Sauna bathing and systemic inflammation

Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T · European Journal of Epidemiology

Sauna frequency was inversely associated with serum C-reactive protein (means 2.41, 2.00, 1.65 across ascending frequency groups) after multivariable adjustment.

Population

Finnish men (42-60) from the KIHD cohort without acute or chronic inflammation

Intervention

Self-reported sauna frequency (once, 2-3, or 4-7 times per week)

Limitations

Cross-sectional analysis — cannot establish direction; men only; a blood marker, not a joint outcome.