"Hot water treatment may help improve inflammation and blood sugar glucose levels in people who are unable to exercise according to a new study. The findings httpsdoi.org.japplphysiol.. are published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Physical stress such as exercise can cause the shortterm elevation of inflammatory markers. After exercise the level of an inflammatory chemical IL rises. In a process called the inflammatory response this activates the release of antiinflammatory substances to combat unhealthily high levels of inflammation known as chronic lowgrade inflammation. Recent research has shown that raising body temperature augments the inflammatory response and provides a rationale for identifying exercise alternatives that reduce lowgrade inflammation in the body. Previous studies have also found a connection between a spike in body temperature and nitric oxide production a substance that aids blood flow and helps carry glucose throughout the body. Researchers studied markers of inflammation and blood sugar and insulin levels in a group of sedentary overweight men. The volunteers participated in both hotwater immersion and ambient room temperature control trials separated by at least three days. The researchers took blood samples before and after the participants rested in an degree F room for  minutes. After the rest period the participants either remained seated in the room or entered a hotwater bath for  minutes. In the hot water trial the volunteers sat immersed up to their necks in degree F water. The research team measured the mens heart rate blood pressure and body temperature every  minutes throughout both the control and immersion conditions. Blood samples were taken again two hours after each session. The researchers found that a single hotwater immersion session causes the elevation of Il levels in the blood and increased nitric oxide production but did not change the expression of heat shock protein another protein suggested to be important for health. However a twoweek treatment period in which the men participated in daily hotwater baths showed a reduction of fasting blood sugar and insulin levels as well as improved lowgrade inflammation at rest.  The men reported a level of discomfort during the hot water immersion trial which could be due to the high temperature of the water or the length of time they were required to remain immersed. The researchers acknowledge that these conditions may make it difficult for people to commit to this type of alternative treatment. However the positive results of decreased inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity suggest that hotwater immersion may improve aspects of the inflammatory profile and enhance glucose metabolism in sedentary overweight males and might have implications for improving metabolic health in populations unable to meet the current physical activity recommendations the researchers wrote.  Read the full article The acute and chronic effects of hot water immersion on inflammation and metabolism in sedentary overweight adults httpsdoi.org.japplphysiol.. published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology https NOTE TO JOURNALISTS To schedule an interview with a member of the research team please contact the communicationstheaps.org mailtocahrefAPS Communications Office or . Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room http Physiology is the study of how molecules cells tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in  the American Physiological Society APS was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than  members and publishes  peerreviewed journals with a worldwide readership."