BOOST Your Heart Health by 30%... without Exercise?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 26, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
People will argue about almost anything these days… a quick scroll through Facebook will show you that.
And this can be especially true when you start talking about health.
But you know what no one argues about?
Exercise.
Study after study has shown that getting exercise will benefit almost every aspect of your life, including mood, sleep, and heart heath.
But here is the problem: not everyone can exercise all the time.
There are many exercise-interrupters in our lives, like the weather, pain or injury, family, or just plain modern-day life.
Luckily, there is a way to get the exercise your body needs without ever lifting a finger.
Researchers have found that this therapy can BOOST your heart health by 30 percent.
A new study published in the Journal of Physiology found that heat therapy has many of the same benefits that exercising does.
First, the group of researchers had college-aged participants avoid exercise and wear a restrictive knee brace for 10 days. And in just that short time, the college students’ arteries responded to testing as if they were 60-year-olds.
Then, to test the effects of heat treatment, the researchers used a technology called pulsed shortwave diathermy on half of the participants’ knees.
It was astounding— the heat treatment ERASED the bad effects of sitting all day long.
There are two things you should take away from this study: the first is that sitting is bad for you. Getting up and moving around as much as you can during the day is a great way to fight back against this.
And the second is, both heat and sweating are good for you.
Many cultures have used heat therapy for health reasons, including saunas and sweat lodges… and you should too.
When you use a sauna, your blood vessels dilate (get larger), which can help lower blood pressure. At the same time, your heart rate increases, circulating blood throughout your body and helping to remove wastes and toxins.
The researchers called using a sauna “a mild to moderate stress” – very similar to exercise.
Most people don’t have a sauna at home, but you can usually find one at a local gym close to you.
If you’re considering using a sauna, make sure you drink plenty of water and don’t stay in too long. As always, check with your doctor before putting any stress on your heart.
P.S. Did you know that spending time in a sauna can help your immune system as well? It’s just one of my 6 tips for avoiding colds and flus. Click here to read more.
SOURCE:
Jones, Trevor. “Heat therapy can mimic some of the vascular benefits of exercise.” 11/12/21. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-11-therapy-mimic-vascular-benefits.amp
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...