The effect of passive heating on heat shock protein 70 and interleukin-6: A possible treatment tool for metabolic diseases?, 2017, Faulkner et al

[Andy]

This may well explain why bathing may affect so many patients so strongly.

Abstract:

Increasing physical activity remains the most widely publicized way of improving health and wellbeing. However, in populations that benefit most from exercise (EX), adherence is often poor and alternatives to EX are important to bring about health improvements. Recent work suggests a role for passive heating (PH) and heat shock proteins (HSP) in improving cardio-metabolic health. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of HSP70 and interleukin-6 in response to either EX or PH and the subsequent effect on glucose control.

Fourteen males volunteered and were categorized lean (BMI 23.5 ± 2.2 kg·m−2) or overweight (29.2 ± 2.7 kg·m−2) and completed 60 minutes of either moderate cycling at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (EX) or warm water immersion in 40°C water (PH). Extracellular HSP70 increased from baseline in both conditions with no differences between PH (0.98 ± 1.1 ng·mL−1) or EX (0.84 ± 1.0 ng·mL−1, p = 0.814). IL-6 increased following both conditions with a two-fold increase after PH and four-fold after EX. Energy expenditure increased by 61.0 ± 14.4 kcal·h−1 (79%) after PH. Peak glucose concentration after a meal immediately following PH was reduced when compared with EX (6.3 ± 1.4 mmol·L−1 versus 6.8 ± 1.2 mmol·L−1; p < 0.05). There was no difference in 24-hour glucose area under the curve (AUC) between conditions.

These data indicate the potential for thermal therapy as an alternative treatment and management strategy for those at risk of developing metabolic disease where adherence, or ability to EX, may be compromised.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23328940.2017.1288688

Article based on this study - https://theconversation.com/a-hot-bath-has-benefits-similar-to-exercise-74600/

Cycling resulted in more calories being burned compared with a hot bath, but bathing resulted in about as many calories being burned as a half-hour walk (around 140 calories). The overall blood sugar response to both conditions was similar, but peak blood sugar after eating was about 10% lower when participants took a hot bath compared with when they exercised.

We also showed changes to the inflammatory response similar to that following exercise. The anti-inflammatory response to exercise is important as it helps to protect us against infection and illness, but chronic inflammation is associated with a reduced ability to fight off diseases. This suggests that repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation, which is often present with long-term diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

 

[lansbergen]

For years I could not take a hot bath but nowadays I can enjoy it again.