High levels of toxins in the body have been linked to all kinds of health issues, from Crohn’s disease to certain types of cancer.
Are you interested in reducing your toxic load? If so, including regular sauna usage in your routine is a great option.
How does a sauna help sweat out toxins? Read on to find out.
Toxic Load: The Basics
The term “toxic load” refers to all of the toxins and chemicals that accumulate in the body over time. Some of them enter the body through the food and beverages we consume. Others enter through the skin via personal care products or are inhaled via household cleaners.
The body is equipped with natural detoxifying organs (such as the liver, kidneys, and skin) as well as processes (like sweating and urinating) that eliminate the majority of these toxins. However, when a person’s toxic load becomes too much for the body to handle, they may be more prone to certain types of illnesses, including those mentioned earlier in this guide.
A 2016 study looked at 45 chemicals derived from consumer products like household cleaners and beauty products. The researchers found that these chemicals were linked to serious health hazards like cancer, as well as endocrine disruption and reproductive health issues.
Do Saunas Get Rid of Toxins?
Regularly spending time in a sauna or infrared sauna blanket is a great way to reduce your body’s toxic load.
Saunas increase the body temperature and cause you to sweat more than usual. This, in turn, helps to purge the body of toxins and ensures that all of your organs and organ systems work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Types of Toxins Released
What kinds of toxins will your body get rid of when you’re in the sauna? The following are some of the most well-known ones:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Aluminum
- Phthalates
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Pesticides
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Spending time in a sauna or infrared sauna blanketcan also help your body to more efficiently eliminate toxic chemicals absorbed from secondhand smoke or polluted water.
Infrared Saunas and Toxin Release
Infrared saunas (sometimes known as IR saunas) like the Clearlight Sauna by Jacuzzi or infrared sauna blankets are particularly beneficial when it comes to reducing toxic load.
An infrared sauna is unique because it penetrates more deeply than a traditional sauna.
Infrared saunas use infrared light wavelengths which both heat the skin and warm the body from the inside out. This is more effective than a traditional sauna and helps your body temperature to rise more quickly -- even though the average temperature of an infrared sauna is actually lower than that of a regular sauna.
How Do You Sweat Out Toxins in a Sauna?
After learning more about the benefits of a sauna and toxins released during a typical session, are you more interested in including sauna usage in your routine? If so, here are some tips that will help you to see the greatest benefits from your sauna sessions:
Choose the Right Sauna
If you belong to a gym, you may be able to use a public sauna to sweat out toxins and reduce your body’s toxic load.
If this isn’t an option for you -- or if you simply don’t want to drive to the gym every time you want to sit in the sauna -- consider investing in one for your home. There are lots of energy-efficient, high-quality saunas that you can set up in any part of your house and start using right away.
Adjust the Temperature
If you have a traditional sauna, the average temperature that most users prefer is between 150 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit. For an infrared sauna, the average temperature is between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
These temperature ranges will help you to break a sweat and ee the best results. Start on the lower end of the spectrum if you’re new, though, so you don’t overheat or become dehydrated.
Start with a Short Session
For those who are new to using the sauna, start by sending just 5 or 10 minutes inside. You’ll likely start to sweat pretty soon after you sit down, and you won’t need to stay in there very long before you start to notice some changes.
Over time, you can work your way up to 20-minute sessions, but there’s no need to bite off more than you can chew right away.
Be Consistent
You’ll see the best results from your sauna usage -- particularly when it comes to reducing your toxic load and improving your overall health -- when you spend time in it regularly.
Aim to use the sauna at least a few times per week. After a few weeks or months, it will be even better if you can work your way up to using it every day, though.
Get Hydrated
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session.
You’re going to sweat a lot while you’re inside, and this is a good thing because you’re releasing toxins as you sweat. At the same time, though, you’re also losing fluids and electrolytes that your body needs to function properly.
You need to replenish those with fresh water (perhaps with an electrolyte powder mixed in) to avoid dehydration.
Sit Back and Relax
Resist the urge to do anything extra while you’re in the sauna.
There’s no need to work out or move around a lot while you’re sitting in there. Use it as a time to relax and reflect; otherwise, you might overwork yourself and become dehydrated.
Can You Sweat Out Toxins in a Sauna? Yes!
Now that you know more about the benefits of an IR sauna and how it can help you to sweat out all the toxins you’re exposed to each day, are you ready to give one a try?
An in-home infrared sauna is a perfect tool for releasing toxins and improving your health inside and out.
Sun Home Saunas offers a wide range of saunas, including infrared and dry saunas and infrared sauna blankets that are easy to set up and start using in your home. Check out our online store today to learn more.
