Dr. Bourke General Health

Submitted by Dr. Daryl Bourke

The appearance of the skin can tell a great deal about the health of an individual. Skin blemishes, rashes, discoloration and dark circles under the eyes can all be telltale signs of allergies, toxic burden, or excessive nicotine, alcohol or drug use. All of these signs indicate the diminished health of an individual and should not be taken lightly.

Researchers have analyzed the subcutaneous adipose layer (fatty tissue) just below the skin and have found that it contains numerous toxins. These toxins come from the external environment or have been inhaled or ingested. These toxins will not be found in everyone, but include pesticides like DDT, PCB, dioxins, atrazine, heavy metals like mercury, lead and cadmium, pharmaceutical residue, trichloroethylene (from chlorinated drinking water), benzene (from air fresheners) toluene (from house paint). Researchers then analyzed the sweat from Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) and found that it contained 80 to 85% water, sodium, trace minerals, uric acid, ammonia, cholesterol and a combination of the toxins listed above. These toxins are related to many chronic health conditions and should not be found in the body.

Traditional detoxification protocols using the colon, lung, kidneys, liver and chelation alone were shown to be less effective than Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.), but were more effective when used in combination with F.I.R.S.T.

Studies at the Mayo Clinic and published in Circulation and the Journal of Cardiology found F.I.R.S.T. to be the safest method of detoxification in heat-sensitive cardiac patients. Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) has also been mentioned in some articles as be a beneficial adjunctive in helping with patients' detoxification from nicotine, alcohol and pharmaceuticals.

Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) has other health benefits in addition to detoxification. It also improves white blood cell activity and lymphatic drainage, which improves how the immune system functions. Increasing the core temperature of the body increases cardiovascular and metabolic function through the hypothalamic-cardiac reflex, which causes an increase in caloric uptake, resulting in weight loss. Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) reduces tissue inflammation and stimulates endorphin production, explaining its popularity in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and arthritic conditions. Detoxification via the skin also prevents the patient from experiencing the Herxheimer Reaction (known as the healing crisis), whose symptoms include fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain) and exacerbation of skin lesions.