Eating Light

I AM OFTEN AMUSED by how surprised people are when I tell them a fact that seems counterintuitive: we are all eating light! This is not a metaphor, but a scientific fact that is often overlooked because it’s so obvious: no light—no life on Earth.

Whether we consume vegetables or meat, we are indirectly consuming the light absorbed by plants and all living beings. The light, in the form of captured photons, is absorbed by leaves, and through photosynthesis, plants grow, ripen and become our source of life energy. Moreover, cows graze on grass, which exists because of sunlight. So, when we eat any plant or animal product, we are indirectly “eating” the light that made their existence possible. In essence, we consume energy stored in food, which ultimately comes from photons captured by plants during photosynthesis.

The connection between light and life is fundamental. The sun’s magnetic field and certain wavelengths create a sophisticated dance of photons that shape life on Earth in ways beyond our imagination.

It is not widely known, but certain wavelengths of light can penetrate deeply under the skin and help heal the body. In French, there is a term for this healing power—luminothérapie, or light therapy. For those of us living in sunny regions like Monaco or the French Riviera, the importance of light on our well-being is well understood. It’s no coincidence that this region attracts people not just for its glamour and luxury, but also for the light that lifts our spirits and brightens our minds.

I vividly remember my first arrival in Monaco almost four decades ago. I was struck by the quality of the light. I immediately felt more energized and alive, in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I shared this impression with my distinguished friends and fellow entrepreneurs in Monaco. Like me, they too have been influenced by that light.

My fascination with light isn’t just philosophical or emotional; it is deeply tied to my scientific and entrepreneurial journey. It was in Monaco that I began working with the carbon molecule fullerene C60, an extraordinary discovery from the 1980s that earned its discoverers a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The relationship between fullerene and light captivated me, and I sought to transform this fascination into something tangible. Together with my R&D team, we developed and patented lenses installed in glasses and Bioptron light therapy devices. They harness the power of light and alter how the light interacts with the human body at both the biochemical and neurological levels. We call this transformed light—Hyperlight.

Once applied on lenses in glasses, the Bioptron Fullerene Nanotechnology harnesses the light and transforms it into the second-most ordered symmetrical structure in nature: Hyperpolarized and Hyperharmonized Light. This light, governed by the universal law of harmony, is fully compatible with 85% of biological structures. It communicates with molecules, cells, and tissues, transferring the ideal harmony of C60 and its energetic state, which initiates healing, harmonizes biological structures, and restores equilibrium to disturbed processes. As a result, our brain and body lower stress hormones, improve cognitive abilities, and regulate natural hormonal levels—a true revolution in optics. On the other side, when the same light is projected by our Bioptron device on the body, it helps pain management, accelerates wound healing, resolves dozens of dermatological disorders, and resolves seasonal affective disorders.

Understanding the importance of light and my ability to communicate it has been a key factor in my business success. I often tell my sales directors that their goal is not to “sell” the product, but to sell the experience and transformation the products bring. What we have always sold is the possibility of a healthier, more energized life.

I learned this lesson early in my career when I first ventured into the world of cookware. But I wasn’t just selling pots and pans—I was selling a lifestyle that promised better health, savings in time and energy, and lower doctor’s bills. Ultimately, it’s about “living better, living longer, living happier.” The cookware was simply a unique tool that helped achieve that goal.

Imagine someone today saying they want to start a cookware business in a market already saturated with brands like Seb, Tefal, Creusot, and Zepter. You might think they’re crazy—and people thought I was crazy too at the start! But that’s because they focus on the product rather than what the product can do for people.

Monaco is an inspiring place. I recall walking along Larvotto beach and stumbling upon a Turner exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum. Turner, the British master of light in painting, famously said in 1818, “Light is therefore color.” This resonated with me deeply. His work captures the profound relationship between light, color, and emotion—something I’ve experienced firsthand in my life and work.

The light in Monaco, much like the light in Turner’s paintings, is unique. It is a source of energy, clarity, and inspiration. As we continue to innovate, create, and live, we must never forget that at the core of everything—whether it’s food, health, or art—there is light, our essential nutrient.

By Philip Zepter

Contributor