Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan

Patrick, Rhonda P.; Johnson, T.L.

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509

Cited by 38 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…This of course not only includes exercise, but also calorie restriction, as well as diet, but also things like acute temperature stress—both hot and cold. Indeed, one of very first insights into hormesis came from heat stress and the role of heat shock proteins [ 177 ], which is perhaps supported by data on sauna use, coupled with cold stress (e.g., rolling in snow), and longevity [ 178 ]. Figure 5 , which combines components from Figure 3 and Figure 4 , illustrates one way of viewing how improving mitochondrial health and thus metabolic flexibility, can resolve inflammation restoring system homeostasis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Long COVID; Mitochondrial Health and Adaptation—Old Pathways, New Problems

Nunn

Guy²,

Brysch

et al. 2022

Biomedicines

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Many people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 suffer long-term symptoms, such as “brain fog”, fatigue and clotting problems. Explanations for “long COVID” include immune imbalance, incomplete viral clearance and potentially, mitochondrial dysfunction. As conditions with sub-optimal mitochondrial function are associated with initial severity of the disease, their prior health could be key in resistance to long COVID and recovery. The SARs virus redirects host metabolism towards replication; in response, the host can metabolically react to control the virus. Resolution is normally achieved after viral clearance as the initial stress activates a hormetic negative feedback mechanism. It is therefore possible that, in some individuals with prior sub-optimal mitochondrial function, the virus can “tip” the host into a chronic inflammatory cycle. This might explain the main symptoms, including platelet dysfunction. Long COVID could thus be described as a virally induced chronic and self-perpetuating metabolically imbalanced non-resolving state characterised by mitochondrial dysfunction, where reactive oxygen species continually drive inflammation and a shift towards glycolysis. This would suggest that a sufferer’s metabolism needs to be “tipped” back using a stimulus, such as physical activity, calorie restriction, or chemical compounds that mimic these by enhancing mitochondrial function, perhaps in combination with inhibitors that quell the inflammatory response.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Long COVID; Mitochondrial Health and Adaptation—Old Pathways, New Problems

Nunn

Guy²,

Brysch

et al. 2022

Biomedicines

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“…It has been suggested that heat stress in sauna induces changes in molecular mechanisms that protect the body from damage, similar to those provoked by exercise, which may forestall the effects of aging [9]. One molecular theory is that the positive effect of sauna bathing is caused by an increase in nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity.3 This is an interesting theory for our study, because for treatment for ED, a specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor is used to enhance nitric oxide (NO) mediated vasodilation in the corpus cavernosum by inhibiting cyclic guanosine monophosphate breakdown [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2022

AJUN

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Objective: To evaluate a possible effect of Finnish sauna bathing on erectile dysfunction (ED). Materials and Methods:A population-based study was conducted using a mailed questionnaire sent to 5,537 men in 2019. The frequency of sauna bathing was grouped into three categories: once a month or less, once a week and two or more times per week. ED was assessed using the IIEF-5 questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised also items on sociodemographic, medical history; ED and treatment for ED. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results:The study cohort included 2,644 men (47.8% response proportion). Frequency of sauna bathing did not affect to IIEF-5 scores (the mean scores for different groups were all close to 20.5) nor to severity of ED. Logistic regression analysis with adjustment for other risk factor showed no association between sauna bathing frequency and ED. Nevertheless, frequency of sexual intercourse was higher among men sauna bathing two or more times per week as mean monthly number of sexual intercourses was 3.5 compared with 2.8-2.5 in the other groups. Other factors than sauna bathing probably explain differences concerning intercourse amounts. There was no statistically significant difference in the use of medication for ED between sauna bathing groups. Conclusions:In our population-based study, sauna bathing does not have effect on ED, although more frequent sauna bathers had more sexual intercourses and had fewer risk factors for ED. Other factors than sauna bathing probably explain differences concerning intercourse amounts.

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“…Previous studies which used a similar parameter also did not report any adverse effects (Chen et al, 1999;Naito et al, 2000;Sammut et al, 2001;Tamura et al, 2015;Sobajima et al, 2009). Sauna studies by Patrick and Johnson (2021) and many others indicate that humans can tolerate external temperatures of 80 °C for more than 30 min and show positive outcomes. Since the increase in core temperature in the present study is within an acceptable range, data may be directly extrapolated to human subjects.…”

Section: Heat Therapy Chamber Temperature and Core Body Temperaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heat therapy increases core temperature and stresses the body to prevent muscle atrophy by inhibiting the upregulation of MAFbx transcription ( Houston et al, 2015 ). It also allows more natural muscle mass gain, enhanced stress tolerance, higher insulin sensitivity, lower inflammation, and improved cardiovascular and circulatory function ( Patrick and Johnson, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of heat therapy on neuromuscular function and muscle atrophy in diabetic rats

2023

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Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease worldwide and is associated with many systemic complications. Muscle atrophy is one of the significant complications in DM patients, making routine tasks laborious as atrophy continues. It is known that heat stress stimulates heat shock proteins and other proteins that maintain muscle mass; however, it is not thoroughly studied in diabetic conditions. This study addressed whether heat therapy can attenuate muscle atrophy in STZ-induced diabetic rats and explored its mechanism of action on specific muscle proteins.Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into short-term (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) experiments. In each experiment rats were divided into control, heat therapy, diabetic and diabetic + heat therapy groups. Rats in heat therapy groups were exposed to heat therapy for 30 min daily for three or six weeks in a temperature-controlled (42°C) chamber.Results: The attenuation of neuromuscular functions assessed by Rotarod, Kondziella’s inverted screen, and extensor postural thrust tests showed that diabetic rats exposed to heat therapy performed significantly better than diabetic controls. Muscle cross sectional area data established that heat therapy reduced muscle atrophy by 34.3% within 3 weeks and 44.1% within 6 weeks in the diabetic groups. Further, heat therapy significantly decreased muscle atrophy markers (CD68, KLF, and MAFbx) and significantly elevated muscle hypertrophy markers (AKT, mTOR, and HSP70).Conclusions: This study shows the relevance and clinical significance of utilizing heat therapy as a viable treatment to attenuate muscle atrophy in diabetic patients.

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Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan

Cited by 38 publications

References 163 publications

Understanding Long COVID; Mitochondrial Health and Adaptation—Old Pathways, New Problems

Understanding Long COVID; Mitochondrial Health and Adaptation—Old Pathways, New Problems

Untitled

The impact of heat therapy on neuromuscular function and muscle atrophy in diabetic rats

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