In the quest for effective weight loss and fat burning, new and innovative methods are constantly being explored. One of the latest trends gaining traction in health and wellness circles is the use of infrared technology. But does infrared absorption really have fat-burning benefits? This article will explore how infrared light impacts the body and its potential to help burn fat.
What Is Infrared Absorption?
Infrared light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the naked eye but felt as heat. Imagine walking into the sunlight from the shade. The warmth that you feel as you walk into the sun is infrared light. It has longer wavelengths than visible light, and it can penetrate deep into the skin and tissues. This deep penetration is key to understanding how infrared therapy may influence fat burning.
Infrared therapy comes in various forms, including infrared saunas, infrared lamps, and infrared wraps. The concept behind these therapies is that the deep heat generated by infrared light can stimulate the body in ways that lead to increased calorie burning and fat loss.
How Does Infrared Absorption Work in the Body?
When infrared light is absorbed into the body, it creates heat in the deep tissues. This warming effect triggers several physiological responses including:
Increased Circulation and Metabolism
Infrared absorption increases blood flow to tissues and raises the body's core temperature. As the body works to cool itself down, the metabolism gets a boost. A higher metabolism means more calories are burned throughout the day, which may aid in fat loss immediately and over time.
Stimulation of Fat Cells
Research suggests that infrared light can stimulate fat cells to release fatty acids. When this happens, the fat is broken down and used as fuel by the body, a process called lipolysis. By encouraging fat cells to shrink by releasing their contents including stored fat, infrared therapy may support fat burning.
Some studies suggest that infrared radiation can stimulate, and thereby improve the function of mitochondria, which are the cell structures that produce energy. This can lead to more efficient fat oxidation during physical activity. Through oxidation fat is literally burned up and excreted out of the lungs through breathing.
As reported by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, water filtered infrared can impact the breakdown of fat. The report stated that, “The results of the study indicate, that wIRA irradiation during moderate ergometer endurance exercise can be used - in combination with an appropriate nutrition - to improve body composition, especially local fat distribution, and the reduction of fat and body weight in obese persons.” (1)
Detoxification Through Sweating
One of the well-known benefits of infrared saunas is the intense sweating they produce. Infrared induced sweating helps the body eliminate toxins, which can reduce the burden on fat cells that store these toxins. Infrared saunas are more effective for detox than traditional saunas. It has been shown that infrared induced sweat contains more toxins than traditional sauna sweating. As a result, infrared therapy is often marketed as a detoxifying method that supports healthy fat loss by enabling the body to function more efficiently. Consider this excerpt from HOT EXERCISE:
What is more, far-infrared sweating is superior to traditional sauna sweating because FIR saunas generate more sweat at lower temperatures (for HOTWORX®, the ideal workout temperature is 125°F). In contrast, conventional saunas require 180°F to more than 200°F to get similar sweating volume results. It is worth mentioning again that sweat from an infrared sauna has been proven to contain five to seven times more toxic waste than that of a traditional sauna. (2)
Infrared Therapy and Caloric Burn
Studies show that infrared saunas can help you burn a significant number of calories, similar to the effect of moderate exercise. Imagine what can happen when you combine infrared sauna therapy with exercise! During an infrared sauna session, your heart rate increases, and the body expends energy to cool itself down and to provide muscle recovery, burning calories in the process. Although the exact number of calories burned varies based on individual factors, it is estimated that a 30-minute infrared sauna session can burn up to 600 calories which can greatly enhance the fat burning process.
HOTWORX provides its customers with the Burn Off App. This app tracks the actual workout calorie burn and one hour after-burn data to give users immediate feedback for tracking fitness results. You can’t know where you are going unless you know where you’ve been. Knowing your workout calorie burn gives you a standard to improve upon during each workout.
Infrared Absorption for Fat Reduction
Some infrared treatments, like low-level laser therapy (LLLT), are specifically designed to target fat reduction. These treatments use specific wavelengths of infrared light to penetrate deep into the body, heating fat cells and encouraging them to break down more quickly. Although LLLT is often marketed for spot fat reduction, it’s important to remember that the most fat loss occurs when the body is in a caloric deficit. Therefore, while infrared can aid in breaking down fat, it’s still crucial to pair IR with lifestyle changes for long-term results.
The Role of Infrared in Reducing Inflammation and Stress
Chronic inflammation and stress can contribute to weight gain and fat storage, particularly around the abdomen. Infrared therapy is known for its ability to reduce inflammation by promoting blood circulation and the delivery of oxygen to tissues. By reducing inflammation, infrared absorption may help improve the body’s ability to lose fat.
In addition, infrared light therapy is often associated with a reduction in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can lead to fat storage, particularly in the belly area. By lowering stress, infrared therapy may support a healthier hormonal balance, which in turn may make fat loss easier.
Infrared Therapy as a Complementary Tool
While infrared absorption offers several potential benefits, it's important to view it as a complementary tool in a broader fat-burning strategy. Here’s how you can maximize its impact:
Combine with Exercise: It is well known that infrared therapy can enhance recovery after workouts by reducing muscle soreness and improving circulation, making it easier to stay active. But, why not workout in an infrared sauna, thus providing an active recovery from the workout while doing the workout. There’s no need to waste time when you can do both. Recover and workout simultaneously with a program like HOTWORX. Exercise also boosts metabolism, so combining infrared with exercise can compound fat-burning results.
Always remember, no fat loss strategy is complete without a nutritious diet. A balanced intake of whole foods, plenty of water, and a caloric deficit will help ensure that infrared absorption techniques contribute to lasting fat loss. And, never forget, the key to seeing results with infrared therapy is consistency. Regular use, with exercise in an infrared sauna, can help you reap the long-term benefits of improved circulation, detoxification, and metabolic stimulation.
Infrared absorption presents an exciting new frontier in the world of fat burning and weight loss. The tagline of my book, HOT EXERCISE, reads “HOTWORX and the Bold New Infrared Fitness Frontier”. Infrared energy and heat combined with the right exercise constitutes a new 3 dimensional way to do a workout. By stimulating metabolic processes, improving circulation, and supporting detoxification, infrared therapy with exercise offers a unique way to enhance your body’s ability to burn fat. When used in conjunction with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy habits, infrared absorption may help you unlock your body’s full fat-burning potential.
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