EBN- A new study in mice has found that postmenopausal women may be able to control their blood sugar better and gain less weight if they sit in a sauna to relax every day.
“Our study suggests that whole-body thermotherapy may be an effective, non-invasive solution for managing weight gain and insulin resistance associated with menopause,” said lead researcher Sunkyu Chung.
The New York Post reported the results of the study, which was presented last Monday in Chicago at the “Nutrition 2024 Conference,” the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. Researchers removed the ovaries from older female mice to simulate life after menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
The mice were fed a Western diet containing 45 percent of calories from fat. One group of mice was placed in a temperature chamber at 104 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes each day, while the other group was not exposed to these factors.
The 12-week experiment showed that mice that received heat treatment showed less tissue damage associated with aging and improved insulin sensitivity, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Heat treatment also appeared to reduce weight gain, which is caused by a fatty diet.
Hormonal changes and a slower metabolism have been shown to contribute to fat accumulation during menopause, which is diagnosed when a woman has stopped menstruating for 12 months.
Researchers found that heat stimulates processes that help the body use energy more efficiently and burn fat.
Additionally, Chung’s team hopes that further research will be able to determine the length of time and intensity of heat that produces the greatest health benefits and confirm its effectiveness in women of different ethnic groups.
