Study finds increase muscle oxygenation after sauna use.
“Whole body muscle oxygenation and kcal expended per minute increased 8.1% and 20.1% from baseline, respectively. At the same time, cardiac output (+10.2%), systemic vascular resistance (-13.9%), and heart rate (+12.6%) significantly changed across the measurements periods compared to baseline. These combined results show that FIR had a measurable positive effect on both cardiovascular function and metabolic thermogenic responses leading to enhanced body oxygenation and regional blood flow to allow whole body thermoregulatory cooling. Not presented in the graphs above was a similar respiratory whole body response showing ventilation increasing 20%, tidal volume increasing 29.6% with a lower respiratory frequency of 13.1%. These data suggest that during the FIR trial intervention, the subject was breathing more deeply and provide an enhance oxygen exchange at lung and pulmonary capillary. Thus, leading to a more efficient breathing and oxygen exchange pattern that would be similar a deeper meditation like breathing response despite the high thermal stress load on the body.” Download the report

Study of far infrared’s effects at a cellular level finds that far infrared resonates with the cells more than near infrared. (1) Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications.

Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant-induced and other chronic health problems.

“Evidence suggests that sauna therapy is an effective and underutilized treatment for a variety of cardiovascular problems. Mechanistically, sauna therapy increases vasodilation, possibly through increased production of nitric oxide, and enhances left ventricular ejection fraction.” (2)

Far-infrared therapy: a novel treatment to improve access blood flow and unassisted patency of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients. Lin CC, Chang CF, Lai MY, Chen TW, Lee PC, Yang WC. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Mar;18(3):985-92. Pub 2007 Jan 31. (4)

Visit our saunas and cardiovascular health page to learn more heart health benefits of sauna use.

“Finnish saunas decrease pulmonary congestion and increase forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). (11)(12) Research indicates sauna therapy can help respiration in patients with asthma and bronchitis; however, saunas should not be used during the acute phase of a respiratory infection. Regular Finnish sauna therapy improved lung function in a group of 12 men from the Netherlands with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These men did not experience adverse effects from the sauna, had significant improvements in FEV1 and FVC, and reported that they did not have to expend as much effort to breathe.” (2)

Heat shock proteins and their effect on viral infections

Study on heat shock proteins(HSP) and viral infections “Thus, HSPs and particularly HSP70 can enhance the development of innate and adaptive immune responses against infecting agents (Oglesbee, Pratt, & Carsillo, 2002).” (5) Can the hyperthermia‐mediated heat shock factor/heat shock protein 70 pathway dampen the cytokine storm during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection?

Colds

“Having a Finnish sauna session twice weekly for six months reduced the incidence of the common cold by 50 percent during months 4-6 of the protocol.” (2)