The last 6 years of the pandemic was an active period at the KAHN CENTER evaluation and treating patients with acute and chronic consequences of a Covid related illness. It is clear that more therapies, particularly natural ones, are needed to battle this and future infectious diseases.
At the KAHN CENTER, we recommend regular use of a sauna for the proven cardiovascular benefits published in dozens of clinical human trials.
Now, a new study demonstrates that there are benefits to the immune system with regular sauna use.
Regular exposure to Finnish sauna bathing (FSB) has been associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. The new study aimed to examine the acute effects of FSB on immune cell mobilization, circulating cytokines, and their associations with changes in body temperature.
A total of 51 adults (27 women average age 50-51) were exposed to a 30-minute session of acute FSB at a temperature of + 73°C. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately after and 30 minutes after the FSB and analyzed for immune cells and 37 cytokines. Subjects were allowed to drink water throughout.
FSB increased body temperature from 36.4 ± 0.5°C to 38.4 ± 0.7°C, without altering plasma volume.
Total white blood cell (WBC) count rose significantly and remained slightly elevated 30 minutes post-sauna in women. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts increased immediately after the FSB but returned to baseline after 30 minutes, whereas MXD cells (monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) remained elevated. The levels of only two cytokines changed significantly. Although only a few correlations were observed between changes in immune cells and cytokines, 18 significant associations were identified between changes in body temperature and circulating cytokines – particularly immediately post-sauna – but not with WBC changes.
This study shows that a 30-minute session of acute FSB induces immune cell mobilization. The observed associations between changes in body temperature and circulating cytokines suggest that sauna-induced heat stress, along with immune activation, may partly mediate the health benefits of FSB.
More research will be needed to assess the impact of long-term use of FSB and other forms of sauna such as infrared sauna, on immune health and resistance to infections.
There is ample data, particularly from Japan, that sauna has a beneficial impact on the heart and arteries. In Japan, this is called Waon (soothing warmth) therapy and is often recommended to heart patients. At the KAHN CENTER, we will continue to recommend suana therapy as a natural approach to long term health.
