Cold Showers, Cold Thermogenesis for boosting metabolism, weight loss and overall better health

[link to sports.yahoo.com]

[link to gettingstronger.org]
As one form of hydrotherapy, the health benefits of cold water therapy are numerous. Cold showers provide a gentle form of stress that leads to thermogenesis (internal generation of body heat), turning on the body’s adaptive repair systems to strengthen immunity, enhance pain and stress tolerance, and ward off depression, overcome chronic fatigue syndrome, stop hair loss, and stimulate anti-tumor responses.

FUCK

THAT!

I doubt that it works for fatloss. You metbolism should slow-down like that in winter(hibernation-mode). Your body conservies it's calories or fat to protect you from starvinf or freezing. This is just ANOTHER new scam to sell people cold baths/and accessories. Just watch..soon you'll see specialy ice bath jacuzzi's for a rate...just like tanning-beds & the like.

like they are going to sell cold water and ice? LOL...

Ice baths in MMA

Athletes have known about this for many years.

[link to www.normalbreathing.com]
Medical research suggested the following benefits of regular cold shower application:
- activation the sympathetic nervous system (Shevchuk, 2008)
- increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline and increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well (Shevchuk, 2008)
- electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve endings to the brain, which could result in an anti-depressive effect (Shevchuk, 2008)
- significant analgesic effect without noticeable side effects or causing dependence (Shevchuk, 2008)
- reduction in muscle soreness after running a marathon (Liang et al, 2001)
- improved quality of sleep (Onen et al, 1994)
- decrease of uric acid level in blood plasma (Brenke et al, 1994)
- inhibition of purine metabolism (Brenke et al, 1994)
- long-term antioxidative adaptation (Brenke et al, 1994)
- improved tone of the skin and muscles (Mergeay et al, 1990)
- reduction in uremic pruritus (a major problem for patients with end-stage renal disease) (Zucker et al, 2003)
- increase in brown fat cells that protects from aging, fight obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc. (Kanzleiter et al,2005; Mattson, 2010).

Brown fat = special fat cells that have, unlike white fat cells, high concentrations of mitochondria and, therefore, able to generate heat without any muscular activity. Brown fat concentrations are very high in new-borns and infants, but gradually decline with aging due to absence of cold stimulation in the general population.

Rugby players

cool thread +1

Body Detox with Contrast Shower (Or "Shower Detox")


Few outlines:
a) i never use soap and you shouldn't either if you have access to hot+cold water showers
b) it's one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself
c) it is very easy to perform and almost does not cost anything
d) hot water opens the pores, cold water squeezes toxins out while closing the pores
e) i do it every day
f) it makes your skin sexy smooth, energizes you + other benefits.
- increases the flow of immune molecules. (due to sudden temperature change)
- used by athletes for reducing or avoiding muscle soreness
- regulation of the nervous system
- improves blood circulation

This kind of body detox approach is termed as hydrotherapy (use of water in the treatment of illnesses or injuries) or more specifically hydrothermal therapy where the temperature of the water is manipulated, as in steam baths or hot baths.

Contrast shower is basically shower that alternates between hot and cold water. Higher temperature dilates the vessels and encourages the flow of lymph and blood. As the result, toxins can be eliminated in areas where the circulation of these fluids had been sluggish. Heat also boosts body functions such as our metabolism and heart rate, and subsequently stimulates our body processes, and thus enhancing detoxification. When cold water is applied afterward, the vessels constrict and squeeze the fluids and toxins to move along for excretion. In addition to boosting circulation, you will also feel revitalized and rejuvenated by practicing Contrast Shower.

A very important thing you should know about this Contrast Shower body detox procedure is that the sharper the contrast is between the hot and the cold water the better the effects will be. However, it is not advised that one takes too high temperatures or does more cycles to start with but rather after getting used to this procedure for quite some time should one increase the repetition and the temperature. You should start with about 102 degrees F (39 degrees C) and the lowest at around 70 degrees F (20 degrees C) and gradually widen the difference as you get more comfortable.

[link to www.ultimatehealthprotocol.com]
Thermogenic Exercise is similar to isometric exercise in that it involves only the contraction of the muscles without actual movement. The main difference is in what causes the muscles to contract. With isometrics it is a conscious contraction of the muscle or a force applied to an immovable object. With thermogenic exercise, the muscles contract from the involuntary or subconscious action caused by lower ambient temperatures.

Dr. Paul-Robert Thomas, a French physician, describes thermogenic toning in his book "Refreshingly Thin." In it he explains in some details the effects of thermogenesis on the muscular system. "Thermogenesis" means heat creation which the body accomplishes via muscular tensions and high -frequency contractions.

Dr. Thomas explains that thermogenesis has both a mechanical and chemical origin. The tension on muscles provides more than half of our body temperature (37.2 degrees C or 98.6 F). However, this heat generation increases as the body is exposed to cooler temperatures.

very highly recommended for psychotics...hope you don't need too many of those a day to "feel better"

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]
Given that localised cold treatments (sprays, packs and baths) are already common in sports therapy, it's perhaps not so surprising. What is surprising is that it's said to affect the mind as well as the body. ''There are huge psychological benefits,'' says Kettenhuber. ''It can ease depression and insomnia, and has good effects on stress, partly because it raises endorphin levels.''

It was significant in helping the Welsh rugby team win the Grand slam this year :)

Yes. Brrr. No way.

There is no sensation I hate more in life than being cold and wet. No thank you!

When you get used to it, it's quite interesting! Can't wait for the winter!!!

NO clue about the science. But I've been doing the alternating hot/cold shower thing for years after someone suggested it to me to break a fever when I had to flu. Won't deny that doing it was miserable while sick with chills, fever, and that awful 'skin pain' you get with the flu. It DID break the fever though. Could be a coincidence, guess I'll never know.

I do it pretty regularly now though because it is invigorating like nothing else and seems to clear my head and make me feel generally awesome!