We recently did a webinar with our colleague, Robyn Openshaw (aka GreenSmoothieGirl) on the massive health benefits of Infrared Sauna – click here to check it out.
Spending time in an infrared sauna is warm, relaxing, and soothing. The heat and relaxation start in your muscles and emanate throughout your body. This provides an organic destressing and despite what may be going on in your mind. All you have to do is sit there! Or lay there.
This is nothing new. Infrared saunas have been around for hundreds of years. New studies affirm their powerful ability for health and healing. A hot sauna triggers your body’s natural HEALING and ANTI-AGING mechanisms.
What benefits do saunas provide? Let’s start with the most chronic of malaises – stress!
Heart attacks happen every 43 seconds in the United States. Stress is killing us. It is also linked to the six most deadly diseases, including high blood pressure and strokes.
Saunas feel good! Relaxing in a sauna, in the privacy and comfort of your own home, can calm you like nothing else. Saunas do more than relax muscles. The deep heat produces ‘feel good’ endorphins. It also heals your skin and provides a PASSIVE cardio workout!
Detoxification
Many physicians recommend saunas for accelerating the body’s natural detoxification process. Sweating flushes out toxins. Heat above 160 degrees is ideal for detoxification.
Sauna detoxification causes the body to produce heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs are a family of proteins produced by cells. This happens as a result of the cells’ response to stressful conditions. You want to create HSPs because they help detoxify the body at the cellular level!
Sweating is a major method of excreting pesticides. It also pulls out toxic metals like cadmium, lead, and aluminum. Repeated sauna use reduces high mercury levels in the body to normal levels. Studies have also shown that saunas can help rid the body BPAs.
Live in an old, moldy home? Sauna therapy has proven to be useful for people exposed to mold and mycotoxins.
Cardiovascular Health
A large study conducted in Finland proved sauna use to help prevent cardiovascular deaths. The study compared men who used the sauna 4-7 times per week to those who never used the sauna. The sauna users were 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular-related causes.
In 1981, the 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.
Immune System
When infrared saunas raise your body temperature, it induces an artificial fever. This “fake fever” stimulates the immune system. The result is an increased production of disease-fighting white blood cells and antibodies.
A mere 1% increase in body temperature results in a 40% increase in immunity! This is according to a study by Nobuhiro Yoshimizu, MD, PhD. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you say? Research shows that regular sauna use provides fewer incidences of the common cold.
Heat stress activates a protein called FOXO3, the longevity gene. FOXO3 affects DNA repair, immune functions, pain levels, and STEM CELL activation!
Weight Loss
One 30-minute sauna session can burn up to 600 calories. As reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
How does this work? Saunas heat the core body temperature. This increases blood flow and heart rate (like exercise), which in turn helps you lose weight.
A Binghamton University research shows an interesting statistic. On average, those who spent 45 minutes in an infrared sauna 3x per week lost 4% body fat in 16 weeks.
Anti-Aging and Beauty Benefits
When you get out of the sauna, your skin will be pink. And the best part – thousands of pores are cleansed of impurities. Sauna users report fewer skin issues and healthier skin with regular sauna exposure:
- Reduced wrinkles
- Acne Treatment and prevention
- Improved skin texture and tone
- Improved cellulite and stretch marks
- Greater skin elasticity
Regular infrared sauna use provides reduced wrinkles and crow’s feet. You will also see improvements in skin tone and clarity. Elasticity, softness, smoothness, and firmness are all sauna benefits!
Autoimmune Disease Benefits
There are several autoimmune disease symptoms eased with regular sauna use. This data is supported by clinical trials. Sauna benefits include and help with:
- Quality of life for diabetics
- Chronic pain and inflammation
- Arthritis
- Sleep and mood disorders
Is it Affordable?
Most infrared sauna sessions are $60 per session. With 3 visits per week, you will have spent the cost of your in-home sauna purchase in only 6 months! Enjoy private use of your own sauna for many years to come and save thousands of dollars.
Want to learn more? Click to join our upcoming Webinar on the Health Benefits of Sauna.
You can also learn more about our favorite brand here.
Healthy Regards,
Dr. Tiffany Caplan & Dr. Brent Caplan
PS: Have fun exploring the creative and flavorful recipes in Dr. Caplan’s cookbook “Friendly Recipes to Calm the Fires of Inflammation.” These delicious recipes are great support for lowering inflammation due to lupus or other autoimmune disease symptoms.
Saunas are really useful for health and fitness. We should include saunas in daily life to keep yourself healthy and fit all the time.