PRESS RELEASES, EXTRACTS AND ARTICLES

Infrared Technology Comes of Age

What exactly is infrared or radiant heat? No need to worry - it has nothing to do with either ultraviolet radiation (which gives you
a sunburn and damages your skin) or atomic radiation (the kind from a nuclear bomb).
Radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion, without having to heat the air in between. Radiant heat is also called infrared energy (IR). Our sun is the principal source of radiant energy that we enjoy daily (some more so than others). Have you ever been outside on a partly cloudy spring day of about 50 degrees F. and felt quite comfortable until the sun was suddenly obscured by a cloud? Although the air temperature had not had time to drop, you felt chilled, as the cloud would not let the warming infrared rays through to reach you.
Infrared light is an important energy force that promotes healing - a rising of the white blood cell count. Why is that good? Because more white blood cells mean greater immunity. Greater immunity means greater health and a better quality of life.
Today we're seeing new technologies employing far-infrared energy in health care products and in clinical protocols such as hypothermia, therapies for detoxification, and cancer treatment.
Energy medicine is an ancient practice and Chinese health practitioners would use healing touch therapies for improved cell growth, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in cells. Although these ancient practitioners did not know the technical terms as to why their therapy improved health, they were sure their patients got better.
Yes, the human heat from their touch increased immune defense response in which white blood cells surround and ingested small living things (like bacteria) and cell wastes.
Far-infrared heat follows the same principle: warm the injury site to speed healing. Why is infrared heat better than say, a heating pad? Because the vibrational energy of far-infrared light is unlike that of the heat energy we use for everyday functions, like cooking. Boiling water could actually damage our skin but it doesn't heat internal organs. Sunlight heats us in a profound way, however, because it contains penetrating far-infrared rays as well as the full range of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum.
I know what you must be thinking - how can I benefit from the sun's infrared rays? I don't live near the equator. Besides, I thought the sun's rays were damaging to my skin. While it's true the sun's rays should be used judiciously, especially by fair-skinned people, the fact remains that infrared radiation promotes health. A few companies have captured the essence of this healing energy by creating cedar saunas and smaller wraps for localized healing in specific areas of the body.
Over the past 25 years, Japanese and Chinese researchers and clinicians have done extensive research on infrared treatments and reported many provocative findings. Whole-body infrared therapy has been used for over 80 years by German physicians in an independently developed form.
Among other benefits, whole-body infrared thermal systems make it possible for people in wheelchairs, or those who are otherwise unable to exert themselves, or who won't follow through on an exercising and conditioning program to achieve a cardiovascular training effect. This also allows for more variety in any ongoing exercise program.
As for infrared's outstanding effect on caloric consumption and weight control, we find that burning from 600 to 2,400 calories in a 30 minute session to be quite routine. The infrared thermal system might then simulate the consumption of energy equal to that expended in a 6 to 9 mile run during only a single session. This would be invaluable for those who don't exercise and those who can't exercise yet want an effective weight control and fitness maintenance program.
Evidently the flushing of toxins from the lymph areas and from the largest organ of elimination, the skin, are the source of many these health improvements. Toxemia has been targeted as the number one reason so many of us are ill. With the elimination of these poisons from deep within the body, the organs can then do their job unhindered. Although any health-restoring strategy involves some type of cleansing diet and supplements, infrared therapy would definitely be called for to augment the process more efficiently.
The list of health enhancements through the use of infrared therapy is impressive and it includes: relief from all forms of arthritis, increase in the extensibility of collagen tissues, relieves muscle spasms and joint stiffness, increases blood flow, assists in resolution of inflammatory infiltrates, odema and exudates, weight control, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, blood circulation, ear, nose and throat conditions, skin conditions (including cellulite) and all-around beauty treatment.
Is infrared therapy a cure-all? Well, I don't believe that. But its value cannot be ignored. Especially in view of the fact that millions suffer from toxic overload and its vast array of symptoms. Perhaps many more will come to view it as the body care system of the future just like NASA's astronauts and newborn babies have.

Sweat your way to a healthier heart - and a better sex life - in four weeks or less
By Jonathan V. Wright

Big benefits after just one week

Saunas tackle congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and hypertension

The researchers treated 20 congestive heart failure patients with far infrared sauna daily for two weeks. They were compared with 10 "control-group" individuals, matched for age, sex, and degree of heart failure (according to the widely accepted New York Heart Association (NYHA)'s classification system. After just two weeks of far infrared treatment, 17 of 20 sauna-treated individuals had significant improvement in clinical symptoms. Their ultrasound evaluations and blood tests were also significantly better. None of the 10 control group individuals had any change. Previously, the same researchers had studied 25 younger men (ages 31-45) with one or more "coronary risk factors," including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking. They were compared with 10 healthy younger men (ages 27-43) who had none of these risk factors. Compared with the "normal" men, the men with risk factors had impaired blood vessel dilation. After just two weeks of daily far infrared sauna treatments, the risk-factor group had very significant improvements in blood vessel dilation. The researchers wrote that these results "suggest a therapeutic role for [far infrared] sauna therapy in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis." Given the hamster-in-the-sauna results, it's very likely that the improved blood vessel dilation in the men with cardiovascular risk factors resulted from higher levels of nitric oxide synthase. Although none of the studies have measured it specifically, far infrared sauna therapy will very likely lower blood pressure for many individuals too. This theory makes sense, since the mechanism of action is the same as in congestive heart failure: An increase in nitric oxide dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. If the studies I mentioned above are any indicator, it shouldn't take long to find out, either, since the effects in both hamsters and humans occurred in just two to four weeks. Even though there's no clinical proof yet, I also think it is very likely that combining the amino acid L-arginine (another precursor of nitric oxide) with far infrared sauna therapy would produce even better results than either therapy alone - whether you are using it for hypertension or congestive heart failure.This article is reprinted from Dr. Jonathan V. Wright's. Nutrition and Healing Vol.10, issue 12. December 2003, with permission of the author

The Ultimate Solution to Disease
by Dr. Sherry Rogers
Total Wellness May 2000.

SWEAT YOUR WAY TO RADIANT HEALTH

For thousands of years, cultures throughout the world have enjoyed the many therapeutic benefits of saunas, from the elaborate bath/sauna/exercise complexes of the Romans, to the simple but effective sweat lodge structures of the Scandinavians. These cultures recognized the many therapeutic benefits of the sauna (i.e., rids body of toxins, aids weight loss, kills viruses), fully enjoying these benefits in a community setting.
In Finland, the sauna has been a tradition for over 1,000 years. In a country of approximately five million people, there are an estimated 700,000 saunas - one for every seven people! In fact, the sauna is credited for much of the rugged vitality and endurance of the Finnish people.
Dry Saunas Have Many Therapeutic Benefits
Both saunas and steam rooms can be used to relax and unwind. However, dry saunas have an advantage over steam rooms by helping to rid the body of more toxic metals picked up from the environment. Of course, the kidneys take out many of these toxins but a daily sweat can help reduce the body’s accumulation of lead, mercury and nickel in addition to cadmium, sodium, sulfuric acid and cholesterol.
The sauna is also more beneficial than the steam room if weight loss is desired because the energy expenditure. Compared to the steam room, the sauna places a greater demand on the body in terms of using up calories, thus assists in fat loss. Therefore, the heart needs to work harder to send more blood to the capillaries under the skin. The energy required for that process is derived from the conversion of fat and carbohydrates to calories,
In addition, the sweat glands must work to produce sweat, which also requires energy and more calories. Studies show a person can burn up to 300 calories during a sauna session, the equivalent of a two-to-three-mile jog or an hour of moderate weight training.
People can lose up to a quart of water during a 20 minute sauna. Without replacement, such a high water loss can lead to disruption of normal heart rhythms and cause fatigue and nausea. Therefore, drinking fresh juice or water before, during and after the sauna is highly recommended.
Sweating by overheating the body in a dry sauna also produces the following effects:
* Speeds up metabolic processes of vital organs and inhabits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The vital organs and glands (including endocrine and sex glands) are stimulated to increased activity.
* Creates fever reactions that kills potentially dangerous viruses/bacteria and increase the number of leukocytes in the blood, thereby strengthening the immune system.
* Places demands upon the cardiovascular system, making the heart pump harder and producing a drop in diastolic blood pressure.
* Stimulates vasodilatation of peripheral vessels, which relieves pain and speeds healing of sprains, strains, bursitis, peripheral vascular diseases, arthritis and muscle pain.
* Promotes relaxation, thereby lending a feeling of well-being.
Studies Show Health Benefits to Artificially Induced Fever
Noble Prize winner Dr. Andre Lwoff, a French virologist, believes that high temperatures during infection help combat the growth of a virus.
German physical education professor named Dr. Ernst has found no cancer patients among marathon runners. Analyzing their sweat, he found it contained cadmium, lead and nickel.
Ernst concludes these athletes excrete these potential cancer causing elements from their bodies by perspiring. He and other scientists also conclude it is necessary to sweat profusely at least once a day to maintain good health.
Usually, only the most active athletes achieve sweat through heavy exercise on a daily basis. Those who are unable to exercise heavily, for whatever reason, have an even greater need to create a regular sweat.
Infrared Saunas Allow for Fresh Air Ventilation
The radiant heat, infrared saunas are the same saunas many doctors, physical therapists and professional athletes use to treat muscle injury and strains, as well as hospitals to warm newborn babies. Underwriters Laboratories has safely tested radiant heat, infrared technology for fire and shock. These saunas are also low-cost and energy efficient.
Unlike the old-technology saunas with their high air temperature, the infrared saunas warm the body muscles directly. It does this by only warming the air to a comfortable level, allowing for fresh air ventilation so people never get that feeling of suffocation.
Because people are able to use this type of sauna for a longer time, they are able to reap greater benefits than through the high temperature saunas. Also because body temperature will rise slightly, the body reacts in the normal manner by raising the heart rate to a mild aerobic range. Thus, it increases the blood flow; opens the capillaries for greater blood flow to sluggish areas; opens the pores; and creates a deep sweat that flushes the toxins.
Use Saunas Cautiously for Positive Results
When saunas are used regularly, studies have shown benefits such as improved blood circulation, restored youthfulness, toxin and heavy metal reduction, weight control, cellulite reduction, skin cleansing and rejuvenation, allergy reduction, rash reduction.
However, certain people need to approach saunas slowly and cautiously. Folks over age 60 are in high-risk group for undiagnosed heart disease, so people should see a doctor before using a sauna.
Today sweating is not only in, it’s been proven to be one of the healthiest things a body can do. Nothing beats the feeling of overall well-being and other health benefits of a good sweat.
Written by: by Susan Smith Jones, PhD

Healing Chronic Illness at Home

Oxygen, Ozone, Sauna and Detoxification for Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and MCS
11-21-2003
By Jill Neimark with Byron White, N.D.

Jill Neimark is an author and journalist who writes frequently on health and science for national publications. Ms. Neimark is also a Lyme patient. Byron White, N.D., is a naturopath who suffers from Lyme disease and employs a variety of home-based therapies to successfully manage chronic illness.
Three and a half years ago, on a pleasant June afternoon, my life plunged off a cliff into free fall. I walked in a Connecticut garden and twelve days later had a big bull’s-eye rash on the back of my knee and a classic case of Lyme disease. Even though I went on antibiotics at once, I slid into a nightmare of ill health.
Antibiotics stemmed, but did not kill, the infection. As the spirochete relentlessly invaded my nerve tissue, I felt as if electronic buzzers were being pushed incessantly throughout my body. I suffered from vertigo, terrible thirst, and incredible pain in my neck and back. I was also crushed by a fatigue so profound I figured if it lasted, I’d eventually waste away and die.
Thus began an odyssey that has not yet ended although I am improving steadily and without using antibiotics. In the course of research, I met and befriended a knowledgeable naturopath who suffers from lyme himself, Dr. Byron White. Together we have put together an approach to healing therapies that you can do at home—all of which should be monitored by your doctor, of course. These therapies are intended to restore oxygen to hypoxic cells, kill pathogens, help detoxify the liver, colon and entire body, and use hypothermia to improve immune function and metabolism and help the body sweat out toxins. These profound healing therapies employ both age-old naturopathic techniques and state-of-the-art modern tools, and they are ideal for the chemically sensitive who cannot tolerate drugs.
A hand-tailored approach in our own homes allows us to move from illness to health slowly, carefully, and with needed rest and ease. “It is important to fit the treatment to the person and not the person to the treatment,” explains Dr. White. Each person’s body goes through a natural building and detoxification cycle as it heals.

HEALING AT HOME: THREE ESSENTIAL POINTS

OZONE: Killing Pathogens and Oxygenating Cells

HYPERTHERMIA: How Saunas Can Heal

DETOXIFICATION: Last But Not Least

Building the body up and detoxifying at the same time are crucial to successfully improving a person’s health. “It is common to find people with chronic illness that have compromised ability to detoxify,” explains Dr. White. “Generally, the chronically ill body is in an acid state. It can be useful to eat and juice foods that are alkaline to help decrease acidity. These include any green vegetables, especially the leafy ones; as well as figs, lima beans, apricots, spinach and lemons.”
The colon, liver and kidneys are the most common routes of detoxification, but your lungs, lymph and skin can also rid the body of waste. “Most people I have worked with have very sluggish or stagnant lymph systems,” says Dr. White. To detox at home, drink clean water, along with electrolytes on a daily basis. Try to drink half your body weight in ounces, so if you weigh 100 pounds, try to drink 50 ounces over the course of the day. An electrolyte formula Dr. White recommends is E-Lyte. “Your whole body depends on water and minerals to function. I also recommend dry brush massage to encourage lymph flow.”
Colon cleansing, via enemas, home colemas, or professional colonics, can also be useful. Dr. White recommends a 48-ounce plastic enema bucket for those new to colon cleansing, rather than an enema bag (the latter are usually made out of rubber, a petroleum product). Liver flushes (using various formulas) can also decrease toxic load on the body by helping clear the liver and gallbladder of stones and sludge. Carlos LeClair recalls being advised to do liver flushes with ozone, and in retrospect, “I wish I had followed the advice derived from others' experiences and thoroughly flushed out my liver before beginning the saunas. I believe that if I had done this, the rash might not have lasted so long.”
Herbal support can also be useful. Two herbs that are receiving a lot of attention in the lyme and CFIDS community lately are artemisinin and samento. The former is a derivative of artemisia that is said to be useful in a tick-borne infection called Bayesian. It also has a history in Chinese medicine of being antispirochetal. In addition, it is antifungal. The latter, samento, is a form of cat’s claw that seems to be immune modulating and antibacterial.
It is wise to enlist the aid of a health care practitioner who is familiar with these procedures and herbs to help design a program of detoxification that is gentle but thorough. “As you heal and work on yourself it will be natural to have days that are worse and better,” explains Dr. White. “It is also common to have emotional responses triggered by the healing and detoxification cycles. It is natural to release what I call emotional toxins as well as physical toxins through this process. That gives us an opportunity to grow and heal in new ways.”
As emotional and even spiritual issues, come to the surface, it is important to keep a positive attitude. One of the best books on healing through the power of the mind is available free on the web via download. Called Your Empowering Spirit (Y.E.S.), by Gary Sinclair, it is an inspiring book about healing from the inside out. Sinclair claims to have healed himself of severe multiple sclerosis.

What is Far Infrared Rays?
By: Professor Li Dong Qi

The complete spectrum of sunlight consists of visible and invisible rays. The visible rays are red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, blue and violet in colours (Known as rainbow colours). The invisible rays are Ultra Violet, X-rays, Gamma, Cosmic, Microwave, Long Wave, Electrical Wave and Infrared
Electromagnetic waves between visible light and the microwave are called infrared waves. The wave length of infrared waves range from 0.76 micron to 1,000 microns. The ranges of Near, Medium and Far Infrared Rays are 0.76 to 1.5micron, 1.5 to 4 micron, and 4 to 1,000 micron respectively.
The Physical Characteristic of FIR are : a. Invisibility b. Linearity, refractivity and reflectivity c. Upon being absorbed by various objects, the ability to produce warmth and harmonize with the natural life-force released by human body to enhance resonance absorption. The ability to penetrate deep into the human body.
The sun, of course, emits the visible rays with which we can discriminate colours in the spectrum and also emits various invisible rays. One of the invisible rays is the ultra-violet which is beyond the violet in the spectrum.
The infrared rays (FIR) are also invisible and contiguous to the red and of the visible spectrum. There are other invisible rays such as X-rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays. They have wavelengths shorter than that of ultra violet rays and are harmful to human being and other living things.
There are invisible rays having wavelength longer than the infrared rays, such as micro waves and long waves. They do not effect human being and other living things and are generally called 'radio waves'.
It is said that about 80% of sunlight is infrared rays. Because of its wide range of wavelength, the infrared rays are usually divided into three zones

BIOGENETIC RAYS

The recent studies on biotechnology revealed that the far-infrared rays having wavelength ranging from 6 microns to 14 microns played an important role for formation and growing of living things.
For this reason, these specific far-infrared rays are called "biogenetic rays". All living things on the earth have, as integral parts of them, water and proteins. Water molecules are always oscillating. If water molecules are expose to oscillating action 0f 8-10 micron wavelength (some as wavelength of water molecular oscillation), the "resonance" occurs between the two oscillations.
The resonance causes ionization of water into hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion at extremely high speed (10/12 sec.). This ionization is called "activation of water". If such activation of water occurs in human cellular tissues, the metabolism of cells and excretion of residues from cells or nutrition are enhanced …… promoted growing of living things. The infrared rays from the sun are peak at 3.5 to 10 microns of wavelength. Therefore it can be easily understood that the infrared rays 0f 6 to 14 microns are particularly important for a living things.

WHAT ARE BIOGENETIC RAYS?

HEAT EMITS THE FAR-INFRA RED RAYS

LOW-TEMPERATURE FAR-INFRARED RAYS EMITTING

WATER MOLECULES ARE QUITE SENSITIVE TO FAR-INFRARED RAYS

What and how far-infrared rays do to our bodies?

1. Far-infra radiation penetrates into our body and\d heats up from the inside.
2. Heat is spread outwards by conduction in bones, convection in tissues fluids and far infra radiation.
3. The growing warmth (conduction and convection) - dilates blood vessels & fine capillaries - improve circulation - facilitates removal of impurities and influx of nutrients.
Some examples of vital organic compounds Organics Structures - enzymes - ------------ - vitamins - antibodies/antigens - natural antibodies - complex proteins & Carbohydrates - simple sugars - red & white blood corpuscles - vital organs (brain hearts, liver and kidney) - endocrine glands (adrenaline gland) - tissues (muscles, connective tissue)
Summary:
Far infrared ray’s works on two principles;
1. Heating from inside to outside
2. Energizing of organic/water molecules
Products:
Three materials most effective yet are:
1. Oxidized chrome with finely divided porcelain
2. Oxidized chrome with stainless steel
3. Bio-Ceramic fibres
The effectiveness of oxidized chrome with stainless steel however is found to fade in the long run. Certain alloys of Nickel are introduced as radiation generators. Such alloys absorb and radiate all wavelength or frequency of light (E.M Wave). Of these, only far infra is selectively absorbed by the oxidized chrome and porcelain. The rest is reflected away. Bio-Ceramic fibres are at present the ultimate material used to store far-infra rays.

Other Therapeutic Effects of Infrared Therapy

Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions Relieved with Infrared Heat

In Japan, ear, nose, and throat conditions were relieved with infrared heat treatments:
• Chronic middle-ear inflammation or infection (in one study of chronic serous otitis media no pathogenic bacteria were isolated in 70% of the subjects studied after the use of heat)
• Sore throats
• Tinnitus (chronic severe case cleared with 10 infrared treatments)
• Nose bleeding (reduced)
• Infrared therapy is used routinely in burn units throughout Asia
• Skin conditions improved in Japan and China with the use of infrared heat application.
• Nettle rash
• Clogged pores (unplugged of cosmetics, unexcelled skin texture and tone)
• Poor skin tone (restored to a more youthful level)
• Scars and pain from burns or wounds (decreased in severity and extent)
• Lacerations (healed quicker with less pain and scarring)
• Acne (three to four treatments may open pores that have been nonfunctioning for years, forcing out clogging cosmetics, and loosening dry outer skin)
• Teenage skin problems (clearing acne and blackheads)
• Body odor (improved functioning of the skin especially body odor, induced by occupational exposure to odorous chemicals)
• Eczema and Psoriasis (respond well)
• Sunburn (According to the Clayton’s Electrotherapy, 9th Edition, "infrared radiations are the only antidote to excessive ultraviolet radiations.")
• Ketoids (form at a reduced rate in those prone to their formation and may be softened by infrared heat if they have formed)
• Dandruff (increased blood flow through the scalp)

Sick and Tired? Reclaim Your Inner Terrain

by Robert O. Young, PhD.DSc.1999
Because of the level of pollution we are exposed to and its many sources, as well as poor dietary and exercise habits, the therapeutic value of regular sweating has become immense. It has benefits for both body and mind and, in fact, is the primary benefit of exercise.
One of the best passive exercises is the radiant heat of an infrared sauna which, causes a profound deep sweat. After about 30 minutes of exposure, the blood vessels of the skin dilate to allow more blood to flow to the surface to support the cooling process. The millions of sweat glands covering the body are infused with fluid from the blood. In turn, they empty to the skin's surface, thereby flushing large amounts of toxins, including toxic acids and heavy metals, from the body.
My research over the last two years shows that a radiant heat (infrared) sauna provides the following benefits:
-Speeds up metabolic processes of vital organs and glands, including endocrine glands.
-Inhibits the development of pleomorphic microforms and creates a "fever reaction" of rising temperature that neutralizes them.
-Increases the number of leukocytes in the blood.
-Places demand on the heart to work harder thus, exercising it and also producing a drop in diastolic blood pressure (the low side).
-Stimulates dilation of peripheral blood vessels thus, relieving pain (including muscle pain) and speeding the healing of sprain, strain, bursitis, arthritis, and peripheral vascular disease symptoms.
-Promotes relaxation thereby creating a feeling of well-being.
For those who are unable to exercise sufficiently, for whatever reason, the radiant heat infrared sauna is an excellent way to get the benefits of exercise without undue stress on the skeleton, muscles, and associated tissues. Such people have an even greater need for exercise and the sauna fills the bill.

HYPERTHERMIC DETOXIFICATION THERAPY USING THE FAR INFRARED SAUNA Center
Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada

OTHER ADVANTAGES OF HYPERTHERMIA IN THE CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENT

ADVANTAGES OF THE FAR INFRARED SAUNA