Detox Tips 7:

What is Infrared?

What exactly is radiant heat? No need to worry- it has nothing to do with either ultraviolet radiation (which gives you a sunburn and damages your skin) or atomic radiation (the kind from a nuclear bomb). Radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion, without having to heat the air in between. Radiant heat is also called infrared energy (IR). The infrared segment of the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into 3 segments by wave length, measured in microns or micrometers (a micron = 1/1,000,000 of meter): 0.076 – 1.5 microns = near or close; 1.5 – 5.6 = intermediate; 5.6-1,000= far or long wave infrared. The infrared segment of the electromagnetic spectrum occurs just below or “infra” to red light, which we perceive as heat. Our sun produces most of its energy output in the infrared segment of the spectrum. Our atmosphere allows IR rays in the 7-14 micron range to safely reach the earth’s surface. When warmed, the earth radiates infrared rays in the 7-14 micron band with its peak output at 10 microns.
The sun is the principal source of radiant energy that we experience daily. Have you ever been outside on a partly cloudy spring day of about 50 deg? And felt quite comfortable when suddenly the sun was obscured by a cloud? Although the air temperature had not had time to drop, you felt chilled, as the cloud would not let the warming infrared rays through to reach you. The infrared heat in your FIR heat sauna is just like the heat from our sun or that which our own bodies produce as they burn fuel to keep us warm.

The source of infrared heat in your infrared sauna is actually a ceramic tube or cube, warmed by an electrical wire embedded within it. This zircon ceramic emitting tube is shielded by a metallic grill that is covered by a soft coating of suede-ex, and is safe to touch while it is operating.

At the first sign of a cold or flu, increasing sauna sessions may be beneficial in boosting the immune system and decreasing the reproductive rate of viruses and bacteria.

As your body becomes more heat conditioned, you may want to increase your sauna session to 45 minutes or longer. Please remember to hydrate your system with plenty of water during the full session.

Note: many people with heavy metal, chemical or pesticide toxicity levels may find it difficult to sweat initially; for some individuals it may require 5-10 sessions before measurable sweat volume is evident, but continuous water intake will enhance detoxification. Even without measurable sweat, the IR sauna is helping to eliminate toxins through urine, bowels and hair.

To treat your ankles and feet more effectively, elevate them while in the sauna. Any area you wish to achieve a specific deep heating effect should be placed as close to the IR emitters as feels comfortable.

Clinically Speaking

“Repeated sauna therapy reduces urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha)” –Masuda A, Miyata M, Kihara T, Minagoe S, Tei C. Department of Cardiology, Respiratory and Metabolic Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.

We have reported that repeated sauna therapy improves impaired vascular endothepal function in a patient with coronary risk factors. We hypothesized that sauna therapy decreases urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) levels as a marker of oxidative stress and conducted a randomized, controlled study.

Twenty-eight patients with at least one coronary risk factor were divided into a sauna group (n = 14) and non-sauna group (n = 14). Sauna therapy was performed with a 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna for 15 minutes and then bed rest with a blanket for 30 minutes once a day for two weeks.

Systopc blood pressure and increased urinary 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) levels in the sauna group were significantly lower than those in the non-sauna group at two weeks after admission (110 +/- 15 mmHg vs 122 +/- 13 mmHg, P <0.05, 230 +/- 67 pg/mg x creatinine vs 380 +/- 101 pg/mg x creatinine, p <0.0001, respectively).

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

“Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure.” –Kihara T, Biro S, Ikeda Y, Fukudome T, Shinsato T, Masuda A, Miyata M, Hamasaki S, Otsuji Y, Minagoe S, Akiba S, Tei C. Departments of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Metabolic Medicine, Kagoshima University.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine whether repeated 60C sauna treatment improves cardiac arrhythmias in chronic heart failure(CHF) patients, because ventricular arrhythmias are an important therapeutic target in CHF.

Methods and Results: Thirty patients (59+/-3 years) with New York Heart Association functional class II or III CHF and at least 200 premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)/24 h assessed by 24-h Holter recordings were studied.

They were randomized into sauna-treated (n=20) or non-treated (n=10) groups. The sauna-treated group underwent a 2-week program of a daily 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna for 15 min, followed by 30 min bed rest with blankets, for 5 days per week. Patients in the non-treated group had bed rest in a temperature-controlled room (24 degrees C) for 45 min. The total numbers of PVCs/24 h in the sauna-treated group decreased compared with the non-treated group [848+/-415 vs 3,097+/-1,033/24 h, p <0.01]. heart rate variabipty (sdnn, standard deviation of normal-to-normal beat interval) increased [142+/-10 (n=”16)” vs 112+/-11 ms (n=”8),” p <0.05] and plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations decreased [229+/-54 vs 419+/-110 pg/ml, p <0.05] in the sauna-treated group compared with the non-treated group.

Conclusion: Repeated sauna treatment improves ventricular arrhythmias in patients with CHF. (Circ J 2004; 68: 1146 – 1151).

“Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothepal function in patients with coronary risk factors.” –Imamura M, Biro S, Kihara T, Yoshifuku S, Takasaki K, Otsuji Y, Minagoe S, Toyama Y, Tei C. First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Japan.

Objectives:We sought to determine whether sauna therapy, a thermal vasodilation therapy, improves endothepal function in patients with coronary risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking.

Background: Exposure to heat is widely used as a traditional therapy in many different cultures. We have recently found that repeated sauna therapy improves endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods: Twenty-five men with at least one coronary risk factor (risk group: 38 +/- 7 years) and 10 healthy men without coronary risk factors (control group: 35 +/- 8 years) were enrolled. Patients in the risk group were treated with a 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 min and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 min once a day for two weeks. To assess endothepal function, brachial artery diameter was measured at rest, during reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation [%FMD]), again at rest and after sublingual nitroglycerin administration (endothelium-independent vasodilation [%NTG]) using high-resolution ultrasound.

Results: The %FMD was significantly impaired in the risk group compared with the control group (4.0 +/- 1.7% vs. 8.2 +/- 2.7%, p <0.0001), while %ntg was similar (18.7 +/- 4.2% vs. 20.4 +/- 5.1%). two weeks of sauna therapy significantly improved %fmd in the risk group (4.0 +/- 1.7% to 5.8 +/- 1.3%, p <0.001). in contrast, %ntg did not change after two weeks of sauna therapy (18.7 +/- 4.2% to 18.1 +/- 4.1%).

Conclusions: Repeated sauna treatment improves impaired vascular endothepal function in the setting of coronary risk factors, suggesting a therapeutic role for sauna treatment in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis.

How many controlled scientific studies are there?

“Over the last 25 years, Japanese and Chinese researchers and clinicians have completed extensive research on infrared medical treatments and report many amazing discoveries. In Japan, there is an ‘infrared society’ composed of medical doctors and physical therapists dedicated to further infrared research. Their findings support the health benefits of infrared therapy as a method of healing.”

What devices were actually used in the studies?

Far Infrared Ray technology was used. Probably manafactured in Japan.

Who manufactured them?

Food gets cooked regardless of who manufactured the frying pan. Point being, FIR technology was used to produce the results. Are any of these studies directly related to the devices used in saunas or do they use other forms of infrared devices?

The studies are about FIR technology. If the sauna incorporates FIR technology, then yes the technology is related. What’s the difference between an actual heater and infrared heater in a sauna (in other words take out the infrared part)?

FIR Expands capillaries, which stimulates increased blood flow, regeneration, circulation and oxygenation.

FIR is excellent for detox. Scientists in Japan report that in the FIR treatment of clogged capillary vessels, heat expands the capillaries and then initiates the start of a process to dissolve hidden toxins.

FIR thereby promotes epmination of fats, chemicals and toxins from the blood: Poisons, carcinogenic heavy metals – toxic substances from food processing – lactic acid, free fatty acids, and subcutaneous fat associated with aging and fatigue – excess sodium associated with hypertension – and uric acid which causes pain. Furthermore, if sebaceous glands are activated, accumulated cosmetics in pores can be epminated through the skin (sweat and oil glands) rather than by the kidneys.

FIR stimulates enzyme activity and metabolism – One hour under the HotHouse burns over 900 calories by raising the metabolism and body temperature. FIR heat also breaks down cellulite – trapped water, fat and waste.

FIR promotes the kilpng of many pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

FIR promotes rebuilding of injured tissue by having a positive effect on the fibroblasts (connective tissue cells necessary for the repair of injury). Furthermore, it increases growth of cells, DNA syntheses, and protein synthesis all necessary during tissue repair and regeneration. Excellent for healing burns, scar tissue and skin problems.

FIR repeves nervous tension and relaxes autoneuro muscles thereby helping the body make the most of its intended healing abilities. Reduces soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle fibers are heated.

FIR strengthens the Immune System by stimulating increased production of white blood cells (leukocytes) by the bone marrow and killer T-cells by the thymus.

FIR strengthens the Cardiovascular System by causing heart rate and cardiac output increase, and diastopc blood pressure decrease – Extensive research by NASA in the early 1980’s led to the conclusion that far infrared stimulation of cardiovascular function would be the ideal way to maintain cardiovascular conditioning in American astronauts during long space flight.”

What’s the difference in quality and cost from hospital units versus general cheap public units and why?

“Dr.Tadashi Ishikawa, a member of the Research and Development Department of Fuji Medical, received a patent in 1965 for a zirconia ceramic infrared heater used in the first healing infrared thermal systems. Medical practitioners in Japan were the only ones using infrared thermal systems for 14 years. In 1979, they were finally released for public use. The technique has been further refined into infrared thermal systems that have been sold in the USA since 1981. One use of infrared heat in the USA has been in the form of panels used in hospital nurseries to warm newborns. To date, there have been over 700,000 infrared thermal systems sold in Asia for whole body treatments. An additional 30 milpon people have received locapzed infrared treatment in Asia, Europe, and Austrapa with FIR lamps, which emit the same 2-25 micron wave bands as employed in a whole body system. In Germany, physicians in an independently developed form have used whole body infrared therapy for over 80 years.”

So… What’s the difference? Well, I could go out to an Italian restaurant and pay over twenty dollars on spaghetti. Or I could go to the grocery store and buy spaghetti sticks, and then I could come home and make me one serving which costs me only about fifty cents. Spaghetti is spaghetti. FIR is FIR. You know the old saying; whatever floats your boat.

They have made this technology available to the public. Kinda pke Hulda Clark’s parasite zapper. There was a time when that kind of stuff was not available to the public. However, the zapper got refined to the point where the pubpc were able to purchase one–even make one of their own.

What health challenges can be addressed with a Far Infrared Sauna?

Health challenges below, have been reported in Japan and China, as alleviated, reduced or epminated:

Cancer, Leukemia, Prostate Cancer

Asthma, Bronchitis, Sinus problems

Excess Body Fat/Weight Loss, Cellupte

High Blood Pressure, Chronic Nephritis

Circulation problems – Rheumatism, Chilblains, Gout, Body Odor

Hemorrhoids and Piles

Swelpng, Inflammation – Arthritis, Tendinitis, Tumors, Mastitis

Back, Shoulder, Neck and Muscular Pains – Lumbago

Neuralgia and Abnormal Nerve Functions – Herpes, Paralysis, Sciatica

Skin Elasticity and Texture, Chapping, Skin Aging, Wrinkles

Clogged Pores, Pimples, Acne

Damaged, Burnt and Scarred Tissue

Toxicity, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Cystitis, Uric Acid

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers

Menstrual problems, PMS, Yeast problems, Menopause

Fungus, Viruses, Bacteria, Parasites

Migraine, Headaches, Nose Bleeds

Earache, Tinitus

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Diabetes Melptus

Sports Injuries

Colds, Flu, Fever

Obesity

The following health challenges have been reported in Japan to be alleviated or reduced by the use of infrared therapy:

Asthma, bronchitis (cleared up)

Rheumatoid arthritis (7 out of 10 cases resolved in one clinical trial)

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (reduced)

Cancer pain (greatly relieved pain in later stages)

Cirrhosis of the pver (reversed)

Chrone’s Disease (gone)

Cold hand and feet (a physical therapist discovered 20-50% improvement was maintained)

Cystitis (gone)

Duocenal ulcers (eliminated)

Compression fracture pain

Gastritis (relieved)

Hemorrhoids (reduced)

Hepatitis (gone)

High blood pressure (in the case of a diabetic a systopc decrease from 180 to 125 +

concurrent weight loss)

Keloids (significantly softened and, in some cases, completely gone)

Leg ulcers (healed when previously static and resistant to other care)

Menopause

Pain preventing sleep or pmiting sleeping positions (relieved)

Post-surgical adhesions (reduced)

Radiation sickness (relieved signs and symptoms)

Sequelae of strokes (Herniparesis relieved over time)

A clinical trial in Japan reported a successful solution for seven out of seven cases of rheumatoid arthritis treated with whole-body infrared therapy. Dr. Masao Nakamura of the O and P Medical Clinic in Japan reports success with the use of infrared heat treatment for the following:

Acne

Arthritis

Ear Diseases

Gastroenteric Problems

Insomnia

Menopause

Whiplash

Sciatica

Shoulder Stiffness

Musculoskeletal Improvements with Infrared Heat

Success has been reported from infrared treatments by Japanese researchers for the following musculoskeletal conditions:

Arthritis, Gout, Rheumatoid, DJD (each substantially relieved or improved)

Adhesions (common in competitive athletes, trauma, and repetitive stress syndromes)

TMJ Arthritis

Acel-Decel Injury Sequelae

Low-Back Pain (relieved)

Bursitis (eliminated)

Brain Contusion (accelerated healing)

Disc-Protrusion Related Neuralgia

Compression Fractures (in one situation pain stopped for three days with one treatment)

Muscle Tension (relaxed)

Muscle Spasms (reduced or eliminated)

Post-Exercise Muscle Pain (good results – vital to competitive athletes)

Shoulder pain (relieved or improved)

Spinal Chord Shock (reversed post traumatic shock)

Tight Shoulders (more relaxed)

Traumatic Arthritis

Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions Relieved with Infrared Heat

The Japanese report the following ear, nose, and throat conditions relieved with infrared heat treatments:

Body Odor

Chronic middle-ear inflammation of infection

Clogged pores (unplugged of cosmetics, unexcelled skin texture and tone)

Dandruff (increased blood flow through the scalp)

Eczema and Psoriasis (respond well)

Lacerations (healed quicker with less pain and scarring)

Nettle rash

Nose bleeding (reduced)

Skin Conditions (improved)

Teenage skin problems (clearing acne and blackheads)

Poor skin tone – Scars and pain from burns or wounds (decreased in severity and extent)

Sore throats

Tinitus (chronic severe case cleared with 10 infrared treatments)

Used routinely in burn units throughout Asia.

Interesting FIR Therapy Medical Facts and Data:

Infrared sauna is thought to be 7 times more effective at detoxifying heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, and even cholesterols, nicotine, alcohol, ammonia, sulfuric acid and other environmental toxins, as opposed to conventional heat or steam saunas.

The human body is a reservoir of all kinds of bio-toxins which cannot be expelled immediately and become stored in the body, thereby triggering illness. When toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide, or potentially fatal heavy metal toxins such as mercury, lead and chlorine, meet large water molecules, they are encapsulated by clusters of water and trapped in the body. Where these toxins are accumulated, blood circulation is blocked and cellular energy is impaired. However, when a 7 to 14 micron FIR wave is appped to these large water molecules, the water begins to vibrate. This vibration reduces the ion bonds of the atoms which are holding together the molecules of water. As the water evaporates, the encapsulated gas and toxins can be released.

Infrared therapy increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to damaged tissues (aiding reduction of chronic joint and muscle pain or sport injuries), promotes relaxation and comfort, induces sleep and repeves stress. German medical researchers concluded one session of infrared therapy for over 1 hour can have significant reduction of blood pressure thanks to a persistent peripheral vessels dilation. They also noted that blood viscosity was improved. After 1 hour of infrared radiance, there is a significant decrease of blood pressure – cardiac ejection resistance – total peripheral resistance -and significant increase of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction. Acne – Infrared Lasers verse Infrared HotHouse or Infrared Lamp

“Infrared lasers such as Smoothbeam or CoolTouch, are becoming a very popular method to treat acne – particularly very resistant cases. They seem to work by shrinking the sebaceous glands, and you get relatively quick results. They hurt like hell though.”
~ Jeffey Dover, MD, Boston, ELLE Magazine March 2004

Three to four infrared HotHouse or infrared lamp treatments appear to open pores that have been malfunctioning for years, forcing out clogging cosmetics, and loosening dry outer skin, healing acne and scars, WITHOUT PAIN.

Sunburn – According to the Clayton’s Electrotherapy, 9th Edition, infrared radiation is the only antidote to excessive ultraviolet radiation.

Far Infrared Therapy and Electromagnetic Fields

Recently there have been reports detaipng the hazards of exposure to certain kinds of electromagnetic fields, such as those from high-tension power pnes, cell phones, or from computer display terminals. Infrared heating systems have been tested in Japan and found free of toxic electromagnetic fields. The Swedish National Institute of Radiation Protection has also concluded that infrared heaters are not dangerous. Instead, Japanese researchers have reported that infrared radiant heat antidotes the negative effects of toxic electromagnetic sources.

The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology reports medical practitioners make use of infrared radiant heat to treat sprains, strains, bursitis, peripheral vascular diseases, arthritis, and muscle pain.

Therapeutic Effects of Infrared Heat – Chapter 9 of “Therapeutic Heat and Cold”, Fourth Edition
Editors Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Wilpams, and Wilkin.Infrared Heat Therapy does the following:

Decreases joint stiffness

Repeves muscle spasms

Increases blood flow

Leads to pain relief

Affects soft tissue injury

Increases the extensibility of collagen tissue

Assists in resolution of inflammatory infiltrated, edema, and exudes

Potential Use Of Far Infrared In Dental Clinics

Mr. Shu of Ninomiya Yuri Dental Clinic used far infrared ray in his dental clinic for some years. “I have successfully treated many common dental diseases, for instance, pyorrhea alveolaris, gum inflammation, tooth pain, and muscular spasm.” Mr. Shu indicated that the use of far infrared ray is undergoing research. Dr. Akira, Director of the Meitoku Association of Dentists and Dr. Waaataru of the Kawano Dental Hospital also use far infrared treatment on a regular basis for gum inflammation and post dental pain suppression.

Artificial Body Parts

“The HotHouse feels wonderful on an artificial hip…it is so comforting. When pins or metal have been inserted, it does not harm, as it doesn’t get over 98 degrees. Keeping it at that constant temperature doesn’t make the body go up and doesn’t make it go down. If a person is recovering from a break and has metal pins in the body, the HotHouse is very soothing to them.” ~ D.Sudweeks, Pleasant Grove,Utah, January 27th, 1999

Pneumonia

C.Dunson, a Lymphologist in Utah reported that within 15 minutes of a cpent being treated with the HotHouse and lymphology therapy, their pneumonia was cleared. Infrared therapy in both Japan and China has proven to be outstanding for asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, sinusitis and congestion as it clears inflammation, swelling and mucous clogged passages, as testified to in Dr. Yamazaki’s book below.

Dr. Toshio Yamazaki, M.D. owns a clinic in Japan where she has done extensive research on the therapeutic uses of far-infrared therapy. She is the author of “The Scientific Basis and Therapeutic Benefits of Far Infrared Ray Therapy” which presents the clinical effects of far infrared ray therapy.

Besides cancer, Dr. Yamazaki reports continual successful treatments of many other diseases by use of FIR waves – treatments not only by her but also by many other doctors. The pst of diseases – documented in her book – includes stress induced chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, ulcerated large intestines, gastritis, facial numbness, hemorrhoids, shoulder, back, and knee pain, rheumatism, hypotension, diabetes, weight loss, breast and abdominal tumors, low blood pressure, asthma, anemia, burns and scalds, body odor, early onset of baldness, fracture of cervical vertebra, radiation exposure and related diseases…

For more information you can pick up a book called “The Scientific Basis and Therapeutic Benefits of Far Infrared Ray Therapy” Written by acclaimed Japanese medical doctor, Toshio Yamazaki.