Benefits of a Dry Sauna

A dry sauna is similar to the Swedish dry-heat bath. A dry sauna is an enclosed area where raised temperatures (around 200 degrees F) cause increased levels of sweating. Dry saunas are only used for a few minutes at a time, and are often followed by cold showers or baths. Dry saunas are different from Finnish saunas that use steam to create the sweating effect. The use of dry saunas can have positive effects on the body.

Detoxifying Benefits

• Dry saunas induce profuse sweating, which helps the body rid itself of toxins. Toxins like nicotine and alcohol can be removed by profuse sweating.

Cancer-Causing Agents

• Heavy metals like lead, nickel and cadmium are cancer-causing agents. Dry sauna-induced sweat helps remove heavy metals from the body.

Burning Calories

• Sweating increases heart rate. The increased heart rate, combined with the increased body temperature, helps increase metabolism and in turn also increases calories burned by the body.

Cardiovascular Health

• The increased heart rate that results from using a dry sauna also helps create cardiovascular health. Using dry saunas increases heart rate and helps drop diastolic blood pressure, making for a healthier heart.

Fighting Bacteria

• According to French virologist Dr. Andre Lwoff, high body temperatures help the body fight off viruses and disease. Dry saunas help raise body temperature to create an environment that destroys bacteria while increasing leukocyte levels and boosting the immune system.