#32 - Is Modern Lighting Disrupting Your Metabolism? Mitochondria & Photometabolism With Prof Bob Fosbury

Astrophysicist Professor Bob Fosbury joins Dr Sara Pugh to explain photometabolism — the role of light, and especially near-infrared, in mitochondrial health, diabetes, obesity and ageing.

We look at how modern lighting starves us of the infrared our mitochondria evolved to expect, why white LEDs are not the neutral choice they appear to be, and what incandescent bulbs, red light, sunlight, cold exposure and forest bathing actually do at the level of the electron transport chain. Bob takes us through water vibrations as an intermediary in electron transport and gives practical, actionable lifestyle suggestions. 

Metabolism in the Solar Photon Field — paper by Bob Fosbury, Glen Jeffery, Scott Zimmerman & Roger Seheult

📰👉 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.11.744135v1

Substack post 'Why Food Is Only The Beginning of Metabolism: Store Fat Or Use It?'

📰👉 https://drsarapugh.substack.com/p/why-food-is-only-the-beginning-of-d86

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Takeaways
Modern indoor lighting cuts off the near-infrared our mitochondria evolved to expect — an infrared starvation with metabolic consequences.
Infrared light acts as a lubricant for the mitochondrial engine rather than as a fuel.
Water vibrations work as an intermediary in electron transport, and Marcus theory explains the barrier crossing involved.
Gentle, broad-spectrum infrared — incandescent bulbs, firelight, sunlight through leaves — matters more than intensity.
Natural environments, forest bathing and cold exposure act on the same metabolic machinery as light does.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bob Fosbury and his background
06:06 Fosbury's career in astrophysics and space telescopes
11:23 Transition from astrophysics to biology and interdisciplinary work
19:54 The impact of indoor lighting on health and aging
28:00 Infrared light deficiency in modern environments
33:22 The effects of white LEDs and infrared starvation
41:20 Metabolic failures linked to light environment
49:26 Water vibrations and their role in mitochondrial function
01:00:52 The importance of gentle, broad-spectrum infrared light
01:23:33 The analogy of oiling the mitochondrial engine
01:28:53 Schrödinger's barrier and its relevance to biology
01:51:14 Marcus theory and electron transfer in mitochondria
02:02:16 Water as an intermediary in electron transport
02:18:28 Longevity and the role of infrared light in aging

Sound bites

"White LEDs make us sick by cutting off infrared light"
"Infrared light lubricates the mitochondrial engine"
"Schrödinger's barrier is the guardian of homeostasis"

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.