Turn up the heat! (EP12 - Part 2)

Last week’s Brain Booster was Turn up the heat! — a deep dive into how using a sauna more than 4 times a week can reduce the risk of dementia by over 60%! Given that this is a very bold claim, I spoke for longer than I’d anticipated, in order to explain the mechanisms by which heat exposure brings about health benefits. So I decided to end the episode after the Health Headline because the feedback I’ve received from you is that you prefer my episodes to be under one hour long. That means if you haven’t watched or listened to last week’s episode, I strongly recommend you do so before listening to this one because last week I explained the rationale for what I’m talking about today.Hence we’re launching straight into What’s Missing from Modern Medicine?What’s Missing from Modern Medicine is doctors prescribing heat therapy as part of standard medical care for:High blood pressureHeart failureDepressionInsomniaChronic painDementia-preventionRespiratory conditionsOverall better health But how should heat therapy be prescribed?What’s the difference between:Dry saunasWet saunas or steam roomsInfrared saunasJapanese Waon therapyAnd hot baths?Do they confer similar benefits or is one modality better than another? What dose do we need in terms of temperature, duration and frequency?If saunas are a medication, are there any contraindications?And most importantly, how can the average person — like you and me — incorporate heat therapy as part of a healthy lifestyle, without having to spend a lot of time and money? There are only so many hours in a day, and I don’t want to spend all day trying to get healthy and not leave time to actually live! Having said that, I enjoy saunas and hot baths, so it’s great to have a really good reason to indulge in them.  * * * * *Today’s Whether Report is from Colin: I would like to hear whether at my age — 85 years — it’s too late to avoid Alzheimer’s?No, it’s never too late! Listen to the end of the episode to find out why!* * * * *Please subscribe to my podcast so that you don’t miss an episode, and send your whether questions to: [email protected] resources and references visit: https://drhelenapopovic.com/podcast/