09/12/2021
How heat improves your immune system
When you have an infection, your body develops a fever to stimulate immune function and make it less habitable to pathogens. You may find these fevers uncomfortable, but they’re key to battling that infection.
Generally, fevers below 104oF help the body fight off infection (any higher, and you run the risk of febrile seizures).
IR saunas can safely bring the body’s internal temperature to 102oF, mimicking some of the major immunity benefits of a fever without the unpleasant side effects. Let’s talk about some of those benefits.
1. Heat makes antiviral and antibacterial immune responses more efficient.
Much of your body’s immune response is designed to respond to a heightened body temperature, including antiviral and antibacterial immune responses. A fever-range temperature also allows your body to better remember germs it’s exposed to, making it stronger at fighting them off in the future. (1)
Bonus: The infrared light in an IR sauna also stimulates infection-fighting white blood cells and stimulates antibodies against germs.
2. Heat is a form of “hormesis.”
When you exercise, you put your body under a certain amount of beneficial stress that makes it stronger. This beneficial stress is called “hormesis,” and it plays a key role in an IR sauna.
The sauna generates heat stress and oxidative stress at low levels. While too much of these things is unhealthy, these low levels heighten your body’s antioxidant capacity, keeping you from getting sick. (2)
3. Heat keeps your immune system young.
The immune system shows the effect of aging more than most of our body. That’s why people past age 65 are more prone to illness and developing complications from the cold and flu.
As people age, they have a declining ability to regenerate white blood cells. Fortunately, infrared light may stimulate these cells and reduce age-related declining immunity. (3)
4. Heat reduces stress.
