Is It Possible to Remove Toxins from the Body Through Sweating?

Many people think that sweating removes toxins (harmful substances) from the body. We can sweat heavily through exercise, physical work or a sauna. But is it really possible to remove toxins from the body through sweating?

Why Is Sweating Thought to Be the Best Way to Remove Toxins?

According to those making this claim, our environment contains high levels of mercury, cadmium and arsenic, and endocrine-disrupting substances such as phthalates or bisphenol-A can be found in our blood and urine.

CLAIMS

1. Sweating Is Thought to Help Us Eliminate Phthalates
   Phthalates are used to make plastic toys, kitchen utensils, fragrances, nail polish, cosmetics and paints. In a study examining phthalates in the blood, urine and sweat of 20 people, Canadian researchers concluded that the amounts of these substances in sweat were almost twice those in urine, leading to the idea that sweat is better at eliminating these chemical toxins.
2. Sweating May Help Eliminate BPA
   Bisphenol A is widely used in the manufacture of transparent plastics, payment terminal receipts, water pipes, electronics and eyeglass lenses. For years, this compound has been thought to have estrogen-like properties, and exposure has been thought to cause obesity, early puberty, sexual dysfunction and miscarriages. In one study, BPA was found in the sweat of 80% of participants but not in blood or urine, leading to the idea that BPA is eliminated through sweat.
3. Sweating May Help Eliminate Heavy Metals
   Arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead are recognized carcinogenic metals and are harmful to the human body in every form. They are known to damage the heart, brain, kidneys and immune system. Heavy metals are found in water, food, cigarettes and industrial emissions. According to this claim, compared with blood, sweat can eliminate arsenic in a concentration 10 times higher, cadmium 25 times higher, lead 300 times higher and mercury at an even greater concentration.

Roman and Turkish baths, Aboriginal sweat lodges and Scandinavian saunas were used as therapy. Recently, infrared saunas have come into use; they are cooler than traditional saunas and are believed to penetrate deeper into the skin, better promoting sweating and toxin elimination.

A healthy life results from balancing toxin intake and elimination. Therefore, alongside awareness of toxin sources, one should understand the processes that help eliminate these toxins.

FACTS

How true are these claims, and how widely can the results of the small studies above be generalized? Moreover, is the physiological function and purpose of sweating to eliminate toxins?

No, sweating is a means of cooling down. Of course, sweating—especially when combined with physical activity—can bring a sense of relief, but the reason for this relief should be sought elsewhere than in a doubtful elimination of toxins. Physical activity releases feel-good hormones such as endorphins, making you happy. You may feel good, but that does not mean you have eliminated toxins.

If Sweat Is Not Made Up of Toxins, What Is It Made Of?

Sweating is like the body’s air conditioning. Its main purpose is to regulate body temperature. When internal body temperature rises, the body lowers it through sweating, and the skin surface cools as sweat evaporates.

Sweat consists of 99% carbohydrate, salt, protein and urea. It is not made up of toxins. On the contrary, increasing body temperature without drinking enough water/fluids causes us to retain water and toxins rather than eliminate them. It is not the pores in the skin, but the liver and kidneys that are responsible for removing toxins from the body.

According to research, harmful substances are mainly eliminated from the body through urine and feces, and less than 1% through sweat.

Put another way, you detox more in the toilet than at the gym or sauna. So although exercise and saunas have benefits, detoxification by eliminating toxins is not one of them! Such promises are merely a marketing method, and saunas likewise promise detoxification.

Sweat’s contribution to toxin elimination is negligible. Almost no toxins are removed from the body through sweating, whose main purpose is to regulate body temperature.

Drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthily and being physically active will help eliminate toxins more effectively through feces and urine by supporting, above all, circulation, the kidneys, liver and intestines.

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- Proper Fluid Intake During Exercise