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Concentrations of trace elements in sweat during sauna bathing.
A Hoshi1, H Watanabe, M Kobayashi
1Department of Health and Physical Education, Nippon Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. ahoshi@tokyo.ndu.ac.jp
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|March 5, 2002
Summary
Sauna bathing can deplete essential trace elements like iron and manganese through sweat. Athletes and workers in hot environments should ensure adequate trace element intake to compensate for losses.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Environmental Health
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Sauna bathing induces significant sweating, potentially affecting the body's mineral balance.
- Understanding trace element loss during heat exposure is crucial for maintaining health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare trace element concentrations in sweat collected via whole-body versus arm-bag methods.
- To assess the impact of sauna bathing on major and trace element excretion.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy young adult males underwent dry sauna bathing (60°C, 30 min).
- Sweat was collected using both whole-body and arm-bag methods for elemental analysis.
- Concentrations of major (Na, Cl, K, Ca, P, Mg) and trace (Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn) elements were measured.
Main Results:
- Arm-bag method yielded lower concentrations of most elements compared to the whole-body method.
- Calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese concentrations were significantly lower with the arm-bag method.
- Excretion of trace elements, particularly iron and manganese, was significantly reduced when measured by the arm-bag method.
Conclusions:
- Sweating during sauna bathing leads to a decrease in essential trace elements.
- Habitual heavy sweaters, including athletes and workers in hot climates, need to ensure sufficient trace element intake.
- Accurate assessment of trace element loss requires whole-body sweat collection methods.