Way before the invention of saunas, the heat had been used as a mechanism for healing. In ancient Rome and Greece, people built public baths in hot springs and fire furnaces. Moreover, across history in East Asia, stones were also made warm and placed in contact with the body to generate therapeutic properties that come with heat.
Heat Has Healing Properties
According to SciTechDaily, present-day scientists know the mechanism that fosters the healing advantages that come with heat. If the body gets exposed to temperature levels of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or more, it triggers the expulsion of heat shock proteins.
Such a kind of protein is a particular stress protein type. Stress proteins are molecules that help regulate the body in the face of exterior stressors, such as extreme temperature levels. Heat shock proteins boost production when the human body is exposed to heat. These proteins add strength to the cells and enable them to exhibit higher levels of resiliency in the face of adversity and stress. They help keep the homeostasis of the nervous system, immune system, and other parts.
According to Lifespan, regular usage of saunas may enable heat shock proteins more frequently. This, thus, makes the cells more resilient and robust.
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How the Body Can Benefit From Heat and Sauna Usage
SciTechDaily also notes that heat shock proteins improve the brain's health, as exposure to heat has significantly enhanced the mitochondria's function. This specific part of the cell is in-charge of energy generation for almost every cell type. SciTechDaily notes how previous studies conducted on mice battling Alzheimer's disease observed that exposure to heat decreased neurodegeneration. This was done by reversing the dysfunction of the mitochondria.
Moreover, SciTechDaily also notes that a study that covered over 2,000 healthy adults in middle age found that having suan therapy at least twice each week reduced Alzheimer's and dementia risks.
Aside from helping the brain, Lifespan notes how heat exposure improves the body's cardiovascular condition. Heat exposure enables several responses of protection. Certain responses can assist in safeguarding the body's cardiovascular system and, in turn, safeguard against heart conditions. While exercise boosts heart health, sauna usage has also been seen to aid cardiovascular health, as noted in a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
Other than this, heat shock proteins also support the immune system. According to SciTechDaily, the immune system continuously reacts to the environment at each moment. It traces and neutralizes external intruders to maintain homeostasis across important organs. The white blood cells are in charge of interpreting threats and creating antibodies to deal with these threats. Heat shock proteins, overall, enhance the production of these blood cells. This, thus, boosts dendritic cells, microphages, and T cells, as noted in an Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases study.
Sauna Usage Benefits the Body
All of these findings show how heat therapy, through sauna usage, benefits the body remarkably. Because of electric heaters and saunas, there is no need to look for traditional hot springs to warm up the body. One can go to the nearby sauna, relax, and reap the benefits of heat shock proteins.
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* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of sciencetimes.com
