by T.J. Wolfe

Created on: April 11, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Sweating is the body's response to an increase in core body temperature and is the key way we cool ourselves off. The pores in the skin open up releasing water and other toxins. We stop sweating when our core temperature is back around the normal range. Besides keeping our body temperature within the normal range, there are other health benefits to sweating.

The body has only a few ways to release toxins: sweating, urination, defecation, and breathing. Sweating is a great way to get rid of toxins. We can get our bodies to sweat through exercise or through some type of heat therapy like saunas.

Any sauna can help. Yet, many people prefer the infrared saunas when focusing on the benefits of sweating. The infrared sauna penetrates deeper into the skin and is believed to move toxins from deeper levels.

Although the majority of sweat is water, sweat also releases other substances. Salt and potassium are key substances released by the body during sweat. People who sweat more or stay more hydrated have a tendency to have less salty sweat than others. That makes sweating a key way to remove excess salt in the body. Remember to keep hydrated when you're sweating.

Sweating can increase your metabolic rate. Everything in our body works from the energy we produce to create heat. The body needs to increase our metabolic rate in order to make enough heat to sweat. By increasing our metabolism, we increase the body's ability to eliminate toxins.

Sweating can also help you make changes in your life to improve your health.

What if you don't sweat? Just like sweating all the time, no sweating means you need to change some things in your life. Your pores are tightly closed off trapping in all the toxins and body heat. You may find it difficult to exercise because you overheat so fast.

If you are using saunas, only use them for fifteen minutes at a time. Drink a lot of water and add more warming foods to your diet such as yams and ginger. Try to cut back on the sodas, coffee, and red meat. It may take as long as month before you start to sweat.

When you finally start to sweat, you'll find it easier to exercise and your energy level will improve.

If you naturally sweat all the time, you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. Add more cooling foods such as fruits to your diet. Exercise in moderation and keep drinking water.

You're energy levels will be more constant when you sweat when hot instead of all the time,. You won't be irritable because you are fatigued all the time. In addition, you're body will be able to remove toxins instead of using all its energy to create sweat.

Sweating is a great way to improve your health. Sweating does the same things whether you are exercising or sitting in a sauna. If you are looking to do something good for yourself, think about sweating.

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