Disclaimer

This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Saunas can be dangerous and should be used only after medical clearance from a medical professional.

In the last seventy years production of chemicals has increased sixteen-fold. Seven hundred new chemicals are introduced each year. Estimates are that the top three to four thousand chemicals are produced at more than one million pounds annually. A study done in 2011 determined that virtually all of the subjects tested had measurable levels of several chemicals present, including lead, mercury, toluene, perchlorate, bisphenol A (BPA), and some phthalates, pesticides, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenol ethers (PBDEs). (1) Another study concluded that virtually no person is without some level of toxic metals in their bodies, circulating and accumulating with acute and chronic lifetime exposures. (2)

Human sweat contains many of the toxins mentioned above in higher concentrations than either blood or urine, especially the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, organochlorine pesticides including DDT, DDE, methoxychlor, endrin, and endosulfan sulfate, the plasticizers biphenyl A and phthalates, and the flame retardant PBDE. Our sweat concentrates and excretes many harmful toxins more efficiently than other bodily means of elimination. Indeed, in many cases, chemicals are present in sweat even when they were not detectable in the blood. (3)

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are confirmed or probable carcinogens and they exhibit wide-ranging toxic effects on many bodily systems, including the nervous, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, immunological, and cardiovascular systems. Arsenic sweat excretion was severalfold higher in arsenic-exposed individuals than in unexposed controls. Cadmium was more concentrated in perspiration than in blood plasma. Sweat lead was associated with high-molecular-weight molecules, and in an interventional study, levels were higher with endurance compared with intensive exercise. Mercury levels normalized with repeated saunas in a case report. (2) A 2017 study provides essential baseline evidence for regular induced perspiration as a potential means for therapeutic PBDE elimination. (4) In a 2012 paper, researchers found that biomonitoring of BPA through blood and urine testing may underestimate the total body burden of this potential toxicant. They concluded that sweat analysis is a suitable method for monitoring bioaccumulation of BPA in humans. They also determined that induced sweating is a good method for the elimination of BPA. The same researchers found that MEHP concentration in sweat was more than twice as high as urine levels and concluded that perspiration is useful to facilitate the elimination of some potentially toxic phthalate compounds, including DEHP and MEHP. (5)

Now that we know how good sweating can be for us, how should we go about it? Sweating can be induced by heating the body endogenously through activity, or exogenously trapping body heat or by exposure to natural or artificial heat. Heat radiation is transferred by far infra-red electromagnetic radiation. Simply put, red light invisible to the naked eye is the way heat is transferred. Far Infra-red light is the part of the spectrum that ranges from 3000 nm to .1 mm wavelengths. When far infra-red wavelengths of light encounter the body, they penetrate almost 3 inches and transfer heat to warm the body. When the body heats up, perspiration occurs. Near infrared light is a different wavelength and should not be confused with far infrared light. It has many benefits that you can read about in my previous post here.

Far infrared saunas are now widely available for home use at an affordable price. Other than their practical portable nature, they have the advantage over traditional saunas in that they heat the body more than the air. Conventional saunas heat the air, and the hot air meeting the skin heats the body. Far infrared light directly and deeply penetrates the tissues and heats up the core body temperature. As a result, the air is not as hot, making it easier to breathe and allowing you to stay in longer and work up a better sweat. For this reason, they are more comfortable and safer. Models are available that are affordable, easy to assemble, are made of non-toxic materials, and are don’t emit dirty EMF.

Besides detoxifying the body, studies also that saunas help in normalizing blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure and improving chronic pain. (6) Sitting in a sauna has effects akin to mild exercise. The heart gets a gentle workout while the heat of the sauna dilates the capillaries and improves blood flow. (7) Improvements in chronic fatigue syndrome have been reported in one small study, (8) and enhanced recovery from strength and endurance training in another study. (9)

I had toxic levels of mercury in my body from removing mercury-containing fillings for years without taking proper precautions. I initially tried to rid of it by chelation therapy. Chelation of mercury involves potent drugs that grab onto the mercury, which is then excreted in the urine. I felt terrible each time I did it, which was every two weeks. I did my research and found that saunas were a great way to lower mercury levels without the side effects. I had my levels of mercury tested after a year of using my sauna daily, and they were healthy.

The unit I have is made by High Tech Health, and I have had it for almost 15 years. If you are in the market after reading this post, I would recommend purchasing one, whether it is from High Tech Health or another reputable manufacturer. Look for quality, affordability, ease of assembly, non-toxic components, and EMF shielding. I use mine for thirty minutes per day, ramping the temperature up to 150 degrees. Although they are generally safe, you should consult with your healthcare professional before purchasing one. Rehydration after heavy perspiration is critical; not to do so can be unhealthy and dangerous. A useful resource for additional information is the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists.

The major source of mercury for us is from our mercury-containing amalgam fillings. They must be removed safely prior to successful detoxification can occur. I am trained in the SMART Technique of safe mercury removal. I frequently recommend the use of saunas to my patients concerned with mercury toxicity, especially if they do not want to do chelation therapy. If you are looking for a SMART trained dentist near you, you can find one on the IAOMT website.