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@ lowcarbdoctor
2023-09-17 13:35:19While I am a fully licensed physician in Kansas, this communication does not constitute personal medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship. See your own physician to discuss your particular diagnosis and treatment
COLD THERAPY
Deliberate safe cold exposure has health benefits. Think cold shower, cold pool plunge, cold ocean swim.
Varied cold therapy protocols exist. General recommendations are to gradually expose yourself to cold temperatures for longer time durations. If you can submerge yourself in water at least to the neck, you benefit more. Covering your head for warmth will often assist in increasing exposure time.
Brown fat is increased with deliberate cold exposure. Brown fat refers to fat that is very dense with mitochondria. Mitochondria are responsible for cellular energy production. Activation of brown fat increases thermogenesis, energy expenditure, consumes triglycerides, and decreases overall fat.
Other benefits of cold therapy might include: increased metabolism, improved insulin sensitivity, decreased heart rate, improved blood pressure, decreased inflammation, increased release of norepinephrine and dopamine (feel good substances).
Think dress down when winter is approaching. In fact, in Scandinavian countries, they let their children sleep in the cold to help improve brown fat production and derive immune system benefits.
To review studies and particular cold therapy protocol recommendations, see Dr. Susanna Soberg-University of Copenhagen.
I hope this information helps you and your loved ones!
Jason Williams, D.O.