The effect of sauna bathing on lipid profile in young, physically active, male subjects

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of Finnish sauna bathing on lipid profile in healthy, young men. Material and Methods: Sixteen male subjects (20-23 years) were subjected to 10 sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna every 1 or 2 days. The mean sauna temperature was 90±2°C, while humidity was 5-16%. Each session consisted of three 15-minute parts and a 2-minute cool-down between them. The following measurements were taken before and after the sauna sessions: body mass, heart rate, body skinfold thickness. The percentage fat content and then, the lean body mass were calculated. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, lipoprotein cholesterol LDL and HDL were measured in blood samples. Results: A statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed during 3 weeks of sauna treatment and in the week afterwards. A significant decline in triacylglycerols was found directly after the 1st and 24 h directly after the 10th sauna session. After the 10th sauna session the level of HDL cholesterol remained slightly increased, but this change was not statistically significant. A decrease in blood plasma volume was found directly after the 1st and the last sauna bathing session due to perspiration. An adaptive increase in blood plasma volume was also found after the series of 10 sauna sessions. Conclusions: Ten complete sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna caused a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol fraction levels during the sessions and a gradual return of these levels to the initial level during the 1st and the 2nd week after the experiment. A small, statistically insignificant increase in HDL-C level and a transient decline in triacylglycerols were observed after those sauna sessions. The positive effect of sauna on lipid profile is similar to the effect that can be obtained through a moderate-intensity physical exercise.

Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence

“…Evidence suggests that the responses produced by an ordinary sauna bath correspond to those produced by moderateor high-intensity physical activity such as walking. 32 Pathways implicated in the effects of sauna bathing on vascular disease and mortality risk include reduction in systemic BP 14 ; improvement in endothelial function [33][34][35] ; reduction in oxidative stress 36,37 and inflammation 38,39 ; beneficial modulation of the autonomic nervous system 11 ; positive alteration in levels of circulating vascular risk factors such as natriuretic peptides 40 and lipids 41,42 ; hormonal changes; improved arterial stiffness, arterial compliance, and intima media thickness 7,36,40,43,44 ; and improvement in the cardiorespiratory system 45 as well as cardiovascular function 3,4,46 (Figure 2). Indeed, these pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of chronic disease outcomes such as type 2 diabetes and CVD as well as mortality.…”

“…Finnish sauna baths have also been found to positively modulate circulating levels of lipids such as total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. 41,42 There is also evidence that sauna exposure could boost the immune system, 51 which may partly explain why sauna baths reduce susceptibility to common colds and prevent infections in healthy individuals. 24 Furthermore, the effects of sauna bathing on vascular and nonvascular diseases may in part be mediated via reduced oxidative stress, as oxidative processes are known to be involved in the etiology of several disease conditions.…”

Short-term effects of Finnish sauna bathing on blood-based markers of cardiovascular function in non-naive sauna users

“…Indeed, in two studies that evaluated the effect of Finnish sauna bathing on lipid profile, there were significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after 2–3 weeks of sauna exposure [37, 38]. One study suggested that the lipid changes as a result of sauna exposure were similar to that produced by moderate-intensity physical exercise [37]. We have also previously shown that long-term sauna exposure is associated with reduction in levels of markers of inflammation [15, 16].…”

Passive heat therapy: a ready route to vascular health?

“…), total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (Gryka et al . ) have been shown to decrease with heat therapy. Populations that have a limited ability to perform aerobic exercise could potentially benefit from this treatment.…”

“…Few treatment modalities are as widely accessible, safe in both the general (Kukkonen-Harjula et al 2006) and disease (Basford et al 2009) populations, and cost effective as heat therapy. Moreover, other markers of disease such as glycated haemoglobin (Krause et al 2015), total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (Gryka et al 2014) have been shown to decrease with heat therapy. Populations that have a limited ability to perform aerobic exercise could potentially benefit from this treatment.…”