Sauna and Electrolytes: What You Need to Know

Sweating is one of the body’s natural ways of releasing toxins and after a good sweat in the sauna, it’s helpful to replete electrolytes. Even if you don't sweat much, you are detoxing internally through your urine and stool and need to maintain your electrolyte levels.

Sauna and Electrolytes – What’s the Big Deal?

Saunas, while fantastic for detoxing, are also great at depleting electrolytes, unfortunately. That’s why I recommend taking electrolytes before or after your infrared sauna session to maintain your levels.

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes in your body include:

• Sodium

• Bicarbonate

• Potassium

• Magnesium

• Chloride

• Phosphate

• Calcium

The most common electrolyte deficiencies are sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Electrolyte imbalances can affect overall levels of health and lead to chronic dehydration.

My Super Sauna Routine

If you want to get the most out of your sauna experience, try these steps below! They work well for me and help me feel my best.

1. Figure Out How Long to Stay In 

Forty minutes is a good rule of thumb, but most people have to work up to that. Start with just 10-minute sessions, and listen to your body, working up to about 40-minute sessions after a while. Depending on your adaptability and current health, you may need less sauna time or less heat. Children generally should have less time or heat as well. If sauna fatigues you or gives you side effects, that’s a sign!

2. Hydrate Your Body (before, during, and after)

Since saunas cleanse and detox the body, you quickly dehydrate. It’s critical to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and after your sauna session.

3. Drink Electrolytes (before, during, and after)

Consuming electrolytes that are clean and free of sugars is great for assisting detox and keeping you hydrated during and after your sauna session. I’ve looked long and hard for a quality electrolyte that I can recommend, and I am so please to announce that I was able to manufacture one with the exact ingredients and quality that you need to feel your best! Check out my brand-new Mi Detox Electrolytes here!

4. Shower After Your Sauna Session

Saunas release toxins that can stick to your body after a good sweat, so make sure to shower afterwards and get all those toxins off your skin.

5. Take Binders

Binders ensure the toxins continue to move through and out your body through bowel movements. Binders keep the toxins from circulating back into your body. We currently offer binders called GI Detox and Pectasol C, and have our own binder coming out soon called Mi Toxins Binder.

6. Bathe with Charcoal Soap After Your Sauna Session

We mentioned taking a shower after a sauna session, but a good scrub with charcoal soap is the crowning jewel on a super sauna routine. Charcoal is wonderful at pulling toxins from your body and is a key step in any detox regimen. Beautycounter’s charcoal soap is my favorite! Find it here.

7. Use Glutathione Before the Sauna

Glutathione is the body’s premiere antioxidant- counteracting the effects of toxins. Try taking 100-200 mcg of glutathione – available in both liquid and capsule form – before using a sauna to reap the benefits.

---

Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and functionaldetoxproducts.com .

Check out her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!

---