Everyone is exposed to a greater number and variety of toxins in the environment and some enter our bodies. These toxins, at various levels, can impact the normal functioning of different types of cells in the body. One result is that our cells, individually and collectively, can not perform at their full natural potential. This will decrease our normal and optimal levels of health & wellness. The effects can be in a range from minimal to major, but it will have an effect on daily wellness, healthy aging, appearance, fitness and other areas. Some toxins are much more stressful to various cells than others and can cause serious major medical conditions. An example are the effects from smoking and the harm caused by second-hand smoke. Children exposed to second-hand smoke can suffer as much as the people smoking. There are endless examples of the types of toxins and their harmful effects that are found in the air, food and water that we are exposed to everyday.

Hydrotherapy treatments have been used from ancient to modern time as an effective approach to natural detoxification of the body. The primary technique is by producing hyperthermia in the body by heat exchange between hot water and the human body. The exchange between water and the human body (which is 60% water) is 20 times greater than the heat exchange between air and the human body. One of the most effective and efficient ways to heat the body using water is by using steam (water in the vapor state). By using 1 quart of water to generate steam, you can heat the body as effectively as by hot water in bathtub or hot tub.

What happens when we heat the body using steam and how does this allow the body to detoxify?

• The average temperature of steam around the body during a steam treatment is about 120 F and the humidity level is 100%. The skin and core temperature of the body increase very quickly.
• As the heat center in the hypothalamus senses an increase in the core temperature, it signals the sweat glands to produce sweat. Normal, as sweat evaporates, it cools the body, but because the humidity is 100% no cooling will take place.
• During a 1/2 hour steam treatment, the body will produce between 1/2 to 1 quart/liter of sweat. The human body can produce between 1 to 2 quarts/liters of sweat per hour.
• Circulation: The blood flow to the skin (mainly the dermis) increases from a normal flow of 8% of the total volume of blood (average amount of blood in the body is 5 quarts/liters) to 30%. This increased blood flow rate brings an increased flow of blood very close to the surface of the body (skin) and the sweating glands.
• Hyperthermia & Cellular Detoxification: The metabolic activity of the cells will increase about 7% for each increase in the core and skin temperature of the body. This increased dynamic activity of the cells of body can stimulate cellular detoxification.
• See Illustration on Hyperthermia & Sweating Sweat