8 Reasons You Need Regular Infrared Sauna To Prevent Disease and Age Backwards
If your understanding of a sauna is limited to its relaxation benefits, you’re in for a surprise – it’s so much more! For centuries, cultures worldwide have embraced sauna culture and by studying those people, researchers have discovered valuable health benefits. Sauna is the ultimate anti-aging tool, slowing the mechanisms that promote cellular aging. If you struggle with depression, high blood pressure, or pain, read on to learn how sauna may be able to help you.
What Is An Infrared Sauna?
Traditional sauna bathing uses high heat as the only modality with temperatures up to 200℉ and higher. Saunas equipped with far infrared radiation (FIR) use lower heat combined with infrared radiation. FIR produces heat that can penetrate the body’s surface up to 1.5 inches.[1] Both sauna types have health benefits.
There’s no need to be concerned about the infrared radiation emitted from this sauna; this type of radiation is safe and has therapeutic effects.[2] Far infrared radiation has longer wavelengths (compared to near- or mid-infrared), but each wavelength has unique health benefits. Electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are all around us, with sunlight being a form we are most familiar with.[1] Excessive EMFs from cell phones, wifi, and computers are the more concerning EMFs.[3,4]
What Are Infrared Sauna Benefits?
Sauna relaxation benefits are well known and many studies report that people experience an improved quality of life with less stress and fatigue.[5,6] Infrared sauna leads to therapeutic effects such as reduced inflammation and swelling, immune regulation, and antioxidant effects which protects your cells from environmental damage (oxidative stress) and aging. These benefits are implicated in helping a wide range of health conditions.[2] There is promising research on dementia and cognitive health, but more research is needed that specifically studies the effects of using infrared sauna in humans.[7]
1. Improved Heart Health
Far infrared sauna is used for heart disease in Japan and Korea and is called “Waon therapy”.[1] Waon translates to “Wa” meaning soothing, and “On” meaning warmth. This “soothing warmth” has been used for congestive heart failure and peripheral artery disease. Heart healthy effects include improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and mental relaxation.[8,9] Regular FIR sessions improve exercise tolerance, something many people with heart disease struggle with.[10]
2. Slimmer Waistline
We’re often asked if sauna can help with weight loss. Sweating may cause you to lose water weight, but this is not necessarily healthy, and we recommend staying hydrated before, during, and after a sauna session.
However, there is promising research that sauna may help lose inches. A small study on diabetic patients who participated in 20-minute FIR sauna three times a week for 3 months showed decreased waist circumference, but not overall weight loss.[9]
Sauna increases the level of leptin, the hormone responsible for feeling full.[11] Therefore, sauna can be helpful as part of a weight-loss program to help prevent overeating.
3. Antidepressant
Exciting new research showed that over eight weekly FIR sauna and therapy sessions, patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experienced rapid alleviation of depressive symptoms. The combination of sauna and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of counseling, was more effective than CBT alone. Nearly all cases no longer met the criteria for the diagnosis of MDD after 8 weeks.[12] Sauna increases β-endorphin, a feel-good chemical, and alters levels of hormones and neurotransmitters which benefits mood.[11]
4. Pain Relief
People with autoimmune pain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis experience decreased pain and stiffness and decreased fatigue with twice-weekly infrared sauna sessions.[13] Fibromyalgia patients suffer from musculoskeletal pain throughout the body, as well as fatigue, brain fog, sleep issues, morning stiffness, anxiety, and depression. A 12-week program combining sauna therapy with underwater exercise improved quality of life and pain in fibromyalgia patients.[6]
Many are familiar with using saunas for sore muscles, hence why many gyms and fitness facilities have saunas for after workouts. If you exercise regularly or are an athlete, consider sauna to decrease muscle soreness, improve post-workout recovery, and improve overall physical performance.[24]
5. Skin Health
Sauna promotes skin rejuvenation. Regular sauna sessions increase blood flow and skin hydration.[14] Infrared radiation effects collagen and elastin production which are skin proteins that help with wound healing and wrinkle prevention.[15]
6. Detoxification
It’s inevitable – you’re exposed to an onslaught of toxins daily. Sweating is an important way your body detoxifies substances like toxic metals, BPA, phthalates, and other toxic compounds that disrupt health. Studies show that compared to urine, some toxins are excreted in higher concentrations in sweat.[16,17,18] Sauna therapy is used in detoxification protocols for illness caused by environmental toxicity and substance abuse.[19,20,21]
7. Better Sleep
Sauna has sedative and relaxing effects which improves sleep quality and quantity. Patients with pain conditions and chronic fatigue benefit from regular sauna therapy, and in studies, beneficial effects lasted long beyond the conclusion of the study.[6,22] Poor sleep is a predictor of numerous health outcomes including cognitive and mental health issues, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and obesity.[23] Sauna may help with sleep disorders and is a useful addition to sleep health programs to improve overall health.[2,7]
8. Enhanced Immunity
Infrared sauna improves immune system function by increasing white blood cells levels.[25] White blood cells are immune cells that fight infections like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. A hot sauna causes your temperature to rise, mimicking a fever response, which is something your body does naturally to fight infections.[26] Regular sauna bathing can decrease the incidence of the common cold.[27] Researchers have proposed using sauna therapy to prevent COVID-19 and to decrease the severity of mild and moderate cases of coronavirus, as the virus is sensitive to heat.[26,28]
Infrared Sauna: How Long, How Often, And How Hot?
Many studies show health benefits with twice-a-week sessions at 15-30 minutes or longer per session, but depending on your condition this may vary. Temperatures also vary but are generally in the range of 131℉ to 140℉ (55℃ to 60℃).[7,8,12,13] It’s best to check with your healthcare practitioner to learn what regimen is best for you.
Sauna For Your Health
At GlowSpring, we believe in using the highest-quality, cutting-edge treatments for your health. Our sauna uses FDA approved materials and is low EMF, so you won’t receive harmful radiation. It’s full spectrum so you receive the health benefits of near-, mid-, and far infrared wavelengths. It’s made of hypoallergenic basswood and non-toxic building materials. The sauna also has chromotherapy features, meaning it uses different colored lighting which can influence your mental wellbeing. Ready to give sauna a try to amplify your health?
We’re here for you in your journey to Vibrant Health! To learn more, call us at 407-478-9797 or fill out our contact form and we’ll respond promptly by the next business day.
Located in Longwood, Florida, we serve Seminole County, Orange County and nearby counties and cities such as Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Orlando, Oviedo, Heathrow, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Sanford, Windermere and more. We also offer telemedicine for all Florida residents.
References
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[2] Qin B, Fu SJ, Xu XF, et al. Far-infrared radiation and its therapeutic parameters: A superior alternative for future regenerative medicine? Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society. 2024;208:107349.
[3] Panagopoulos DJ, Johansson O, Carlo GL. Polarization: A Key Difference between Man-made and Natural Electromagnetic Fields, in regard to Biological Activity. Scientific reports. 2015;5:14914.
[4] Pall ML. Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health. Environmental research. 2018;164:405-416.
[5] Beever R. The effects of repeated thermal therapy on quality of life in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, NY). 2010;16(6):677-681.
[6] Matsumoto S, Shimodozono M, Etoh S, Miyata R, Kawahira K. Effects of thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise in patients with fibromyalgia. Complementary therapies in clinical practice. 2011;17(3):162-166.
[7] Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2018;2018:1857413.
[8] Miyata M, Tei C. Waon therapy for cardiovascular disease: innovative therapy for the 21st century. Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society. 2010;74(4):617-621.
[9] Beever R. Do far-infrared saunas have cardiovascular benefits in people with type 2 diabetes? Canadian Journal of Diabetes. 2010;34(2):113-118.
[10] Sobajima M, Nozawa T, Fukui Y, et al. Waon therapy improves quality of life as well as cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. International heart journal. 2015;56(2):203-208.
[11] Huhtaniemi IT, Laukkanen JA. Endocrine effects of sauna bath. Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research. 2020;11:15-20.
[12] Mason AE, Chowdhary A, Hartogensis W, et al. Feasibility and acceptability of an integrated mind-body intervention for depression: whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group. 2024;41(1):2351459.
[13] Oosterveld FG, Rasker JJ, Floors M, et al. Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. A pilot study showing good tolerance, short-term improvement of pain and stiffness, and a trend towards long-term beneficial effects. Clinical rheumatology. 2009;28(1):29-34.
[14] Kowatzki D, Macholdt C, Krull K, et al. Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity in vivo in humans: a controlled study. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland). 2008;217(2):173-180.
[15] Lee JH, Roh MR, Lee KH. Effects of infrared radiation on skin photo-aging and pigmentation. Yonsei medical journal. 2006;47(4):485-490.
[16] Sears ME, Kerr KJ, Bray RI. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. Journal of environmental and public health. 2012;2012:184745.
[17] Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Lobo RA, Birkholz D. Human elimination of phthalate compounds: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. TheScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:615068.
[18] Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Birkholz D, Lobo RA. Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. Journal of environmental and public health. 2012;2012:185731.
[19] Lennox RD, Cecchini-Sternquist M. Safety and tolerability of sauna detoxification for the protracted withdrawal symptoms of substance abuse. The Journal of international medical research. 2018;46(11):4480-4499.
[20] Crinnion WJ. Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant- induced and other chronic health problems. Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic. 2011;16(3):215-225.
[21] Dahlgren J, Cecchini M, Takhar H, Paepke O. Persistent organic pollutants in 9/11 world trade center rescue workers: reduction following detoxification. Chemosphere. 2007;69(8):1320-1325.
[22] Masuda A, Kihara T, et al. The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2005;58(4):383-7.
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[26] Cohen M. Turning up the heat on COVID-19: heat as a therapeutic intervention. F1000Res. 2020;9:292.
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[28] Ramirez F, Sanchez A, Pirskanen A. Hydrothermotherapy in prevention and treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Med Hypoth. 2021;146:110363.
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