Saunas and cancer

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June, 2004 by Lawrence Wilson

5. Producing heat shock protein. Heat shock proteins are a discovery of the past 20-30 years. (8) These interesting substances are produced naturally by the body when it is subjected to certain stressors, among them heat. Heat shock proteins can renature proteins, which means to repair and rebuild damaged cell structures. They are a hot topic in cancer research as they have been found to be potent immune system stimulants. Infrared sauna therapy appears to be a simple and safe way to induce natural production of heat shock proteins.

6. Enhancing activity of the skin. Saunas cleanse the skin from the inside. In most people, the skin, a major eliminative organ, is inactive due to wearing clothing and exposure to hundreds of toxic chemicals in bathing water and skin care products. The skin is also important for oxygenation of the body. Sweating also reduces the burden on the kidneys, assisting them to regenerate.

7. Color therapy. Color therapy is greatly underrated. Red, yellow and orange in the electric light sauna stimulates the lower chakras and the organs of elimination--the liver, kidneys and large intestine. (9) Infrared is also extremely beneficial for the emotional or astral body, sometimes referred to as the aura. It appears to help release emotional traumas. Color therapy can be added to any sauna and is a perfect adjunct to sauna therapy.

8. Infrared decouples toxins from water molecules. This is an enormous benefit of infrared radiation. This occurs most with the electric light sauna, which offers a wide spectrum of near, medium and far infrared energy. Research indicates infrared can remove telomeres from DNA that contribute to aging of the body.

9. Enhancing oxygenation. Oxygen therapies are helpful for cancer and widely used by holistic physicians. Saunas enhance oxygenation several ways. They increase blood flow through the lungs and skin, assisting the blood to pick up more oxygen. They also increase circulation to all body tissues, distributing oxygen to all the tissues. Saunas help remove lead, copper, mercury, arsenic and cyanide that can cause the so-called anemia of chronic disease that reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. According to Japanese research, infrared may also enhance oxygen production within the cells.

10. Balancing the pH. Saunas help balance both excessively acid and alkaline body chemistries. This is due to improved circulation and oxygenation, and correcting the metabolic rate.

11. Enhancing the activity of water molecules in the body. Infrared resonates at the frequency of water and increases the activity of water molecules in the cells. It also reduces the specific gravity of water so that it penetrates cells better, carrying nutrients to the cells and helping remove toxins flour the cells.

Saunas and the Mental State

Maintaining a positive mental attitude is very important for cancer patients. Many patients report that sauna therapy feels good, is relaxing and leaves them refreshed and happier. Some report that the quiet and privacy of the sauna is like a gift to oneself that they cherish. In the sauna, one can shut out the cares of the day. It can also be a spiritual and meditative time one sets aside each day to reaffirm one's bond with the Creator.