There are some gross misconceptions out there about the benefits of sweat, and they are held by so-called fitness experts. This select fitness crowd just will not allow themselves to believe that sweating is good for you in more ways than as a body cooling mechanism. What a shame!
Here is the truth about sweating.
In addition to acting as the body’s natural cooling method, sweating promotes the detox of heavy metals from the body, the elimination of toxic chemicals, bacterial cleansing, and better skin.
According to Dr. Rhonda Patrick, as quoted from X (formerly Twitter), “Sauna may help excrete heavy metals. Lead is excreted 14x more in sweat, and cadmium is excreted 11x more in sweat than urine.” (1)
It is well documented that sweating helps to eliminate BPA (bisphenol A) from the body. BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics. The body comes in contact with this chemical on a daily basis when plastic bottles are handled and when other forms of plastic are touched or held. BPA has negative health effects on the brain and has a possible link to high blood pressure. A 2011 study shows that sweat is an effective means of removing BPA from the body. In the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, a report of the study states that “Induced sweating appears to be a potential method for elimination of BPA.” (2)
Sweating can also help to eliminate PCB’s. These are man-made organic chemicals toxic to the human body and known to cause numerous adverse health effects.
A 2015 review in the journal Glycobiology suggests that sweat glycoproteins bind to bacteria, helping with removal from the body. In this article it is suggested that more research needs to be conducted as to the adhesion of bacteria in sweat and how it might impact skin infections. (3)
Take note of the following excerpt from a 2020 article in the Galen Medical Journal:
Numerous studies have shown that proper sweating, in addition to preventing some diseases, can reduce their symptoms and improves patients’ quality of life as well. Several studies demonstrated clinical effects of induced sweating methods such as thermotherapy, waon therapy and sauna in common diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and joint diseases, and chronic pain, as well as in prevention and risk reduction of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Waon therapy is a form of thermal treatment in a dry sauna, which the entire body is warmed. (4)
Sweating is good for the skin. Sweating adds hydration to the skin, acts as a natural exfoliant and provides anti-aging effects. Sweat induced from exercise can improve skin health by changing mitochondrial DNA. “Sweating produces a naturally antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, which helps to destroy harmful bacteria on the skin, minimizing the risk for infection, acne breakouts, and flare-ups in chronic skin conditions.” (5)
Exercise practiced inside of an infrared sauna can produce a sweat very rapidly. Studies have shown that sweat induced from an infrared sauna contains 7x more toxic waste than that of a traditional convection heat sauna. Perhaps now is the time to experience the power of sweating it out with an infrared sauna hot exercise session.
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