5 Surprising Health Benefits of Infrared Heating
It may seem a bit odd that your home or work heating system can provide health benefits (apart from staying warm!) but infrared heat has long been used in many healing practices.
Far infrared heat is the same sort of heat that you will feel when you are outside on a warm summerâs day. And why you donât necessarily feel cold on a bright sunny day in winter.
Radiant heat (i.e. infrared) heats objects and not the air. We humans also emit radiant heat naturally and we are particularly good at absorbing infrared heat rays.
Many therapeutic treatments incorporate infrared (such as physiotherapists for pain relief) in their treatment. You will likely see infrared heat treatment in many spas and gyms.
Here are 5 particular benefits of infrared
1. Immune System Boost
An infrared heater generates warm wavelengths that our bodies absorb naturally. This extra heat helps our capillaries expand naturally which increases oxygenation and regeneration of red blood. Both of which are extremely important for detoxifying our major organs.
White blood cell numbers are increased by using infrared heating, which boosts our immune system.
Diverging slightly, claims have been made that infrared may benefit cancer patients. Concentrated infrared heat is currently being used in certain cancer treatments in Europe, including Germany, Holland and Austria. âHyperthermiaâ also known as thermal therapy, is a treatment where the body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to raise core body heat. Cancer does not like heat and in this treatment, cancer cells are either killed or weakened. This makes them more susceptible to traditional radiation and chemotherapies.
Complete body thermal radiation has also been found to be helpful in treating depression and Lyme disease.
*Thermal therapy is carefully controlled and performed by medical professionals and usually utilizes a far infrared sauna or bodysuit.
2. Healthy Hearts
Research by NASA has shown that (far) infrared heat on the cardiovascular system promoted healthy hearts in astronauts while in outer space. And if itâs good enough for NASA then itâs good enough for me.
The Mayo Clinic and Journal of the American College of Cardiology also found that intensive use of far infrared heating (via an infrared sauna) significantly improved blood vessel functionality in patients suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol and who smoked.
3. Improved Blood Circulation
Infrared heat dilates capillaries in the body, which greatly improves blood circulation. This means blood supply to muscles is increased when exposed to infrared heat. The improved circulation helps to improve wounds and muscle pain.
4. Reduces Joint Pain and Stiffness
Extensive clinical studies and trials in Japan in the U.S. found that with infrared treatment âmuch of the stiffness, aches and soreness that comes with aging are reducedâ.
5. Allergy Reduction
Conventional heating systems utilize convection heating, which is where the air is heated. Hot air will rise to the top of a room (another downside of conventional central heating) and this will dislodge dust and other allergens.
This is particularly beneficial for those with breathing difficulties who find hot, dry air aggravating and drying.
Is Infrared Heating Safe?
Far infrared heating is 100% safe and this has been backed up by numerous studies. Including those done by the Swedish National Institute of Radiation Protection.
Although our infrared heaters generate the same sort of heat as the sun, no harmful UV rays are projected from our panels.
Infrared heat does offer some exceptional health benefits, which are not seen in conventional central heating. It is in no way of course a substitute for having a healthy lifestyle. But incorporating infrared heating into your home or work place not only cuts costs, but creates a healthier environment all round.
