Heat as a Longevity Protocol

Infrared heat uncouples mitochondria, doubles cardiac output, and builds the cellular foundation that protects against the diseases of aging — all without a single step taken.

Unlocking Longevity: The Transformative Benefits of Infrared Saunas

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THIS is What Happens To Your Body in an Infrared Sauna Dr. Steven Gundry

00:00 Well as I often talk about, one of the best things you can do for your health is uncouple your mitochondria. There are many ways to do this like eating pistachios, swallowing polyphenols, taking MCT oil and ice baths to name a few. But one of my personal favorite ways to uncouple mitochondria that is support our longevity is regular sauna use and this has become even easier. Thanks to my new infrared sauna saunas are widely available and may even be free to use at your local health club. So they're a great option for temperature induced torme. And if you're not a fan of the sweaty part or sitting around half naked with a bunch of strangers, you can get a similar effect and even more benefits for your mitochondria from an infrared sauna.

01:00 The brand I decided to go to for my personal use is sun lighten. They have been committed to helping others with their products for nearly years really long before the sauna craze was even heard of. Now, why do this? Well, first of all these saunas have great benefits. Number one right up on the top of the list is uncoupling mitochondria, extreme temperatures you might experience in a sauna, can uncouple your mitochondria. First of all, the heat hormesis is a short term stress that also has healing benefits. The word hormesis first got coined from Nietzsche's famous line that which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger. So, hormesis is using a stressor to get a benefit from that stressor. And heat actually stresses your mitochondria,

02:00 the weak ones or the nonfunctioning ones die off while the others uncouple and divine. And there's excellent studies to show that this happens. Now, sunlighten saunas are proven to raise body temperature by up to three degrees in human clinical studies. But it's the near infrared exposure, that's really exciting a paper in the Journal of Phyto Chemistry and phyto biology explained that red light therapy might increase the number of mitochondria by a multiple mechanism including mitochondrial and coupling. Now, exercise will uncouple mitochondria. Physical exercise seems to globally stimulate mitochondrial uncoupling leading to a remodeling of skeletal muscle cell physiology. But infrared sauna sessions raise your heart rate and increase circulation.

03:00 And this replicates a cardiovascular workout. We turn passive cardio. In fact, blood flow during infrared sauna use may raise from a normal rate of about to liters or quarts per minute to up to quarts per minute, liters per minute, basically a doubling of your cardiac output. And this is human studies. Now an additional benefit that many people have used sauna for generations is that it can loosen up your muscles. Now, red light and near infrared light can help build muscles and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. The heat of infrared increases circulation of blood flow. Now, obviously, red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to the site of a strain or inflammation, which actually helps create new blood vessels and tissues at the site.

04:00 So the more red blood cells that get delivered to your muscles, the quicker they rebuild. And since white blood cells are the cleanup agents, the more white blood cells you develop, deliver to your muscles from increasing blood flow, the quicker the inflammation gets cleaned up. Now, there's more to it than just that a study conducted at Auburn University of Montgomery showed a sunlight and impulse sauna can increase your flexibility by up to three times benefits. In the study showed an increased range of motion including joint mobility, less friction in the joints and diminished stiffness and joint relaxation. Again, a published study in humans, with this increase in flexibility, you can expect a decrease risk of injury because the less stress that's placed on the muscles if moving properly.

05:00 Now, all of this can have energy boosting effects including helping to alleviate fatigue symptoms, mostly because of its ability to support circulation and dilated blood vessels. In fact, in one study of patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, symptoms were dramatically improved after 15 to 25 sessions of thermal therapy. Why? Because among other things, red and near infrared therapy support mitochondrial function and the efficient production of ATP through cellular respiration. Another published study. Now, the nice thing that I like about infrared saunas, they operate at a much lower temperature than traditional saunas. And with the sunlighten sauna, you don't have to wait for the sauna to heat up because

06:00 the infrared energy makes you heat up rather than the air around you heat up. This temperature difference allows you to leave the sauna feeling refreshed rather than drained. In other words, you get to enjoy the experience rather than endure the experience. And if you've ever endured saunas, particularly after skiing or at the gym, you'll know that one of the feelings you get is certainly not one of thoroughly enjoying the experience but kind of suffering through the experience to get the benefit. Later in this case, you actually get to enjoy the experience and oh, by the way, we can pipe in music in our sauna to really enhance the experience. Now, infrared saunas can give cardiovascular systems the same boost as exercising.

07:00 And that's because your cardiac output goes up, your blood vessels dilate. And that's a great thing. Now, when exposed to the stresses of extreme heat, cells engage in coordinated adaptive measures that stimulate them to clean up, repair, restore themselves. And that's what the hormesis response is. One of the benefits of frequent sauna use that's been documented in sauna using countries is that it appears to be protective against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. That's pretty good. In fact, repeated. So use has shown to preserve muscle mass and countering sarcopenia in humans. Now to do all that, you can spend time in a sauna or a steam room, you can get a near infrared or red light sauna for your home

08:00 use like sunlighten, you can take a hot yoga class or quite frankly, come and visit me in Palm Springs in the summer. I guarantee you you will get a hot experience, but there's an easy way that I used to use all the time. That is take a nice hot bath to enjoy sampling these benefits and take it before you go to bed. Recent studies show that a hot bath relieves mild depression better than antidepressants and a hot bath before bedtime will make you drop your temperature, which will induce a better and deeper sleep. Now get into the bathtub with the bathtub warm and then once you're acclimated, let water out and add hotter and hotter water, you'll achieve the same hormetic effects as long as you're sweating in the bathtub.

09:00 Now you hear about cold showers, but it goes both ways. Exposing your body to cold and hot temperatures can support a long vital life. And get yourself a sauna. I love my sunlighten sauna. But if you don't have one and want some benefits, fill that bathtub full of hot water before you go to bed and watch the benefits. And you may notice that those benefits will translate into you looking into a sauna for long-term use. like I did. More amazing episodes just like this one. Watch now! If you really want to spend your money on a calcium supplement, buy some sardines, buy some anchovies, that's the way to get your calcium.

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In the quest for optimal health and longevity, the methods we choose to enhance our well-being can significantly impact our lives. One such method gaining attention is infrared sauna therapy. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures while delivering profound benefits for the body and mind.

Infrared saunas harness the power of heat to promote mitochondrial health, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility. As we delve into the science behind these benefits, we will uncover how this simple yet effective ritual can support your journey toward resilience and vitality.

3 degrees increase in body temperature from infrared saunas 2 doubling of cardiac output during infrared sauna use 3 times increase in flexibility shown in studies 15-25 sessions needed to improve chronic fatigue symptoms

"You get to enjoy the experience rather than endure the experience."

Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas offer a range of health benefits that extend beyond relaxation. Regular use can help uncouple mitochondria , a process essential for longevity. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, and their efficient functioning is crucial for energy production and overall health.

Dr. Steven Gundry highlights that infrared saunas can increase body temperature by up to three degrees , stimulating a response in the body that promotes healing and vitality. This heat induces a mild stressor known as heat hormesis , which, according to Gundry, means "that which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." This principle suggests that exposing the body to short-term stress can lead to long-term health benefits.

Furthermore, studies show that infrared sauna sessions can double cardiac output, enhancing circulation and delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles more efficiently. This increase in blood flow not only aids in muscle recovery but also supports cardiovascular health, making infrared saunas a powerful tool for enhancing physical performance.

"That which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." — Dr. Steven Gundry

Mechanisms of Action

The mechanisms behind the benefits of infrared saunas are rooted in their ability to stimulate mitochondrial function. When exposed to the heat, weak or nonfunctioning mitochondria are eliminated, allowing stronger mitochondria to thrive. This process enhances energy production and cellular repair, contributing to overall vitality.

In addition to mitochondrial health, infrared saunas can significantly improve flexibility. A study conducted at Auburn University of Montgomery found that participants experienced a threefold increase in flexibility after regular sauna use. This enhancement reduces the risk of injury and promotes better movement efficiency, which is particularly beneficial for athletes and active individuals.

Moreover, the heat from infrared saunas encourages the body to engage in adaptive measures that promote self-repair and restoration. As Gundry notes, "when exposed to the stresses of extreme heat, cells engage in coordinated adaptive measures that stimulate them to clean up, repair, restore themselves." This process not only supports physical health but also contributes to mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Comparison with Traditional Saunas

While traditional saunas provide their own set of benefits, infrared saunas offer a more comfortable experience. Operating at lower temperatures, infrared saunas allow for a more enjoyable session without the overwhelming heat often associated with traditional saunas. As Gundry states, "you get to enjoy the experience rather than endure the experience."

This difference in temperature not only enhances comfort but also makes infrared saunas more accessible for individuals who may find traditional saunas challenging. The ability to experience the benefits of heat therapy without excessive discomfort opens the door for more people to incorporate this practice into their wellness routines.

Alternative Methods

For those unable to access infrared saunas, other methods can provide similar benefits. Hot baths, for instance, have been shown to relieve mild depression better than antidepressants. Taking a hot bath before bedtime can also improve sleep quality by lowering body temperature afterward, facilitating deeper rest.

Gundry suggests that one can achieve hormetic effects in a hot bath by gradually increasing the water temperature while acclimating to the heat. This approach not only enhances relaxation but also supports overall health, making it an excellent alternative for those seeking the benefits of heat therapy without a sauna.

Words Worth Hearing

"A hot bath relieves mild depression better than antidepressants." — Dr. Steven Gundry

Practical Takeaways

Incorporate regular infrared sauna sessions into your wellness routine to support mitochondrial health and enhance overall vitality. Consider hot baths as an alternative method for achieving similar benefits, particularly for relaxation and improved sleep.