Sauna and Micronutrients: Role of Vitamins and Minerals with Sauna

When it comes to nutrition, most people are familiar with the concept of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. However, there is another crucial aspect of nutrition that often goes overlooked - micronutrition. Micronutrition refers to the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that are required in small amounts to ensure optimal bodily functions.

We sat down with John Bumpus, a mineral balancing practitioner, in episode 5 of The Sauna Show, and in this post, we will the conversation we had with him on the importance of vitamins and minerals and how they impact our overall health.

Minerals: The Building Blocks of Our Body

Minerals are essential nutrients that are required in small quantities to maintain various bodily functions. They are responsible for the formation of bones, teeth, and tissues, as well as regulating fluid balance and assisting in muscle function. The most common macro minerals include calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. These minerals are required in larger amounts compared to trace minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper.

While our bodies can adapt and pull minerals from reserves such as our bones, it is crucial to ensure that we are consuming adequate amounts of minerals in our diets. A lack of minerals can result in chronic health conditions, such as osteoporosis, muscle cramps, and fatigue.

What are the Benefits of Micronutrients?

Micro nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. While it is easy to obtain the necessary vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet, it can be challenging for individuals who follow restrictive diets or suffer from malabsorption disorders. In such cases, supplements can be used to bridge the gap.

It is important to note that while the recommended daily intake (RDI) provides a guideline for essential nutrient consumption, it may not be enough for everyone. Factors such as age, sex, and medical conditions can impact an individual's micronutrient requirements.

Essential Nutrients: Vitamins - The Regulators of Our Body

Vitamins are organic compounds that are required in small amounts to maintain normal bodily functions. They act as coenzymes and cofactors, which assist in various metabolic reactions in the body. There are two types of vitamins - fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, and excess consumption can result in toxicity. Water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C) are not stored in the body and need to be replenished daily. These vitamins play a crucial role in energy production, immune function, and cellular growth.

How do Vitamins assist our Bodies?

According to John Bumpus, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, "Vitamins and minerals are essential for many processes in the body, including energy production, immune function, and bone health." He explains that vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies need in small amounts to maintain normal function, while minerals are inorganic elements that are also necessary for our health.

An Essential Vitamin For Growth And Repair: Why is Vitamin C good?

One of the most well-known vitamins is vitamin C, which is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in our body. "Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals," says Bumpus. "It is also important for the production of collagen, which is a protein that gives structure to our skin, bones, and muscles."

The Secret Absorber: Why do we need Vitamin D?

Another important vitamin is vitamin D, which helps our bodies absorb calcium and maintain strong bones. "Vitamin D is unique because our bodies can actually make it when our skin is exposed to sunlight," explains Bumpus. "However, many people don't get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone and may need to supplement their diets with foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products."

The Needed Nutrient For Our Blood: What does Iron do?

In addition to vitamins, minerals are also essential for our health. One important mineral is iron, which is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, a protein in our red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout our bodies. "Iron is especially important for women, who are at higher risk for iron deficiency due to menstruation," says Bumpus. "Good sources of iron include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and fortified cereals."

Our Bone Reinforcement: Is Calcium important?

Calcium is another important mineral that is essential for strong bones and teeth. "Calcium is also important for muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting," says Bumpus. "Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods like tofu and orange juice."

How a Healthy Diet Enhance the Benefits of Infrared Saunas for Optimal Health

Infrared saunas have gained popularity in recent years as a natural therapy for various sauna health benefits, including pain relief, detoxification, and improved cardiovascular function. The sauna works by using infrared radiation to penetrate the body's tissues, inducing sweating and increasing blood flow. However, recent research suggests that adding certain nutrients and minerals to one's diet may enhance the benefits of infrared saunas and optimise health outcomes.

According to John Bumpus, "Certain vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in the body's natural detoxification process, which is also stimulated by the heat generated in infrared saunas. By incorporating specific nutrients into your diet, you may be able to enhance the sauna's detoxification effects and improve overall health."

The Ultimate Relaxer: What does Magnesium do?

One nutrient that may be particularly beneficial for individuals using infrared saunas is magnesium. Magnesium is essential for energy production and plays a vital role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including the removal of toxins. "Magnesium is a natural relaxant that can help ease muscle tension and reduce stress levels, which are both commonly addressed through sauna use," notes Bumpus.

Another nutrient that may be beneficial is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. "Infrared sauna use can cause oxidative stress in the body, which can be mitigated through the use of antioxidants like vitamin C," adds Bumpus. The benefits of a sauna for sore muscles can therefore be further enhanced simply by ensuring the correct vitamins and minerals are being taken.

What Minerals Support Detoxification?

Bumpus also notes that minerals such as zinc and selenium may play a role in supporting the body's natural detoxification process. "Zinc and selenium are both important for the function of various enzymes involved in detoxification, and can also help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation," he explains.

What are Sauna Supplements?

Sauna supplements are specially created to replenish the minerals and vitamins that are naturally lost when we perspire. When we sweat, our bodies not only expel toxins but also essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, along with water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B-complex vitamins.

To replace these lost nutrients, sauna supplements provide a tailored solution, ensuring that individuals who regularly use an infrared sauna maintain an ideal balance of minerals and vitamins. However, it's important to emphasise that a well-balanced, healthy diet is still the best source of nutrients. Supplements should be used to complement and support a nutritious diet, rather than relying solely on them for your mineral and vitamin intake. By combining a proper diet with sauna supplements, you can enhance the overall benefits of your infrared sauna experience and promote optimal health.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can have a significant impact on our health, as these essential nutrients are necessary for the proper functioning of our bodies. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to fatigue, poor immunity, bone fragility, anemia, skin problems and other chronic conditions.

How to test for micronutrient deficiencies?

Nutrient deficiencies are becoming increasingly common in today's society and can have a significant impact on our health. Testing for nutrient deficiencies can be an important way to maintain optimal health and prevent disease. Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is a powerful tool that can provide more comprehensive insight into a person's overall health. Another common tool is to take a blood test, however, this will not provide as much data for an expert to review as HTMA.

Blood testing for micronutrients

One of the most cost-effective ways to determine if you are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals is to get a blood test. The most commonly used blood tests for deficiencies include Serum ferritin, serum iron, magnesium RBC, zinc, copper and selenium.

• Serum Ferritin: Measures levels of iron stored in the body
• Serum Iron: Tests for levels of iron circulating in the blood
• Magnesium RBC: Assesses magnesium levels within red blood cells
• Serum Zinc: Evaluate zinc deficiency levels in the serum
• Copper: Determines copper concentration in the serum
• Selenium: Measures selenium concentrations present in red blood cells

Hair tissue mineral analysis test

Hair tissue mineral analysis measures long-term nutrient levels over several months, unlike conventional blood tests, which only measure current nutrient levels. This allows practitioners to identify any underlying imbalances that may have otherwise been missed with a single blood sample.

HTMA also has the ability to detect trace elements and toxic metals present in the body which are not typically measured in a standard blood test. Because these elements and metals can accumulate over time in our bodies, they are often overlooked by traditional testing methods but can cause serious health problems if left unchecked. By measuring them through an HTMA test, practitioners can detect any potential issues before they become too severe.

What test is best for micronutrients?

In conclusion, hair tissue mineral analysis offers many advantages over conventional blood tests for assessing micronutrient deficiencies. It provides a more complete picture of a person's long-term nutrient status and allows practitioners to detect trace elements and toxic metals that may be overlooked with traditional testing methods. For someone who may be exposed to high levels of heavy metals and toxins, HTMA is a great way to determine if you have a toxicity overload. When combined with infrared sauna detoxification benefits, HTMA can provide a great snapshot of and effectiveness of detoxifying with an infrared sauna.

What Dietary Supplements should you use with Sauna?

Micronutrition, specifically vitamins and minerals, play a crucial role in maintaining optimal bodily functions. A balanced diet consisting of a variety of nutrient-dense foods is the best way to obtain essential micronutrients. However, for those who struggle to meet their daily requirements, supplements can be used with guidance from a healthcare professional.

In summary, while infrared saunas can provide numerous health benefits on their own, incorporating certain nutrients and minerals into one's diet may enhance the sauna's detoxification effects and promote optimal health outcomes. The best infrared saunas can support you in your health and wellness goals and can provide you with more benefits than you might think!