Experts in science, fitness, and health are all discovering the benefits of ice baths on the body’s response to fat loss. Research has shown that when the body is exposed to cold, it produces more brown fat cells, which are the “good” fat cells. They store energy in a smaller space than white fat. Brown fat cells burn energy by generating heat through a process called thermogenesis. This process helps burn calories and lose fat faster. Brown adipose or fat tissue is the primary defender of core body temperature in cold weather. Studies have shown that brown adipose tissue plays an essential role in energy balance, and its activity greatly influences body weight.
How to activate Brown Fat Cells
Studies have shown that exposing your body to cool and cold temperatures may help produce more brown fat cells. The most effective way to do this is with ice baths. You should always take caution when trying something new and do your research on what is right for you, your body, and any health conditions you may have. If you can muster the strength to try an ice bath, just fill a tub with cold water and add about 10 pounds of ice, so it is nice and crisp and try to submerge your bottom half first then if you feel like you can go further your whole body. To start, you should try to do just 5-10 minutes at a time. You have to be very careful not to get hypothermia. You can wear a bathing suit to help with sensitive areas. If you can not stand the cold water immersion, you can also take a cold shower for 10 minutes a day or lay ice packs completely covering your chest and upper back for 10-15 minutes. This can be a helpful tool in jump-starting the metabolism and targeting those stubborn fat deposits.
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Sources:
Marcin, Ashley. “Brown Fat: How to Increase, Thermogenesis, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Nov. 1979, http://www.healthline.com/health/brown-fat.
“Do Ice Baths Help in Muscle Recovery and Weight Loss? – Health News , Firstpost.” Firstpost, 6 Dec. 2019, http://www.firstpost.com/health/do-ice-baths-help-in-muscle-recovery-and-weight-loss-7748911.html.
Seale, Patrick, and Mitchell A Lazar. “Brown Fat in Humans: Turning up the Heat on Obesity.” Diabetes, American Diabetes Association, July 2009, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699856/.
Marcin, Ashley. “Brown Fat: How to Increase, Thermogenesis, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Nov. 1979, http://www.healthline.com/health/brown-fat.
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