What is Far Infrared?

[Guest guest]

What is Far Infrared?

 

_http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Soapbox/Articles/WhyFIR.html_

(http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Soapbox/Articles/WhyFIR.html)

 

 

Fibromyalgia sufferers are universally found to be malnourished, have

lowered immune function, have one or more viral, fungal, bacterial infections

(again almost always not detectable by orthodox means), and cannot detoxify

their

heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, aluminum etc. Therefore, Far-Infrared

Radiant Therapy provides a safe, natural form of detoxification which is so

very crucial for fibromyalgia patients.[8]

Saunas improve circulation and relieve internal congestion. Heating the body

helps destroy bacteria, viruses and tumors. Sweating promotes elimination of

toxic chemicals, heavy metals, radiation and other toxins. The skin's

ability to eliminate poisons increases. Saunas offer many of the benefits of

exercise while requiring much less exertion. [5]

The FIR energy emitted in these saunas may induce two or three times the

sweat volume of conventional saunas, yet they operate at a much cooler air

temperature range: about 110° to 130° F., compared with 180° to 235° F. in a

conventional sauna. Many individuals who cannot tolerate a conventional sauna,

steam room or sweat lodge will find FIR saunas pleasant. The lower heat range

is

also safer for those with cardiovascular risk factors or fragile health

because lower temperatures don't dramatically elevate heart rate and blood

pressure. [2]

A low body temperature impairs sweating. This hinders elimination and

interferes with tissue regeneration. Supporting sluggish thyroid and adrenal

glands

helps, but is often not enough. By heating the body, saunas activate and

enhance many metabolic processes. This is most beneficial for those with

sluggish metabolism. [5]

Sweating is completely abolished by cooling the preoptic thermostat below

about 37° C. (98.6° F.). This obviously causes evaporative cooling of the body

to cease except for that resulting from insensible evaporation. [7]

Due to impaired metabolism, the person with CFS/FMS typically has a lower

than normal core body temperature. This lower body temperature inhibits the

body being able to sweat. If the body is unable to sweat, there is a greater

load placed on the liver and kidneys to eliminate metabolic waste and toxins.

Far-infrared light penetrates beyond the skin level and is absorbed

efficiently by cells below, whereas visible light is mostly bounced off the

skin

surface. Near-infrared is mostly absorbed at the skin level and raises the skin

temperature. Far-infrared can penetrate up to 4 centimeters (about 1-1/2

inches), exciting the vibrational energy of molecules and resonating with

cellular

frequencies. We can't exactly perceive the deep heating effects of FIR,

though, because our body's ability to sense heat is mainly at the skin level.

Nonetheless, the effects of FIR rays promote bioprocesses such as increased

metabolism and blood circulation, and can raise core body temperature. [2]

 

One study found that the sweat formed in conventional saunas is 95 to 97

percent water. In infra-red saunas, only 80 to 85 percent of the sweat is

composed of water; the remaining 15 to 20 percent consists of cholesterol,

fat-soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric

acid.

[4]

A typical sauna session will cause a brief 1 To 3F increase in body

temperature. Fever is the body's defense against bacteria, microbes and

consequent

infection. This beneficial side effect triggers the production of white blood

cells (leukocytes) by your bone marrow and killer T cell by your thymus. The

result is Immune system improvement. [6]

The heaters in these IR Thermal Systems emit about one-third of their output

in the middle infrared band, from 2 - 5.6 microns, for super-deep

penetration and the other two-thirds in the long band, from 5.6 - 25 microns

with that

part of the output evenly spread around the 9.4 micron pivot point of peak

human output. This distribution maximizes the higher penetration of the

middle-band waves and combines them with the long waves that produce a resonant

absorption amplification of healthy tissue output. The Chinese researchers

consider the band from 2 - 25 microns as the most therapeutic. [1]

 

The above graph shows the range of infrared energy output by ceramic FIR

heater elements. It is the minerals in the ceramic material that, when heated,

emit FIR energy. The ceramic heaters radiate FIR energy in the spectrum

considered by chinese researchers to be the most therapeutic. Heat lamps and

Quartz

Heaters, as indicated above, do not generate energy in the FIR range.

There are some articles that suggest that a sauna using infrared heat lamps

provides the same benefit as a FIR sauna. There is likely good benefits from

using a sauna with heat lamps. However, if the information above which

suggests that a FIR sauna is of greater benefit than a conventional sauna is

correct, then it is reasonable that a FIR sauna is a better choice. A heat lamp

does not generate FIR energy.

Information from the manufacturer of infrared heat lamps validates the data

shown in the graph. From the manufacturer's website is found, " This lamp [250

Watt heat lamp] is designed for use in applications specifically requiring a

short-wave infrared radiation source. Infrared radiation from this lamp

causes surfaces to be heated. " [9]

 

At this time the most economical means of obtaining the benefits of a FIR

sauna is to use two stand-alone ceramic FIR heaters (from THMI) in a small

room, such as a bathroom, to create a sauna environment.

An added benefit of using stand-alone FIR heaters is that it can be used to

provide comfortable FIR heat to any room in the house during the cold winter

months.

All the best,

Jim

 

Addendums:

_Industrial Applications of Electric Infrared Heating_

(http://www.advancedenergy.

org/industrial_processes/knowledge_library/process_heating/applications_of_elect\

ric_infrared_heating.pdf) : Look at the graph in Fig. 2-4, Infrared

Absorption vs. Wavelength for Water, on pg.7. The graph indicates that FIR

wavelength energy has a greater absorption by water. The body is approximately

70

percent water.

_The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic

fatigue syndrome._

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstr\

act & list_uids=15992574 & itool=iconabs\tr & query_hl=2) This

pubmed article is the first published in a recognized journal that shows the

benefits of regular FIR sauna for people with CFS. The researchers conclusion:

" These results suggest that repeated thermal therapy might be a promising

method for the treatment of CFS. " There were only 2 people in the study, it's a

start. Hopefully these successes will increase interest in this modality by

other researchers.

 

__

 

To learn about an affordable alternative means to obtaining the health

benefits of the Far Infrared Sauna using two stand alone Far Infrared heaters,

email _info_

(http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Contact_us/mainpage.php3) for

information.

All the benefits,

and more,

at a fraction of the cost.

 

 

__

References:

1. " _Infrared Thermal System For Whole-Body Regenerative Radiant Therapy_

(http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Articles/fir/its.html) " by Dr. Aaron M.

Flickstein

2. " _Warming Up to Far Infrared_ (http://www.balancedlives.net/altmed.htm) "

by D.J. Fletcher

3. " _Detox in the Sauna_ (http://www.mercola.com/2002/aug/14/sauna.htm) " by

Lawrence Wilson, MD

4. " _Turn Up the Heat; Improve Health with the Infra-red Sauna_

(http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Articles/fir/heat_01.html) " by Stefan

Kuprowsky,

MA, ND

5. " _The Manual of Sauna Therapy_

(http://www.drlwilson.com/Books/saunabook.htm) " by Dr. Lawrence D. Wilson MD

6. " _Infrared Sauna_ (http://www.drjimchan.com/infrared.html) " by Dr. Jim

Chan ND

7. " Human Physiology and Mechanisms of Disease " Arthur C. Guyton, MD. pg.554

8. " _Energy Returns with Cellular Purification_

(http://www.sunlightsaunas.com/fibro_hmt.htm) "

9. " _250-Watt Infrared Heat Lamp Warnings_

(http://www.sylvania.com/forum/pdfs/faq0030-0299.pdf) " (pdf file)