Sauna Therapy to Reduce Menopause-Related Weight Gain

Findings from a new study suggest daily saunas can combat menopause-related weight gain and insulin resistance.

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New research suggests that daily saunas could help women control their blood sugar better and combat post-menopausal weight gain.

The findings suggest that daily heat therapy, such as time spent in a sauna, might help prevent menopause-related weight gain and improve metabolic health in older adults—especially women.

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that older female mice receiving daily 30-minute whole-body heat treatments gained less weight and had better insulin sensitivity than those that didn’t receive treatment.

The findings are noteworthy because menopause increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance due to lower estrogen levels. The researchers also discovered how the heat therapy works to provide these benefits.

“Compared to men, women have a higher likelihood of being obese or overweight,” Soonkyu Chung, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and research team leader, said in a news release.

“This is especially true after menopause, due to the loss of estrogen in the body. Our study suggests that whole-body heat therapy could serve as an effective, non-invasive solution for managing weight gain and insulin resistance associated with menopause.”

Rong Fan, a doctoral student advised by Ms. Chung, presented the findings on July 1 at NUTRITION 2024, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting—held in Chicago.

“Heat therapy could be a practical option for those with increased abdominal fat and a higher risk of metabolic diseases triggered by menopausal hormonal changes,” Ms. Fan said in the news release. “It could be easily integrated into routine healthcare practices through regular sessions in saunas, heated baths or with specialized heat wraps.”

Study Details

Researchers removed the ovaries of older female mice to mimic menopause. The mice were then fed a high-fat diet that included 45 percent of calories from fat to promote weight gain—to imitate the Western diet. One group of mice was exposed to 30 minutes of heat therapy daily in an enclosure at 40 C (104 F) for 12 weeks, while another group received no heat treatment.

The mice who underwent heat therapy had “significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase levels, indicating less age-related tissue damage.” The treatment also helped reduce weight gain from the high-fat diet.

Compared to the untreated mice, those who underwent heat therapy had better insulin sensitivity and signaling and less fat buildup in areas like the liver and brown fat. Brown fat is a unique type of fat that enables the body to use more energy.

Studies indicate that as people get older, and when women enter menopause they tend to lose brown fat. This loss of brown fat leads to a slower metabolism.

Mechanism of Action

The researchers looked into how heat therapy works at a molecular level. They discovered that heat activates several processes in the body that help burn fat and use energy more efficiently. A protein called TRPV1 plays a significant role.

When TRPV1 is activated by heat, it begins a process where the body uses energy to move calcium ions across cell membranes. This process, called futile calcium cycling, boosts the body’s energy expenditure.

Activating TRPV1 and the calcium cycling also helps burn and break down fats, reducing fat buildup in places like the liver. It also improves how the body uses insulin, which is critical for good metabolic health.

“This series of events suggests that regular application of heat can mimic the effects of calorie burning and fat loss,” Ms. Fan said. “It could be particularly advantageous for individuals who find physical activities challenging, providing a relaxing way to improve metabolic health.”

Final Thoughts

The study’s findings suggest that daily time in a sauna or other heated environment may help reduce menopause-related weight gain and improve metabolic health. However, the researchers emphasized that further studies are needed to determine the best duration and heat intensity for different populations.