Do you know what a near-infrared sauna is? All saunas have some detoxifying advantages, but only the near infrared sauna can offer these remarkable health advantages.
For thousands of years, people have used saunas to treat illnesses and cleanse their bodies. Saunas have several incredible and well-known health advantages.
Most of us picture a wooden box with electrical heat when we think of a sauna. However, there is a different kind of sauna that offers both light treatment and phototherapy in addition to the advantages of conventional heat therapy. A near-infrared sauna is what it is known as, and it offers a remarkable array of health advantages.
A basic review of sauna types...
There are three basic types of saunas available.
1. Traditional saunas use electric or wood-burning heat is used to warm the sauna. They could be damp or dry. Steam is created in wet saunas by steam generators or by dumping water over hot rocks. The majority of individuals can't handle the extreme heat of traditional saunas.
2. Far-infrared saunas use heating components that primarily emit this type of light. Although there is some light therapy available with this kind of far-infrared light, it doesn't permeate the body as well as near-infrared light. Additionally, although some manufacturers are striving to lower the EMFs in their product, far-infrared saunas often release dangerous levels of EMFs.
3. Saunas with near-infrared combine light and heat therapy. According to NASA, near-infrared sauna light can reach a person's body up to nine inches deep. Additionally, the EMF emissions from NIR saunas are often relatively modest. NIR saunas enable the air to remain colder while yet heating the body because of the light's spectrum.
Why is detoxing necessary?
Our environment is significantly more dangerous than it has ever been. From flame retardants to phthalates and PCBs to petroleum-like substances like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, it is estimated that we are exposed to thousands more poisons than our ancestors were.
A $750 billion industry, there are 84,000 "legal" chemicals used in the United States as of 2011, yet many of them haven't been adequately vetted for human safety.
"Concerned about this sharp rise in chemical exposure, the Center for Disease Control started testing Americans every two years to access what they called their “body burden”. In 1999, they found 27 dangerous chemicals, today, the number is at 219 and growing"
The urinary tract, the intestines, the lungs, the skin, and the mucosal linings in your nose, eyes, and ears are the primary eliminative channels through which these poisons should be removed by our bodies. However, if the body is exposed to too many toxins, it will store these poisons and heavy metals in fatty tissue, which includes the brain, as a type of defense. In order to safely remove these poisons from our bodies, it is crucial to assist our bodies' detoxification processes. The near-infrared sauna opens its doors.
Why does sweat have such strength?
Our skin, which was created to safely eliminate toxins, is our greatest detox organ. While using a sauna can cause you to lose electrolytes, you can easily replace them with coconut water, homemade bone broth, or a homemade electrolyte drink. Additionally, saunas might actually enhance your body's capacity to retain electrolytes.
Because our homes, offices, and vehicles are climate-controlled, we as humans don't perspire much. Although exercise can make you perspire, it doesn't remove toxins from the body as effectively as passive sweating does.
Although the blood flow to your essential organs is reduced during aerobic exercise, your heart rate is elevated. The excretion of toxins from those organs is made possible by a sauna's increased heart rate and blood flow to the body's critical organs.
Many poisons prefer to expel themselves through sweat.
Studies have demonstrated that arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are excreted through the skin just as effectively as or even better than they are through the urine.
According to a Canadian study, perspiration has twice the amount of phytates (chemicals present in toys, scents, cosmetics, and other products) than pee or blood.
Another investigation discovered BPA in 80% of the patients' perspiration but not in their blood or urine. This suggests that the greatest way to eliminate the poison is through perspiration.
We see diaper rash, eczema, PUPPS, acne, and other skin diseases because our skin will erupt when the toxic load is too great, but we can also help our skin detoxify by perspiring. Saunas can help in that situation. While all saunas have the potential to aid in bodily detoxification, support brain function, and maintain heart health, near infrared saunas provide some fantastic and distinctive advantages that we'll discuss below.
The greatest near-infrared saunas: 9 benefits
1. Reduced EMF
Cell phones, wifi, and other electronic devices all emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs can disrupt cellular processes and result in symptoms like:
- persistent headaches
- excessive tiredness
- feeling 'wired' or under stress
- Having trouble getting a good night's sleep
- Skin sensations such as prickling, burning, or tingling
- a buzzing or static sensation in the head
- Hearing loss
Compared to our grandparents, we are exposed to 100 times as many EMFs, and some studies have found significant effects on our health. Because of this, many European nations restrict or even forbid the use of EMFs in public spaces like schools.
Due to the carbon panels, far infrared sauna emit a significant amount of EMFs, compared to near infrared sauna. Far-infrared saunas have the potential for negative effects, however near-infrared saunas don't. While some manufacturers are striving to lower the EMFs in their far-infrared devices, there are so many other advantages of near infrared saunas that doing so is insufficient to compete with them.
2. Exceptional healing ability
Studies have shown that using a near-infrared sauna can significantly speed up the recovery of tissues and wounds, including eye injuries! In fact, one study discovered that NIR therapy helped chemically blinded mice regain their vision. According to additional research, patients with traumatic brain injuries can benefit greatly from near-infrared light therapy (NILT).
The creation of collagen and elastin is enhanced in an infrared sauna, which also aids in skin healing. (Excellent for avoiding wrinkles)
People with chronic conditions can benefit from infrared light therapy in addition to how efficiently infrared saunas cure general wear and tear. From fibromyalgia to cancer (source) to Lyme illness. It is believed that the elevated body temperature inhibits the growth of tumors and immobilizes and kills spirochetes (and possibly other pathogens).
3. Athletic Performance
Human growth hormone, which is essential for muscle repair, insulin management, stronger bones, and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, has been demonstrated to increase in response to near-infrared light. Saunas also boost skeletal muscle blood flow, which keeps muscles nourished and helps them flush out toxins and metabolic waste.
4. Reduce Pain
It has been demonstrated that saunas lessen joint and muscle discomfort. In a randomized, controlled trial, near infrared therapy was proven to improve low back pain by 50% over the course of 6 weeks. The body releases endorphins, which are our natural painkillers, when anti-inflammatory substances like noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol, and growth hormones are released more readily in a sauna. In addition to promoting circulation and collagen formation, NIR light also aids in the repair of muscles and joints.
5. Build Muscle
Use of a near-infrared sauna can aid in muscle growth. One factor contributing to increased muscle growth is the increased secretion of human growth hormone. Heat shock proteins, which function to transport repair proteins, are increased by sauna heat acclimation. These in turn increase protein synthesis and muscle growth while decreasing the amount of protein breakdown. According to one study, heat therapy caused animals' muscular growth to increase by 30%.
6. Cellulite and fat reduction
Regular sauna use can lower total body fat, which is already rather potent. However, it has been demonstrated that near infrared light goes above and beyond that to also reduce cellulite. (source) NIR heat lamps have the advantage of being able to target particular body parts as desired, such as cellulite in the abdomen. NIR light has been shown in other trials to reduce cellulite when used in conjunction with other treatments.
NIR sauna has also been demonstrated to enhance metabolism by inducing the mitochondria to create more ATP (cell energy).
8. Phototherapy and chromotherapy
Some of the warm visible light colors (red, orange, and yellow) found in near infrared light have their own therapeutic properties (called chromotherapy). These soothing hues may improve the function of the lower digestive system. Additionally, it is believed that yellow light stimulates the immunological and lymphatic systems. It is believed that orange light helps the lower body balance (kidneys, spine, digestive tract). Red light is said to enhance vitality and benefit the heart, lungs, bones, and muscles.
Since the body has near infrared photoreceptors but not far infrared photoreceptors, near infrared saunas have the added benefit of phototherapy. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), psoriasis, and a host of other conditions have all been successfully treated using phototherapy.
8. Less costly to own and operate
The fact that near-infrared saunas are just less expensive to acquire and operate cannot be ignored. Who doesn't want to reduce their spending? Because NIR saunas are more "portable" (you can even include a shower into them), they are typically less expensive. and because they operate at a lower temperature than far infrared saunas, require less electricity. Additionally, they are simple and affordable to make at home using infrared light bulbs purchased from a hardware store.
9. Revolving benefits
It's vital to rotate your body every 5 minutes to receive the maximum results from a near-infrared sauna since the concentrated light from one wall of the sauna allows it to penetrate so deeply. Rotating promotes more uniform body heating and perspiration, which improves the removal of toxic stress. Additionally, rotating promotes optimal blood flow across the entire body rather than just on one side. (Rotating every 5 minutes also helps the time pass more quickly while you're in the sauna.)
You then decide... Near-infrared saunas: are they better?
Near-infrared saunas are undoubtedly fantastic for overall health and vigor, with the added advantages of light therapy and skin healing (including the treatment of cellulite.) They are also a perfect substitute for people who are on a tight budget or who cannot remodel their home to make room for a traditional hardwood sauna.
But any type of sauna is preferable to none at all. Overall, saunas have some really amazing advantages. Here are only a few notable examples.
Other advantages of using a sauna
10. You won't get sick (well, pretty much)
Use of saunas can enhance immunological function. Saunas strengthen the lymphatic system, raise white blood cell counts, and promote circulation, making you an all-around germ-fighting machine. Studies from Germany and Finland suggest that saunas can cut the frequency of the common cold and flu by roughly 30%. Flu season, you're done!
11. Guard your brain.
According to a recent study from Finland, where it's common for houses to have personal saunas, males who used their sauna 4–7 times a week for at least 15 minutes experienced a 66% reduction in dementia and a 65% reduction in Alzheimer's disease. WOAH! So use your sauna frequently if you want to keep mentally sharp!
12. Keep on living
Finally, a groundbreaking new study revealed a connection between regular sauna use and a considerable decline in mortality (i.e., an increase in longevity). Among the various advantages, a marked decline in cardiovascular disease and deadly heart attacks was seen. FTW, regular sauna use!
My preferred near infrared sauna is created by SaunaSpace, a company based in the United States. They utilize only the purest and most natural materials—no awful glues, formaldehyde-treated wood, or standard cotton drenched in pesticides—in their sauna, which is why I adore it. I also appreciate how little and "portable" it is, making it perfect for usage in a restroom, closet, or really any place!
