Cold water is not only a challenge for the body, but also a powerful catalyst for changes at the cellular level. As reported by Science alert, a new study conducted by scientists from the University of Ottawa (Canada) has proven that regular swimming in cool water can significantly improve the body's cellular defense mechanisms. And what is most interesting – positive changes are noticeable after just one week, writes IZ.
Content
- What happened during the experiment?
- Autophagy – the key to longevity?
- Physiological adaptation: rapid but temporary?
- Study limitations
- Cold as a natural therapy
What happened during the experiment?
The study involved 10 healthy young men. They were immersed in water at a temperature of 14 °C for an hour every day for a week. During this period, the scientists took blood samples and analyzed cellular responses to stress conditions.
The results were impressive: the body quickly adapted to the cold. It was found:
- improving the process of autophagy – internal cleansing of cells from damaged particles;
- reduction in apoptosis rates – programmed cell death;
- reduction of inflammatory processes.
Autophagy – the key to longevity?
Autophagy is a natural mechanism of the cell that allows it to “clean up” from the inside: recycle damaged structures, destroy waste, and clean the environment. These processes help prevent many diseases, including cancer, and slow down aging.
“ We were amazed at how quickly the body adapts to the cold. It’s like maintenance of the body’s micromachinery ,” says physiologist Glen Kenny, one of the study’s authors.
At the beginning of the week, the body's reaction was chaotic – autophagy worked intermittently, the level of apoptosis increased. However, after a few days the system stabilized: instead of destroying cells, the body began to focus on their restoration.
Physiological adaptation: rapid but temporary?
By the end of the week, the participants in the experiment demonstrated significantly higher cellular tolerance to cold, suggesting that the body is able to effectively adapt even to extreme conditions — and does so quite quickly.
“ Cold acclimatization can help the body better cope with extreme environmental conditions ,” adds exercise physiologist Kelly King.
Study limitations
Scientists emphasize that the results should be taken with caution:
- The study only included young men, so it is not known how other population groups respond to this.
- The experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions, without the effects of wind or temperature extremes typical of real open water swimming.
- Previous studies have shown that responses to cold air and water are different, which could also affect the results.
Cold as a natural therapy
This study opens up a new perspective on the use of cold therapy not only for health promotion, but also for disease prevention and potential slowing of aging. Positive changes in cellular cleansing mechanisms indicate the great potential of such natural practices in preserving youth and vitality.
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