Sauna Therapy for Detoxification

The web is overflowing with products and practices that promise to "detoxify" the body from extreme diets to foot and body wraps to sweating out the toxins. Though some may be relatively harmless, the need to detoxify was disastrous for three participants who died and several others made seriously ill during a sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona last year. The leader of sweat lodge ceremony, self-help guru James Arthur Ray was arrested and charged with three counts of manslaughter.

Some recent publications claim that if you suffer from hypertension, stiff muscles, headaches and multitude of other ailments sauna therapy may be beneficial. Sweating is as vital to our health as eating and breathing. It accomplishes three important things: rids the body of wastes, regulates the temperature of the body and helps keep the skin clear. Antiperspirants, artificial environments, smog, synthetic clothing, and a sedentary lifestyle all work together to clog skin pores and slow down the healthy flow of sweat. Some authors claim that these detrimental effects can be reversed by detoxifying the body through sauna therapy. Nenah Sylver, author of The Holistic Handbook of Sauna claims that during a 15-minute sauna session, sweating can flush out toxic metals such as copper, lead, zinc and mercury which the body absorbs in polluted environments, something that would take the kidneys up to 24 hours. Dr. Nenah also says that sweat also draws out lactic acid which causes stiff muscles and contributes to general fatigue.

Sauna manufacturers and dealers frequently claim that sweating causes weight loss. The promotional material from various companies ranges from reserved to extravagant. The most conservative estimate states that a 20-minute to 30-minute sauna session, providing the person perspires consistently, yields a loss of 200 to 300 calories, an energy expenditure roughly equivalent to running two or three miles. Some doctors assert that all weight lost during a sauna session is from water rather than fat, and that once the bodily fluids are replenished, the weight will immediately return. It is understandable that one might be skeptical of manufacturers’ claims.

A sauna is a small room designed to be heated to very high temperatures, with controlled humidity. The majority of saunas are built of wood. There are two main types of saunas: dry and wet. Wet saunas are usually called steam rooms, and are kept at lower temperatures than dry saunas, usually 100-115 Fahrenheit (37-46 Celsius.) Dry saunas may be kept at much higher temperatures of up to 250 Fahrenheit (121 Celsius.)

The following are general health benefits that are discussed in some of the more recent publications on the subject of sauna therapy:

• relief to patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis
• alleviate pain and improve joint mobility in patients with rheumatic disease
• may reduce the incidence of the common cold, and temporarily relieve the symptoms
• appetite loss and mild depression
• reducing symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis
• clears organic chemicals, solvents, drugs, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals from the body
• Lower blood pressure
• Weight loss
• Relieves stress
• Relaxation.

According to an article at Health Day News, some doctors say the notion that you can or should make a special effort to cleanse the body of impurities is not only not necessary but maybe even dangerous and that the body already takes care of removing toxins with several organs:

• Liver - breaks down and filters substances from the bloodstream that the body can't use
• Kidneys - remove substances such as urea, a byproduct of protein metabolism
• Gastrointestinal tract - gets rid of what the body cannot use and to keep what it needs.

The article claims that the idea of toxins getting stuck in your organs is just a myth and that you should trust your body to cleanse itself and you don’t need special cleansing efforts such as sauna therapy to get rid of toxins. That's not to say sweating, or spending time in a sauna, has no health benefits at all.

If you decide to try sauna therapy note that vomiting, thirst, dizziness, and being uncoordinated or clumsy are all signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat illness is dangerous and should be treated as an emergency. If you become overheated, get to a cool place, drink fluids and seek medical care. People with heart conditions should always talk to their doctor before trying a sweat lodge or sauna.

Alcohol should never be used with a sauna. Spending time in intense heat causes surface capillaries to dilate, lowering blood pressure even further and when mixed with alcohol this can cause lightheadedness or fainting.

When used appropriately saunas can provide an incredible way to relax, temporarily lower blood pressure, socialize, and strengthen the immune system. Dry saunas have become very popular in gyms, and health spas. Always follow the sauna’s posted guidelines for health safety and your experience is sure to be a good one.