Weight gain and menopause: 30-minute heat therapy may help reduce fat

Evan Walker
Evan Walker TheMediTary.Com |
People at a sauna cabin on a lake, jumping into the water.Share on Pinterest
Heat therapy, such as sauna, may help combat age-related weight gain, according to research. Johner Images/Getty Images
  • Recent research on mice suggests that daily exposure to a warm environment, like a sauna, could help older adults, particularly women, combat age-related obesity and insulin resistance.
  • This study highlights whole-body heat therapy as a simple, non-invasive approach to promote Healthier aging and manage menopause-related weight gain.
  • The findings reveal that heat treatments improve insulin sensitivity and reduce fat accumulation, potentially offering a relaxing alternative for those who find physical activity challenging.

New research, presented at NUTRITION 2024 — the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, which took place from June 29 to July 2 in Chicago — highlighted heat treatments as a straightforward method to encourage Healthier aging.

The findings of the study in question revealed that older female mice subjected to a daily 30-minute whole-body heat treatment gained less weight and exhibited better insulin utilization, aiding in blood sugar regulation, compared with older female mice who did not undergo daily heat treatment.

The researchers also explored the biological mechanisms behind these positive effects.

Women are more likely than men to have obesity or overweight, especially after menopause, due to the loss of estrogen in their bodies.

This study suggests that whole-body heat therapy could be an effective and noninvasive method for managing both age-related and menopause-related weight gain and insulin resistance.

Rong Fan, a doctoral candidate, presented the study and also explained the key findings to Medical News Today:

“Our research shows that daily whole-body heat treatment (104-113°F) for 30 minutes can significantly reduce obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in older female mice and mouse models that simulate menopause. The 30-minute daily duration for heat treatment was chosen based on CDC guidelines, which recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults.”
— Rong Fan, study author

Fan said that the treatment works “by activating specific calcium channels in brown fat, a type of fat in our body that burns calories to produce heat.”

“This process helps the body increase its energy expenditure, similar to the metabolic effects of aerobic exercise. Essentially, this heat treatment helps improve metabolic health by partially mimicking some of the beneficial effects of exercise,” Fan explained.

Earlier research has shown that people tend to lose brown fat as they age and enter menopause, which contributes to a slower metabolism.

The researchers also investigated the molecular mechanisms behind the positive effects of heat therapy.

They discovered that heat activates several molecular processes that enhance the body’s fat-burning capabilities.

A key element is the protein TRPV1, which acts as a calcium ion channel in the cell membrane. When stimulated by heat, TRPV1 initiates a process known as futile cycling, where the body expends energy (in the form of ATP) to pump calcium ions across cell membranes.

Activation of TRPV1 and the resulting calcium cycling also promote the breakdown and burning of fats, reducing fat accumulation in tissues like the liver and improving the body’s insulin sensitivity, which is vital for overall metabolic health.

This sequence of events suggests that regular heat exposure can mimic the effects of calorie burning and fat loss.

It could be especially beneficial for individuals who find physical activity difficult, offering a relaxing method to enhance metabolic health.

The researchers emphasise that further studies are needed to determine the optimal duration and intensity of heat exposure for health benefits in humans and to confirm its safety and effectiveness across different populations.

Mark A. Anton, MD, medical director at Slimz Weightloss, who was not involved in this research, said that the research “is quite promising as it highlights a non-invasive, low-cost intervention that could help mitigate menopause-related weight gain and insulin resistance.”

“The mechanisms identified, such as TRPV1-mediated futile calcium cycling, provide a scientific basis for the benefits observed with heat treatments,” Dr. Anton explained.

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