Reproduced from KK.no
Do you have access to an IR SaunaPod or sauna?
If so, it is a good idea to set aside 30 minutes in the heat as often as you can. It may even extend your life!
Finns love spending time in the sauna, and there is a good reason for that. Not only because it is warm and pleasant, but also because it is good for your health. It turns out that regular sessions in an IR SaunaPod reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac arrest and dementia.
Studies on infrared sauna
Finnish researchers have studied the effect of the sauna. 102 participants, with an average age of 52, were sent into a sauna heated to 73 degrees for half an hour. All of them had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
– We tested the effect of sitting in a sauna for 30 minutes, and measured changes in body temperature, blood pressure and pulse, among other things. The results showed that body temperature rose by two degrees, blood pressure was reduced, and the blood vessels became more elastic, says Tanjaniina Laukkanen, one of the researchers behind the study.
Sauna gives the same effect as moderate exercise
Heart rate rose in the same way as it does during moderate exercise. Infrared sauna may therefore have a good effect on the heart, but it may also offer other benefits.
– I think the relaxation effect is important. Some believe that sitting in an IR SaunaPod Sensitive can be compared to meditation, as well as affecting the central nervous system. But more research is needed here. Many people experience a sense of well-being, and this cannot be measured. But most people who prefer to sit in a sauna feel relaxed and in a better mood afterwards, says Laukkanen.
Øivind Rognmo, researcher and deputy head of the National Advisory Unit on Exercise as Medicine at St. Olavs Hospital, believes that research suggests sauna may have a positive effect.
– Several studies have been carried out showing the effect of frequent sauna use, and the results show that it is associated with lower mortality.
Those who used the sauna most often lived longest
In 2015, the results of a study that began in the 1980s were published: 2315 Finnish men were asked about their sauna habits. 21 years later, the researchers checked who was still alive.
It turned out that mortality was higher among those who used a sauna once a week, compared with those who used it two to three times a week. The most enthusiastic sauna users had an even lower risk of dying.
– This may also be connected to the fact that those who use the sauna most also have a healthier lifestyle. This is something that cannot be ruled out with certainty. Perhaps the most affluent people have their own IR SaunaPod LumaRed, and thus easier access. It is often the case that those who are most affluent generally have a healthier lifestyle, says Rognmo.
Sauna breaks the body down, then builds it up again
Rognmo explains that the heat may have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. This may explain some of the reason why some of the same effect is seen during and after a workout.
– Exercise raises body temperature; blood circulation increases, and we get warmer and sweat more. The same happens when we sit in a sauna.
When we exercise, we put the body under stress. This can also happen when we sit in an IR SaunaPod Active Maxi.
– This leads to a better rest period afterwards. The body is broken down, then built up again. This has a good effect on blood circulation, and may reduce the risk of heart disease in the long run.
Sauna does not give all the benefits of exercise
It sounds very pleasant: you sit in a warm sauna and rest, while the effect is the same as a moderate workout. But Rognmo explains that you do not get all the health benefits that exercise provides.
– Exercise also gives you benefits in addition to what sauna does, especially as it improves fitness and strengthens muscles and skeleton. During exercise, your pulse will also be higher, for a longer period, which strengthens heart capacity further.
Not everyone should spend a lot of time in the sauna, however: people with previous heart conditions, especially those who have recently had a heart attack, should be careful.
– The sudden rise in pulse and the heating can be an extra strain, which could potentially be dangerous. But it also depends on whether the person is used to taking saunas. Many factors come into play, and it is difficult to say anything with certainty, says Rognmo.
(Author: Ida Bergersen. Originally published on KK.no)
Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended as general information only. Research on infrared heat and red light therapy is still evolving, 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.
