Exercising is hard work, so it's easy to be lured by the idea of sweating off the weight you want to lose. Saunas have been promoted as an easy and fast way to drop the pounds, but unfortunately this method won't deliver. What seems like a change in weight after sweating it out in a sauna is actually just water loss which is quickly replaced by drinking fluids.
Misconceptions
Many people try using saunas regularly in order to lose weight. The idea behind this method is that the high temperatures will cause profuse sweating, which in turn burn calories and fat. However, experts agree that saunas are not an effective method for weight loss. Dr. E. Wayne Askew, director of the Division of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Utah College of Health asserts that sauna use dehydrates the body so that any weight loss actually results from water loss. According to UAB Medicine, this change in weight is immediately reversed once the person hydrates their body by drinking fluids. Dr. Askew even suggests that saunas may inhibit a person's ability to lose weight since serious dehydration can slow metabolic rates.
Effects
Sauna use can have both positive and negative effects on the body. The heat therapy from saunas may help to relieve chronic pain or simply to relax the body and mind. However, overuse of saunas can also cause a tired, weak feeling that may lead to dizziness, nausea or chills. For safety purposes, saunas should not be used for more than 15 minutes at a time, says UAB Medicine.
Warning
Military.com explains that using saunas for weight loss can be extremely dangerous. Some of the more serious health risks that may arise from misuse of saunas include heat stroke, cardiovascular emergencies or electrolyte loss resulting in kidney damage. The National Collegiate Athletic Association also reports that the rapid dehydration that may occur from using saunas for weight loss could potentially lead to death. This is especially important information for athletes, such as wrestlers and boxers who attempt to shed pounds quickly in order to make a lower weight class.
Considerations
Only healthy adults are advised to use saunas. Older adults, children, pregnant women and those who suffer from serious heart conditions are among the groups who are considered unfit for sauna use, says UAB Medicine. Those who take prescription medications regularly should receive approval from a doctor before using a sauna.
Potential
Many studies have been conducted to explore the potential health benefits of sauna use. According to AltMed, some of the areas where health may improve as a result of sauna use include blood pressure, heart performance, exercise tolerance, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. Sauna users should be aware that these benefits, though supported by clinical evidence, have not yet been confirmed.
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