If, after reading our article "Introduction to far infrared therapy (hyperthermia)", you've ended up here wanting to know more about what this therapy can offer as a complementary support during cancer care, there are several important things you should know.
Firstly, there has been significant research on far-infrared therapy as a supportive approach for cancer patients. Dr. Nobuhiro Yoshimizu, M.D., Ph.D, Director of the Nakamachi Garden Clinic, Japan, built a term for those who could be helped by far-infrared technologies after chemo and radiation had failed them and they were simply sent home to die. These "medical refugees," as Dr. Yoshimizu called them, inspired him to research an alternative supportive approach, and far-infrared was central to his findings.
Far Infrared Heat and Immune Support
Far infrared waves, made up of a combination of electromagnetic waves, energy waves, and long frequency waves found in the far infrared spectrum, are extremely beneficial to the human body.
Far-infrared energy penetrates the body by as much as six inches. It does not conduct heat on the skin's surface, but safely brings far-infrared heat into the body's organs and tissues.
Dr. Yoshimizu's research notes that:
"During hypothermia, the sympathetic nervous system will dominate the body and cause the blood circulation to slow down. Since not enough energy is circulated within the body, our immune system will be compromised."
The relationship between the immune system and body temperature is significant for overall health. If our body temperature stays around 36°C, our immune system works as it should. When body temperature drops even a degree, immune strength diminishes.
Dr. Yoshimizu's research has noted that many cancer patients have a lowered body temperature, even when active. Under this condition, the immune system's activity — including the killer T-cells that help fight foreign invaders — can be reduced. When body temperature is raised slightly by far infrared, leukocytes (white blood cells) and T-cells become more active, which may support the body's own defenses during cancer care.
Another area of Dr. Yoshimizu's research involves negative ions. Positive and negative ions must be in balance for our cells to function properly. Too many positive ions in the body can make it harder for cells to absorb nutrients and dispose of waste. Negative ions — the kind naturally created after a thunderstorm or near the ocean — increase alkalinity in the blood, which may help support the body's waste-clearing processes.
It's also worth noting that lifestyle factors have been linked to cancer risk alongside genetic predisposition. This gives an opportunity to consider supportive approaches like far infrared therapy as part of addressing the cumulative effects of diet, stress, and environmental exposures — always alongside, never in place of, conventional medical care.
Dr. Yoshimizu discusses these lifestyle considerations for cancer patients at length in his research on far infrared therapy.
Diet and Exercise
Dr. Yoshimizu's research emphasizes maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and diet as a supportive measure. Recommendations from his work include at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and limiting sugary beverages, fruit juices, and fast food.
Water, tea, and sugar-free coffee are recommended, along with at least 600 grams of fresh vegetables and fruit daily. Whole grains are preferred over processed grains, and animal products and dairy are generally minimized, since many people with cancer also find these harder to digest. Alcohol, spicy and oily foods, and excess salt (kept under 5 grams a day) are also generally avoided in his recommendations.
Key takeaways from Dr. Yoshimizu's research:
- His work suggests far infrared exposure may be one factor that helps support the body's natural defenses during cancer care.
- His research notes that a 1°C increase in body temperature is associated with a 40% increase in immune activity, and that specialized, medically supervised whole-body hyperthermia at higher temperatures has been studied for its effects on cancer cells — a different application from home far-infrared use.
Far infrared therapy, alongside a healthy lifestyle, may offer valuable support for immune function and quality of life during cancer care — always as a complement to, and never a replacement for, conventional medical treatment. Please discuss any complementary approach with your oncologist.
This article “Far Infrared Therapy for Cancer Support: Boosting Immunity” was originally created and published by LoveandCompassion.com under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Mika Ichihara, M.S., L.Ac., LL.M., B.Phar., Founder Owner and Grand Master in Eastern Medicine and Energy Soul Medicine. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution and author bio. For more information about her and her practice, please visit www.loveandcompassion.com.
Disclaimer:
Please note, Mika Ichihara, M.S., L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and holistic practitioner, and not a medical doctor. Always consult a medical doctor or appropriate physician to discuss your conditions and receive their medical advice. You should not rely on this website for diagnosis or medical advice, which serves solely as general holistic guidance to your conditions. Mika Ichihara may provide general information about medical conditions and treatments. However, the information provided by Mika Ichihara and this website is not a substitute for medical advice. Mika Ichihara assumes no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly from action taken based on her holistic advice and the information or material on or linked to this site.