Sweat it out!

Pure Know How looks at ways to reduce the toxins going on or into our bodies; today we explore one of the methods to remove them.

Why do you care?

• We introduced detoxification - a natural and ongoing process in our bodies - in Please release me ... let me go - Getting Toxins out of Your Body.
• Sweat is one of the ways your body eliminates toxins and waste products, particularly excess sodium. We literally sweat them out!
• By sweating to release toxins, the workload of the liver and kidneys is reduced and general circulation improved.
• Millions of sweat glands cover our skin and secrete up to 6 cups of moisture each day, although we don't normally notice them.1
• Our bodies naturally produce body scents from sweat called pheromones - chemicals thought to contribute to sexual attraction. We each have our own particular scent.2 Aren't we special?
  

The Know How

• Saunas and steam rooms, or "sweat bathing" cleanses skin, sooths sore muscles, reduces blood pressure, invokes relaxation and ultimately increases energy. The heat boosts temperature of the surface of the body, dilates the blood vessels and increases circulation. A proper sauna draws about a liter of water from the body per hour. Finns, who take their saunas seriously, follow the heat with a plunge into cold water. It's refreshing. (You go first!)
• Far-infrared saunas are a variation on the theme - a special heater generates infrared radiation which penetrates deeper to stimulate greater release of "stored fats and toxins".3 For those who have had breast cancer Dr. Sat Dharam Kaur, N.D. recommends regular use of far-infrared saunas, specifically to remove environmental chemicals that may disrupt hormone functions.
• Baths, as hot as you can comfortably stand, opens pores and encourages perspiration. Adding Epsom salts changes the osmotic balance in the water so more water and toxins are released from your body perspiration.
• Activities and exercise get your pores open and sweat out - an all around good thing for our health. Pick your pleasure. Variations of hot yoga also do the trick.
• Other sweaty ways ... we'll leave that to your imagination ... but it's all good!
• As your body detox's, you may find your sweat smells unpleasant - careful not to suppress with antiperspirant. Check out The Pits for our recommendations on deodorants and anti-perspirants. Best remedy is frequent bathing to remove sweat from skin.4
• Avoid synthetic perfumes and body products loaded with toxic ingredients, as they can interfere with the perspiration function and add to your toxic overload. See Ingredients to Avoid.
• Replenish - drink plenty of water, before, during and after your sweaty activity.
  

Know and Tell

• Patti is not sweat adverse - she likes exercise (never really gets enough) and hot baths on a cold winter night, using Epsom salts for sore muscles. Patti's wish list includes an infrared sauna parked in the basement for the whole family to use. She currently accesses an infrared sauna at a wellness clinic.
• Tamey walks the talk - her brisk walk to and from work each day get those pores open. Running after her three young children have also been known to cause her to work-up a sweat.
• In our global warming world - where we are encouraged to reduce use of air conditioning at work and home during summer heat waves - having a glistening glow as we go about our day may be the newest "look".

1/2 Drop-Dead Gorgeous, Kim Erickson 2002
3 The Therapeutic benefits of Far-infrared sauna, by Rahim Habib, Canadian Chiropractor, April 2004.
4 Detox - Cleanse and Recharge Your Mind, Body and Soul, Dr. Christina Scott-Moncrieff, 2001.