6 Surprising Benefits of Cold Water Therapy for Fat Loss, Detox and Recovery

Much has been said lately about the benefits of cold water therapy for fat loss, detox and recovery. "Cryotherapy," or soaking cold water, cold showers, cold gel packs and cold water detox baths (based on Louis Kuhne's sitz gesch shower) are popular among athletes and health-finders, and can both benefit others.

The long list of benefits is due to regular exposure to cold water. They include:

• Reduces inflammation

• Trigger detoxification

• Reduces excess white body fat

• Improve immune system

• Improves sleep quality

• Improve sexual performance and increase fertility

• Increase the pain tolerance threshold

• Increase hormone production

• Reduce food cravings

• Reduces uric acid levels

• Increases glutathione, the body's most powerful antioxidant. (Dr J Mercola)

Of course, these benefits vary from one person to another. This method does NOT give all of the above benefits to everyone.

For the purpose of this article, let's focus exclusively on the fat loss, detoxification and recovery benefits caused by using cold temperatures on a regular basis, in the form of a cold shower, dipping in the pool after the sauna, practicing Louis Kuhne Bathroom Detox or use a cold gel pack.

So, how does cold exposure contribute to fat loss, detox and recovery?

- Activation of brown fat: BAT or brown adipose tissue is brown fat that is abundant in the body in childhood and declines in adulthood. It is mainly found around the collarbone, neck, shoulders and upper back. A unique type of fat, it generates heat by burning normal white fat that deposits on the stomach, hips, and buttocks and feet. Chocolate fat burns energy instead of storing it. Studies have shown that you can actually activate brown fat — to burn white fat — by cooling your body.

2- Detoxification: Toxins are known to nest in dense white fat cells. When, through exposure to cold, you activate brown fat, it dissolves white fat and subsequently detoxifies the body.

3- Improving the Immune System: Cold therapy improves immunity by increasing the number of immune system cells that fight disease and infection. Due to its ability to stimulate the release of norepinephrine, cold exposure can lead to an increase in the number and number of natural killer cells, which can improve the functioning of the immune system.

4- Hardening: Exposure to natural stimuli, such as cold, is called "hardening." It is known to increase the body's tolerance to stress and illness. "The basic premise of cold water therapy is that simply and frequently exposing the body to certain types of natural stress can improve health". (Mark's Daily Apple)

5- Drink cold water speeds up metabolism, because the body has to work to heat water. However, other types of cold or ice therapies, such as cold gel packs used for the thigh area, can also help support your body's ability to burn fat and detoxify.

6- Recovery and recovery of injuries By lowering the tissue temperature and preventing blood vessels in the targeted area, numbs the cold and prevents swelling. That's why ice packs are often used after an injury, to help reduce bruises and swelling from fluid formation, and to relieve pain.

Cold baths and cold gel packs have proven to be more effective than resting in relieving muscle aches that occur after exercise.

What's the Easiest Way to Minimize Your Body and Get the Benefits of Cold Exposure?

You can take a cold bath or drink cold water, or sit by the waist in a cold bath for 10 minutes, 3 times a week. Water should be cold but not frozen.

However, the easiest, least invasive and most comfortable way to cool your body and achieve the benefits listed above is to use a regular cold gel pack, which works best when applied to the thigh area.

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