Don't Sweat It!

The world abounds with myths, everywhere you look, even when it comes to things that defy common sense. The idea that when sweating releases toxins from the body is a myth. Sweat contains 99% water and 1% salts, minerals and other substances. It does not contain toxins. Toxins leave the body through the intestines, not sweat. Therefore, when we force ourselves to sweat during exercise, especially hot yoga or saunas, we are essentially wasting our energy and vital substances, including blood.  

(Capital letters are used for words whose meanings are specific to Chinese medicine theory) 

Body Fluids originate from our food and drink. These are transformed and separated by the Spleen. The good “clean” part is transformed into Qi, Blood and essential Body Fluids and the “unclean” goes out of the body via the Large Intestine. The pure part nourishes, then descends and leaves through the Kidney and Bladder.

The process of formation of Body Fluids is the result of an intricate series of purification processes, each stage further separating the fluids into pure and impure parts. It is the Qi of the body that causes the separation and formation of all body fluids; blood, sweat, spinal fluid, tears and synovial fluid. The concept of Qi has preoccupied Chinese philosophy and science since the beginning of Chinese civilization. Both material and immaterial, Qi is thought of as energy, life force, matter. It warms and nourishes us, propels us. It is our life force in its many manifestations.   

Relationship between Qi and Body Fluids

Qi transforms and transports fluids. It also holds the Body Fluids in. Weak Qi can lead to bleeding, excess urination and spontaneous sweating (sweating for no reason). While Qi produces Body Fluids, these, in turn nourish the Qi. After significant loss of fluids, such as with profuse sweating, Qi becomes deficient and may cause people to easily catch colds, have weak limbs, pallor, weak digestion and anemia (since blood has its source in other body fluids.) On the other hand, if Qi is deficient, fluids may leak out in the form of sweat since Qi helps hold fluids in the body. Qi deficiency causes sweating. Sweating causes Qi deficiency.  

The Spiritual Axis in chapter 30 says: “The body fluids that are dispersed in the space between skin and muscles come out as sweat. Sweat functions to moisten and nourish skin and muscles, and primarily is part of the body’s cooling system.” When the body is overheated, we sweat to cool us down. Sweat is essential to survival; without sweat, when overheated we could die. 

Sweat being one of the essential Body Fluids, works interchangeably with other Body Fluids. One important function of Body Fluids is to become a component of the fluid part of Blood, thinning the blood and preventing stasis. Dehydration can therefore lead to thicker blood and clotting. Body Fluids constantly replenish Blood and make it thinner so that it does not coagulate and stagnate. 

According to UAMS Health, your body has its own air conditioning system when it becomes too hot. It’s called sweating. This is why it is important to drink warm fluids in hot weather; it allows your body to cool down (cold liquids cause the body to heat up). Your body releases water on your skin, which then evaporates in order to cool down to the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees.

“Sweat is 99% water combined with a small amount of salt, proteins, carbohydrates and urea,” says UAMS family medicine physician Dr. Charles Smith. Therefore, sweat is not made up of toxins from your body, and the belief that sweat can cleanse the body is a myth.

“You cannot sweat toxins out of the body,” Dr. Smith says. “Toxins such as mercury, alcohol and most drugs are eliminated by your liver, intestines or kidneys.”

“By forcing your body to perspire through heat exposure or heavy exercise, you can cause your kidneys to save water and actually hang on to any toxins that may be circulating in your system,” he says. So, don’t sweat it.