Connie Zack (Co-Founder of Sunlighten): What Infrared Saunas Actually Do for Perimenopausal Hormones
5/19/20261 hr 4 min
Did you know that the heat in your sauna might not even be the most important part? Most women hear "sauna" and think of sweating buckets, longevity bros, and biohackers. But there is actually a whole spectrum of light energy happening inside an infrared sauna that is doing the real work, and it has a lot to do with your hormones.
In this episode of Hello Hormones, I sit down with Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten and one of the original pioneers of the infrared sauna industry. With over 25 years of experience studying how infrared light and heat impact the body at the cellular level, Connie breaks down what is actually happening when you step inside, why wavelength matters more than temperature, and what perimenopausal and postmenopausal women specifically need to know.
If you have ever wondered whether a sauna is actually worth the hype, or if you have been told to skip it because of your hormones, this one is for you.
What's Discussed:
- (06:41) The number one symptom of perimenopause (and it is not hot flashes)
- (07:13) Myth buster: why near infrared matters more than red light
- (10:17) Should you sauna in the morning or at night
- (17:40) The surprising fact about sweating that changes everything
- (27:43) Can you sauna in perimenopause if you already run hot
- (34:36) What near infrared does to your brain and memory
- (51:04) Infrared sauna vs cold plunge: which one wins for women
- (54:46) The most underrated benefit nobody talks about
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Timeline Nutrition: Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit timeline.com/DRCARRIE and save up to 39% OFF your Mitopure® Gummies.
Sunlighten: Supercharge your cells in a Sunlighten Sauna. Visit sunlighten.com/partner-savings/ to get $2100 OFF and free shipping.
Studies Mentioned:
-
Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study for Detox:
✍️ FREE GUIDES:
- Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths
- Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101
- The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist
- The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom
- Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause
Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: drcarriejones.com
Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter
Instagram: @dr.carriejones
Facebook: @drcarriejones
TikTok: @drcarriejones
YouTube: @drcarriejones
Pinterest: @drcarriejones
Find more from Sunlighten:
Website: sunlighten.com/
Instagram: @sunlightensaunas
Facebook: Sunlighten Saunas
YouTube: @SunlightenSaunas
Contact no.: +8772920020
Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsCarrie Jones· Host0:00
Welcome to Hello Hormones with me, Dr. Carrie Jones, a podcast where we explore how to make friends with your hormones so that you can thrive in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. Whether you're premenopausal, perimenopausal, fully postmenopausal, or honestly just a woman dealing with the chaos of hormone imbalances, you are in the right place because handling your hormones doesn't have to feel like herding cats. So let's decode what's really going on, ditch that confusion, and help you feel like yourself again. You bring the symptoms, I'll bring the science, with a bit of sass, and get you solutions together. [upbeat music] Welcome to Hello Hormones, where we make friends with our hormones so we can thrive through our 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. I'm Dr. Carrie Jones, functional medicine doctor, complete hormone nerd, and longtime women's health advocate. I have wanted an infrared sauna for years. I mean years. So today, I am joined by Connie Zach, co-founder of Sunlighten Saunas, who are the global leader in infrared sauna and light therapy for, like, the last 25 years. And if you've ever wondered whether that sauna trend is doing anything in your body or just making you sweaty and a little skeptical, or maybe your sauna, if you have one, is just collecting dust, then this episode is definitely for you. It turns out your body loves light.