Detoxification, also known as Biotransformation, is the process of converting toxic chemicals into water-soluble chemicals that your body can eliminate via a drainage pathway. These pathways include the:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Gallbladder
- Lymphatic system
- Lungs
- Colon
- And the skin!
Toxins include, but are not limited to:
- heavy metals
- pesticides
- BPA
- hormones/hormonal waste products
- mold toxins/mycotoxins
- medications
You want to support these detoxification pathways and make sure that they are running smoothly at all times. This is foundational for optimal health and wellbeing.
One easy way to support optimal detoxification is to sweat daily. Toxins are eliminated through your sweat – yes, it’s true! So daily exercise is not only important for our muscles, bones, sleep, and your neurotransmitters (feel-good brain chemicals), but it’s also an important way to remove harmful toxins from the body.
If exercise is not your thing, you can use saunas regularly to detox through your skin. Saunas were invented over 2,000 years ago in Finland and have been used throughout time for their many health benefits. Traditional saunas cause sweating by heating the air around you. Modern saunas use infrared rays which emit thermal radiation to create internal heat more directly.
Research shows that bisphenol A (BPA), a waste product of plastic, is best secreted through sweat rather than through urine. Toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are also excreted through sweat. One study found that mercury levels normalized with repeated sauna use. OchratoxinA, a common toxin from mold exposure, is also excreted in sweat. Regular infrared sauna is an important part of mold detoxification protocols.
Saunas stimulate circulation of blood to the skin which helps not only with detoxification, but also with aging and healing of the skin. Amy Mutnan, owner of AM Skincare, notes that:
“Aging is more than topical wrinkles, lines and age spots. As we age, we begin to see, feel, notice ailments that were not present in our youth. Aging comes down to a lack of circulation and a reduction in our body’s natural cellular detoxification processes.”
In addition to supporting detoxification and healthy aging, saunas can help with:
- improved sleep quality
- boost the immune system
- increased metabolic activity which can help with weight management
- improved cardiovascular health
- repair muscles
In order to support sweating, make sure that you are adequately hydrated. You should be drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of clear fluids–more if you’re sweating a lot.
With both exercise and infrared sauna use, make sure that you are also consuming enough antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for protecting the integrity of your cell walls and for growth and repair. They are also required in several of your detoxification pathways.
Contact us to find out which supplements would be ideal to take after a sauna session.
If you’re concerned about whether you are detoxifying adequately or want to learn more about your health in general, talk to your Clinical Nutritionist about testing to determine liver function, anti-oxidant status and what additional support you may need to be your best.
AM Skincare now offers Infrared Sauna treatments. You can schedule directly on the AM Skincare.
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