In the height of cold and flu season there are some effective natural ways to stay healthy and fight back. One of these is to enjoy an infrared sauna treatment.

There are two types of sauna, infrared and traditional.

The traditional sauna will give you the same luxurious experience but infrared is what all the health gurus are raving about.

According to Dr Sherry A Rogers MD, internationally known expert in environmental medicine in her book Detoxify or Die: “A sauna used to be thought of as a luxury. But studies now confirm that diet and environmental chemicals cause 95% of cancers.

“Furthermore, as the first generation of man exposed to such an unprecedented plethora of daily chemicals, we have learned that stored or undexofied chemicals can mimic any disease.

“‘Incurable’ chronic diseases that were thought to have no known cause often disappear once toxic chemicals are gone.

“Since the far infrared sauna is the safest, most efficacious and economical way of depurating stored toxins, this makes it a household necessity.”

The sauna specialists at Sauna Zone recommend you invest in a sauna at home for the following reasons:

1. Detoxification

Toxins such as sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and carcinogenic heavy metals (cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel) accumulate in the body during modern daily life.

The body eliminates most toxins naturally by sweating. Heat therapy stimulates the sweat glands that cleanse and detoxify the skin.

The heat simply speeds up the body’s natural process.

Dr Sandra Cabot and Margaret Jasinska ND write in their book ‘The Ultimate Detox’: “Research has even shown that saunas can remove pesticides and heavy metals from the body. Some people notice a chemical smell on their body when they have a sauna.

“Unlike Finland, where just about every home has a sauna, in this country you will probably have to rely on gyms and health spas.

‘Make sure your drink plenty of water before and after having a sauna or steam bath, because you will lose a lot of water in the process.”

2. Induced fever

Most illnesses are accompanied by a fever. During a fever, the body heats up to eliminate viruses and attack foreign agents.

Often misunderstood, this rise in temperature is a natural stage of the immune system’s healing process and is one of the best ways to rid the body of chemicals and unwelcome visitors.

Saunas induce an “artificial fever” by heating up the body and activating the immune system.

3. Pain relief

Heat relieves pain by expanding blood vessels and increasing circulation.

Better circulation allows more oxygen to reach injured areas of the body and helps reduce pain and speed up the healing process.

4. Weight control

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 and the body sweats out fats and toxins.

5. Exercise

During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%.

This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise.

The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk.

There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.

6. Reduce stress

Heat therapy loosens the muscles and relaxes the body.

Many massage therapists use heat to provide more thorough and effective treatment.

7. Benefit to skin

Heat improves circulation, expels dirt and chemicals and removes dead cells on the surface of the skin.

This leads to a more soft and clear complexion.

Click here for more information on infrared sauna products from Sauna Zone.