re: sounds like we are on the same track put come from different areas.
Dear Iron Fist,
Thanks for responding. Perhaps, my original post was slightly misleading. Let me preface by giving my qualications on the subject. I am Martial artist of 10 year primarily. In addition I am a certifed Yoga instructor and a trained Body Rolling instructor. Over the last 10 years I have researched the body and its Physiology. I work on a continuing basis with clientele who have a number of Physical ailments, restrictions and issues.
I have extensively studied kinesiolgy, applied kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, Hung gar, Hatha Yoga and other forms of bodywork.
I am not disagreeing with what you say about sweating, I am simply trying to add to knowledge which has already been mentioned. Let me first explain, what is ment by "toxins".
Anything the body cannot use to regenerate itself, poisons, bacteria, fecal matter, urine can be considered to be toxins. The release of these toxins are through the Integumentary, Lymphatic, Urinary and the Digestive systems.
As sweating is simply one way of the body releasing those toxins. Of course, if the conditions for the body are not met for the body to sweat then toxins will not be released. However, those toxins will find a way out of your body. Or they will begin to damage your body.
Yes, you are correct in your statement that how much you sweat does not increase perfomance. It's what in the sweat that counts. It is also be proven that over sweating causes dehydration and is hard on the kidneys. In my orginal post I do mention that sweating should decrease.
You are right pure sweat is mainly salt water, however according to the "Essentials of Antatomy and Phyisiology" by Martini & Bartholomew sweat contains a mixture of electrolytes, metabolites, and waste products such as urea.
The electolytes give the sweat a salty flavor and the waste products give off an odor. It is these waste products that contain bacteria and attract bacteria in the air. After these to meet to fester, you get the ordor you describe. However, if you have ever trained a cancer patient or a alcoholic you should notice an bad smell when they sweat during their workout. These are the Toxins I am talking about.
Bikram Choudury was commisioned by a group of
Japanese scientiests to prove that the yoga he taught worked every system in the body. Part of the research was one the skin. They found that when sweating occurs, the skin begins to help detoxification of the internal systems. It aided in taking the pressure of the other excreamentory systems there by making the body work effectively.
In additon, look in Gray Anatomy. While Phyisiology is not discussed in huge detail, it is still a good book to check out.
Also check, the New England Journal of Medicine. I will look around for the article that I read from them on the subject.
Over the next couple of days I will try and provide you more documentation on the subject if you wish. It will take awhile, I need to go through books and as you well now, medical books are long!
Hope I have answered you question regarding my post.
Brian
San Francisco, CA