According to recent scientific research, our bodies may be harbouring more than a dozen infections, funguses and parasites at any given time. Although these unwelcome invaders often cause few explicit symptoms, they can contribute to feelings of lethargy and lowness, weakening our immune systems and diminishing our capacity to fight off more serious infections.

Put simply, when we permit our bodies to play host to potentially harmful parasites and viruses, we are more likely to feel down, to get sick and to develop serious conditions, such as cancer and high blood pressure.

One way our bodies deal with exposure to hazardous parasites and bacteria is by increasing core temperature; we become feverish following contact with viruses and parasites because our bodies recognise that such invaders struggle to survive at higher temperatures.

Yet there is little our bodies can do to rid themselves of those bacteria, parasites and infections that do not induce fever, which, as I have mentioned, are likely to weaken our defences against potentially deadly conditions.

Don’t worry – it’s not all doom and gloom. The use of near infrared saunas, which use incandescent, red lights to increase body temperature, has been shown to detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system.

Infrared saunas ape our bodies’ natural defences, briefly inducing a fever like state that kills off harmful infections, which are intolerant to higher temperatures.

This frees up our bodies’ immune system, allowing it to concentrate on more serious problems, such as eliminating mutant cells that could develop rapidly into life-threatening tumours.

Cancer cells

Some people don’t realise that our cells often mutate abnormally. Whether such malformed cells develop into full blown cancer cells depends upon our bodies’ ability to recognise and destroy mutated cells.

An over-burdened immune system may not recognise mutant cells as swiftly as a healthy immune system – giving cancer cells the opportunity to multiply and develop into tumours.

In destroying parasites and infections, infrared sauna therapy relieves the immune system from additional stresses and strains, indirectly decreasing your likelihood of developing cancerous growths.

Further to this, ensconced in a warm, glowing sauna, you’re likely to feel calm and relaxed, which is great news for your body as well as your brain.

Detox heavy metals and industrial chemicals

Frequent exposure to heavy metals and industrial chemicals, such as aluminium, nickel, lead and arsenic, has been linked to cell mutation. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) found that, on average, an individual may have as many as 700 chemicals surging around inside their body at any one time.

Toxic phthalates are commonly concealed in perfumed soaps, cosmetics and body washes, while high levels of cancer-causing cadmium and mercury are frequently measured in our food and water, as well as the air we breathe.

Undertaking infrared sauna therapy enables us to sweat these dangerous heavy metals and industrial chemicals out of our bodies, enhancing overall health and wellbeing.

Put an end to yeast and fungal infections

Yeast and fungal infections are among the most common infections our bodies are tasked with fighting off; millions of people around the globe suffer from undiagnosed yeast and fungal infections, which often present vague symptoms and may lead to a range of serious health conditions if left untreated.

Luckily, yeasts and funguses are especially vulnerable to heat. Since infrared saunas raise core body temperature by approximately three degrees Celsius, potentially pathogenic yeasts and funguses are easily managed with frequent trips to an infrared sauna.

Further to this, exposure to heavy metals, such as copper and mercury, is thought to worsen yeast infections. (As I mentioned earlier, infrared saunas are a great way of ridding these harmful substances from your body!)

Eliminate pesky parasites

Parasites often thrive undetected in our bodies and brains. Irritatingly, parasites are extremely resistant to treatment. Since parasites lay enormous numbers of microscopic eggs, even if we are somehow able to kill mature parasites, hatchlings can repopulate our bodies’ tissue at phenomenal speed.

However, much like yeasts and funguses, parasites are highly heat-sensitive. Merely by visiting an infrared sauna a few times a week, you can eliminate pesky parasites from your body – even those residing in hard-to-detect regions.

Infrared saunas improve overall health and wellbeing

Infrared saunas are a simple, not to mention enjoyable, way of improving your overall health and wellbeing.

As well as helping to kill parasites and bacteria, and detoxing your system of heavy metals and harmful chemicals, the warm red, orange and yellow light emitted by near infrared bulbs is considered deeply therapeutic and profoundly healing.

Daily exposure to non-intrusive infrared light has been known to cure countless debilitating ailments, candida, chronic sinus infections and skin complaints among them.

So if you feel that your body could use a boost, or your immune system could do with a break, bi-weekly exposure to near infrared light could be just what the doctor ordered.

Erika Doolan – Nutritionist

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