Weight Loss Information

Weight Loss Options -- Infrared Radiant Heat Saunas (IR Saunas)


Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that penetrates the outer surface of objects, including human skin. Heat is generated as the infrared energy interacts with and penetrates the skin surface.

The depth of penetration is estimated to be 2-3 inches. The IRRH reaction is exothermic. The release of heat, if localized, is believed to be therapeutic by some health experts.

Today, a number of businesses sell saunas equipped with infrared radiant heat (IR Saunas). They claim that at 2-3 inches deep, the release of heat is beneficial in many ways. For instance, chronic wounds tend to heal.

How? No one knows for sure, but most likely it's related to improved blood flow and oxygenation of the wound. I have no problem with the theory behind IRRH and the healing of chronic wounds.

But what about weight loss? Can infrared heat cause significant weight loss? More importantly, can it lead to Healthy Weight Loss? The business owners selling IR Saunas seem to think so.

So the question is, can IR Saunas lead to Healthy Weight Loss?

Infrared Radiant Heat Saunas (IR Saunas)

Unlike older steel counterparts, IR Saunas are ceramic-coated and tend to be more efficient, producing the same amount of heat in a shorter time period when compared to the steel based saunas.

According to supporters of IR Saunas, this efficiency translates into longer exposure times, up-regulation of your body's thermoregulatory system, and weight loss.

A local Dallas newspaper printed an ad for an infrared sauna that stated , "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 at 110 degrees (F) leading to fat loss." -- Dallas Voice, February 12th, 2005

There is no doubt that we could pick apart the ad and question it's validity. But, I decided to keep things simple and focus on one aspect of infrared weight loss...the thermoregulatory process.

According to the advertisement, infrared heat penetrates deeply into tissue and up-regulates the thermoregulatory process. Is this up-regulation enough to cause significant healthy weight loss?

For our purposes, healthy weight loss is defined as fat loss. Remember, a healthy diet program promotes weight loss in short increments, never losing more than 2 pounds per week. The drop in weight is from a loss of fat and nothing else. Weight loss by any other means isn't healthy and should not be considered as an option for losing weight.

The Thermoregulatory Process

This is a very complex topic. Many factors are involved in keeping your body temperature constant. In the human brain, the hypothalamus regulates the entire thermoregulatory process with the exception of early responses to high temperature. Things like sweating, rapid breathing, and increased blood flow to the arms and legs are examples of the early responses not regulated by the central nervous system.

The question is can these mechanisms cause weight loss by "burning" fat. Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, says no.

"The amount you sweat is indicative of your body's ability to maintain its normal body temperature. You sweat when your body starts to store heat so you can experience cooling via evaporation of that sweat. So it doesn't correlate to how much energy, or calories, is being expended. You are not going to utilize stored fat simply by raising body temperature...it's not going to happen."

It makes sense too. Your body loves to store fat for future emergencies and it won't give up the fat very easily. You are well protected from starvation.

Joe King, editor for the Journal of Hyperplasia Research said, "Evaporation accounts for increases in total oxygen uptake, which causes the working muscles to utilize more glycogen." Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, the main energy source for your body.

In short, IR Saunas do not cause weight loss through utilization of fat. Instead, the high temperatures result in glycolysis (using sugars for immediate energy needs) and the water loss accounts for the drop in weight. What does this all mean? Infrared Saunas promote unhealthy weight loss.

This reminds me of what a sales representative told me a month or so ago about IR Saunas. He said, "The heart receives a workout similar to a 6-mile run in an IR Sauna." He may be right, but it's not fat that you're losing.

Conclusion

An infrared sauna is not a good option for losing weight.

Healthy Living!
Michael A. Smith, MD
The Weight Loss Professional

Additional information on can be found at The Weight Loss Professional Website.

Dr. Smith is the primary physician and consultant for the Weight Loss Professional Website. His interests include preventative medicine, the genetic etiology of obesity, and several other interests too numerous to list. Please visit his web site at http://www.weight-loss-professional.com and let him know what you think.


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Steve Jobs' weight loss may be linked to his earlier cancer ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Jan 5, 2009
(MARIA J. AVILA/MERCURY NEWS) Apple CEO Steve Jobs' recent weight loss may be linked to his prior surgery for pancreatic cancer and is likely treatable, ...
Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
Steve Jobs Says Hormone Imbalance Caused Weight Loss Bloomberg
Apple's Jobs Blames Weight Loss on Hormones PC Magazine
Taipei Times - Computerworld
all 2,735 news articles


Call 4 Action: Marketing Of 'Weight Loss' Berry Drawing Fire
MSNBC - 3 hours ago
Dietician Lesli Bonci said there are no studies to back up any weight loss claims of the berries. They actually have fewer cancer-fighting particles than ...


A look at weight-loss spokeswomen
Chicago Tribune, United States - 11 hours ago
The actress will continue as a spokeswoman for the weight-loss chain, People.com reports, noting that Latifah, 38, shed 20 pounds in 2008 while maintaining ...


Earthtimes (press release)

Weight loss tip of 2008: 'The Write Diet'
Examiner.com - 6 hours ago
University-based weight-loss experts and a handful of smaller research studies also have verified that writing down the food and calories you eat each day ...
The key to weight loss: portion control Globe and Mail
EAT THIS, NOT THAT! SUPERMARKET SURVIVAL GUIDE The No-Diet Weight ... Earthtimes (press release)
Eat less, add flavor, lose the weight Boston Globe
WISC - Connecticut Post
all 27 news articles


Entertainment Weekly

Food Banks to Benefit from Weight Loss Challenge
Promo Magazine, NY - 5 hours ago
General Mills, NBC’s “Biggest Loser” and Feeding America are collaborating on a weight loss challenge that will deliver a pound of groceries to local food ...
Let the weight loss begin Martinsburg Journal
Weight loss program benefits Winchester News Gazette
Premierewatch: 'The Biggest Loser: Couples' brings the twists Zap2it.com
Entertainment Weekly - PR Web (press release)
all 76 news articles


GSK Signs Wynonna Judd to Endorse Alli, Its Flagging Weight Loss Drug
BNET, Ca - 3 hours ago
By Jim Edwards | January 7th, 2009 @ 7:27 am GlaxoSmithKline is not giving up on Alli, its OTC weight-loss pill that has seen only modest sales. ...
Wynonna Judd Reveals Her alli(R), Her Story for Finding a ... PR Newswire (press release)
Wynonna Judd People Magazine
Wynonna Judd a little bit country on seventh album Examiner.com
all 7 news articles


Dallas Morning News

WeightView.com's "Virtual Weight Loss" Now the Most Active Weight ...
MSNBC - Jan 6, 2009
NEW YORK, NY - WeightView, the digital weight loss tool that enables dieters to see a visual representation of themselves at their desired weight, ...
Site shows how you'd look after weight loss Dallas Morning News
all 7 news articles


SmartAboutHealth

Two FDA-Approved Drugs May Spark Weight Loss, Fight Obesity
dBTechno, MA - 5 hours ago
... published this week in the journal Cell Metabolism has revealed that two FDA-approved drugs may be able to actually spark weight loss and fight obesity. ...
Drugs trigger dramatic weight loss in fat mice Scientific American
Study raises hope for obesity treatment Reuters
New hope for failed obesity drug Boston Globe
Science Daily (press release) - I Really Should Study
all 92 news articles


Weight loss goes wholesale -- buy NutriSystem (NTRI)
BloggingStocks - Jan 6, 2009
NutriSystem captured the investor imagination with its unique solution to weight loss and weight management. The company's home delivery of prepackaged ...
NutriSystem, Inc. Affiliates With Costco Wholesale Corporation MSNBC
NutriSystem taps Costco for sales help Bizjournals.com
all 20 news articles


Promoters of weight-loss book pay tolls on Kansas Turnpike
Kansas City Star, MO - Jan 6, 2009
AP Tolls for drivers leaving the Kansas Turnpike on Topeka’s east side were paid by New York company Sterling Publishing, which is promoting the book I Can ...
Weight-loss promo picks up tolls Topeka Capital Journal
Promotion gives drivers free ride Topeka Capital Journal
all 38 news articles

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006