eDiets NutriSystem, Inc.


Weight Loss Options -- Infrared Radiant Heat Saunas (IR Saunas)


Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that penetrates the outer surface of objects, including human skin. Heat is generated as the infrared energy interacts with and penetrates the skin surface.

The depth of penetration is estimated to be 2-3 inches. The IRRH reaction is exothermic. The release of heat, if localized, is believed to be therapeutic by some health experts.

Today, a number of businesses sell saunas equipped with infrared radiant heat (IR Saunas). They claim that at 2-3 inches deep, the release of heat is beneficial in many ways. For instance, chronic wounds tend to heal.

How? No one knows for sure, but most likely it's related to improved blood flow and oxygenation of the wound. I have no problem with the theory behind IRRH and the healing of chronic wounds.

But what about weight loss? Can infrared heat cause significant weight loss? More importantly, can it lead to Healthy Weight Loss? The business owners selling IR Saunas seem to think so.

So the question is, can IR Saunas lead to Healthy Weight Loss?

Infrared Radiant Heat Saunas (IR Saunas)

Unlike older steel counterparts, IR Saunas are ceramic-coated and tend to be more efficient, producing the same amount of heat in a shorter time period when compared to the steel based saunas.

According to supporters of IR Saunas, this efficiency translates into longer exposure times, up-regulation of your body's thermoregulatory system, and weight loss.

A local Dallas newspaper printed an ad for an infrared sauna that stated , "Perspiring is part of the complex thermoregulatory process of the body that increases the heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate. The process requires a large amount of energy and reduces excess moisture, salt and subcutaneous fat. Fat becomes water soluble at 110 degrees (F) leading to fat loss." -- Dallas Voice, February 12th, 2005

There is no doubt that we could pick apart the ad and question it's validity. But, I decided to keep things simple and focus on one aspect of infrared weight loss...the thermoregulatory process.

According to the advertisement, infrared heat penetrates deeply into tissue and up-regulates the thermoregulatory process. Is this up-regulation enough to cause significant healthy weight loss?

For our purposes, healthy weight loss is defined as fat loss. Remember, a healthy diet program promotes weight loss in short increments, never losing more than 2 pounds per week. The drop in weight is from a loss of fat and nothing else. Weight loss by any other means isn't healthy and should not be considered as an option for losing weight.

The Thermoregulatory Process

This is a very complex topic. Many factors are involved in keeping your body temperature constant. In the human brain, the hypothalamus regulates the entire thermoregulatory process with the exception of early responses to high temperature. Things like sweating, rapid breathing, and increased blood flow to the arms and legs are examples of the early responses not regulated by the central nervous system.

The question is can these mechanisms cause weight loss by "burning" fat. Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, says no.

"The amount you sweat is indicative of your body's ability to maintain its normal body temperature. You sweat when your body starts to store heat so you can experience cooling via evaporation of that sweat. So it doesn't correlate to how much energy, or calories, is being expended. You are not going to utilize stored fat simply by raising body temperature...it's not going to happen."

It makes sense too. Your body loves to store fat for future emergencies and it won't give up the fat very easily. You are well protected from starvation.

Joe King, editor for the Journal of Hyperplasia Research said, "Evaporation accounts for increases in total oxygen uptake, which causes the working muscles to utilize more glycogen." Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, the main energy source for your body.

In short, IR Saunas do not cause weight loss through utilization of fat. Instead, the high temperatures result in glycolysis (using sugars for immediate energy needs) and the water loss accounts for the drop in weight. What does this all mean? Infrared Saunas promote unhealthy weight loss.

This reminds me of what a sales representative told me a month or so ago about IR Saunas. He said, "The heart receives a workout similar to a 6-mile run in an IR Sauna." He may be right, but it's not fat that you're losing.

Conclusion

An infrared sauna is not a good option for losing weight.

Healthy Living!
Michael A. Smith, MD
The Weight Loss Professional

Additional information on can be found at The Weight Loss Professional Website.

Dr. Smith is the primary physician and consultant for the Weight Loss Professional Website. His interests include preventative medicine, the genetic etiology of obesity, and several other interests too numerous to list. Please visit his web site at http://www.weight-loss-professional.com and let him know what you think.



Weight Loss in the News:

Drug Topics Magazine

Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study
Reuters - 5 hours ago
By Andrew Stern CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women who get pregnant after weight-loss surgery tend to be healthier and less likely to deliver a baby born with ...
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
Weight loss surgery may help obese women avoid pregnancy-related ... EurekAlert (press release)
Bariatric Surgery Before Pregnancy Benefits Moms, Babies U.S. News & World Report
Science Daily (press release) - Medscape (registration)
all 26 news articles


UPDATE 1-US Medicare wants limits for weight loss surgery
Reuters - Nov 17, 2008
... Nov 17 (Reuters) - Medicare, the US government's largest payer of health care, said on Monday it does not plan to cover weight-loss surgery in diabetic ...
CMS Will Not Cover Weight-Loss Surgeries for Non-Obese Diabetes ... Kaiser network.org
Medicare Wants to Cut Funding for Weight Loss Surgeries The ... Softpedia
all 17 news articles


Dairy saves bones during weight loss
Stock and Land, Australia - 22 hours ago
... Prof Weaver stressed how important it was for adolescents to maintain the recommended dairy food intake, even during low calorie weight loss diets, ...


Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery Improves Weight Loss ...
Science Daily (press release) - Nov 17, 2008
"Bariatric surgery is quickly emerging as a standard treatment for severe obesity, although weight loss outcomes vary. These results suggest that patient ...


Los Angeles Times

Boxing legend De la Hoya confident despite weight loss to face ...
AFP - Nov 17, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — US boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya said Monday he has dropped pounds but no punching power ahead of his December 6 welterweight ...
Roach: "Hey Oscar, The Weight Loss Don't Impress Me" BoxingScene.com
OSCAR: No KO Would Be "Disaster" The Sweet Science
Oscar throws punches then jabs at Freddie Roach during media day 15rounds.com
Doghouse Boxing
all 311 news articles


Amazing Weight Loss Stories
WXii 12.com, NC - 12 hours ago
Kimberly Van Scoy is working on weight loss stories and we'd like to have your stories and contact information. Give us your e-mail if that's all the ...


Weight Loss Challenge comes to Swampscott
Swampscott Reporter, MA - 23 hours ago
Local area residents are invited to launch a 12-week non-profit Weight Loss Challenge that offers a quick, easy weight loss solution and long-term weight ...


Dietitians fear weight loss advice 'dangerous'
The Dominion Post, New Zealand - 8 hours ago
Television weight loss show Downsize Me has sparked complaints from dietitians worried it tells people to lose too much weight too quickly – and dishes up ...
Dietitians complain about TV weight-loss series Scoop.co.nz (press release)
all 2 news articles


I did it! Robyn Archuleta's weight loss story
The Virginian-Pilot, VA - Nov 17, 2008
Robyn Archuleta, a Virginia Beach resident, turned to Tidewater Bariatrics for weight loss help and dropped 100 pounds in eight months. ...


Weight Loss vs. Healthy Weight Loss for the Holidays
The Open Press (press release) - 22 hours ago
But they should know that there's a big difference between weight loss and healthy weight loss, and anyone who's starving to death will tell you so. ...

Weight-Loss - Google News



longevity and aging | magnetic bracelets | women's health magazine | promotional bottled water | juiceplus
Get Free Links

Home | Site Map
© 2006