Is it possible to sit perfectly still and manage to lose weight and even improve your health? A 2024 study from the University of British Columbia* says it’s so, specifically with the use of a Sunlighten sauna. This 2024 study found that when the Sunlighten sauna was used three times a week in 20-minute sessions, the user lost weight and reduced waist circumference (which is often a better determination of overall health than scale weight).
Another study conducted at the University of Missouri at Kansas City** found that 30-minute sessions three times a week in a Sunlighten sauna even lowered the user’s blood pressure. And still, more research hails the benefits of consistent sauna use.
“One study showed that using a sauna every other day for two weeks was associated with increased fat metabolism and lower cholesterol,” reported Dr. Jessica Wu, Daily Glow’s Dermatology Expert. She explained that the heat produced by the sauna will obviously make you sweat, and that if you sweat enough, “you will temporarily lose water weight.” As well, since heat reduces appetite, she explained that some people may have less of an appetite after a session in the sauna.
So what is this Sunlighten sauna that seems to be changing the health of its users? It’s not your typical sauna, as the results clearly show. There are no hot rocks or steam, instead, Sunlighten uses Solocarbon far infrared heat – which is the same type of energy that is naturally produced by the sun.
“Infrared rays are responsible for the sun’s warmth, and may be one reason many of us feel good when we’re in the sun,” explained Dr. Wu. I can attest to this myself. I was recently treated*** to a 30-minute session in the Sunlighten sauna at their Overland Park, Kansas headquarters. After a sweat-inducing half-hour in a 141-degree dry heat, I left feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and as if I’d just completed an energizing workout. That’s not to say that sauna use should replace your gym time, but it can certainly be a beneficial addition to an already active healthy living regimen.
“Infrared heat is powerful,” Jorge Cruise, bestselling author of The 100 and The Belly Fat Cure series, told us. He explained that “It reduces stress, improves circulation, and detoxifies the body, which are all important when you are losing weight.”
Our partner Bob Greene thinks so too, as he’s one of the health experts who has endorsed the Sunlighten sauna. He calls them an excellent tool for detoxification, weight loss, and even post-workout muscle recovery.
“I’ve been a fan of saunas since I was a teenager,” Greene told us. “In fact, I’ve recently started doing my warm-ups in a sauna—it saves time and helps get my muscles ready for my workout. I’ve found that I experience less muscle fatigue since I began treating myself to regular infrared sauna sessions.”
The detoxification attribute deemed important by Greene is also one of Sunlighten’s best benefits. Typically, a person can lose three percent toxins and 97 percent water in a conventional sauna. But in Sunlighten’s, you’ll sweat out as much as 20 percent toxins! Adopting a detoxification regimen is something recommended by Dr. Rachel West, a family practitioner specializing in chronic disease.
“Detoxification is important because it strengthens the body’s immune system and helps the body’s biochemical processes function efficiently.” She names a list of conditions that have seen marked improvement by following a detoxification regimen, including colitis, ADD and ADHD, autism, fibromyalgia, and more. “Sunlighten saunas are a non-toxic, no side-effect way of ridding the body of harmful pollutants,” she said.
The Sunlighten saunas are built for single or two-person use and can easily fit within a larger home, gym, or spa. The units are priced at a fairly low starting cost of $1899, and of course go up depending on the unit you choose, like the new mPulse series which they call the “most state-of-the-art infrared sauna on the market.” This particular model is also quite green, with eco-certified wood, bamboo carbon heath covers, and highly energy efficiency.
The Sunlighten saunas serve such a broad range of needs that there will be few individuals who can’t benefit from such an investment. The mPulse collection has removable benches so you can practice yoga in the sauna, taking your relaxation and meditation to a whole new level. Pain relief, skin health, detoxification, weight loss, and holistic disease treatment are some of the many benefits that come from using a clinically-tested and expert-approved sauna in your home or gym.
While they aren’t credentialed endorsements, a number of celebrities have adopted Sunlighten saunas. Entertainers like Ellen, Cher, Jay-Z, Uma Thurman, and William Shatner all own a Sunlighten sauna, as do athletes like George Foreman and Steve Young.
Dr. Wu says that even with so many documented benefits, users should still follow a few best practices to ensure safety and best results. “Limit your sauna session to no more than 20-30 minutes. Drink caffeine-free cool liquids after coming out of the sauna. If you feel faint or overheated at any time, step out and cool down,” she recommends. As well, if you have any medical condition, even those listed here and especially a heart condition or unstable blood pressure, Dr. Wu advises that you check with your doctor before use.
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*An entirely independent study. **Study was requested by Sunlighten, but it was designed and facilitated entirely by UMKC. ***Sunlighten provided a complimentary visit to their sauna, however, this post is not sponsored, we were not required to write a review, and all opinions remain our own.