The immune system is your body’s ability to recognize and defend itself against infectious bacteria, organisms, viruses, and the development of disease. The lymph system consists of tissues that store white blood cells that are used for fighting disease within the body. The lymph nodes are the radar for the body, providing early detection when harmful organisms have made their intrusions into the body. Upon detection, the lymph system is prompted to make more infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Far infrared (FIR) exposure provides for a natural way to enhance the human immune system.
“Far-infrared saunas provide an incredibly gentle, side-effect-free, effective mechanism for detoxification for all of my patients, even the sensitive ones,” Rachel West, MD, told Massage magazine.¹
Through the heating of the core body temperature and through the penetration of infrared energy, FIR boosts your immune system, thereby increasing the count of white blood cells and killer T-cells. T-cells kill cancer cells and other cells that are infected with viruses along with cells that are otherwise damaged and need to be eradicated from the body.
“Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) helps to boost the immune system in many ways. First off, as the far infrared heat raises the body’s core temperature it also induces an artificial fever. A fever is one of the body’s immune responses that attempts to neutralize a bacterial or viral infection. White blood cells also rapidly proliferate due to the suitable environment and can also help fight off the harmful pathogens and microbes that invade the body. Additionally, as far infrared heat penetrates deep into our body and increases the body’s temperature we sweat out 5 [to] 6 times more toxins, fat, and impurities than normal sweat. Every system in our body performs better when it functions in a detoxified state, especially our immune system.”²
Exercise can also assist with building your immune system. There is a commonly held belief that people who practice yoga are far less susceptible to colds in the winter due to their boosted ability to fight off germs that cause sickness. Yoga can help to regulate your immune system as it relieves stress. Most yoga postures, especially forward bends such as downward dog can provide a calming effect to the body.³
Imagine how beneficial your workouts could be if you combined yoga with infrared sauna therapy!
