It is early morning at the home of doctor and nutrition expert Berit Nordstrand. Before the world comes knocking, she has found her place in the warmth, in her infrared SaunaPod.
"I've become addicted to the sauna's warm well-being," she smiles.
An infrared sauna session has become part of her regular morning routine: a small ritual in which she sweats out foreign substances, eases muscle soreness, collects her thoughts and gives her cells a gentle nudge into action.
Meditative repair
Infrared sauna is nothing new to her, however. Over ten years ago, Berit started with a large, fixed model, and it did not take long before she noticed how good it was for her sleep, mood and recovery.
Today she has switched to a more flexible solution: Radiant Health's portable IR SaunaPod, which can easily be packed away.
"But what's the point of that?" She smiles as she says it. The sauna has in fact become a permanent fixture in her living room, always ready to use.
"I use my IR SaunaPod about five days a week, usually before I shower and have brunch."
After around 40 minutes at 55 degrees, she feels clear-headed, with relaxed muscles and a calmer body. Before the session, she drinks half a litre of water with a little sea salt and lemon juice, or electrolytes, to support both mineral and fluid balance.
"Afterwards I take a shower that finishes a little cool. The contrast between heat and cold gives extra circulation and strengthens stress resilience. I see the sauna as a form of meditative repair. I love it!"
A whole range of health benefits has been demonstrated in a growing number of studies.
"The IR rays penetrate deep through the skin and into the fatty tissue, affecting the body so that it cleanses itself while I sit and enjoy myself. But even though the sweat cleanses, sauna is about more than detoxification. It also brings stress relief, better circulation and cell repair at a deeper level."
Putting out the fire of inner inflammation
Berit Nordstrand is one of the country's most prominent voices on gut health and holistic lifestyle. She is currently promoting her book På lag med magen and the app gutWise, a digital tool for personal lifestyle balance. Here she explains how infrared heat can support overall health, including gut health and the immune system.
"When the body is warmed in an infrared sauna, blood circulation and the oxygen supply to the tissues increase, while you activate heat shock proteins (HSP). These small 'cell repairers' help the body repair damage, reduce oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system."
Regular infrared sauna sessions may help reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation, the silent inflammation that is part of the root cause of many lifestyle diseases. When inflammation settles, the gut lining and gut bacteria are also strengthened. The stress hormone cortisol falls, and you get better blood flow to the digestive organs, which creates better conditions for good gut bacteria and a stronger gut lining.
"IR sauna may therefore help repair leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, as we doctors call the condition. When I talk about 'putting out the fire of inner inflammation', it is about using the whole toolbox: food, sleep, activity, breathing, detoxification and recovery," she explains.
She describes IR sauna as a good tool for strengthening the body's ability to repair itself, and for making us more resilient in the face of everyday stress.
Regular sauna use may reduce health complaints
As a specialist in toxicology, Berit is particularly pleased that sauna bathing may also help detoxify the body.
We are all, to varying degrees, exposed to pollution (toxins): through the air we breathe, through the skin from textiles, detergents, skincare and sunscreen, and through food and drink. Studies of groups with high exposure to toxic substances reported improvements in physical health and fewer health complaints after sauna treatment.
"Regular sauna therapy may play a significant role in reducing health complaints and improving general health among people with high exposure to toxins."
Infrared versus traditional sauna
Berit experiences a big difference between traditional and infrared sauna, both in comfort and in effect.
"The traditional sauna gives a more intense experience of heat, where I can feel discomfort from the strong heat before the sweat starts pouring, unlike in my IR SaunaPod."
She describes the infrared one as gentler, but at the same time more effective.
"I sweat more in my IR sauna than in a traditional sauna, and it is more effective for recovery of sore muscles after exercise."
A calm mind, glowing skin, stronger health
To those considering starting with infrared sauna, she recommends beginning gently, listening to your body and letting it become part of a bigger lifestyle journey.
"It is not just about sweating out, but about giving the body room to recover and renew itself. I like to say: 'Infrared heat gives you a calm mind, glowing skin and stronger health,'" she concludes.
The way forward…
This collaboration grows out of a shared commitment to holistic health and sustainable habits. Together with Berit, Radiant Health wants to highlight the importance of recovery, balance and warmth as a natural part of everyday life.
In the time ahead, Berit will share her personal routines and reflections on infrared heat and lifestyle, with the aim of inspiring more people to take care of their own health in a simple and mindful way.
Text: Trine Dahlman
Source: På lag med magen, Berit Nordstrand, Bonnier Norsk Forlag, Oslo 2025
Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended as general information only. Research on infrared heat and red light therapy is still developing, and individual results may vary. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Contact a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional if you have questions about your own health, diagnosis or treatment.
