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What is the Best Time of Year to Purchase a Sauna? A Guide to Seasonally Timing Your Sauna Purchase

By Saunas.org - Kat | | Frequently Asked Questions, Sauna Pricing, Sauna Shopping, saunas.org

Most folks will turn their attention to the purchase of a sauna when temperatures start to drop, and the thought of a cozy and warm cabin structure feels inviting. While it is true that there is nothing quite like stepping into a warm sauna on a cold winter night, this may not be the best time of year to purchase your sauna. Whether you are purchasing a sauna for your business, clinic, or home, there is definitely a sauna shopping season that will benefit the consumer. 

Many businesses will offer holiday sale prices, such as Black Friday specials, but it may surprise you to find out that the optimal time of year to purchase your sauna is actually in late spring and early summer. Unless you plan to build a custom sauna from raw materials, then you will be purchasing a prefabricated sauna that will be delivered to you and can be easily assembled in your space. Just like the renewal that nature goes through in the spring, most saunas come fresh off the press in late spring and early summer due to the process used to dry the wood for the sauna. 

Even if you are not feeling like taking a sauna as the temperatures rise and the days become longer, it is well worth preparing yourself early when it comes to sauna shopping if you want to get the best sauna for your needs. 

Whether you have your heart set on an outdoor barrel sauna, a traditional Finnish sauna, or an infrared sauna, you will have the greatest selection of saunas to fit your size requirements, aesthetic tastes, as well as your health goals during the spring and early summer.

Spring into Summer With a Wide Selection of Saunas

  • Indoor/Outdoor
  • Traditional/Infrared Red
  • Floor Space Lay Out
  • Wood Type
  • Special Accessories (Himalayan Salt, Chromotherapy, Touch Pad, and more)

There is a lot to consider when you are purchasing a sauna: From the space that you have available, your specific health needs, the type of heat source, as well as individual preferences in wood type and cabin shape. Once you have decided the type of sauna that you would like to purchase, either a traditional or infrared sauna (this is often based on health needs or restrictions), then you will need to decide where you will be placing your sauna. 

This means measuring the dimensions of the space that you have available, and finding a sauna that will fit into this space. If you choose to place your sauna outside, then you will most likely need an outdoor specific sauna. There are a few exceptions to this rule if you have a covered and very well protected area such as an enclosed veranda, gazebo, or other area where the sauna can live and still be protected from rain and snow. 

If you decide on an outdoor sauna then you will have the option to purchase a barrel sauna which is best suited for climates with significant snowfall, or an outdoor sauna that is well insulated with a peaked roof. 

If you or someone you love is wheelchair bound, then you will want to make sure that you get an FDA approved sauna that has an entryway large enough to accommodate the wheel chair, as well as space inside the sauna for the chair.

If you plan to exercise while you sauna, for example: practice yoga or ride your stationary bike or simply do your abdominal routine inside the sauna, then you will want to have a sauna with removable benches to accommodate more activity. 

Finally, if you decide that you would like to have a sauna that includes both near and far infrared light panels rather than just far infrared light then you will need to make sure that this option is available to you when you go to make your purchase. 

For many individuals living with auto-immune disorders or other mitochondrial related diseases, then you will likely want to make sure that you include near infrared panels in  your sauna.

So, why is it relevant to mention all of the myriad of choices available when purchasing a sauna? It is important because you want to make sure that the type and size of sauna that you need is available when it comes time to purchase your sauna. 

Sauna companies will have the least stock available during the coldest months of the year as many consumers make the choice to purchase saunas at this time. This means that selections will be scarce, especially toward the end of winter. 

If you want to make sure that you make the right sauna investment for you, then consider purchasing your sauna in the late spring or early summer when the most amount of saunas are available to choose from. 

Buying a sauna is not a small purchase, but rather, it is an investment into your health and overall being. Even very small saunas will set you back by $2,000+, so when making a sauna purchase it is best to approach it as if you were buying a vehicle or other large investment. If you are going to put down several thousand dollars on a sauna, be sure you are purchasing the one you really want and need. 

How to Store your Sauna Before Assembly?

If you decide to purchase your sauna when stock is at its highest, and you are therefore able to get the sauna that you truly want, but are not ready to assemble it because of construction or other variables, then rest assured it is easy to store your sauna. 

Your sauna will arrive to you, typically on an oversized pallet in 3-5 separate boxes. The boxes will be long, but narrow. This means that if you have a garage that is dry, or a basement, or outdoor shed, it is pretty easy to slide your sauna boxes into a narrow, but long storage space until you are ready to assemble your sauna. By purchasing your sauna earlier than you may need it, you will be sure to get the sauna you want even if you are not ready to assemble it right away. 

Unfortunately, if you miss out on purchasing the sauna that you want and need, it can take anywhere from 2-6 months for it to be restocked and available for purchase again. It is almost always better to buy your sauna early even if you do not plan to use it right away. 

The Early Bird Gets The Worm: Buy Early, Assemble Later

In the world of saunas, the time of year when you are least inclined to get into a sauna is probably the best time of year to purchase your sauna. If possible, once you know the details of what you are looking for in a sauna, then you will want to make sure that you purchase your sauna at a time of year when saunas are generally fully stocked. 

Under most circumstances, late spring and early summer is the best time of year to purchase your sauna to ensure you get the best sauna for you. You want to get into a position where you are not desperate to get any sauna and therefore, end up with one that you do not particularly want. 

Be sure to take your time in deciding what type of sauna will best serve your health needs as well as your space requirements. Once this has been decided and you find the sauna that you like, if it is available and in stock then it is best to purchase it, and store it in your home or on your property even if you are not ready to assemble the sauna yet. 

The sauna market is at an all time high, and saunas sell quickly! Like so many things in life: The Early Bird Usually Gets the Worm!

*** If you are trying to decide what type of sauna would benefit you the most, then it may be worth reading the articles below, or simply give us a call for a free consultation:

Full Spectrum  Versus Far Infrared

https://saunas.org/far-infrared-light-near-infrared-light-full-spectrum-saunas/

Traditional Saunas Versus Infrared Saunas

https://saunas.org/radiant-heat-temperature-saua/

Why Salt Walls May Benefit Health

https://saunas.org/benefits-of-having-salt-in-a-sauna/

General Research & Studies on the Health Benefits of Saunas

https://saunas.org/benefits-and-research/

Why is the Temperature of an Infrared Sauna Lower Than a Traditional Sauna?

By Saunas.org - Kat | | First Responders, Health Benefits, Healthspan, Heat Shock Proteins, Hormesis, Radiant Heat Vs. Convection Heat, Stress response

The wellness community and industry are reaching an all time high in popularity as an increasing number of individuals have decided to take full responsibility for their own health. As a result of the mainstream popularization of modalities that used to be relegated to the ranks of alternative medicine, many health claims are made by click bait articles and amateur savants. Included in this, sometimes, is a tangled web of ‘facts’ and ‘research’ pertaining to the medicine behind the mechanism of sauna therapy. 

At the time of writing, there are 12,000+ peer reviewed journals published by the National Library of Medicine that examine how and why saunas have the potential to have such a positive impact on your health. Unless your primary work is to research the benefits of sauna use on human physiology, then it is doubtful that anyone will have the time to go through the research first-hand and truly understand the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of sauna therapy. 

Understanding the similarities, differences, and idiosyncrasies of the most popular forms of sauna therapy requires a cursory understanding of how heat is generated – and exactly what impact heat stress has on the body.  While sweat lodges, hot springs, Turkish Hammans, and other cultural and historical forms of heat therapy are all highly effective in healing the body, the most popular forms of saunas today are infrared saunas and traditional saunas. 

Why is there a strong division between individuals adamant that the only way to sauna is with a traditional sauna at very high temperatures, while others believe that the high heat is not necessary to benefit from heat therapy modalities?

This article will attempt to examine what happens below the surface of the skin during exposure to heat, or during heat stress, so that you can make a decision for yourself on what the greater truth may be regarding extremely high air temperatures in a sauna versus other forms of heat that may have lower external temperatures. 

Why is There So Much Hype About the Necessity for High Heat Saunas?

  • Prominent studies using traditional Finnish saunas have been so compelling that many confuse the external mechanism (the specific heat source) for the internal results.

So much of what most folks know about saunas comes from Finland, and this can be demonstrated by the fact that ‘sauna’ is the only Finnish word in the English language. (1) In addition to having deep cultural roots in Finland, saunas also hold a prolific presence in this nordic country. On average there is 1 sauna per household in Finland, and there is even a sauna in the parliament house. This equates to roughly 3 million saunas in Finland. (2) Why is this information important? This information is relevant because for a long time most studies and research were conducted using traditional Finnish saunas, as well as the Finnish population. Many of these publications were wildly sturdy and impactful pieces that demonstrated the importance of heat therapy on human life, and longevity. Many of these studies focused on ‘all-cause mortality’ rates in individuals using saunas over a prolonged period of time. Many individuals, including high profile professionals, took the results to mean that in order to achieve the same results as found in the studies that used traditional Finnish saunas, that a traditional steam sauna was necessary. 

The reality is that it is more important to look at the internal bio-chemical reactions in the body to heat stress. In almost every culture throughout the world, humans have created different devices to replicate an artificial fever to induce the healing that occurs during heat stress. For example, sweat lodges have been used, and continue to be used, in a variety of native communities. The lack of research performed on individuals using sweat lodges regularly does not mean that sweat lodges are ineffective, simply that there are not as many studies performed on individuals taking them. (3)

On the other hand, in more recent history, there has been an increasing number of studies performed on individuals using infrared light in their ‘sauna’ structure, or more simply put – infrared saunas.(4) These studies have shown that the source of heat is not as important as the goal of reaching an internal temperature necessary to cause a cascade of biochemical changes induced by heat stress. 

Heat stress is a form of hormesis, which simply means a positive stress placed on the body. One example of heat stress is exercise – in the short term it may be uncomfortable, but exercise ultimately yields incredible results on human physiology.

So compelling are the studies performed on subjects using infrared saunas that municipalities across the united states have started to put infrared saunas in fire halls for the purpose of healing firefighters. Infrared saunas are used in clinical studies to treat a myriad of health issues ranging from dentistry, to depression, and even included in oncological care. 

What is most important in the sauna is that each individual taking a sauna of any kind can reach an internal temperature of 101.5 degrees fahrenheit, and maintain this for at least 20 minutes. (5) Different heat sources can help individuals reach this goal at varying atmospheric temperatures. When making the decision to use a sauna for therapeutic purposes, remember that it is more important for the internal body temperature to reach a point to create an artificial fever, rather than measuring how hot the air is in the cabin structure. 

Biomarkers are much more important in the healing process than the temperature of the air. 

Traditional Saunas Versus Infrared Heat: Radiant Heat as Opposed to Convection Heat

The effectiveness of heat transference is much more important than the original source of heat. Traditional saunas rely on convection heat, much like an oven. This means that traditional saunas must heat up the air in the cabin structure to a very high heat before the human body will be able to reach an internal temperature of 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.  This is the fundamental reason why many individuals are such strong proponents of high heat sauna use. Yes, it is important for the air to reach very high temperatures (180-200 degrees Fahrenheit) in a traditional sauna inorder to induce heat stress in the body. 

Conversely, infrared saunas use radiant heat (the same basic mechanism as the sun) to induce an artificial fever in the subject using the sauna. This means that the radiant heat of infrared light does not need to heat the air temperature up to as high a degree as a traditional sauna to reach the same goal of elevating the internal temperature of the body. 

Take a look at this image to better understand radiant heat versus convection heat. 

Infrared light is able to penetrate into the soft tissues of the body and quickly begin the process of hormesis before the individual is even aware that biological changes are taking place. 

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FIR sauna. (A, B) Comparison of FIR sauna with conventional heated sauna. (C) Cabin incorporating FIR emitting “cold” unit(s) (6)

Internal Temperature Versus Atmospheric Temperature: It is Not About How Hot the Air is, but Rather How Warm The Body Is

“Give me the power to create a fever and I shall cure any disease” – Hippocrates

With so many podcasts and news sources reporting on the benefits of sauna use, there is a lot of misinformation circulating. Don’t get swept up in the confusion, remember that what is most important is what is happening inside the body, rather than in the sauna structure itself. 

These means that the effectiveness of a sauna should be measured by its impact on:

  • Heat Shock Protein Production
  • Internal Body Temperature
  • Perspiration
  • Cardiovascular Engagement
  • Activation of the Autonomic Nervous System
  • Improved Circulation

As well as many more physiological reactions that result both directly and indirectly from exposure to heat stress. All of the positive changes that occur as a result of positive heat stress are because of an elevated internal temperature. Whether you choose to use a sweat lodge, a steam room, a traditional Finnish sauna, a far infrared sauna, or a full spectrum infrared sauna, the most important aspect is that the internal temperature is reaching 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and that this temperature can be maintained for at least 20 minutes at a time. 

There are some benefits afforded through using light as a source of heat rather than an electrical stove. Similarly, there are unique benefits to using a steam room. Ultimately, what heat source you personally choose is less important than the fact that you are actively engaging the hormetic effect on the body through heat stress. 

Higher External Heat Does Not Always Mean Better Results For Human Physiology: Light Beyond Heat

While a variety of different heat therapy modalities will have positive effects on human physiology, it is most important that the internal temperature of the participant be considered over the air temperature. Furthermore, in addition to the benefits derived from heat alone, it is worth considering the benefits derived from the light spectrum itself. 

NASA, in particular, has published many studies on the benefits of color light as well as infrared light on wound healing, improved function of connective tissues, reduction in pain, as well as improved quality of bone marrow to mention just a few benefits. (4). This signifies that an infrared sauna serves as a dual-purpose therapeutic tool. It provides the advantages of a conventional sauna through its radiant heat waves, while also being capable of raising the body’s core temperature. Moreover, the health benefits stemming from the light itself are substantial, even without the need to increase the temperature significantly.

Ultimately, there is an overwhelming body of research from reputable institutions that demonstrate the benefits of many different types of saunas and heat therapy modalities. It is important to find a heat source that will work for you and your particular preferences and desires. 

If you don’t want to get swept up in the hype of ‘high heat is better’, then consider the actual effects on human physiology and the biomarkers needed for improved health and wellness over the air temperature of the cabin structure. 

There are a few instances where a traditional sauna may be safer for some individuals. For example, those living with silicone implants will likely do better in convection heat than infrared heat. Although there is not enough evidence to conclusively prove that infrared light will degrade silicone implants, it would be prudent to consider an alternative heat source if you have silicone in your body. 

If you are unsure if your joint replacements, pacemaker, or any other specific health concerns require a specific heat source, then be sure to check with your medical provider, or surgeon before engaging in a regular sauna protocol. 

Sources Cited:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauna
  2. https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/5-must-experience-saunas-in-finland/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17602408/
  4. https://spinoff.nasa.gov/NASA-Research-Illuminates-Medical-Uses-of-Light
  5. https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/ashley-mason
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699878/

Bone Density and Sauna Use: Bone Metabolism, Heat, and Longevity

By Saunas.org - Kat | | Elderly, Health Benefits, Healthspan, Heart Health, Heat Shock Proteins, Human Growth Hormones, Longevity, saunas.org

Bone density and the health of bone tissue has wide reaching effects on overall well being as well as on longevity. It is easy to forget that bone is an ever changing, evolving, living tissue that is directly impacted by its environment. Furthermore, bone tissue is in constant relationship with other systems within the body: Bones provide a storehouse for minerals, a plethora of exchange of hormones, and proteins that all directly affect other organs in the body as well as other complex networks, such as the endocrine system.

Your bone health is imperative to the maintenance of overall health and ensuring that bone metabolism is at its optimal operative capacity will have a deep impact on your personal longevity. The fragility of the bones negatively impacts the elderly because a fall may break portions of the skeletal structure easily, and may contribute to earlier mortality. Surprisingly, the impact of fragile bones on health moves well beyond the skeletal structure and can negatively impact cardiovascular health, immunity, and protein production. This means that long before bones start to break, the rest of the body may be operating at a less than optimal level due to poor bone metabolism. 

Ensuring the health of your bone tissue is of two-fold importance: Healthy bones means that the bones are healthy, and moreover, healthy bones means that the necessary and active exchange between the body’s systems and bone tissue can remain regulated. Bone health is an integral part of the overall health of the mind and body. 

So, what can we do to contribute in actionable ways to ensure healthy bones late into life? A healthful diet that is chalk full of minerals and vitamins, getting enough sunlight every day, quality sleep, and, perhaps surprisingly, heat exposure via a sauna, can all create a cocktail that may contribute to healthy bone tissue. 

Sauna use may help bone health by inducing heat shock protein production, improving the production of the proteins collagen and elastin, and by influencing human growth factors. While it is important to support bone health in a variety of ways, it may be worth including saunas as a portion of your bone health protocol.

Is It Possible to Change Bone Structure Throughout a Human Lifespan: How Elastic and Malleable are Bones?

“Contrary to commonly held misconceptions, bone is a relatively dynamic organ that undergoes significant turnover compared to other organs in the body. Bone metabolism is a dynamic process that involves simultaneous bone formation and resorption, controlled by numerous factors. Bone metabolism comprises the key actions.” (1)

For anyone existing outside of the biomedical field it can be easy to imagine our bones as static, almost rock-like structures. In reality, while bones provide a more robust cellular make-up to support the skeletal system, they are ever changing and remodeling themselves and are, therefore, susceptible to both positive as well as negative changes in our environment. 

Bone tissue is highly adaptive and regenerative given the right conditions, and this is important because much of the health of the body relies upon bone-derived factors. (1)

A peer reviewed journal published by the National Library of Medicine writes the following to illustrate the ever changing nature of bone tissue: 

“Bone is a living tissue that undergoes opposing processes of remodeling and formation and destruction (resorption). The remodeling process continues throughout life, with varying intensity.” (1)

Maintaining positive bone metabolism is necessary for bones to remain fluid and flexible throughout a person’s lifetime. Reducing the chances of bones breaking later in life may affect longevity by decades in some cases. (3) 

According to the Healthy Longevity Clinic, bone health directly impacts longevity when they write in their recently published article:

“Studies show that people with healthy bones have longer lifespans compared to those with impacted bone health. Therefore, taking care of bone health is critical for health and longevity.” (3)

Heat therapy either via a traditional sauna, infrared sauna, sweat lodge, and even very hot baths, can improve circulation and may directly impact the function of the endocrine system which in turn can affect the health of bone tissue. Further statements from the National Library of Medicine on bone health explain that:

“Bone growth and its role as a mineral store depend on the proper working of circulating hormones that interact with site-specific regulatory agents. Bone function is dependent on the action of the endocrine system, but it can also affect other organs of the body.” (1)

Surprisingly for some, just finding a way to get into a sauna as regularly as possible can positively affect circulation as well as other biological functions to upregulate bone growth and density. While there are many factors that ultimately affect healthspan and longevity, bone health is certainly at the top of the list. 

Heat Shock Proteins & Bone Health

Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins that are present in all human cells, and during periods of relative stability, all cells maintain a baseline level HSPs. HSPs play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of protein structure and are better understood as protein ‘chaperones’. The more HSPs that a person is able to produce, the better the chance that proteins have of maintaining the integrity of their form. Dr. Rhonda Patrick, PhD, writes extensively on the importance of HSPs in preventing serious degenerative conditions in the body and brain. 

Saunas induce a healthy heat stress on the body that promotes the production of Heat Shock Proteins, thus their given name. If an individual can increase the baseline level of HSPs in each cell then the chances of disease is much lower. (4)

Dr. Patrick writes about the necessity of HSPs in the maintenance of overall health here: 

“Intrinsically disordered proteins are common features in cardiovascular diseases, and damaged, dysfunctional proteins, which can aggregate, or clump together, are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.Increased expression of HSPs prevents protein disorder and aggregation by repairing proteins that have been damaged, and, in fact, animal evidence suggests that HSPs may offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases.”

How is bone health related to the production of HSPs? A recent study published by the National Library of Medicine has found that there is a direct link between HSPs and bone metabolism. In this journal ‘Role of the Heat Shock Protein Family in Bone Metabolism’  the authors discuss the relationship between bone mineral density and HSPs:

“Normal bone tissue is maintained by bone metabolism, particularly by the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are physiologically regulated by multiple hormones and cytokines. In recent years, studies have reported the vital role of HSPs in bone metabolism.” (5)

One very simple way to improve the levels of HSPs is to get into a sauna regularly, and if the heat is too much to handle, it is also possible to improve HSP production via cold exposure, or both. So, whether you prefer heat or the cold, exposing yourself to extreme temperatures for specific amounts of time will improve the production of HSPs and have a positive impact on bone tissue health. 

If you are looking to increase HSPs in your body via sauna use take a look at the chart below created by Dr. Rhonda Patrick to see the direct correlation between time spent in a sauna and HSP activity.

Heat Shock Protein Activity and Time Spent in a Sauna:

(4)

Infrared Sauna Use and Collagen Production to Improve Bone Health

Another key element to improving overall bone tissue health is the presence of the protein collagen. Collagen helps to create a webbing within the bone structure that allows the skeletal structure to be both sturdy as well as flexible. Infrared light, and specifically near infrared light paired with the visible color red light, have been shown to improve the production of both collagen and elastin proteins. This is important not only in maintaining youthful looking skin, healthy connective tissues, but also positive bone mineral density. 

The article Structural and Metabolic Changes in Bone, published by the National Library of Medicine writes of the importance of collagen in bone health here:

“The other very important element of the matrix is protein collagen. Other proteins of the bone can contribute to the reinforcement of the matrix. Type I collagen is synthesized in osteoblasts and is secreted and precipitated.” (1)

(*osteoblasts are 1 of 3 different types of bone cells)

While collagen production may not be influenced as much by a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna that includes the visible color red spectrum of light may positively affect collagen production and therefore contribute to long lasting bone health. As stated above, collagen is an intrinsic element to the health matrix of human bones. 

Increasing Human Growth Hormone can Positively Affect Bone Health: This Requires a Unique Sauna use Protocol 

Finally, by improving Human Growth Hormone (GH) production, it is possible to positively affect bone health. GH affects the support of the overall skeletal structure and a lack of GH in an individual’s system can negatively impact bone health, and possibly lead to an increase in bone fractures. If you are using a sauna to improve GH, the methodology that is used will be a very different protocol than that used to increase HSPs or collagen production. 

It is important that if you decide to use a sauna for the purpose of improving Human Growth Hormone that you follow a specific recipe: You may need to take 1-2 weeks off of sauna use, then choose a day where you are free from work or family obligations and dedicate the time to using a sauna at least 3 times in a single 24 hour period. You will get in the sauna at a fairly intense heat for at least 20 minutes, cool off, rest, and repeat. (7)

Using a sauna for the purpose of improving GH is not for everyone and requires an incredible dedication to hydration, as well as a time commitment of spending a significant portion of a day just using a sauna. For all of the details on how to use a sauna for the specific purpose of increasing Human Growth Hormone you may find more details here: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/deliberate-heat-exposure-protocols-for-health-and-performance

By improving the production of Human Growth Hormone as you age, and certainly well beyond puberty, it may be possible to avoid the degradation of bone reformation later in life. The article Structural and Metabolic Changes in Bone writes:

“GH is essential for growth because it accelerates growth during adolescence, while with age the reduced production of GH and IGF-1 may be responsible for the inability of older people to form bone quickly.”  (1)

Based on the information stated above, it may be very important to spend some time improving GH throughout your lifespan, and one way to do this is to use a sauna every so often in a very specific, yet intense, manner. Remember that using a sauna frequently throughout the week may improve all other aspects of health, however, the protocol for improving GH is uniquely different and may take away from other health benefits derived from consistent sauna use.

Bone Health may Lead to Longevity: Consider Sauna use as a Pathway to Greater Health Span

  • Innate Malleability of Bone Tissue
  • Increased Heat Shock Protein Production
  • Improved Collagen Release
  • Human Growth Hormone Factors

The combination of the ability of bones to regenerate and restructure based on environmental input means that there are significant, actionable items that we can each take to improve bone health and longevity.

The use of a sauna, particularly an infrared sauna, triggers a cocktail of biochemical changes. These changes include increased production of Heat Shock Proteins, improved release of collagen, and enhanced Human Growth Hormone factors. Such effects may positively influence overall bone metabolism, leading to bone marrow that is rich in proteins and minerals, which in turn enhances bone health and overall bodily health. It is important to note that bone tissue is in constant exchange with the body’s other systems.

So remember, healthy bones means healthy bones, but healthy bones also mean a healthy body! The improvement of bone health may directly impact longevity in this way.

If you do suffer from bone related degeneration or disease, please consult with your medical professional before beginning a sauna treatment protocol. 

Sources Cited:

  1. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4458
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9367262/#B12-animals-12-01946
  3. https://www.healthylongevity.clinic/blog/bone-health
  4. https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/sauna#heat-shock-proteins
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6237693/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2687728/
  7. https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/deliberate-heat-exposure-protocols-for-health-and-performance
  8. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Role+of+the+heat+shock+protein+family+in+bone+metabolism&author=Hang,+K.&author=Ye,+C.&author=Chen,+E.&author=Zhang,+W.&author=Xue,+D.&author=Pan,+Z.&publication_year=2018&journal=Cell+Stress+Chaperones&volume=23&pages=1153%E2%80%931164&doi=10.1007/s12192-018-0932-z
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9367262/

Oral Hygiene and Sauna Use: Why Does Your Dentist Have a Sauna?

By Saunas.org - Kat | | Dental Care, Detoxification, Health Benefits, Heat Shock Proteins, Hormesis, Neurological Benefits Of Sauna use, Sauna Sleep, saunas.org, Stress response

Oral health and hygiene is about much more than just brushing and flossing regularly. Your oral hygiene can affect the well being of the entire body and brain. Dentistry is evolving at a rapid pace as professionals are beginning to understand the wide range of affects that positive oral hygiene has on the whole body. 

Producing positive oral health is more than just ensuring that your teeth are white and your smile symmetrical. The digestive system begins at the entrance to your mouth, and what happens in the mouth can affect how food and beverages are processed and absorbed in the body. Furthermore, there is a strong correlative link between a healthy mouth and a healthy brain. So, why are some dentists introducing saunas into their clinical practices? It is not because saunas can replace the need to brush your teeth regularly, floss, and get twice yearly cleanings, nor is it because they prevent cavities, but rather, saunas can promote the health of the entire body’s systems including oral health. 

In case your dentist does not have an in house sauna, and you would like to consider using a sauna to improve oral health, find out why sauna bathing could possibly affect your dental health and how to use your sauna for this purpose.

Heal Bacterial Bloom in the Mouth and Avoid Tooth Decay

Regular sauna bathing may improve the function of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. By immersing the body in a heated state, a cascade of biochemical reactions occur that directly impact the immune system. We all come into contact with a multitude of bacteria externally and within the oral cavity. While it is possible to keep the teeth and gums clean through brushing, fluoride treatments, and other preventative measures, if your immunity is compromised for any reason there is a much higher chance for bacteria to spread and seep into the dentine layers of the tooth.

Streptococcus accounts for 80% of the community of microorganisms living in your mouth, and if there is a lack of proper oral hygiene maintained, or if your immunity is lowered for any reason at all, these microorganisms can create a colony in your mouth that causes tooth decay. (1)

Extensive research has demonstrated how regular use of a sauna may dramatically improve immunity, so while a sauna cannot brush your teeth for you, it is possible to induce a myriad of positive effects to the function of your immune system. A healthy immune system can help to combat bacterial infection in the mouth and preserve the integrity of your dental structure, as well as the overall health of the oral cavity. 

A journal published by Medical Life Sciences, authored by Dr. Akshima Sahi, BDS and reviewed by Emily Henderson, B. Sc, describes the importance of addressing bacteria in the mouth quickly so that it does not spread into other parts of the body and cause damage to internal organs:

“Understanding these oral floras can help in assessing various dental diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis which account for the most frequent bacterial infections in the human body.

More importantly, these microorganisms can even result in serious systemic infections like bacterial endocarditis, preterm labor, pneumonia, and cardiovascular diseases…

Studies have highlighted that if dental hygiene is not maintained these Gram-negative bacteria can infect other organs. For example, bacterial endocarditis is one such condition that can affect the human heart. ” (1)

By getting into a sauna for 20 minutes, 3-4 times a week it is possible to produce more heat shock proteins (HSPs) that directly correlate with improved T-cell production in the bone marrow. This increase in HSPs can then be transported into the bloodstream to the affected area of infection in the mouth. So, as odd as it may sound, regular sauna use has the ability to improve immunity to such an extent that it may be possible to keep the oral cavity healthy and protect the rest of the body from more serious disease and illness. 

Nocturnal Teeth Grinding: Relax Your Nervous System

Teeth grinding (also known as Bruxism) can have devastating effects on a person’s dental construct, and it is also a very common affliction that affects many people. The primary causes for this disorder are stress and anxiety related. Until the teeth grinding actually cessates, it is helpful for individuals to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth. Because teeth grinding is born out of stress, the upside is that stress management techniques may help to prevent or stop teeth grinding.

Some drugs, including prescriptions such as SSRIs (serotonin uptake mediation), as well as non-prescription drugs like cocaine, may also cause teeth grinding in individuals who would otherwise not be teeth grinders. This is closely related to the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones into the body’s systems, either elicited through the intake of certain substances, or simply from the body’s natural stress response. Either way there is a direct link between a flooding of stress hormones into the body and nocturnal teeth grinding. 

Anyone looking to overcome teeth grinding will want to find ways to manage stress. There are a plethora of modalities available that can help reduce stress, for example, exercise, mediation, yoga, non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), massage, and various forms of thermal therapy, including sauna bathing. 

What makes sauna so unique as a means to relaxation and as a tool to work with the autonomic nervous system, is that the individual does not have to ‘do’ anything. Meaning by virtue of sitting in a heated cabin structure, the body will naturally react to the heat stress through perspiration, an elevated heart rate, and ultimately into states of relaxation. It can be very difficult for some folks to find states of relaxation through meditation, or yoga. Furthermore, massage relies on another individual to get you into states of relaxation, and while all of these modalities are excellent for overall health, if you are someone who suffers from intense amounts of stress for any reason, or anxiety, sometimes sitting still in meditation can make things worse at first. 

Sauna bathing is a robust way of moving the body from states of stress response (that flood the body with a plethora of hormones that can lead to teeth grinding), into states of relaxation without having to ‘do anything’. So for the hyper-stressed individual, or for someone living with anxiety, a sauna can be a way to transfer the autonomic nervous system out of stress response and into states of relaxation where, ideally, nocturnal teeth grinding can be minimized, or perhaps stopped altogether. 

Improved Circulation & Reduced Inflammation: Enhance Your Gum Health

Sauna bathing is an excellent way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. Most folks will immediately think of inflammation in the joints created by conditions such as arthritis or sports injuries. Interestingly, by uptaking circulation through regular sauna use, it is also possible to reduce inflammation in the gums. 

By improving circulation to all portions of the body – nutrients, white blood cells, and proteins necessary to keep the body healthy, (and gums are no exception), are delivered more readily.  

A journal published by the National Library of Medicine finds that a variety of cytokines, proteins, as well as other biomarkers released after a sauna session, has a dramatic effect on inflammation reduction:

“…these findings provide strong implications for the role of sauna bathing in mitigating inflammation in HSO (Health Standards Organization).”  (5)

Regular use of a sauna may improve oral health by increasing blood circulation in response to heat stress, and therefore reduce inflammation of the gums while delivering important nutrients through the bloodstream to the mouth.

Detoxification from Metal Fillings

The world of dental fillings is changing rapidly with places such as Europe prohibiting the use of metal fillings altogether. Many people have long lived with fillings made of various types of metals, some of which, if agitated, can pollute the body. If you are someone who has had, or still has, metal fillings in your mouth, then you will be happy to know that saunas may provide an excellent means to detoxify from heavy metals in the body. 

By elevating the internal temperature of the body it is possible to elicit perspiration of extreme levels. In so doing, many toxins in the body, including heavy metals, are escorted out along with the fluid of sweat. For every 20 minutes spent in a sauna, the average person will lose 1 pint of fluid. If you decide to use sauna for the explicit reason of detoxification, then you want to be sure to be vigilant with hydration before, during, and after each sauna session. 

Whether you have been able to have your metal fillings replaced with a more healthful material or not, you will still actively benefit from detoxification of the body through heavy sweating during a sauna session. 

In terms of actual sauna use, up to a point, for most health conditions the National Institute of Health recommends the more sauna sessions you can do in a week (up to 7), the better the outcome will be. The exception to this rule of thumb is if you are actively trying to improve Human Growth Hormone with sauna use, in which case the protocol is quite different). Further, if you are experiencing dehydration, or any other adverse effects from sauna use then you should limit the number of sessions, duration, as well as temperature. 

It is important to build up your stamina for sauna use, just as you would with exercise. So, be sure to start off at a low temperature, with lots of time between sessions to give your body time to adjust. 

Here is the table published by the National Institute of Health on how often and for how long most individuals should use a sauna:

Sauna Use Table Graph

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(5)

This means that as long as you are not pregnant, are of an adult age, and not suffering from any conditions that could be negatively affected by sauna use, the more often you can get into a sauna the better your health will be, and this includes your oral health!

Saunas are not a Substitute for Dental Care, However, Regular Sauna use can Drastically Improve your Oral Hygiene if Used Often

Just because you have a sauna in your home, or regular access to a sauna, does not mean that you can put your toothbrush down for good. Even if you are able to sauna regularly, you still need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss regularly, and visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups. 

By using a sauna habitually (at least 3-7 times per week), you may be able to mitigate tooth decaying bacterial bloom in the mouth by enhancing overall immunity, reduce or limit nocturnal teeth grinding, induce positive circulation to reduce gum inflammation, and possibility detoxify the body of heavy metals possibly caused from fillings. 

Be sure to keep up with your habitual oral hygiene routine, and consider incorporating regular sauna bathing into your lifestyle for ultimate oral and dental health. 

Contraindications:

Check with your dentist to make sure that your fillings will not be agitated or damaged by the heat of a sauna. Furthermore, saunas are not suitable for all persons at all times in their life. Always consult with your dentist or primary care physician if you are unsure if you should be using a sauna. 

Sources Cited:

  1. https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Microorganisms-Naturally-Live-in-the-Mouth.aspx
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
  3. https://columbiadentallv.com/the-link-between-sauna-therapy-and-oral-health-what-science-says/
  4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-grinding/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7908414/