Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to prolong healthy life

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509

Commentary

Sauna use, sometimes referred to as "sauna bathing," is characterized by short-term passive exposure to high temperatures ranging from 45°C to 100°C (113°F to 212°F), depending on the modality.

This exposure is intended to induce mild thermoregulatory responses, including neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and cytoprotective mechanisms that act synergistically in an attempt to maintain homeostasis.

However, repeated use of saunas allows the body to acclimate to the heat and optimize the body's response to future exposures due to a biological phenomenon known as hormesis.

In recent decades, based on compelling data from observational, interventional, and mechanical studies, sauna bathing has emerged as a likely means of extending healthspan.

One reason it has become so is the results from a large prospective population-based cohort study of health outcomes in sauna users that identified a strong dose-dependent association between sauna use and reduced morbidity and mortality.

This research review provides an overview of sauna practices. It elucidates the body's physiological response to heat stress and the molecular mechanisms that drive the response, and enumerates the myriad health benefits associated with sauna use.

It also discusses concerns regarding sauna use.

Results suggest that sauna bathing is associated with a number of health benefits, from cardiovascular and cognitive health to maintaining physical fitness and muscle tone. However, these results are based on generally healthy adults and may not be safe for special populations under appropriate medical supervision.

Theoretically, the benefits of saunas now support the hypothesis, but the use of saunas as a treatment for people with certain diseases and other conditions needs to be conditioned, such as performing it under medical supervision.