Infrared Saunas for Health and Well-Being
The skin is a major organ of detoxification. We release toxins through our skin when we sweat, and ideally, we should sweat daily to maximize the skin's function as a detoxifying organ. Recently, the infrared sauna has become recognized as one of the most effective methods to channel your body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. It helps remove toxic chemicals from the body, particularly when they are stored in fat cells.
Infrared radiant heat can penetrate 4 centimeters beneath the skin and can speed fat metabolism. When fat is discharged from the body as sweat, it carries with it toxins, chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, etc. which cannot be discharged by either the kidneys or the lungs.
Instead of heating the air, infrared saunas emit an infrared wavelength that heats the body core from the inside out. Infrared saunas cause sweating at lower temperatures than non-infrared heat, so it is safe for anyone with high or low blood pressure or cardiovascular issues.
Benefits of Infrared Heat
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Improves circulation, cardiovascular function and lymphatic flow - Repeated sauna treatment improves impaired vascular function for patients with coronary risk factors.
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Enhanced detoxification - Toxins such as alcohol, nicotine, environmental pollutants and heavy metals accumulate in the body during daily living. The body can eliminate toxins through sweating and research has shown that the body burden of chemicals, heavy metals, carcinogens and other pollutants can be significantly diminished through infrared sauna treatments.
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Rejuvenates skin - Helps skin conditions (acne, eczema, scarring, cellulite, etc) - Infrared sauna improves circulation, expels toxins and chemicals, reduces the appearance of cellulite and moves dead cells from the surface of the skin. It clears debris, oils, and make-up residue from the pores of your skin leading to a softer, clearer and firmer complexion.
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Boost metabolism and energy - Similar to exercise, being in the infrared sauna increases your heart rate and metabolism and uses a large amount of energy, while you just relax! Perspiring also reduces fluid build-up, sodium and subcutaneous fat.
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Pain relief - Arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, muscle and joint pain - By expanding blood vessels and increasing circulation, more oxygen reaches injured areas of the body reducing pain and speeding up the healing process. Infrared sauna treatments help to remove lactic acid build-up, often felt after exercise or exertion, leaving the muscles feeling renewed. Infrared sauna is a successful additional treatment for arthritis, muscle pain and spasms.
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Boosts immune system - Why do our bodies create fever when we are sick? Simply, heat kills harmful bacteria that cause infection. Fever is a natural part of the immune response. Infrared sauna induces an “artificial fever” which activates immunity and can decrease the duration of cold- and flu-like illnesses.
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Relaxation and stress relief - Infrared sauna relaxes and loosens muscles prior to a massage or chiropractic treatment, making treatments more effective. However, the calm environment and soothing heat are also relaxing and therapeutic all by themselves.
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Improves quality of life for those with diabetes, chronic pain and depression
Sources: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2010; 42(5): 818; Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, June 2010; 16(6): 677-681; Journal of the American College of Cardiology, October 2001; 38 (4): 1083-1088; International Congress Series, April 2006; 1287: 298-30.
Intravenous Vitamin C for Cancer
(Originally published on our blog in Jan 2011)
Intravenous vitamin C is an effective and well-established cancer therapy that has demonstrated effectiveness in treating cancer for decades, despite being dismissed by some medical experts. As indicated by many studies, this therapy prolongs survival, improves quality of life, and reduces adverse effects of conventional cancer treatment (Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2004; 3:294-300).
Of the studies looking at the anti-cancer effects of intravenous vitamin C, the most well-known is a paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and includes contributions by researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Cancer Research, and McGill University. The study examined cases of advanced terminal cancer and found that high-dose intravenous vitamin C resulted in unexpectedly long term remission rates. In one case of B-cell lymphoma, a cancer that usually results in a very short life expectancy, researchers found that the patient was in normal health 10 years after the diagnosis. Another case showed that a patient with advance kidney cancer that had spread throughout her body, was cancer-free at a one year follow-up assessment. Using conventional treatment options, such results only occur in 1% of cases (CMAJ. 2006;174:937-42). These findings support the use of high-dose intravenous vitamin C therapy in cancer treatment.
How does vitamin work to fight cancer? Part of the answer to this question involves the amounts of the vitamin used. At a low dose (achieved orally through pills), vitamin C is a potent antioxidant with important functions in the immune system and wound healing. However, at a large dose (achieved only intravenously), vitamin C can induce oxidative damage to cells, which means it cause cancer cells to undergo spontaneous death. To give this some perspective, high-dose intravenous vitamin C therapy results in blood levels of 14,000 μM/l, whereas oral doses result in blood concentrations of 220 μM/l. Research looking at the effects on the actual cancer cells demonstrates that very high concentrations of vitamin C (intravenous doses) are selectively toxic to cancer cells, but do not harm normal cells (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2005, 102:13604-9). This selective toxicity occurs because the intravenous vitamin C, in high doses, increases levels of hydrogen peroxide (a chemical that destroys cancer cells). Cancer cells are very vulnerable to this chemical whereas normal cells are not (Histol Histopathol, 1997, 12:525-35). This means cancer cells are destroyed while healthy cells and tissues remain unharmed.
Some traditional oncologists postulate that vitamin C decreases the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Their argument is that chemotherapy works because it is an oxidative process that kills cancer cells, and that anti-oxidants (nutrients such as vitamin C) would interfere with the treatment. This is not the case. There has been no clinical evidence that shows patients given vitamin C and chemotherapy together fare worse than those not receiving the vitamin. In fact the complete opposite is true as demonstrated by all clinical studies. A paper that reviewed 71 scientific studies found that antioxidants actually enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents (J. of Oncol. 1999; 31:1201-1078).
Medical practitioners will be compelled to re-examine the evidence as the use of intravenous vitamin C becomes more commonplace. Until then, seek out your options with a health care practitioner knowledgeable in complementary cancer treatments with scientific research and clinical trials to verify its effectiveness.
Sleepless in Kingston? (Insomnia: Nothing to Lose Sleep Over)
(Originally published on our blog in December 2010)
Do you toss and turn in bed all night? Do you fall asleep only to wake in the wee hours of the morning? Do you sleep ‘normally’, but feel exhausted during the day? It is time for you to discover and explore possible solutions and alternatives to your insomnia.
Insomnia is the difficulty in falling asleep, an inability to maintain sleep, or inadequate sleep quality that results in the sensation of not being refreshed or rejuvenated in the morning and with deteriorating capacity to function during the day.
We all complain about sleeplessness at some points in our lives, but it is usually short term and brought on by stress or illness. With adequate rest, and a healthy state of mind it usually passes with recovery only taking a few days. It is when it goes beyond this period that the downward spiral begins and the fear of not falling asleep becomes the cause of the insomnia. Life often becomes complicated by the frustrations of sleeplessness, ability to function deteriorates, and personal relationships may suffer. This often leads to resorting to addictive sleep promoting drugs or alcohol due to desperation. The problem with sleep aiding medication, also known as hypnotics, is that they effect the sleep cycle, not allowing you to get the restorative sleep you need and in turn causes next-morning hangover effects. Hypnotics also cause dependence (you can not sleep without them) and tolerance (after a while they are no longer effective). There are many alternatives to these medications and it is important to be informed about your options.
A starting point is to determine some common causes of insomnia. Firstly, it is imperative to identifying the root cause of the insomnia.
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Hormonal and thyroid imbalances should be ruled out through blood work.
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A breathing disorder known as sleep apnea, and a movement disorder know as restless leg syndrome greatly effect sleep quality and may need to be ruled out by a few nights of testing at a sleep lab.
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Generalized anxiety disorder and depression can also interfere with sleep and appropriate treatment must be sought.
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The most common cause of insomnia is psychological or emotional stress, i.e. the stresses of daily life, but many other factors can also affect sleep.
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Medications can have a major influence on sleep. Some can directly stimulate the central nervous system and others can cause insomnia upon withdrawal. Drugs used for the treatment of asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid dysfunction, arthritis, and even medications for coughs and colds can affect sleep. If a medication is at the root of your insomnia, there may be natural alternatives fro you to explore.
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The use of stimulants such as caffeine even early in the day can interfere with both falling asleep and can trigger awakenings in the night.
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Nicotine is another stimulant and studies have shown that smokers take longer time to fall asleep than non-smokers.
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Alcohol also has an effect on sleep and although it does induce sleep, the sleep is distorted, with little REM (one of the sleep stages important for restorative sleep).
Let’s examine the importance of proper sleep hygiene.
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It is important to have a regular sleep-wake schedule seven days a week. This means going to bed and getting up at the same time every day (even on weekends and holidays) and no daytime napping.
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Use your bedroom for sleep and intimacy only. If the bedroom is used for other activities, such as reading, watching TV etc, this conditions you to be alert in a place that should be associated with sleep.
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It is also very important that the room is as dark and sound proof as possible to create an atmosphere that promotes sleep.
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Plan a quiet relaxation routine before bed. This helps with the transitions from wake to sleep. Have a 10 to 15 minute slow down period in which you do quietening activities. If you do waken during the night and feel wide awake, it is important to leave the bedroom and do something quietly in low lighting until you feel sleepy again. You should never lie in bed for longer that 20 minutes awake.
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Last but not least, if you are having considerable difficulty sleeping, it is important to try completely avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, and to avoid large meals in the evening.
Diet and exercise have a significant effect on sleep patterns. A diet rich in nutrients including whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lean proteins is not only important for overall health but also for sleep.
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Concentrate on foods high in magnesium. Magnesium is a natural sedative. A high magnesium, diet has been found to be associated with high-quality sleep time and fewer awakenings in the night (Pharmacopsychiatry, 2002;35:135-43). Magnesium-rich foods include whole grains. kelp, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, and blackstrap molasses.
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Regular exercise consisting of 20 to 40 minutes of activity with sufficient intensity to cause sweating, helps to promote sleep. However, exercise should be earlier in the day to prevent the boost in alertness that negatively effects sleep. A recent study has shown that a moderate intensity exercise program significantly improved both objective and subjective dimensions of sleep.
Medicinal herbs are a great alternative to sleeping pills.
- Valeriana officinalis (valerian) has been shown to have sleep-inducing, anti-anxiety, and tranquiling effects. Several clinical trials have shown that valerian before bed improved insomnia by decreasing sleep latency and improving sleep quality (Alternative Medicine Review 2000; 5: 249-260). One study showed that valerian taken three times daily increased delta sleep (a component of deep sleep), and decreased stage 1 or light sleep (Pharmacopsychiatry 1994; 27: 147-151).
- Other herbs that have been demonstrated to induce sleep are Humulus lupulus (hops), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Pipermethysticum (Kava Kava), and ginsing to mention as few.
Some physiological agents helpful for sleep are L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxytrytophan (5-HTP). Both are precursors to serotonin and act through increasing serotonin in brain cells to induce sleep. L-tryptophan has been shown to reduced sleep latency and increased sleep time (Martindale: the Extra Pharmocopea 1996; 336-337). 5-HTP has been shown to increase slow wave or deep sleep (Annales Medico Psychologiques 1997: 792-797).
Acupuncture has also been found to be useful for insomnia. Acupuncture can cause endorphin production resulting in relaxation and a sense of well-being. Specific acupuncture sites have been shown to be involved in sleep-wake cycle regulation (Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 1995; 49; 119-120). A placebo-controlled study showed that acupuncture improved both subjective and objective measures of sleep quality in insomniacs (Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 1999; 18: 185-194)
It is important to be informed of alternative options often not mentioned by medical doctors. It is essential to seek supervision from a physician knowledgeable in alternative approaches to ensure that you are receiving the best care possible for your individual needs. Best of health to you and sleep well tonight.