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 (Turn up the heat! – Part 1), 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 pressure
- Heart failure
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Dementia-prevention
- Respiratory conditions
- Overall better health
But how should heat therapy be prescribed?
What’s the difference between:
- Dry saunas
- Wet saunas or steam rooms
- Infrared saunas
- Japanese Waon therapy
- And 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.
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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!
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Click here to watch the episode on my YouTube channel, or listen to Healing with Dr Helena on your preferred podcast platform. I’ll publish a new episode every Monday, and you’ll receive an email notification that morning. Please subscribe to my podcast or YouTube channel so that you don’t miss an episode, and send your whether questions to: podcast@drhelenapopovic.com
If you’re happy for me to play your voice on my podcast, you can provide an audio file. Otherwise, you can type your question for me to read out.
I very much look forward to answering your questions, and exploring how we can all build a smarter brain, stronger body and deeply fulfilling life.
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