Thoroughly Researched
The Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy
by Jenna Greenfield MD
Far infrared sauna benefits are amazing! Here at High Tech Health, we pride ourselves on thoroughly researching and understanding the science behind everything we say and do. Every claim we make on these pages is backed by a scientific reference. We invite you to read about the many far infrared sauna benefits below, with links to the studies that have proven them.
We feel it is important to note that these are proven far infrared sauna benefits.
There are other kinds of saunas, such as so called full-spectrum saunas, that use near or mid infrared. There has never been a peer-reviewed study done on the use of near infrared in a sauna. Many other companies have added near infrared to their saunas, and are making claims for which there is no evidence. In fact, there is a great deal of evidence for harmful effects from near infrared.
It is also important to buy a low EMF sauna.
What is EMF? EMF are electric and magnetic fields. EMF mitigation is very important in an infrared sauna. If a sauna company does not mention the electric field component on their website or in an EMF report, it is likely because they have very high electric fields. EMFs have been shown to have many risks that take away from far infrared sauna benefits. High Tech Health’s infrared sauna heaters have both electric and magnetic field mitigation, and you can easily see the results of that in our third-party EMF report.
We are all exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals on a daily basis. Many toxins are found in virtually 100% of blood and/or fat samples in the population. These toxins cause cellular and DNA damage, damage to the nervous system and brain, increase your risk of dementia, disrupt the endocrine system, and cause altered metabolism and obesity. Toxins have been proven to be excreted in the sweat, even when levels are undetectable in the blood, proving that our body uses sweat to actively rid itself of these toxins.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in high income countries including the United States. Virtually all adults have some degree of heart disease. Cardiovascular far infrared sauna benefits have been looked at in dozens of studies. Far infrared sauna therapy has been shown to have positive effects on blood pressure, heart disease, and one large study found that frequent sauna users had a lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes compared to non sauna users.
Far infrared sauna benefits include improved fitness! Far infrared saunas have been shown to increase exercise tolerance, speed muscle recovery, and promote muscle growth. They also increase metabolism and rid the body of toxins that promote obesity, promoting weight loss. They have been shown to increase the results of exercise, so that when a far infrared sauna after workout is used in conjunction exercise, you will see better results faster!
Far infrared sauna use has been shown to benefit pain and inflammation. Nearly every disease is either caused by, or worsened by, inflammation. Anti-inflammatory benefits can improve the symptoms of virtually every chronic disease. Specifically, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and fibromyalgia have been studied and subjects showed significantly improved with far infrared sauna use.
The leading causes of mortality in high income countries are heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer (4). These are diseases of aging, all resulting from the accumulation of damage to our proteins, cells, and tissues over time due to oxidative stress. Far infrared sauna use has been shown at the cellular level to reduce oxidative damage, and in one study to restore cell viability in damaged cells (5-7).
Far infrared sauna use benefits brain cell health and mental health. Not only have far infrared saunas been shown to improve mood, but one large study found that frequent sauna users had a significantly lower incidence of dementia compared to non sauna users. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, and is seen in 33% of people over the age of 85 (1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Alzheimer’s disease is now the third leading cause of mortality in high income countries including the United States (2). A large long term study found that the frequency of sauna use is inversely related to the risk of developing dementia, and showed as much as a 66% lower incidence of dementia risk in frequent sauna users (3)!
Heat therapy, and sauna use, has been shown to boost the immune system and increase our resistance to infections. Regular sauna users have an up to 44% reduced risk of pneumonia!
Skin Benefits
Far infrared sauna benefits include suppressed skin aging, improved water-holding capacity, improved circulation, and faster healing. Click on the below links to go directly to the published studies.
Far-infrared suppresses skin photoaging
Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity
Effect of far-infrared therapy on increasing skin microcirculation
Improved Allergy Symptoms
Far infrared sauna therapy was shown to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or “seasonal allergies”.
Clinical effects of far-infrared therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis
Lowered Risk of Complications from Diabetes
Far infrared sauna therapy has many benefits and positive effects in diabetes, including decreased inflammation, improved cardiovascular health, and circulation, three areas which are affected most by diabetes. Far infrared has been shown to protect blood vessels from damage by high sugar levels, as well as promote new blood vessel growth.
Far-infrared protects vascular endothelial cells from injury in diabetic mice
Far infra-red therapy promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetic mice
Increased Antioxidants
Far infrared sauna therapy has been shown to increase the body’s natural antioxidants, protecting us against oxidative damage, which is the main cause of disease and aging.
The influence of general infrared sauna on the antioxidant systems in the blood