Here is an excerpt from an interview I conducted with Dr. Richard Beever on infrared saunas....
Dr. Richard Beever is doing more than anybody today to educate the medical and health professions about the importance of infrared sauna therapy for total overall health. He has three major publications on the topic including one on the benefits for heart and circulatory health and one on infrared sauna and diabetes. His insights have shown us that there is strong scientific evidence for this important health strategy. Quite apart from benefits for detoxification and pain, Dr. Beever touches on other areas of health in this exceprted portion, as we see in this email excerpt:
Hi Dr. Beever
What led you to conduct the studies?
I was looking into purchasing a traditional sauna. In the process I came across many advertisements for the FIRs and noticed that there were claims of health benefits exceeding those of the traditional sauna. Being somewhat of a skeptic, I decided to do a literature search looking for evidence to back up these claims (Canadian Family Physician July 2009; 55:,691-696). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and reassured…see next question.
How did the study finding surprise you?
I was both surprised and reassured that there is high quality research supporting far-infrared sauna therapy for treatment of congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. In addition I also found very preliminary support for FIRs in reducing chronic fatigue syndrome and for treating chronic pain.
There was, however, inconsistent data regarding the effects of far-infrared sauna on weight loss and fasting blood sugar; some studies show benefit and others show no benefit. On the other hand, the published data have consistently found that sauna therapy does not lower cholesterol or triglyceride levels (in contrast to the case reports documented on many sales websites).
Can you describe your attitude towards far infrared therapy before the study?
Simply one of complete ignorance: I did not even know infrared therapy existed.
What would you say to people who do wish to buy them for overall health or heart and circulatory health?
Generally, I would feel comfortable in recommending FIRs, particularly the Sunlighten Sauna brand, as I have done subsequent research examining the effects of this specific sauna on quality of life, blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, sugar levels in those with Type 2 Diabetes (publication pending).
Resources
References
Jay@Infrared Sauna Reviews says:
Great to see doctor's doing the research to back up all the hype about infrared saunas. Did anyone else see Sunlighten saunas featured on Oprah with Dr. Oz?
July 31st, 2010 at 10:51 PM