By Dr. Samantha Ristimaki, BSc, ND of Balance Wellness Center

My family is originally from Finland…the country where there is a sauna for every seven people.  I just thought that it was only used culturally as a means to save water and fend off the frigid winter cold but the health benefits of inducing sweating extend far beyond staying warm. Scientific evidence now shows that my ancestors knew what they were doing when it came to the health benefits of inducing sweating.

Detoxification: Along with the lungs, liver, kidney and bowels, the skin plays an important role in the body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances.  It is the largest eliminatory organ that can help rid the body of waste products.

Burning Calories:  Sweating is also a means for the body to cool itself.  Heat requires the body to work harder to prevent overheating.  The heart has to work harder to pump blood to the capillaries under the skin and sweat glands burn more energy as they start pumping out sweat.

Cold & Flu Prevention:  Raising body temperature over 98.6 degrees allows the body to fight off infection because bacteria and viruses have difficulty surviving at the elevated temperature.

Relax & Soothe Muscles:  Lactic acid builds up within muscles during a workout leaving them more prove to stiffness, cramping and fatigue.  Sweating helps to draw out lactic acid reducing your recovery time.  Heat also helps relax and lengthen tight muscles to reduce tension and pain.

Promotes healing:  Heat stimulates blood vessels to dilate and deliver more blood and nutrients to tissue.  This helps to promote healing of sprains and strains.

No need to rush out a buy a sauna in order to reap these health benefits.  There are several alternatives. 

Bikram Yoga: Yoga performed in a hot studio promotes muscle strengthening and lengthening.

Get moving: Go for a jog, hop on your bike or an exercise machine for some cardiovascular activity.  You’ll burn even more calories and keep your heart healthy.

Infrared Sauna Treatment: Several health spa’s offer this as a treatment option.  Infrared heat penetrates deep into the skin to promote detoxification and tissue healing.