Sharpen Your Brain with More Blood Flow
Saunas help open blood vessels. This allows more blood to nourish and detoxify brain cells.4 Saunas are even shown to reverse the cardiovascular disease that leads to strokes and heart attacks. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that infrared saunas help open arteries and improve blood flow. 15 minutes in an infrared sauna each day for 14 days was shown to boost artery function by 40%.5 These benefits can help you significantly reduce the risk of dementia caused by strokes.Grow New Brain Cells
Research also shows that saunas may help revitalize aging neurons and even grow new brain cells. Heat from saunas is shown to stimulate the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor).6,7 BDNF is a powerful growth hormone that researchers call “Miracle-GRO® for brain cells.” Other than eating right and getting enough exercise, it’s hard to think of any other thing that gives you so many health and longevity benefits as a sauna. Unlike diet and exercise, you don’t need boring workouts or self-denial. While you're revitalizing your brain, your entire body gets many other benefits.Lose Your Belly, Keep Your Brain
People who are overweight have a 3.5 times greater risk of dementia, according to a 30-year study published in Neurology.8,9 In other words, lose weight and you’ll significantly boost your odds of keeping your memory sharp your whole life. But dieting and exercise are hard. What if there were an easier way to burn fat and calories? Infrared saunas have been clinically shown to dramatically aid in weight loss. A 2009 study showed that infrared saunas provide significant results in lowering weight and waist circumference after just three months of use. And for those who are sedentary due to medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular or respiratory problems, results were even more profound.10Burn up to 600 Calories While Sitting Still!
According to information published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, infrared sauna sessions were shown to burn upwards of 600 calories. During a sauna weight loss session, your core temperature increases and your body works hard to cool itself. While using an infrared sauna, there is a substantial increase in blood flow, heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories.11 You can try an infrared sauna at a local health club, spa, or massage therapist. A typical fee is $30-$45 per 30-minute session. I also recommend purchasing one yourself. (It’s always important to talk to your physician before beginning sauna therapy.) I have an infrared sauna in my home, and it’s one of the best purchases I ever made. It’s especially nice during the winter months if you live in a cold climate. An excellent, cutting-edge manufacturer is Sunlighten, offering clinically backed 3-in-1 infrared and full-spectrum saunas with a simple plug-and-heat design for easy home installation. Visit their website or call 1-877-292-0020 x1 . Another reputable (albeit more expensive) brand is TheraSauna. Infrared saunas, with their myriad health benefits, are definitely an at-home therapy option worth checking out.- Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged Finnish men. Age and Ageing, December 2016 DOI:
- https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/health-centers/aging-gracefully/can-saunas-help-prevent-dementia/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201612/frequent-sauna-use-may-reduce-risk-dementia-study-finds
- J Sci Med Sport. 2007 Aug;10(4):259-62. Epub 2006 Jul 31.
- Dr. MasakazuImamura, MD, et al. Repeated Thermal Therapy Improves Impaired Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients With Coronary Risk Factors. Vol. 38, No. 4, 2001. Journal of American College of Cardiology: pp 1083-1088.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21385602
- https://www.jneurosci.org/content/26/15/3899.long
- https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/does-obesity-increase-dementia-risk
- Whitmer RA, Gustafson DR, Barrett-Connor E et al. (2008) Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later (PDF).Neurology 71, 1057-1064.
- Dr. Richard Beever BSc, MD, CCFP. Do Far-Infrared Saunas have Measurable Health Benefits? A Sequential Longitudinal Interrupted Time Series Design Study. 2009. Dr. Richard Beever BSc, MD, CCFP. Do Far-Infrared Saunas have Cardiovascular Benefits in People with Type 2 Diabetes? Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2010; 34 (2) :113 - 118. https://www.canadianjournalofdiabetes.com/article/S1499-2671(10)42007-9/pdf
- JAMA. The Journal of the American Medical Assn. 1981;246(6):623. doi:10.1001/jama.1981.03320060027013
