People have been enjoying the therapeutic effects of saunas since ancient times. Nearly every culture has its version of a sauna, including the Finnish sauna, Russian bania, Turkish hammam, Korean kiln sauna and American Indian sweat lodge. Saunas help loosen up the muscles, relax the mind and cleanse the pores, but are saunas really an effective method of detoxification?
Toxins
In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study of more than 2,000 participants. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, results showed evidence of approximately 60 toxic compounds in participants' urine and blood. As attention to the increased toxicity of our environment and its toll on our bodies has increased, many individuals are on a quest for a legitimate detoxification program. Sweating in a sauna is a peaceful alternative to the many detox programs available in the forms of liquids, powders, tablets and diets, all of which promise to rid the body of toxic elements.
The Theory Behind Saunas and Toxins
The theory is that heat from saunas stimulates sweat and opens the pores, through which toxins escape. Toxins cling to fat cells, and heat helps dislodge the toxins from these cells through sweating. Sweating then rinses away chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals. But there is no medical or scientific evidence available to back up this speculation.
Medical Opinions
The majority of health care professionals maintain that sweating is the body's way of cooling down, not a means of toxic elimination. In a Los Angeles Times article that discussed the effectiveness of infrared saunas, Donald Smith, a professor of environmental toxicology at UC Santa Cruz, claims sweating eliminates less than 1 percent of toxins and most certainly will not purge metals such as mercury or lead. His assertion is supported by Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, a professor of dermatology at St. Louis University and founder of the International Hyperhidrosis Society, a medical group dedicated to the study and treatment of heavy sweating. Glaser agrees that sweating does not release a significant amount of toxins from the body.
Sauna Safety
Regardless of whether sweating does promote detoxification, many people claim their skin looks smooth and vibrant and they feel more physically relaxed and refreshed after a day of sauna therapy. But there are some health precautions to consider before spending a day sweating it all out.
Dehydration can complicate proper kidney functioning, so it is extremely important to drink at least 8 oz. of water for every 15 minutes of sauna time. Continue to drink water after you have been in the sauna.
Although dry saunas have the tendency to exacerbate upper respiratory conditions or colds, the hot steamy air of a sauna is particularly good for the respiratory tract. The University of Oulu, Finland, conducted a study that was published in the February 2001 issue of the American Journal of Medicine that indicates that sauna bathing relieved the symptoms of asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Some health conditions are exacerbated by prolonged exposure to heat. People with cardiovascular problems or asthma should consult a physician before using a sauna. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) warns pregnant women to avoid saunas; temperatures of 101 degrees F and above can lead to birth defects.
Seal the Deal
Health care practitioners suggest taking a cool shower or bath after sitting in the sauna in order to close pores and stabilize body temperature. Many spas have a cold room that is refreshing to sit in for 10 minutes after a sauna treatment. Guzzle that water and relax.
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