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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND