ByCold therapies have been around for centuries. Ancient Romans and Greeks used them to control pain. The modern ice bath is a trendy therapy thought to have a direct effect on metabolism. The fact that the body requires heat to warm up after an ice bath validates the link between cold therapy and metabolism. It is now an option in combating obesity and aiding weight loss.
Cold Therapy and Metabolism
Lowering body temperature makes the body work harder and burns more calories to stay warm. Shivering is one effect of an ice bath, though it has a negligible impact on calories.
Cold therapy, also known as cold hydrotherapy, works by a more powerful thermogenesis that does not involve shivering. The battle involves brown fat.
The body has white fat, which accumulates around metabolism-problem areas like the thighs, hips, and belly. The fat deposits cause obesity and health problems associated with poor weight management. Brown fat, on the other hand, has more mitochondria, which ensure its dynamism and ability to release energy.
The function of brown fat metabolism comprises the disintegration of fat and sugar in the body. That process generates heat, which keeps the body warm. Cold therapy activates the breakdown of brown fat. Brown fat arises from white fat in the process that occurs when the body is exposed to acute cold.
The gradual transformation happens through a process called beiging. It results from the body’s regular exposure to extreme cold, which is characteristic of ice baths. Most ice baths offer exposure to temperatures of about 50ﹾF to 66ﹾF for not more than two hours.
Ice-cold temperatures raise the basal metabolic rate. With regular ice baths, white fat gradually transforms into brown fat that breaks down easily, improving metabolism and weight loss.
Other benefits of cold baths include improved general well-being, which also impacts metabolism. The technique improves circulation and sleep. It enhances the release of endorphins, which spike energy levels and clear the mind.
Depression is a condition linked to poor metabolism. Cold therapy is said to alleviate anxiety and depression for some people.
Some claim it reduces inflammation. It relieves some inflammatory health conditions and reduces body soreness, especially for those involved in sports. It leads to the constriction of most blood vessels. That reduces blood flow to the injury, which, like ice, reduces inflammation and swelling.
The anti-inflammatory effect of cold therapy reduces the production of cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory chemicals. This process boosts immunity, while repeated exposure to cold baths builds endurance in the body. Some claims reveal it has anti-tumour benefits.
Procedures for Cold Therapy
There are varying procedures for undertaking cold water therapy. One procedure involves immersion in cold water, such as a cold bath, a cold lake, or a cold shower. The duration of exposure should last between 10 and 15 minutes.
In another, the process begins by taking a warm to cold shower. Here, the shower starts with warm water, and the temperature gradually drops in the course of the shower.
Others prefer switching to the cold shower straight away without having a warm shower. This process works best after a workout.
Besides exposure to cold water, cryotherapy is another option similar to cold therapy. This treatment uses liquid nitrogen infused into a chamber. The chamber often encloses the body except the head and neck. The liquid nitrogen in the chamber can reach temperatures as low as -110ﹾC. In such extreme cold, the sessions last two or three minutes.
When undertaking therapy, it is important to observe safety measures, such as having someone close by. It is also prudent to consult a doctor first and wear warm clothing after the exposure. Participants should not prolong the sessions.
Conclusion
Cold therapy alone does not suffice for effective weight management. Besides, research is ongoing to confirm the effectiveness of ice baths for weight loss and preventing obesity. A healthy lifestyle involving exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and good mental health is a requirement for effective metabolism management.
