Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Blog· Detoxification· Stress and Adrenal Health· Weight Loss

Five Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy

What is an infrared sauna and what makes it so different from the steam or dry sauna you might have at your gym? Infrared saunas use light panels to heat the body from within, rather than traditional saunas that heat the air in the sauna to warm the body from the outside in. That said, infrared saunas are able to provide more benefits at a lower temperature than traditional saunas. Many people find the lower temperature of the infrared sauna to be more comfortable, and the best part? You still sweat! There are countless health benefits associated with infrared sauna therapy, but here are several of the reasons why we recommend infrared sauna therapy to our patients:

Detox – the amount of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis outweighs our bodies natural ability to eliminate them. Supplementing with detoxification practices such as sauna therapy helps remove chemical and heavy metal toxins from the body.

Weight loss – When they are not removed from the body efficiently, the toxins explained above can cause us to gain unwanted weight and/or prevent us from losing the weight that we want. Eliminating toxins through sauna therapy can aid in weight loss journeys. Sauna sessions can also burn up to 600 calories due to increased heart rate in response to the sauna heat as the body attempts to cool itself down.

Heart health – Research shows that regular sauna use can be as beneficial for cardiovascular health as exercise is! How could this be true? When your body heats up, it tries to cool itself by sending blood from your internal organs to your extremities and skin which raises your heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate. For these reasons, we love recommending our sauna to clients who are injured and cannot exercise or are not exercising as much as they would like to be. 

Pain relief – Due to the increase in core body heat and dilated blood vessels during a sauna session, your circulation also improves. For those who are injured, increased circulation can speed up the healing process and decrease pain. One study following 46 patients with chronic pain shows that 77% of those who incorporated infrared sauna therapy into their healing process were able to return to work, whereas only 50% of those who did not use sauna therapy returned to work.

Stress & Anxiety – How often do you get 30 uninterrupted minutes of quiet time to sweat and breathe deeply? We encourage sauna therapy for those who experience anxiety – not just because it forces you to take short breather from your hectic life, but because it also can help lower your body’s main stress hormone called cortisol.

Ready to get sweating and to experience all of these benefits (and more) of sauna therapy? Schedule online here or call our office to make an appointment.

*Who SHOULDN’T use it: Hemophiliacs and pregnant or nursing women should not use the sauna. People with advanced symptomatic heart disease, unstable angina, or severe adrenal suppression should use the sauna only under close medical supervision.

Sources:

http://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/16/3/215.pdf

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12265/6-benefits-of-infrared-sauna-therapy.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3788622

High Tech Health Far Infrared Saunas

Authored by Ellen Davenport

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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