Balneotherapy

Ancient humate deposits contain rich mineral profiles similar to therapeutic waters

Humate deposits are ancient plant formations containing organic acids and minerals. The mineral-rich composition of these deposits parallels the mineral content found in therapeutic hot springs and mineral waters used in balneotherapy.

"Humate is an ancient plant deposit. When you think about that plant deposit, there's things that are in there, like the organic acid, but also the minerals. So our company actually extracts ingredients that are used in dietary supplements, cosmetics, animal feeds, fertilizers."

Humic acids improve mineral absorption and nutrient bioavailability

The organic acids in humates enhance mineral absorption across different applications. This technology of improved bioavailability connects to how mineral-rich waters in balneotherapy deliver trace elements through the skin.

"So the technology of Humate is these organic acids help absorption, and that technology can be used on a grass leaf or in animal or even makeup. So it's a very unique application for these products."

Balneotherapy promotes deeper health processes beyond relaxation

Dr. Marcus Coplin explains that hydrotherapy and balneotherapy are not just about feeling good. There is a deeper biological action promoting health processes in the body, and these practices should be part of a regular wellness routine.

"These practices feel good. They make you feel energized and good, but there is a deeper action that's happening that is actually promoting the processes of health in your body. And so I really want people to come away with understanding that hydrotherapy, contrast therapy, balneotherapy, these are things that can and should be part of a health and wellness routine for a variety of folks."

European health resorts still use physician-prescribed mineral bathing

Dr. Coplin describes how European health resorts continue a centuries-old tradition where physicians prescribe a series of baths, diet, exercise, and rest for patients staying 1-3 weeks to rehabilitate using water as the primary treatment method.

"mostly they go with some sort of ailment. They meet with a physician and the physician prescribes a series of baths, diet, light exercise, rest, maybe a couple other things, massage, et cetera. And people will stay for a week to three weeks longer if needed to rehabilitate the function in their body using water as the primary method of kind of"

American spa medicine was once aligned with European practice

Physician-mediated mineral bathing was mainstream American medicine until the early 1900s. Health spas located on hot springs were considered the pinnacle of medical practice, but the industrialization of healthcare after the Civil War pushed these approaches aside.

"The truth is that we were part of the dance, to use your metaphor. You know, the American spas were lockstep with European culture. It was very in vogue, in fact, to be kind of like a European style. That was like up until about the 1930s. Late 1800s, early 1900s, that was kind of considered the pinnacle of medical practice."

Water therapy helps manage pain, sleep, arthritis, and diabetes

Varying temperatures of water and mineral-enhanced bathing can help manage pain, improve sleep, address arthritis and inflammation, and even help with diabetes, offering a wide range of health benefits from a simple practice.

"And there really is some amazing science behind what the different kind of varying temperatures of water and certainly mineral enhanced or mineral infused water can do for you in terms of managing pain, in terms of helping sleep, in terms of addressing arthritis and inflammation and even diabetes."

Radon is a radioactive gas present in some natural hot springs

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas derived from uranium breakdown in the Earth's crust. While primarily discussed as a home safety hazard, radon and radium are also found in some natural mineral hot springs, connecting to the hormesis concept in balneotherapy.

"And what's happening is this gas is sort of like emanating from the Earth's crust. It's derived from, you know, when uranium starts to break down. But it's this radioactive gas and it seeps into your home and it's"

One in five Canadian homes have unsafe radon levels

The 2024 Cross-Canada Radon Survey found that 20% of homes have radon levels above safe thresholds, with significant geographic variation. This highlights the importance of testing for this invisible carcinogen.

"And in one in five, that's 20% of homes, like one in five homes. And again, there's clusters, geographic clusters, right? So if you live in certain parts of the country, maybe you're going to be less likely to be at risk. But this is a much bigger problem than I think most people have realized."

Mark Sloan's book on balneotherapy and CO2-rich mineral bathing

Mark Sloan describes his book on balneotherapy, which covers bathing in mineral-rich carbonated water as a therapeutic practice with deep European roots and metabolic health benefits.

"And your upcoming book, I believe, is around seed oils. Yeah, I'm probably going to call it the PUFA Apocalypse. PUFA is being an acronym for polyunsaturated fatty acids. And yeah, it's on seed and bean oils, basically, as a cause of disease."

CO2 therapy and carbonated baths support metabolic function

The conversation introduces CO2 therapy through carbonated mineral baths as one of Sloan's key research areas, alongside cancer metabolism and red light therapy. Carbon dioxide in therapeutic baths can support metabolic function and circulation.

"We also talk about CO2 therapy and this is about carbon dioxide. Now is carbon dioxide this deadly thing that's killing the earth and killing us? And Mark has a different perspective on carbon dioxide and actually that it can be used for improving health."

Simple low-cost therapies like mineral bathing can support metabolic health

Sloan's work spans alternative therapies including CO2 therapy, red light therapy, and mineral bathing that can serve as practical, low-cost additions to a health protocol.

"Mark has written books around cancer, around alternative therapies like CO2 therapy and supplements like methylene blue. These alternative therapies can be a great addition to your medical tool belts, things that you can use to keep yourself healthy."

Mongolians were the first to link diet and health

The Mongols produced some of the earliest nutritional writings in history, establishing a link between diet and health. Traditional Mongolian doctors combined spiritual practices with practical knowledge of bone setting, herbal medicine, and nutritional guidance.

"They had a lot to document about topics such as bone setting or early orthopedics, treatment of war wounds. They were actually, I learned, interestingly, the Mongols were the very first people to establish a link between diet and health. The earliest nutritional writings come from Mongolia."