Energy from an infrared sauna can be absorbed into the skin 1.5 inches or more. Since the radiant heat from an infrared sauna warms the body from within rather than just heating the body with hot air from the outside, things happen on a cellular level in response to the infrared penetration through the skin.
Here are three responses to this infrared interaction on the cellular level:
1-Break-up of toxins from fat cells
Your body stores toxins in fat cells and other fatty organs such as the brain. If fat is absent you can’t store toxins, so keep exercising and eating clean!
Furthermore, to take it to a higher level, know that infrared exposure makes the fat soluble toxin removal process from cells more efficient.
Doctors use infrared sauna therapy to help reduce fat cell toxins.
“Far Infrared Saunas are being used by some doctors to stimulate the release of toxins from the bodies of their patients. They have found that a lower temperature (105-130 F) sauna taken for a longer duration is most beneficial. These low temperatures stimulate a fat sweat, which eliminates toxins stored in fat, as opposed to the high temperature sauna (over 180 F), which encourages a water sweat.” ¹
Specifically with respect to fat soluble toxins, as noted below, research indicates further that sweating the toxins out can be beneficial.
“Sauna Sessions: Sweating to rid your body of both heavy metals and foreign compounds, is one of the most effective ways of eliminating fat-soluble toxins. A 2012 review of 50 studies found that sweating actually works to remove lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, especially within individuals who have high heavy metal toxicity. Sweating can also eliminate hormone-disrupting BPA, which accumulates in one’s fat cells. Although there is debate as to what the best type of sauna is for detoxing, some studies have found that far-infrared saunas are the most effective…” ²
2- Nitric Oxide Effect
You might recall the Nitric Oxide Effect from one of my previous blog posts. Within the cells nitric oxide is generated by arginine. Nitric oxide allows the blood vessels to relax enabling greater blood flow. This was discovered in the early 1990’s.
“When your body is exposed to infrared light, it triggers a reaction on a cellular level. This reaction signals your body to start producing a lot of Nitric Oxide, which increases blood flow. There is much evidence that this type of increase in Nitric Oxide can help performance of muscles in the short term, as well as reduce wear and tear in the long term. Historically, Nitroglycerin has been given to heart patients as a means of preventing heart attacks. This compound readily turns into Nitric Oxide within the body, offering all the benefits mentioned earlier. With modern technology, it has been observed that Nitric Oxide levels can be seen to increase in dramatic levels in just 5 minutes. This novel new approach of non-invasive treatment can help avoid costly prescription medications, and trips to the doctor.” ³
Nitric Oxide can dramatically increase blood circulation…
“The key to this dramatic improvement in blood flow is nitric oxide, a short-lived gas that is crucial to the health of the arteries. This powerful signaling molecule relaxes the arteries, helps regulate blood pressure, fights free radicals and discourages platelets from clumping together in the blood vessels. By increasing the production of nitric oxide and improving circulation, NIR [infrared] light therapy promotes healing and relieves pain.” 4
Increase in blood circulation has many benefits including that of better organ function and cell growth!
3-Heat Shock Proteins
Heat shock proteins (HSP) help to regenerate damaged cells. These proteins are present in all cells. Heat shock proteins were first discovered in the later part of the 20th century.
Exposure to infrared heat causes the body to synthesize HSP.
Through renaturation, HSP’S gather up and recycle damaged proteins. HSP’s can also rally the body’s T-cells (3white blood cell that is key to the immune system) to identify and begin to destroy a tumor.
“…the effect of a body temperature range of FIR [far infrared] suppressing the proliferation of some cancer cells is controlled by the basal expression level of heat shock protein (HSP). This finding suggested that FIR should be very effective medical treatment for some cancer cells which have a low level of HSP70. Still more, if the level of HSP70 in any cancer of a patient was measured, the effect of medical treatment by FIR can be foreseen for the cancer.” 5
Through the consistent exposure to infrared energy and hyperthermic conditioning, the rejuvenation of cells can take place. The infrared effect of detoxification and cellular stimulation to regenerate can help to keep the human body invigorated.
Steve
