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Can Regular Far Infrared Sauna Use Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Body?

Oxidative Stress is something that most people have heard of, but may not know exactly what it is. This popular phrase is referred to a lot in different media outlets with quick sound bites that suggest it is not a good thing. Whatever oxidative stress may be, it is definitely something to avoid and get rid of! 

Air pollution, plastics in food, heavy metals, toxins in the home, pesticides, and pretty much any over exposure to artificial compounds that the body needs to get rid of in order to maintain homeostasis will overload the body and may cause an excess of free radical molecules. (1) If you are living in the modern world, particularly in a city, this information sounds fairly dooming. The good news is that the human body is constantly seeking to rid toxins from the body, and aims to reach optimal health through a variety of biochemical occurrences. 

The big question is always what can we, as individuals, do to make lifestyle choices that assist our bodies toward healthier states? Ultimately, oxidative stress is indicative of an imbalance between too many free radicals in the body without the mitigating factor of enough antioxidants.

Given that it is very difficult in our current world to avoid substances and environmental factors that cause free radicals, the best possible solution is to look for ways to increase antioxidants in the body. When there is balance between free radicals and antioxidants there is no longer oxidative stress in the body. (1)

Find out what oxidative stress is, how it can potentially harm your body, and what the research tells us about sauna use, and its potential ability to reduce it in your body.

What Is Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress is indicative of an imbalance in the body between two well known molecules: Free radicals and antioxidants. As defined by a peer review journal published by the National Institute of Health:

Oxidative stress is defined as the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals beyond the physiological ability to detoxify or to repair.” (2)

When left unchecked by antioxidants, free radicals begin to damage the cells and tissues of the body, and ultimately may cause tragic disease and illness in the body. (1)

Some Causes of oxidative stress include:

  • Environmental Air Pollution
  • Smoking, Vaping
  • Excessive Alcohol Use 
  • Toxic Stress
  • Harmful Food Additives/ Highly Processed Foods

According to the Cleveland Clinic in their article entitled “Oxidative Stress”, they write that the following diseases may be associated with oxidative stress: 

  • “Cancer. Oxidative stress damages the DNA in healthy cells, which can raise your cancer risk.
  • Cardiovascular Disease. Oxidative stress triggers plaque to form in your arteries. Plaque buildup can lead to many different problems, including reduced blood supply to your heart (coronary and artery disease) and heart attack.
  • Kidney Disease. Sustained oxidative stress can form scar tissue in your kidneys that prevents them from working as they should. This may lead to kidney failure, which can worsen to the point where you need dialysis.
  • Neurological diseases. Researchers have linked oxidative stress to many different neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease and multiple sclerosis. Excess free radicals contribute to neuron loss, which can progressively lead to dementia.
  • Respiratory diseases. Oxidative stress and related inflammation can affect your lungs and cause conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis Free radicals contribute to the chronic inflammation that happens in people with rheumatoid arthritis.” (1)

There are likely many different root causes to all of the aforementioned diseases. There certainly seems to be some correlation between an excess of free radicals in the body destroying and damaging the essential building blocks that make up a healthy body. 

There are plenty of things to do to minimize oxidative stress including consuming antioxidant rich foods, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes (or at least minimizing their consumption), increasing exercise, boosting the amount of relaxation time into your daily life, and possibly adding an infrared sauna into the routine. 

What is 8-iso-PGF 2α? Why Is 8-iso-PGF2α Relevant in Measuring Oxidative Stress in the Body? 

Over the years researchers have found a way to measure oxidative stress in the body, which is really important so that individuals can find out what is going on inside their body. Moreover, this is important for research that aims to uncover more ways to boost antioxidants and therefore lower oxidative stress in the body. 

The established measurement of 8-iso-PGF2α in urine has become a standard means in clinical practices to find out how much oxidative stress is in the body.

 8-iso-PGF2α  Stands for: “The prostaglandin, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), is an isoprostane that is produced by the non-enzymatic peroxidation of arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids”. (2)

In the National Library of Medicine’s peer reviewed article they describe the use of 8-iso-PGF2α to measure oxidative stress in this way:

“Measurement of 8-iso-PGF2α is a reliable tool for the identification of subjects with enhanced rates of lipid peroxidation. Enhanced formation of 8-iso-PGF2α has been reported in association with several cardiovascular risk factors, as well as atherosclerosis…A body of evidence indicates that urinary 8-OHdG is a biomarker of generalized cellular oxidative stress and may be a risk factor for cancer, atherosclerosis, and DM.” (2)

Based on the measurement of 8-iso-PGF2α in urine, an interesting study emerging from Japan demonstrated that regular use of a far infrared sauna lowered the 8-iso-PGF2α in its participants. 

The Japanese Study That Measured The Potential Differing Levels of Oxidative Stress in Sauna Bathers Versus Non-Sauna Bathers

The Japanese have been studying the effects of far infrared sauna use for significantly longer than its American counterparts.  In fact, infrared saunas have been available for personal use, and commercial sales since the late 1970s. Is this one reason the Japanese have higher rates of longevity? Perhaps, though the data is not available to answer this question, what we do know is that the use of far infrared saunas lowers levels of 8-iso-PGF2α in the urine of those who use them. This is promising for the future of those trying to combat oxidative stress at the personal or clinical level. 

The Japanese Heart Journal published a study entitled: ‘Repeated Sauna Therapy Reduces Urinary 8-Epi-Prostaglandin F   ‘. This study examined how regular sauna use affected oxidative stress levels in the body. The primary measurement used was the levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α  (8-iso-PGF2α) in the urine of the participants as a marker of oxidative stress. (3)

The researchers began the study looking to test the validity of the following hypothesis.

We hypothesized that sauna therapy decreases urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F  levels as a marker of oxidative stress and conducted a randomized, controlled study.” (3)

This study had 28 participants that were divided into two groups. Fourteen of the participants used a far infrared sauna daily for 15 minutes at a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). After sauna use the participants rested for 30 minutes. This procedure continued once a day for two weeks. The other group of participants did not use a sauna. After two weeks the participants who had used a sauna had clinically significant lower levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F in their urine compared to their counterparts who did not sauna. The study concludes with the following remarks.

These results suggest that repeated sauna therapy may protect against oxidative stress, which leads to the prevention of atherosclerosis.” (3)

What is atherosclerosis? “Atherosclerosis is a common condition that develops when a sticky substance called plaque builds up inside your arteries. Diseases linked to atherosclerosis are the leading cause of death in the United States.” (4)

Given that atherosclerosis takes the lives of Americans more than any other disease, it is certainly worth taking note of this experiment. Furthermore, the use of a far infrared sauna heralds excellent news for anyone wanting to use a sauna at home at an affordable cost, as well as for an easy assembly and maintenance.

If the goal is to lower oxidative stress in the body, then based on this study, you will want to take a sauna 4-7 times a week, with the goal of being daily usage, with perhaps one day off a week. 

Far Infrared Sauna Paves the Way For Individuals Looking to Lower Oxidative Stress

Whether it is the deeply penetrating heat from far infrared saunas, the specific wavelengths of light that reduces oxidative stress in its users is unknown. Most likely it is the combination of heat stress, the specific light wave frequency of far infrared light, time spent relaxing, and the high impact that far infrared light has on detoxification that create a cocktail that helps to lower oxidative stress in the body. 

Far infrared saunas are the most affordable type of sauna, and  accessible to the highest number of people. Given that most humans alive today are fighting oxidative stress it is reassuring to know that you may not have to break the bank to access a far infrared sauna for your home, clinic, business, or institution. 

Far infrared sauna use in combination with the abstinence from certain substances, increased consumption of foods high in antioxidants, plenty of rest, sleep, and relaxation it may be possible to reduce oxidative stress. 

If you are living with a serious condition you should not stop your treatment. However, it may be worth talking to your medical professional about incorporating a far infrared sauna into your lifestyle as a preventative measure. 

Now that you know more about oxidative stress, how it can harm the body, and what you can do to help reduce it, you are now armed with the knowledge of how far infrared saunas may help you in your fight against oxidative stress. 

Please always stay well hydrated if you plan on embarking on a sauna journey, continue to consume plenty of electrolytes, and always consult with your doctor if you have any doubts or questions. 

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/oxidative-stress
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467445/
  3. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jhj/45/2/45_2_297/_article/-char/ja/
  4. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis

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