Infrared sauna therapy employs light waves to generate heat within the body, providing a range of health benefits. Unlike traditional saunas, which rely on high temperatures and humidity, infrared saunas use far-infrared (FIR) waves to penetrate tissues, stimulating mitochondrial activity and promoting heat circulation.

1. Enhanced Skin Tone

Infrared sauna therapy enhances blood vessel dilation, effectively boosting circulation throughout the body. This heightened circulation not only aids in waste removal but also facilitates the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients to the skin. These nutrients are essential for collagen formation, contributing to firmer skin and diminished wrinkles.

2. Detoxification

In our modern environment, our immune systems grapple with a barrage of toxins, including pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, pollution, and GMOs. Coupled with less-than-optimal diets, this sets the stage for toxin accumulation and potential immune system weakening.

Infrared sauna treatments, by inducing sweating, provide an additional push for the body to expel these toxins. Multiple studies have demonstrated that sweating can heighten detoxification, reducing circulating levels of toxins.

3. Weight Management

Surprisingly, relaxing in an infrared sauna can aid in weight loss. Research involving obese adults found a significant reduction in body weight and fat after just two weeks of sauna therapy. This is attributed to increased heart rate and the body’s efforts to cool itself down, which burn calories.

Interestingly, normal-weight individuals with reduced appetites experienced an increase in caloric intake and improved feeding behavior. This suggests that infrared sauna therapy may act as a weight and appetite regulator by balancing the hunger hormone, ghrelin.

4. Cardiovascular Health

Infrared sauna therapy proves beneficial for heart health. Studies have associated sauna sessions with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease, and even overall mortality. These effects arise from heightened heart rate, improved blood flow, and enhanced blood pressure experienced by individuals undergoing infrared sauna therapy.

5. Pain Alleviation

One outstanding feature of infrared sauna therapy is its capacity to alleviate chronic pain, without the potential side effects of some pain medications. For instance, research from the Netherlands revealed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis experienced reduced pain, stiffness, and fatigue after four weeks of infrared sauna therapy. Researchers attribute these benefits to reduced inflammation levels, which lessen joint friction leading to chronic pain.

6. Accelerated Wound Healing

Infrared sauna therapy remarkably expedites the wound healing process. NASA research has demonstrated that infrared light significantly boosts tissue growth and cell regeneration, as our mitochondria readily absorb this form of light.

7. Improved Circulation

Infrared sauna therapy has been found to enhance overall circulation. This improvement has wide-ranging benefits, including better skin tone and lowered blood pressure. In particular, researchers discovered that infrared sauna therapy significantly enhances blood vessel function in diabetes and smoking patients with high cholesterol.

8. Relief from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Recent research indicates that CFS, characterized by extreme fatigue without a definitive cause, is significantly alleviated in patients using infrared saunas. The study involved CFS patients spending 15 minutes in a 60°C (140°F) sauna, followed by bed rest under a blanket for 30 minutes in a separate room. This was repeated once a day, five days a week, for four weeks. The results showed substantial improvements in negative mood, anxiety, depression levels, and fatigue ratings.

It is important to note that while patients may not perceive the effects during treatment, they distinctly felt less fatigue after four weeks of therapy. If considering infrared sauna treatment for fatigue, it’s advisable to commit to a month’s worth of sessions to experience the full benefits. However, dedicating less than an hour a day for four weeks to relieve chronic fatigue appears to be a worthwhile investment.

Is Infrared Sauna Therapy Safe?

While infrared sauna therapy is generally considered safe and associated with no serious adverse side effects, it may not be suitable for young children, elderly adults, or individuals taking medications that inhibit sweating. Consulting with a healthcare provider regarding any existing health conditions before attempting infrared sauna therapy is recommended.

Sources:

https://blog.paleohacks.com/infrared-sauna/