Cold Therapy benefits include but are not limited to the following:
- Increased metabolism: Cold therapy has been shown to boost the metabolism, which can help burn more calories and promote weight loss, including subcutaneous fat.
- Improved circulation: Cold therapy can also improve circulation, which can help oxygen and nutrients reach the cells and tissues more efficiently. This can help improve overall health, including reducing subcutaneous fat.
- Reduced inflammation: Cold therapy can also help reduce inflammation in the body, which can help improve overall health and reduce subcutaneous fat.
- Increased collagen production: Cold therapy can also increase collagen production, which can help improve skin tone, elasticity, and appearance. Notice that beautiful red color of your skin after you get out of an ice bath?
- Improved athletic performance: Cold therapy can also help improve athletic performance by decreasing muscle soreness, reducing inflammation and promoting recovery after intense exercise.
My Experience with Cold Therapy and Subcutaneous Fat Loss
I started doing cold therapy in November 2022 and have seen many benefits. One benefit that I have seen from a physical perspective has been a loss of subcutaneous fat. I’ve experienced a decrease of ~6% in subcutaneous fat!! I use a FitTrack scale to track a lot of my body measurements which includes subcutaneous fat. You can see the decrease in fat from October 2022 to November 2022 in the picture below. The best thing is that with consistent cold therapy, the subcutaneous fat has remained at this new level!
My subcutaneous fat loss is attributable to many things, including my increased desire to exercise and eat a healthy diet. I believe that cold therapy has given me the mental strength and toughness to finish hard workouts. It has also given me the mental strength to say “NO” to that bowl of ice cream at night.
Cold Therapy – Losing Subcutaneous Fat
- Losing subcutaneous fat through cold therapy has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat that lies just under the skin and is most common in thighs, hips, and stomach. Cold therapy, through ice baths, premium cold plunges, or DIY Cold Plunges (DIY Cold Plunge Blog Post) can help reduce this fat and improve overall health and wellbeing.
- One of the most significant benefits of cold therapy for subcutaneous fat loss is the increase in metabolism. Cold temperatures cause the body to work harder to maintain its normal temperature, which results in an increase in metabolism. This means that even after leaving the ice barrel the body continues to burn calories at a higher rate, helping to reduce subcutaneous fat.
- Another benefit of cold therapy is the increase in blood circulation. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, which increases blood flow throughout the body. Increased blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues, which helps improve the overall health of the body. It also helps in reducing the puffiness and inflammation in the body.
- In addition to physical benefits, cold therapy also has mental health benefits. Cold temperatures help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve mood. This is due to the release of endorphins, “feel-good” hormones, that occur when the body is exposed to cold temperatures. According to Huberman Labs, mental health benefits also are a result of a 2.5x increase in dopamine.
Conclusion
Overall, cold therapy is a safe and effective way to reduce subcutaneous fat and improve overall health and wellbeing. Regular exposure to cold temperatures can help increase metabolism, improve blood circulation, and reduce stress and anxiety. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your health and reduce subcutaneous fat, consider adding cold therapy to your fitness routine.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that cold therapy is not a substitute for regular exercise and a healthy diet, but rather a complement to these healthy habits. Please consult a doctor before starting any new exercise or therapy program.