Bettersnaptool increase time for expose10/13/2023 ![]() That includes the layer of subcutaneous white fat that acts like a blanket. One factor in thermogenesis is insulation. #Bettersnaptool increase time for expose series#Cold exposure combined with specific breathing techniques may even be able to activate your immune system, according to this study testing the methods of cold guru Wim Hof.Īll of these therapies play on a feature of our bodies (and the bodies of all warm-blooded creatures) called adaptive thermogenesis: an interconnected series of physiological responses meant to maintain our core at an ideal temperature so our bodies can function correctly. Therapeutic cold exposure spans short immersions in icy baths or showers, applying cold packs or cooling blankets to specific areas of the body, or simply lowering the ambient temperature on the thermostat (without adding extra layers).Ĭold-water “hydropathy” was touted as a cure-all in the 19th century, and in modern times athletes incorporate ice into recovery methods for training. So turn that thermostat down a few degrees and read on to see what we know so far. Also, gradual cold may do the trick, meaning you may not need to jump in an ice bath to see results. In short, it appears that not everyone has brown fat, but we may be able to create more of it with cold exposure. But another effect appears to be metabolic, mainly through a special kind of metabolically active body fat known as brown adipose tissue, or brown fat.Īnd while multiple studies highlight the mechanisms by which brown fat may improve metabolic health, research hasn’t yet determined who can benefit from the effects of cold exposure and exactly how. This kicks off a complex process involving our fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system and many other effects-most familiar to you might be shivering. The basic idea is that when we expose our bodies to cold temperatures, they have to work harder and expend more energy to stay warm. But in the past decade, research suggests there may be more benefits of cold exposure than we thought, like increased glucose uptake and improved insulin sensitivity. The idea of making yourself cold to improve health-with an ice bath, cold air, or dip in an icy lake- has been around for centuries. There’s no easy way to know for sure if you have (or are making) brown fat and getting the metabolic benefits, but there’s likely minimal harm in trying it. You want to feel cool but not be shivering.
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