Suana detox
Jason Allen, a faculty researcher and naturaopathic doctor at Bastyr University in Kenmore, is recruiting participants for a study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to understand how heat, in the form of sauna treatments, can help cleanse the body of poisons. (97.3 KIRO FM/Tim Haeck)

Study: Are saunas the best way to rid your body of toxins?

BY Tim Haeck  on February 8, 2012 @ 12:46 pm (Updated: 9:04 am - 2/9/12 )

Since ancient times, people have tried various ways to cleanse their body of poisons, something we now call detoxification. If you're feeling congested, stressed or run down, it might be time for a little spring "cleansing."

These days, "detox" generally refers to breaking an alcohol or drug addiction. But you can also choose from popular, but controversial detox diets, including a maple syrup and lemonade combination, the raw food only diet, the fruit flush three-day detox, and the green smoothie fasting and detox diet.

A local researcher is looking at another way to detox that involves heat.

"What I'm proposing is a little more aggressive protocol, it's like spring cleaning," said Jason Allen, a faculty researcher and naturaopathic doctor at Bastyr University in Kenmore. "Would we do it once a year? I don't know."

Allen is recruiting participants for a study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to understand how heat, in the form of sauna treatments, can help cleanse the body of poisons.

"Products are out there that slowly degrade in the environment and accumulate in humans, particularly in fat. So in this study, we picked one chemical that's detectable in 100 percent of the human population, in fact 100 percent of the mammalian population, and those are PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls.

PCBs were largely banned in the 1970s, but can remain in the environment for decades.

Allen says we're living in a chemical soup and claims there are more than 80,000 registered chemicals in widespread use in manufacturing.

"We can't even test for them and so we have a system where we don't use the precautionary principle. We allow industry to put chemicals on the market and assume they're safe until we see the damage that's being done," said Allen. He uses the example of lead in gasoline.

Allen is interested in the link between environmental poisons and disease. "For every major, chronic, degenerative disease that Americans are suffering from at epidemic levels, be it pain, cardio-vascular disease, cancer, infertility, diabetes, autism, there are strong associations with environmental chemicals," said Allen. "And don't misquote me here, I'm not saying they're causative, (that) if you take this out, you'll cure all these conditions."

Allen concedes detoxification is not for everybody. He says the impact of chemicals on your body is part hereditary, part environmental.

"The former director of the E.P.A. said that the genes load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger and the environment is the blueberries you do or don't put on your oatmeal in the morning, as opposed to bacon, or the once-a-year sauna-based detox."

You can use exercise, diet, nutrients, statins, and fiber to rid the body of fat that stores chemicals. But Allen says there's a lack of scientific data on his main question: "Is there an effective way we can assist the body in removing toxins in a safe manner?"

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (10)


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  • Moondoggie wrote...
    80,000 seems like hyperbole
    February 9, 2012 9:22 am
    claims there are more than 80,000 registered chemicals in widespread use in manufacturing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Observ wrote...
    hyperbole
    February 10, 2012 4:10 am
    look at the CDC national toxicology program. the number is more likely around 100,000. This is fact, not hyperbole. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/?objectid=7201637B-BDB7-CEBA-F57E39896A08F1BB
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Let's go back to the "good old days"
    February 9, 2012 9:23 am
    Before manmade chemicals screwed everything up. Yep, the good old days, when people lived an average of 30 years.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Get to the Point.
    February 9, 2012 9:28 am
    If it was made after the 60's don't eat it. Kinda simple. Use it for better Health.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • spuddog wrote...
    Hey Newton...
    February 9, 2012 1:56 pm
    glad to see Big Macs made your cut and Dick's and Frisko Freeze too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jay D wrote...
    Quackery...
    February 9, 2012 3:23 pm
    What brand of tin foil do these quacks recommend to use as hats? Sorry to break it to the believers but this guy is not a real doctor and this is not a truly non-biased study. Legitimate science has not been able to identify these so-called toxins that have been apparently plaguing us for centuries. Real science however, has rid us of some of the worst diseases that used to kill millions of people. These "toxins" however, provide these quacks with a boogeyman that serves to only distract the public from real, legitamate science-based medicine. People should not be interviewing this wanna-be doctor, he needs to be bagging groceries at Whole Foods.
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  • Observ wrote...
    Quackery
    February 10, 2012 4:45 am
    Bagging at Whole Foods is a great job, by the way. This guy isn't saying he is going to cure the planet, just that some chemicals might be problematic. Seems like a reasonable approach, especially since "the establishment" e.g. "legitimate science-based medicine" claims that up to 80% of cancers are directly related to environmental exposures. See the national library of medicine (pubmed) if you don't get it, and do some homework before you stereotype like this. PS I think it is aluminum foil hats- they don't get so hot.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • myrna wrote...
    Toxins....
    June 12, 2013 10:42 am
    Jay, The "Real Science' that you talk about that has rid us of some of the worst diseases that used to kill millions of people. Well.... those are OLD diseases! Good for them, we are living in a TOXIC world that is changing everyday and these chemical companies don't have to be accountable for all the toxic things they are putting in us! Would you like to walk in my shoes for a week and then see if you'd leave a remark like you did. I was a healthy female that walked almost 5 miles a day, did my own yard work, housework, raised successful children, etc. and happily married over 30 years. After doing some remodeling I became very sick and am still struggling with my health! Your so called Real science, Doctors and all the usual test can't find anything from their so called test that was run on me! BUT I'm SICK! I have become so chemical sensitive that I can no longer participate in everyday life like most people. I actually went to sauna this morning, because I'm trying to figure how to detox my body and get my life back! I can't even go into public places without getting blasted with air fresheners, re-surfacing of parking lots (now 80 some degrees in the midwest); dryer sheets that fill the air when I try to walk; churches, movie theaters, restaurants, etc. People spraying their lawns make me so sick, I can taste chemicals in my mouth! These are all use some sort of chemical based products. Oh, and don't even go there and say it's in my head! I went to see a Pshyciatrist, (I'm doing EVERYTHING I can do to get my life back); never been to one and have NEVER needed one. The Doctor asked me why I was there and I told her; she asked me how I was feeling; I told her I was reacting, my voice changing, headache.... she laughed and said interesting, I just had the office re-carpeted and painted last week. I had NEVER been in that office before! Having the internet has made it possible for people to get in contact with each other and there are a number of people that I have become friends with who are suffering just as I am! I have meet some professionals, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Engineers, Pilots, etc. that are suffering from many of the same exposures, I experience. Why don't these companies have to prove that their chemicals are safe before putting them out in the public! Our medical system and Government is so messed up! If I had cancer, diabetes, heart disease, anything that is studied in the medical field people would not look at me like I'm a freak. When I start telling my story all of a sudden they start thinking of relatives, friends, etc. who can't stand to be around perfumes, walk down the detergent isle, the smell of gasoline, etc. You get the picture. These chemicals are messing with our endocrine systems, look at all the the new diseases that we didn't have just 15 years ago! Our food supply, environment, furniture, clothing, mattresses, etc. are all being soaked with chemicals! Look at all the studies. Dr. Allen is just one of the 'out of the box' doctors that I'm thankful for, because from my experience...... the main stream doctor's have no clue, they aren't taught ANYTHING about environmental medicine in medical school!!!! I had a Doctor at Washington University turn his back on me after he did a test and I had reactions, told him exactly what happens to me when I get exposed to certain things, one of the chemicals that I reacted to is in exactly 3 things that I told him I was exposed to and bothered me. He walked me to the door, told me not to come back! You call this a good representation of our Medical System? Had I not had a witness, no one would believe this story! So my point, I THANK GOD! for doctors like Dr. Allen who are looking to help the future generations to deal with detoxing, this is going to be an epidemic I feel, this is only the tip of the ice berg before more and more people are plagued with illnesses that they don't know how to heal. Again, you just start talking to people and ask them if they themselves, or know anyone who gets headaches when around perfumes, gasoline, car exhaust, etc. it's the beginning of being overloaded with toxins and may not be long before they are walking in my shoes. P.S. I have no ties to Dr. Allen, but wish I had a doctor like him who could help me! I can't even live in my own home because it's still making me ill feeling.
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  • cdbtx wrote...
    Having a Finnish Wife
    February 9, 2012 5:49 pm
    and having spent a great deal of time in Finland I'll admit that they certainly do leave you feeling cleaned and refreshed and energized.

    As far as cleansing the body, etc... stressing out over this or diet or anything else will shorten your lifespan much faster.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ericamaine wrote...
    Healthy Samples
    February 9, 2012 10:13 pm
    You can cut your bills tremendously by visiting "Get Official Samples" website without becoming addicted like some of the people you see on TV, That’s more like hoarding.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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