Many children with autism have been found to have higher than usual levels of heavy metals. This could be because they have less ability to excrete them or it could be due to overexposure. These heavy metals, such as mercury, aluminium and cadmium can be linked to some of the behavioural problems associated with autism.
Infrared sauna therapy is proving to be an essential part of autism recovery. This is for many reasons. Firstly, this type of sauna can help to boost the body’s natural ability to detoxify by increasing sweating, which is one of the ways that heavy metals are excreted from the body. The body also gets rid of toxins through the lungs when we breathe, as well as via the urine and stools, however sweat is thought to be the most efficient method of toxin removal.
Infrared saunas have been found to be much more effective than conventional saunas because they heat the body much faster and stimulate cellular detoxification processes more effectively. This type of sauna can also permeate directly into the fat cells, which is where the body stores a lot of waste and toxins.
Research has in fact shown that infrared saunas produce a different quality of sweat in comparison to conventional saunas. The sweat produced in the infrared variety contains less water and up to 20% toxins. If you compare this to a conventional sauna, where up to 97% of the sweat is water and only around 3% toxins – that’s quite a considerable difference and one of the reasons that these types of sauna are so useful on a medical and therapeutic level.
Restoring the Body’s Natural Abilities
Our body’s ability to eliminate toxins can also be affected by various chemicals we use on a daily basis, particularly soaps and contaminants in the water supply. Sauna therapy helps the body to restore its ability to eliminate toxins through the sweat excreted by the skin.
Saunas can also help to boost the immune response. When the body temperature is increased it produces a mild fever, which has anti-viral and anti-bacterial benefits. Infrared sauna therapy is even said to kill certain bacteria and parasites, which is important for children with autism who often have bacterial overgrowth in the digestive tract.
Lymphatic flow is also improved, once again vital for detoxification and immune strength. Toxins are carried throughout the lymphatic system and if they are not excreted then this can cause toxic overload. Blood circulation is also increased, by dilating the blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This enables more oxygen to be delivered to the cells and tissues, which is vital for healing, as well as speeding up the removal of toxins from the cells and out of the body.
Finally I think it’s important not to underestimate how much heat and warmth can improve feelings of general well-being. For those of us who have to go through cold winters, most will admit to feeling healthier during the summer. I think that sauna therapy is a wonderful way to help improve your child’s general sense of well being and give them some time to relax and unwind. And if the whole family take advantage of the use of an infrared sauna, then they can benefit too. We’re all exposed to toxins on a daily basis and whilst many of us are fortunate enough not to suffer severe health consequences, we could all benefit from some relaxation time, detoxification and a good boost of the immune system.
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