Health Benefits of Far Infrared Ray

Abstract

Far infrared ray is a subdivision of infrared band in the electromagnetic spectrum and with a wavelength range from 4 - 1000 micrometer. At 4-14 micrometer, it is most beneficial to the health of humans. Far infrared ray enhances cell and tissue response and yields therapeutic effect in tissue regeneration, chronic pain management, vasodilation, improved blood circulation, and arthritis. The aim of this review is to emphasize the health benefits of far infrared ray. These benefits are based on the biophysical mechanism of far infrared ray interaction with living cells, which leads to altering of cell membrane potential and mitochondrial metabolism. There are natural (sun, warm springs) and artificial sources of far infrared.  Artificial sources are usually commercialized sources of far- infrared ray which include ceramics, and special lamps for delivering pure far-infrared ray. Further technological advancement has enabled new methodology for utilizing far-infrared ray in rhyolite, ceramic nanoparticles impregnated into fabrics. These diverse sources are essentially used to deliver far infrared ray in different combinational models, and it is an alternative way to attain tissue regeneration, arthritis and chronic pain management, vasodilation, improved blood circulation and development of specialized oven in laboratory instrumentation.