Heat Therapy: A Warm Solution to Weight Gain During Menopause

A new study on mice suggests that spending time in a heated environment such as a sauna may help older people, especially women, overcome age-related obesity and insulin resistance. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of heat treatment as a simple technique to promote healthy aging (1).

Health Benefits of Heat Therapy

The researchers found that older female mice that received 30 minutes of full-body warm water treatment every day lost weight and used insulin more efficiently, which helped control blood sugar. The researchers also identified the cellular pathways that were responsible for these positive outcomes.

“Women are more likely than men to be obese or overweight,” said Soonkyu Chung, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Amherst, leader of the research team. “This is especially true after menopause, when the body's estrogen levels decrease. Our findings suggest that whole-body heat therapy may be an effective, non-invasive way to treat weight gain and insulin resistance during menopause.”

Rong Fan, a doctoral candidate mentored by Chung, will present his findings at Nutrition 2024, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, which will be held June 29 to July 2 in Chicago.

Saunas may help treat weight gain during menopause

According to Fan, “Heat therapy may be a viable option for people at higher risk of metabolic diseases due to increased abdominal fat and hormonal changes that occur during menopause.” “It can be easily incorporated into routine healthcare practices through regular sessions of saunas, hot baths, or special heat wraps.”

To replicate post-menopausal conditions, the ovaries of older female mice were removed. To induce weight gain, the mice were fed a Western diet high in fat (45% of total calories). For 12 weeks, one group of mice was given 30 minutes of daily heat therapy in a heat chamber set at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), while the other group was given no treatment.

Heat therapy reduces fat accumulation

The mice given the heat treatment showed minimal tissue damage and significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase levels, indicating less aging-related tissue damage. This treatment also significantly reduced weight gain caused by a high-fat diet.

Compared to mice that did not receive the treatment, mice that were given heat therapy showed a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling, as well as reduced fat buildup in key areas such as the liver and brown fat. While adipose tissue stores energy, brown fat is a metabolically active type of fat that helps the body burn more calories. Research has shown that as people age and reach menopause, they lose brown fat, which contributes to a slower metabolism.

Why does heat therapy burn more fat?

The researchers also looked at the molecular mechanisms that underlie the positive effects of heat therapy. They found that heat activates several chemical mechanisms, allowing the body to use energy more efficiently and burn fat. The protein TRPV1 plays a key role, acting as a calcium ion channel in cell membranes. When activated by heat, TRPV1 initiates a process known as futile calcium cycling, in which the body expends energy (in the form of ATP) to pump calcium ions across cell membranes. This mechanism helps the body burn more energy.

TRPV1 activation, followed by calcium cycling, stimulates the breakdown and burning of fat. This reduces fat buildup in organs such as the liver and improves insulin sensitivity, which is important for general metabolic health. According to Fan, “This series of events suggests that regular use of heat may mimic the effects of calorie burning and fat loss.” “This may be particularly beneficial for individuals who find physical activities challenging, providing a comfortable way to improve metabolic health.”

The researchers emphasize the need for additional research to determine the ideal duration and intensity of heat exposure in people to achieve health benefits, as well as to confirm its safety and effectiveness in different groups.

Reference:

1. Daily sauna time may help prevent menopause-related weight gain (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1048831)

Source-MedIndia