Reducing the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s through regular sauna use
Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Dr. Jari Laukkanen discuss the health benefits of sauna and, specifically, how regular sauna use reduces the risk of Alzheimers and Heart Disease.
Meet the doctors
Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Dr. Jari Laukkanen are both well-respected professionals researching the health benefits of sauna. Dr. Laukkanen has published two studies through the University of Eastern Finland in which he has shown that regular sauna use of a traditional Finnish sauna can reduce the risk of both fatal heart disease AND Alzheimer's and dementia.
Dr. Patrick has been dedicated to the pursuit of health, nutrition, and disease prevention. With a Ph.D. in biomedical science from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Dr. Patrick’s focus is to encourage people to think about their health using a proactive and preventative approach.
The Study
The goal of the study was to see how regular use of sauna affected the body. The study was conducted over a 20-year period using middle-aged males from eastern Finland who regularly used a sauna. The study found that men who used the sauna two to three times a week had a 27% lower risk of having cardiovascular-related mortality than those who use sauna only once a week. The study also found that men who use the sauna four to seven times a week had a 50% lower risk of having cardiovascular-related mortality than those who use sauna only once a week.
Along with reducing the risk of having cardiovascular mortality, the study also found that regular sauna use can be a great prevention mechanism in reducing the onset of Alzheimer's by 65%. Dr. Laukkanen discusses how the sauna triggers multiple physiological and neurological mechanisms in the body to provide an array of benefits—proven by medical research.
This video provides excellent data about how sauna provides a mild cardiovascular workout while also helping the body release hormones to make a healthier, stronger body and mind.
Additional Sauna Benefits
Besides the preventative benefits of sauna, there are many other benefits users experience when using a sauna regularly. One of the biggest benefits of saunas is the release of endorphins and the associated stress reduction, making regular sauna use a great way to unwind and relax. In fact, saunas are known to be a great mood booster by being a natural antidepressant.
For people who enjoy physical fitness or participate in sports, saunas are a great way to relax your muscles at the end of a difficult workout. The heat from a sauna relaxes the muscles and help them repair and increase blood flow which can help with weight loss.
Whether a person's goals are to increase physical fitness and enhance a diet and exercise program, or if one simply wants to enjoy the benefits of the sauna as an addition to their current lifestyle, Finnleo has the perfect sauna to meet your needs.
To watch more of Dr. Rhonda Patrick's videos on the benefits of sauna, visit her YouTube channel.
