Technology company, IOBAC, is calling for help to explore the potential for Far Infrared (FIR) heating to help prevent and fight RNA viruses, including coronavirus (COVID-19), following its recent investigation into the availability of scientific studies on ‘the proven health benefits’ of FIR.
The company said: “This research unearthed a landmark pre-print study from En-Jing, Li (from the Office of Environmental Protection and Office of Radiation Protection, Peking) and Wei-Hong Huang (of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology), published in February, ‘Instability of Nucleic Acids in Airborne Microorganisms under Far Infrared Radiation’. The study, which will potentially be published in a journal in June for peer review and analysis, investigated FIR radiation’s effect of on inhibiting airborne microorganisms.”
Infrared radiation is an invisible form of electromagnetic energy, with a wavelength longer than that of visible light. The human body experiences its energy as a gentle radiant heat, able to penetrate up to 4 cms beneath the skin. IOBAC said: “Its benefits include enhancing the immune system by stimulating the body’s metabolism, and producing white blood cells to help fight infections.”
Infrared radiation does not heat the air, so all the radiation’s energy is used on heating any objects and surfaces in the infrared radiation zone. IOBAC explained: “Viruses may simply overheat in infrared radiation and die. Indeed, previous research on the SARS virus showed that ‘heating and UV irradiation can efficiently eliminate the viral infectivity’.
Paul Woolvine, IOBAC’s CEO, said: “We are not suggesting FIR is the silver bullet for fighting COVID-19, but as this this preprint study suggests, its ability to act as a complementary therapy in the fight against airborne microorganisms must warrant serious consideration. We’re thus calling for any potential partners able to put this technology through the necessary tests and clinical trials, with the aim of (hopefully) putting it to good use in the fightback against RNA viruses, including COVID-19.”
As well as fighting RNA viruses, IOBAC says research suggests FIR can help to reduce joint pain and inflammation – by improving blood circulation via deep penetration of the skin and underlying tissues.