SWEAT IT OUT: When Other Remedies Don’t Work

I’ve been working with an out-of-state friend by phone for a little over a year, and we were recently discussing a horrific car accident she was in about a year ago. She’d sustained some very serious injuries, both internal and external. Prior to the accident, she hadn’t been a sickly person. As a matter of fact, she was an avid walker, did an intensive daily stretching routine, and maintained a healthy diet. But when she returned home from the hospital, she found to her dismay that she could no longer do any of the things that had been such a huge part of her life. Obviously, it left a void that she’s been trying to fill ever since.

It wasn’t long before her weight began to skyrocket. Her energy levels plummeted, and her mood no longer reflected the happy-go-lucky person I’d come to know and love. Unwilling to accept the many allopathic medications she’d been prescribed by the medical doctors, she sought out an osteopathic doctor who has been somewhat helpful and also a chiropractor in her area who was able to start her with some much-needed spinal adjustments.

Nevertheless, she continued her spiral downward. Despite all of our efforts to figure out why, it now seemed that only a miracle could help her. Since the practitioner/nutritionist (in this case, me) is the supposed expert, I sincerely have to admit that it’s been more than distressing for both of us.

Adding to the frustration is the fact that I cannot be there with her to monitor her efforts and possibly help her further. After our last conversation, I sadly resigned myself to pray and hope that there might be some way we could bring her back to homeostasis.

Now, I ask you, do you believe in the power of prayer? Without getting into an in-depth discussion about how prayer for another person (or maybe even just good wishes) works, after my last conversation with her, I decided to do just that. Next day I sat down quietly to pray, and I asked what else could be done for my friend.

As I sat there silently feeling the soft early morning breeze on my face, it wasn’t long before the words “Have her try sweating” crossed my mind! It rather frightened me as I’m not given to these sorts of experiences, but it was so clear and emphatic that I immediately began to research how the simple process of sweating might help. 

After doing some research, I found that sweating is such a great remedy that I decided to write about my findings. This seemed like one very important way I could help my friend and also possibly assist others who are stymied about what path to take when their other efforts are failing.

In “The Many Health Benefits of Sweating,” Dr. Mercola lays out the four basic benefits of sweating (and also promotes his very expensive sauna equipment).

1. Sweating expels toxins. This supports proper immune function and helps prevent diseases related to toxic overload.
2. Sweating helps improve blood circulation.
3. Sweating kills viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in temperatures above 98.6°. 
4. Sweating helps relieve stress and promotes relaxation.

I carefully read this article along with many others that essentially made the same points. Then I began to remember some wonderful information from an old and wonderful book by Dr. Benjamin Frank, MD, titled Dr. Frank’s No Aging Diet. In it, Dr. Frank discusses the necessity of keeping our body temperatures at that 98.6°F level.

As I read Dr. Mercola’s third point above, I realized that in the trauma and aftermath of her accident, my friend’s body temperature had no doubt grown cold. Bringing it up by finding ways for her to sweat out the excessive toxins that have by now built up in her system was imperative so the real healing can start. Before I go on to the core substance of Mercola’s article, let me introduce you to some of the findings from Dr. Frank’s book.

Recommendations from Dr. Frank’s No Aging Diet 

As outlined by Dr. Frank, it’s possible for people to regain their health and youthfulness by resetting their low body temperature back to normal. His major recommendations include:

1. Stress reduction, rest, exercises, and, most importantly, the use of certain foods (which you can learn about in my blog posts mentioned below).
2. The miraculous warming extract in supplement form, Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).
   

Dr. Frank found that RNA had a number of profound effects, such as: 

• Anti-aging, including reduced skin wrinkling and increased skin elasticity
• Energizing
• Anti-anoxia (oxygen sparing)
• Anti-low body temperature, helping to raise it back to a normal, health-producing 98.6°F.
• Anti-viral
• Cognitive enhancing

Allow me to relate an encouraging story from his book:

One of Dr. Frank’s more interesting patients was a 78-year-old licensed pilot who’d become bald and suffered from arthritis, failing eyesight, a painful case of diverticulitis, and chronic fatigue. Five years later, after following a nucleic-acid rich diet with specific vitamins and ribonucleic acid extracts, he tarred the 150-feet roof of his workshop where he upholsters antique automobiles. He walked with an almost military snap, spoke crisply and to the point, and looked like a vigorous man in his mid-fifties. No aspirin or pain killers, no hormones, no drugs!

Important Must Read Blog Posts

The following blog posts will lead you to information that’s imperative should you want to raise your body temperature. Additionally, I’m posting a suggested protocol for my friend and any other readers who may want to benefit from it.

“The Warming Power of RNA”: In this article I outline the diet and foods recommended by Dr. Frank. I also discuss the Standard Process supplement RNA, which was produced as the result of Dr. Frank’s efforts and studies.

“Fat Burning Foods! Develop Your Own Weight Loss Program”: In this article I point out the phenomenal effect of foods that raise body temperature, thereby producing weight loss and other benefits such as reducing inflammation to a normal level.

Suggested Protocol and New Ways to Sweat and Warm Up Without Strenuous Exercise

Check with your medical doctor before undertaking my recommendations to be sure they won’t be detrimental or interfere with any medications you may be taking.

1. Consume foods that increase your body temperature, as outlined in the two blog posts mentioned above.
2. Increase the body warming effects of food or mild exercise by using the Standard Process whole food supplement Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).
3. Sit outside in the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for 15–20 minutes while protecting your eyes from the sun. Consider wearing a swimsuit or any clothing that exposes your body to the warmth of the sun.
4. Gently move any uninjured body parts with slow, steady sustained movements for 30–40 minutes, or until a gentle sweat breaks out. As I understand, this causes fat burning for the next 12 hours. Personal Note: Sweeping the sidewalk, even if it doesn’t need it, has been one of my most sweat-producing and gentle exercises.
5. Find a sauna to help bring about sweating as Dr. Mercola recommends. I believe most gyms have them.
6. A crucial component of increasing body warmth is consuming 3–4 tablespoons of coconut oil daily. Coconut oil is broken down by the body and converted into energy rather than stored in fat cells. Coconut oil also has antiviral, antifungal, and other amazing properties and may even help stabilize blood sugar in those with diabetes. The Coconut Research Center is the best place to get more information.
7. Reduce high omega-6 oils (also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs) from your diet. See this chart for a better understanding of which ones to avoid.
8. Eat your carbs! Complex carbohydrates, such as fiber-rich whole grains, beans, squash, etc., generate energy when eaten as a part of an overall healthy diet like the one outlined in Sally Fallon Morrel’s “Wise Traditions” philosophy and her Nourishing Traditions cookbook. Complex carbohydrates also increase serotonin levels, which will help you maintain a happy disposition.

Photos from iStock/KTVisual (at top); AntonioGuillem (sunset); PicturePartners (coconut oil)

Note from Maria: I am a Certified Natural Health Professional, CNHP, not a medical doctor. I do not diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or claim to prevent, mitigate, or cure any human diseases. Please see your medical doctor prior to following any recommendations I make in my blogs or on my website.