Infrared therapy uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat which is absorbed by the surface of the skin. Saunas heat the body primarily by conduction and convection from the heated air and by radiation of the heated surfaces in the sauna room. Because of this, infrared therapy is not considered a sauna by Finnish sauna societies. Although infrared therapy has been advertised to provide a wide range of health benefits, such as detoxification, there is no scientific evidence backing these claims.
Video Infrared sauna
Effects
Arthritis
A study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis showed a reduction in pain, stiffness and fatigue during infrared therapy, but since results from the study did not reach statistical significance there is no clear or certain relationship between reducing symptoms and using infrared therapy.
Toxins
"Toxins" and "toxicity" are general terms used in alternative health to cover a wide range of substances from petrochemicals to heavy metals, which are excreted in very small quantities (less than 1%) while sweating. More than 99% of detoxification in the human body occurs in the kidneys and liver, hence, inducing sweat production via high temperatures does not enhance detoxification. In addition to that, the composition of sweat is mostly water, as the physiological purpose of sweating is to lower the body temperature in order to maintain homeostasis. Therefore, prolonged sweating induced by IR therapy can result in dehydration. Proponents of FIR sweating claim a toxin content of up to 15% vs. conventional sweating, however there is no evidence supporting this claim.
Energy expenditure and weight loss
Some infrared therapy proponents claim that the IR is an effective method for considerably raising the rate of energy expenditure in the body. Proponents typically quote the Journal of the American Medical Association stating: "A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in an infrared room, consuming nearly 300 kcal, which is equivalent to running 2-3 miles. A heat-conditioned person can easily sweat off 600-800 kcal with no adverse effects. While the weight of the water loss can be regained by drinking water, the calories consumed will not be." However, this conclusion drew significant criticism, as it would imply that individuals living in warm climates, where liters of sweat are generated per day, would require hundreds or thousands of additional kilocalories to survive, which is known not be the case.
Maps Infrared sauna
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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