Should the sauna be your next health tool?!!
Hey there science enthusiasts and health buffs! Welcome to the very first Kickback Science newsletter. Thank you for subscribing! Today’s topic is going to get a little heated.. and it might have you sweating... That’s right - the SAUNA! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the dad-joke opportunity)
Who would’ve thought that sitting in a hot wooden box half naked with a bunch of strangers would provide so many health benefits?! Well, it turns out, the sauna really is a powerhouse of health tools.
The interesting thing about using the sauna is that we see what’s called a “dose-response relationship”. which essentially means: the more you sauna, the more health outcomes you will receive! The benefits are incredible, and they include reduced blood pressure, lower risk of diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and more! It improves sleep quality, exercise performance, mood, recovery, and blood volume. YOU NAME IT and the sauna can do it! And the best part?!! ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SIT THERE!!
Interestingly, there seems to be a lot more hype surrounding cold exposure and the benefits that we get from hopping in an ice bath. But when you look into the research on cold exposure, you see that it is NOT NEARLY as effective at improving your health as the sauna is. Not only that, but cold exposure actually has NEGATIVE health impacts (reduced strength, impaired protein synthesis, and muscle growth, just to name a few). Our podcast episode on cold exposure will be coming out soon!
If you have access to a sauna, go give it a shot! Start with as little as 5 minutes, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can work your way up. The research suggests that the greatest benefits come after 19 minutes of heat exposure, but you’ll still see benefit at shorter durations. REMEMBER to always consult your physician when starting a new wellness adventure, such as the sauna.
Go listen to episode #1 of our Kickback Science podcast where we talk about all the benefits of the sauna, steam room, hot tub, and red light sauna. Oh and don’t forget to LIVE LONG AND HEALTHY!!!
-Dr. Luke
