sauna

Detox and Sauna!

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Before we get to the deep dive (below), which I know you will totally appreciate, let’s start with the BENEFITS of Sauna!

Personally, I adore sitting in a sauna and do it very often.  When you sit in your infrared sauna…you’ll love the relaxing warmth, the way it soothes your muscles and boosts your happiness…and the knowledge that you’re doing something EXCELLENT for your health. 

And a growing amount of evidence shows saunas to be a POWERFUL force for health—that can trigger your body’s natural HEALING and ANTI-AGING mechanisms. What benefits can you expect?

Let’s Start With Stress! Saunas have been traditionally used to ease stress and produce feelings of relaxation. Saunas feel good. Sitting in your sauna, in the comfort and privacy of your own home, will calm you like nothing else can. Stress is literally killing us. Sadly, a heart attack happens every 43 seconds in the U.S. Stress is also linked to the 6 most deadly diseases, including stroke and high blood pressure.

Cardiovascular Health: In 1981, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that: “Regular use of a sauna may impart similar stress on the cardiovascular system, and its regular use may be as effective as a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning calories as regular exercise.(1)

In addition, a large study conducted in Finland showed saunas to be beneficial for preventing cardiovascular deaths. In the study, compared to men who never use the sauna, frequent sauna users (4-7 times per week) were 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular-related causes.(2)

Weight Loss: Did you know the science says that you can burn up to 600 calories in one 30-minute sauna session? YES! According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.(3)

Saunas heat your core body temperature, increasing your blood flow and heart rate (much like exercise)—which has been shown to help you lose weight. Research conducted by Binghamton University found that, on average, participants who spent a 45-minute session in an infrared sauna 3 times a week lost 4% body fat in 16 weeks.(4)

Detoxification: Sweat is one of the major elimination channels for toxins. Heat above 160 degrees also causes the body to produce heat shock proteins, which help detoxify your body at the cellular level. Many doctors recommend saunas for supporting your body’s natural detoxification systems. 

  • In fact, toxicologists have shown that sweating is a major method of excreting pesticides(5) and toxic metals(6), including cadmium, lead, and aluminum.
  • By using the sauna repeatedly, high mercury levels can be reduced to normal.(7)
  • Studies have also shown that saunas can help rid the body of Bisphenol A (BPA).(8)
  • Additionally, sauna therapy has proven to be useful for people with mold exposure and mycotoxins.(9)

Immune System:  Infrared saunas raise your body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. This “fake fever” stimulates the immune system, resulting in an increased production of disease-fighting white blood cells and antibodies. A 1% increase in body temperature results in a 40% increase in immunity, according to Nobuhiro Yoshimizu, MD, PhD.(10)

In fact, research shows that regular sauna use can lead to significantly fewer incidences of the common cold!(11)

Beauty Benefits: A study published in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed significant improvements in skin appearance after regular near-infrared use.(12) Participants in the study experienced a reduction in wrinkles and crow’s feet, as well as improved overall skin tone, including softness, smoothness, elasticity, clarity, and firmness.

And many people report healthier skin and fewer skin issues with regular sauna use, such as:

  • Improved tone and texture
  • Greater elasticity
  • Wrinkle reduction
  • Improved stretch marks and cellulite
  • Treating and preventing acne

When you get out of your sauna, expect your skin to be pink, and thousands of pores cleansed of impurities. But that’s not all…

That’s only some proven benefits research is finding for sauna use. Other papers and clinical trials report impressive improvements in:

  • Pain(13)
  • Inflammation(14)
  • Arthritis(15)
  • Improved Sleep(16)
  • Mood Disorders(17)
  • Improved quality of life for diabetes(18)
  • Reduced risk of stroke(19)

Yes, it’s quickly becoming more common – and largely accepted – that during your lifetime, you’ll experience declining health. Almost as if there was an expectation to suffer from one or more of these issues, among others:  joint or back pain and stiffness, brain fog or cognitive decline, thinning bones, or being diagnosed with various health challenges.

As you may know, exercise and eating a balanced diet are 2 essential pillars that can help you age gracefully – But did you know that another is…HEAT?

And – one powerful way you can experience the profound healing of heat is with an INFRARED SAUNA – a place where you can truly relax in your own home. A sauna engages your body’s NATURAL healing and health-supporting mechanisms using heat, and healing infrared rays. 

A sauna is beneficial in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: 

  • Enhanced weight loss
  • Pain relief
  • Detoxifying
  • Clearer and healthier skin
  • Heart health
  • Boosts immunity
  • Improved mental health
  • Reduced inflammation
    …and MORE

In fact, there is a growing amount of evidence that shows saunas to be a POWERFUL health force that can trigger your body’s natural healing and anti-aging mechanisms. 

In summary, let’s be honest, we all could use a little more relaxation and detoxification – and sweat happens to be one of the major elimination channels for toxins. Actually, heat above 160 degrees also triggers the body to produce heat shock proteins, which helps to detoxify your body at the cellular level. 

That’s only some of the PROVEN benefits research is finding for regular sauna use. 

We promote a handful of sauna companies several times a year.  Be sure to watch your email – we’ll always say SAUNA in the subject line to let you know when we have a special VIP Q&A event on this powerful health restorative. 

Perspire with purpose: Discover the science behind sweating

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Sweating stands as a powerful “incentive” behind many human inventions.  From the creation of air conditioning and deodorants to the popularity of shorts and moisture-wicking fabrics, numerous innovations have emerged to address the challenges posed by perspiration.  Simply put, manufacturers tend to put a negative spin on the act of sweating.

Unfortunately, while sweating is known to play a pivotal role in cooling our bodies, its broader benefits often remain overlooked.  Beyond merely evaporating water to reduce body heat, sweating offers a range of systemic advantages that enhance our overall well-being.

In the following exploration, we’ll delve deeper into the multifaceted benefits of sweating and consider why embracing it might be a valuable addition to our lives.

The sweaty secret to detoxifying your body from heavy metals and toxins

When your pores expand to release sweat, their function extends beyond temperature regulation.  The skin accumulates various toxic substances, making it a conduit for exposure to pathogens and harmful compounds.

Although the epidermis acts as a protective barrier, preventing many toxins from entering our system, some inevitably penetrate.  Whether through ingestion or everyday encounters, sweat plays a vital role in expelling a significant portion of these toxins.  Notably, heavy metals, like cadmium, are more concentrated in sweat than in blood or urine, suggesting sweating as a primary elimination route for such contaminants.

Given that heavy metals and toxins can build up in tissues, leading to pervasive and lasting harm, effective detoxification methods become crucial.  This becomes especially pertinent for those residing or working in environments predisposed to heavy metal exposure.

Can sweating improve immune function?

While sweat itself and the act of sweating do not boost your immune system to fight off a cold, there is an innately immune-boosting aspect to perspiration.  Your sweat glands release antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses on the surface of the skin.  Dermatitis, for instance, is often caused by a mild fungal infection and sweating can help alleviate the itchiness and occurrence of types of dermatitis.

Additionally, the method by which you are sweating – specifically if you are exercising – does actually have immune-boosting effects.  Exercise helps move blood and lymphatic fluid and can help mobilize your body’s immune system in response to an infection.

How to get the most out of sweating

One of the easiest ways to increase your sweating is to exercise.  Physical activity has innumerable health benefits, from cardiovascular strengthening to improved immune function, mental clarity, libido, anti-aging effects, longevity, anti-cancer effects, and so on.  If you want to start getting the benefits of a good sweat today, try walking, cycling or even playing some pickleball.   The key here is to have fun and dress warm enough (in layers) to generate a good sweat.  Keep in mind, when dressed in layers, your exercise intensity can be mild and still generate plenty of sweat.

Saunas are another way to get a good sweat in every day.  Most gyms or bathhouses have saunas or some type of sweat room you can utilize for your health.  Some studies suggest that the act of sweating helps make your blood vessels more pliable, able to react and dilate better when blood flow is occluded.  There is even ample evidence that saunas can help reduce the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases later on in life.

Even something as simple as adding spiciness to your food – such as hot peppers or cayenne – can induce sweating, add flavor, and have positive health benefits.

Embrace the sweat!

While sweating might feel bothersome, especially on scorching summer days prompting multiple showers, it offers health advantages that often go unnoticed.  Instead of feeling vexed by those damp shirts, consider the benefits: you’re expelling toxins and creating an environment hostile to microbes on your skin.