February 2022: The HOCATT and The Heart
In last October’s blog, we touched generally on the many benefits of the HOCATT sauna and a little about how it works. But truly, as anyone who has experienced the sauna will tell you, we couldn’t fit all the details into one blog! So, we want to have a blog every now and then where we take a closer look into individual aspects of the HOCATT– from breaking down the Power of 10 modalities, to examining the physiological mechanisms behind why the sauna is so powerful. Since the month of February is all about the heart, we figured, there’s no better time to talk about nitric oxide.
Have you ever been outside on a hot summer day or finished exercising and then noticed your face was a little pink? Or maybe you noticed your watch or rings fit slightly tighter? Not everyone experiences it the same way, but we all are familiar with the result of blood vessels expanding.
Nitric oxide is what causes your blood vessels to dilate. Nitric oxide is a molecule produced by several different types of cells in the body. It’s small, so it can be produced by one cell and travel into other cells, acting as a communicator.
Our blood vessels are lined on the inside with cells that produce nitric oxide. The nitric oxide travels into the underlying vessel cells, signaling for them to relax. When they relax, your blood vessels dilate.
When blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases. When blood flow increases, nutrients can be more efficiently distributed, while waste is carried away.
But nitric oxide isn’t just produced by blood vessels! It’s produced by certain white blood cells, so it’s intricately connected to the function of the immune system. It’s also produced by some neurons and acts as a neurotransmitter. Low levels of nitric oxide are linked to heart disease, diabetes, and compromised immune function.
Given the diverse functionality of this one molecule, it’s no surprise that the nitric oxide pathway is utilized in the medical field. For example, breathing treatments in the NICU may contain nitric oxide because of its vasodilation ability. Additionally, certain medications utilize the vascular nitric oxide pathway. The discoverers of the nitric oxide pathway won a Nobel prize in 1998!
Outside the medical field, professional athletes are familiar with the benefits of efficient nitric oxide production. A quick Amazon search for “nitric oxide supplement” will show you lots of choices to increase exercise performance. The supplements typically contain precursors to enhance the body’s endogenous nitric oxide process.
So now we know that you can increase nitric oxide through dietary means and exercise.
How else could you boost your nitric oxide production? The simplest way is to hop in the HOCATT! Studies indicate that saunas produce boost nitric oxide and that ozone boosts nitric oxide. And the HOCATT gives you both in one.
The boost in nitric oxide production is a major mechanism behind why just 30 minutes in the HOCATT is so powerful. Additionally, as nitric oxide production naturally declines with age, this is also one of the ways that the HOCATT gives you an anti-aging advantage.
Over time, we hope that we can use the blog to demystify some of the magic behind our services. We know they are life-changing because they work, but we don’t want you to just take our word for it. The heart of Bluestem Wellness is Wellness Made Simple. In one session, the HOCATT elicits multiple healing mechanisms simultaneously– nitric oxide is just today’s topic!
We have several sauna options for boosting that heart-healthy molecule, from individual sessions, to packages, and even Massage + Sauna and Ballancer + Sauna Combo packages. Our staff can help you decide which is right for your needs!
Bluestem Wellness Nashville Disclaimer:
Bluestem Wellness Nashville does not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or condition. If you are unsure of how our services relate to your condition, we recommend consulting your doctor prior to your first session. As always, we encourage clients to explore information, but we are happy to empower you with resources. To speak to one of our specialists in a safe and private space about your health concerns, schedule a FREE, NO OBLIGATION, CONSULTATION. In the consultation, we will answer your questions and create a customized plan for your healing journey.