Do Sauna Therapy and Exercise Act by Raising the Availability of Tetrahydrobiopterin?
March 11, 2025
In this study, Martin L. Pall looks at how sauna therapy, particularly infrared saunas, could help people with certain health conditions caused by a lack of a substance called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 is important for many body functions, including helping blood vessels relax and improve blood flow. The study suggests that when we use an infrared sauna, the heat increases blood flow in the body’s surface tissues, which triggers a process that boosts the production of BH4. Additionally, a heat-sensitive protein called Hsp90 helps protect the enzymes that make BH4, leading to more of it being available for the body to use. This increase in BH4 could help treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic fatigue.
The research also suggests that infrared saunas might be useful for improving health problems related to poor blood flow or nitric oxide production, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other vascular issues. By increasing blood flow and boosting BH4 levels, infrared saunas could also help the body recover after exercise by improving circulation and reducing stress on the heart and blood vessels. In short, sauna therapy might be a helpful way to support better circulation, reduce fatigue, and improve overall health in people with certain conditions.
