvision.org/ SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR PMR AND YOU CAN ENTER TO WIN SOME GREAT PALEO SWAG! It's easy, simply post a review of PMR on iTunes and fill out our quick Registration Form and you'll be entered to win your choice of 4 great books and a Paleo Magazine vinyl decal! One winner will be randomly chosen each week.