Juicing For Health - Far Infrared Health Benefits
Far Infrared Sauna
Far Infrared saunas are different from traditional saunas, they use infrared heaters that emit infrared radiant heat which is absorbed directly into the body.
The difference between a traditional sauna and a far infrared sauna is the heat source, but that one factor makes all the difference. FIR heat reaches deeper into the tissues than the heat from a traditional sauna and causes more toxins to be released within the sweat. In-turn traditional saunas do not have the same health benefits as a infrared sauna.
The good bit is if you don't have the money or space to install a traditional far infrared sauna in your home, you can purchase a portable one which retails for around £100 and are easy to fold away.
Far Infrared Sauna Health Benefits
Far infrared saunas can be of benefit to a number of health conditions and has numerous health benefits. We have outlined the most common benefits to using an infrared sauna for health purposes.
- 1. Detoxification
- Far Infrared saunas are a great therapy to include in an all round detoxification program. Sweat analysis showed that 15-20% of the sweat contained toxins such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticides, industrial chemicals and other drugs. Traditional saunas showed around 97% of the sweat just contained water. Infrared saunas penetrate the tissues deeper and in turn more sweat is excreted.
- 2. Stress & Relaxtion
- Infrared saunas are a great way to relax and to bust the stresses of modern life. Stress can really adversely effect your health so incorporating as many relaxation tools as possible is a great idea, especially if your easily stressed. Infrared saunas are not like traditional saunas, you can breathe easily and the heat penetrates your tissues much more than a normal sauna would resulting in sore muscles being soothed.
- 3. Skin Conditions
- Infrared sauna therapy can help a variety of skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, hives and cellulite. Part of this benefit is due to relieving the toxic burden on the body which causes many skin conditions. The other part is down to increased circulation, cleansing of the pores and subcutaneous fat being removed in the sweat.
- 4. Improving Cardiovascular Health
- FIR therapy increases heart rate and blood circulation which is vital for good cardiovascular health. As has been said below in the side effect/precaution section if you suffer from any cardiovascular disease then it is best to consult a doctor first before using a far infrared sauna.
- 5. Pain Reduction
- Studies have shown those with inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis showed a reduction in pain, stiffness and fatigue during infrared sauna therapy. There have also been many anecdotal reports on those suffering from pain, injuries and other inflammatory health conditions reporting benefits from sauna use.
- 6. Weight Loss
- Infrared saunas have been touted as a tool for those losing to lose excess weight. As the body tries to cool itself, the heart rate increases along with cardiac output and metabolic rate. Studies have shown as little as 30 minutes of infrared sauna use can burn as much as 300 calories.
- 7. Miscellaneous Benefits
- Here is a list of other miscellaneous health benefits attributed to far infrared sauna use such as stimulating the immune system, increased energy, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, promotes healing, and improving strength and vitality.
Far Infrared Sauna Side Effects/Precautions
It is a good idea to replace the minerals that are lost through sweating, some good ways to do this is to supplement with nettle leaf, alfalfa powder, seaweeds such as kelp powder and an unrefined salt such as himalayan pink salt. What i do is actually make a mix of these mineral rich powders and consume immediately after getting out the sauna. Replacing your minerals is vital after a far infrared sauna session as you can deplete your bodies mineral stores which cause electrolyte imbalances and that can be potentially very dangerous.
Dehydration is also another serious concern, replacing the water you lose is essential. Drinking a cup of water before you enter the sauna is also a good idea. Some experts recommend a cup for every 15 minutes you spend in the sauna. Never drink alcohol before or during sauna use, alcohol is known to dehydrate the body and the combination could be fatal.
There are many health conditions that aren't suitable for infrared sauna use such as strokes, heart disease, those who have pacemakers etc. If you suffer any serious health disorders then as always it is best to check with your doctor first before.
This also applies to those reliant on pharmaceutical medication, infrared saunas increase blood circulation and increased sweating so its always best to check with your doctor that sauna therapy doesn't interfere with medication.
Another problem that can occur is overheating, some of the common symptoms of overheating in the sauna are rapid heart beat, dizziness, feeling weak or confused, nausea, headache, and dark colored urine due to dehydration. If you encounter any of these symptoms leave the sauna immediately and drink plenty of fluids. As always its best to consult a doctor immediately as untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.
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