The English abstract of a case report in Russian indicated that sauna increased excretion of toxic elements and resulted in clinical improvements [ 27 ]. Indeed, although dermal application of lead via hair follicles, sweat ducts, and diffusion does not result in immediate increases in blood or urine lead concentrations, dermal absorption was demonstrated using the Pb isotope [ 43 ], lead powder, and salt [ 37 ]. In , Lovejoy et al. Robinson measured mercury in sweat repeatedly in two volunteers, observing sweat to urine concentration ratios ranging from less than 0.
Sweat mercury concentrations varied widely from day to day, and there was no correlation with urine levels. Sweat mercury levels of 1. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury may be excreted in appreciable quantities through the skin, and rates of excretion were reported to match or even exceed urinary excretion in a hour period.
This is of particular interest should renal compromise limit urinary excretion of toxic elements. Most of the research identified was over 20 years old, and collection methods varied widely. Although authors described thorough precleaning methods, sweat concentrations measured in research settings are not well validated and varied according to the location on the body, collection method, and from day to day according to other variables such as hydration.
Sweat contains metals not only from the blood plasma, but also evidently originating from dermal layers particularly with significant dermal exposures, as for workers in welding, smelting, or battery manufacturing. It would appear that large variabilities in measured concentrations, apart from collection methods as mentioned above, were likely the result of differences in excretion amongst widely varying individuals with ranges of body burdens, genetic polymorphisms affecting detoxification efficiency, and physiological states, coupled with necessarily crude if simple experimental techniques.
These variations were very much greater than would be expected due to limitations of analytical methods. Although analytical methods have improved over the years, analysis of these metals was commonplace at the time of the studies. Authors generally reported analytical methods rigorously or provided references to thorough descriptions and included internal standards and some indication of sensitivity.
The observation that between a third and a half of lead in sweat may be associated with high-molecular-weight molecules [ 22 ] merits replication, including examination of additional toxic elements and characterization of the associated molecules previously observed.
Excretion of these large molecules also suggests that sweating may be a means of excretion of metals complexed with natural or synthetic chelating agents. Vitamin E, zinc, and other nutrients are required for methylation and detoxification of arsenic within the body, and vitamin E supplementation improves the skin manifestations in arsenicosis [ 29 ].
From an occupational health perspective, lead, and presumably other toxic elements, may be absorbed via the skin, which supports showering at work and further suggests the possibility of purging workers' skin by washing with a chelating agent e.
It is unknown if sweating during the workday may affect dermal absorption, or if forced sweating at the end of the workday would be beneficial. It is also unknown if increased blood flow to the skin could possibly enhance absorption into the bloodstream, or if worker health could be optimized by a combination of workplace skin cleaning and sweating interventions.
Sweating has long been perceived to promote health, not only accompanying exercise but also with heat. Infrared saunas heat exposed tissues with infrared radiation, while air temperatures remain cooler than in other saunas.
Sweating is a long-standing, if recently forgotten, aspect of mercury detoxification. Various strategies used to maintain the mercury mining workforce have been explored over the centuries. With acclimatization and regular use, the sauna is generally well tolerated by all ages [ 46 ], though medical supervision may be recommended during initial sessions for children, the elderly, or those with compromised health. Varying qualities of evidence indicate potential short- and long-term improvements for cardiovascular, rheumatological and respiratory conditions; contraindications include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, severe aortic stenosis, and high-risk pregnancy [ 15 , 46 ].
Sweating is not only observed to enhance excretion of the toxic elements of interest in this paper, but also may increase excretion of diverse toxicants, as observed in New York rescue workers [ 47 ], or in particular persistent flame retardants [ 48 ] and bisphenol-A [ 49 ]. Optimizing the potential of sweating as a therapeutic excretory mechanism merits further research.
To date, the large body of research into homeostasis of the most common metals sodium, potassium, and to a lesser extent, magnesium, calcium, and zinc and conditioning or adaptation to regular sweating by athletes has not been matched with studies of excretion of trace elements.
Limited research suggests indirectly that conditioning may not restrict excretion of nonessential elements.
It has been noted that among people whose health is compromised by toxicants, heat regulatory mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system are often affected, resulting in a failure to sweat readily [ 3 ]. In these cases, along with diet and nutritional supplementation to remediate biochemical imbalances, interventions to consider include brushing the skin, niacin to assist with vasodilation, and exercise prior to sauna use [ 50 ].
Clinical experience is that with persistence and ample hydration patients do eventually start to sweat. This is often a sign that the autonomic nervous system function is beginning to improve. With enhanced ability to sweat, detoxification is facilitated, which can ultimately result in clinical improvement.
For biomonitoring and research purposes, modern validated methods are desirable to collect and measure elements in sweat, so this means of excretion may be considered in the context of other measures such as urine, blood, feces, and hair concentrations. Considerations for dry and wet collection methods were recently discussed in the context of essential solutes [ 51 , 52 ].
Sweating offers potential and deserves consideration, to assist with removal of toxic elements from the body. As toxic elements are implicated in many serious chronic conditions, research is needed in patients with select conditions to evaluate the body burden and to test the efficacy of source removal, dietary choices and supplements, interventions that induce sweating, and treatments with drugs, all to enhance excretion of toxic elements with the goal of clinical improvement.
There is a clear need for robust trials, appropriately sized to assess clinical outcomes, from which therapeutic protocols can be derived. Both biochemical and clinical outcomes should be examined in order to develop and monitor clinical interventions that are both safe and effective. The scoping review from which this work is derived was generously supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
There are no conflicts of interest. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. J Environ Public Health. Published online Feb Margaret E. Kerr , 3 , 4 and Riina I. Bray 3 , 4. Kathleen J. Riina I. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Sears: ac. Received Jul 16; Accepted Oct Sears et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury exposures are ubiquitous. Introduction No person is without some level of toxic metals in their bodies, circulating and accumulating with acute and chronic lifetime exposures. Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury: Background While many chemical elements are essential for life, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury have no known beneficial effect in humans.
Methods 2. Report Screening and Inclusion Titles and abstracts were screened by one investigator MS , for primary reports with data on one or more of the toxic elements in sweat, with at least a substantial abstract in English.
Results Of bibliographic records identified, 70 did not meet inclusion criteria at first screening, 52 full-text articles were sought for full-text screening, and 50 were obtained and screened. Open in a separate window. Figure 1. Excretion of Toxic Elements in Sweat Along with essential minerals, sweat is an acknowledged excretory route for toxic metals.
Table 1 Studies of excretion of arsenic in sweat. Table 2 Studies of cadmium excretion in sweat. Table 3 Studies of lead excretion in sweat. Sweat collected in arm bags.
Sauna is recommended. Morrison points to the build-up of so many chemicals in the body, the cumulative effect of which is unknown. It's our dumpster," he explains. But then if the fat gets overloaded, if a person is consuming so many toxins, then people start noticing problems, like skin issues, circulation issues, the metabolism starts shutting down.
Most detoxing happens through the liver and kidneys, but when the amount exceeds the capacity the body can handle, Dr. Morrison says, your pores will start to pitch in.
Research backs up the point, he says, with multiple studies that have shown heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury in sweat after exercise and saunas. Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission. Last updated on August 31, What does the science say about removing these risks to our health through our sweat pores? Sweating can help eliminate phthalates.
Sweating can help eliminate BPA. Sweating can help eliminate heavy metals. So, how does this relate to you? Joel Kahn, M. He is a summa cum laude Cardiologist Cardiologist.
Daniel Amen, M. Integrative Health. Jamie Schneider. Emma Loewe. If you really pushed it on your exercise regime, you might release up to 0. Back to that grain of truth: Small amounts of heavy metals and BPA from plastics do make their way into sweat, because these pollutants dissolve more readily in water. But there are more effective ways to remove high levels of metals from the blood, such as chelation therapy. And you pass more BPA out of your body in urine than in sweat.
The best way to reduce your BPA exposure is to avoid eating and drinking out of containers made with it, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Of course, none of this has stopped a growing sweat-detox industry. The latest fad is infrared saunas, which use infrared lights as a heat source instead of electric heaters or steam. Yet spas and sauna makers continue to assert their detox benefits.
While saunas may be soothing and have other benefits, the cancer-prevention claim has not been proven. A year-old women in Quebec died after a detoxification spa treatment plastered her with mud, then wrapped her in plastic and put a cardboard box over her head. She lay under blankets for nine hours, sweating. Hours after the treatment, she was dead from extreme overheating. All rights reserved. Share Tweet Email.
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